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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
I really disliked this book when I first read it and my opinion honestly hasn't changed much. And the main reason is Bluestar. I simply find her character progression both unbelievable and detrimantel to the plot. It helps Fireheart grow into his role faster and makes book six more believable. But they do at the expense of Bluestar.
But this story shows quite well how flawed Fireheart is which I quite enjoyed. There are two main parts to it: his need to be right and the Tigerstar problem. I like that his wish to do the right thing interferes with the laws and creates tension with other characters. And then, of course, there is his obsession with Tigerstar and by association, Bramblestar. You can see he makes wrong choices and Goldenflower calls him out on it but still, Fireheart struggles. Which is nice to see.
. Whitestorm is still bae. Nothing else to say.
. Fireheart's obession with Spottedleaf really kinda comes out of nowhere.
. The ableism surrounding Snowkit was really strong. I can understand some of the arguments but overall, I think they overreacted.
. What is Sandstorm's problem with Cinderpelt? Was it really only that the medicine cat was keeping Fireheart's attention?
. On the topic of Cinderpelt, it's lovely to see her feel more confident overall but we only see these snapshots that just show her "leveling" up without seeing actual progress.
. Sandstorm in general was hot and cold the entire book. She had a complete change every time the writers needed her to create friction. It was super annoying; she didn't deserve it.
. So let's talk Bluestar. I find her mental downfall to be very out of character. It was believable in B4 with her grieving and all but to be entirely honest, I think it ruined her entire character. I can't even properly describe it but I just hated it.
. It's so weird that basically every interaction between Fireheart and Whitepaw is Fireheart chastises his nephew that he should believe in StarClan and not be a brat. But there is no actual development from that. They never truly talk.
. The entire discussion around Lostface's new role in the clan was also rough. She cannot be a warrior, not because of PTSD or her disinterest, no, because she only has one eye and one ear. It makes very little sense, I mean, she can't be the first cat to have a missing eye. And she wasn't consulted at all. Sure, she's probably still in shock but damn, just talk to her.
. And I think Longtail might be a new favourite? I love his changes that we see over the series and how he finally makes the decision to confide in Fireheart.
. Fireheart's comment during Bluestar's death was super cringey. Like why does his weak-ass commentary convince Mistyfoot and Stonefur that all is forgiven right away? I'm sorry but it always confused me.
But this story shows quite well how flawed Fireheart is which I quite enjoyed. There are two main parts to it: his need to be right and the Tigerstar problem. I like that his wish to do the right thing interferes with the laws and creates tension with other characters. And then, of course, there is his obsession with Tigerstar and by association, Bramblestar. You can see he makes wrong choices and Goldenflower calls him out on it but still, Fireheart struggles. Which is nice to see.
. Fireheart's obession with Spottedleaf really kinda comes out of nowhere.
. The ableism surrounding Snowkit was really strong. I can understand some of the arguments but overall, I think they overreacted.
. What is Sandstorm's problem with Cinderpelt? Was it really only that the medicine cat was keeping Fireheart's attention?
. On the topic of Cinderpelt, it's lovely to see her feel more confident overall but we only see these snapshots that just show her "leveling" up without seeing actual progress.
. Sandstorm in general was hot and cold the entire book. She had a complete change every time the writers needed her to create friction. It was super annoying; she didn't deserve it.
. So let's talk Bluestar. I find her mental downfall to be very out of character. It was believable in B4 with her grieving and all but to be entirely honest, I think it ruined her entire character. I can't even properly describe it but I just hated it.
. It's so weird that basically every interaction between Fireheart and Whitepaw is Fireheart chastises his nephew that he should believe in StarClan and not be a brat. But there is no actual development from that. They never truly talk.
. The entire discussion around Lostface's new role in the clan was also rough. She cannot be a warrior, not because of PTSD or her disinterest, no, because she only has one eye and one ear. It makes very little sense, I mean, she can't be the first cat to have a missing eye. And she wasn't consulted at all. Sure, she's probably still in shock but damn, just talk to her.
. And I think Longtail might be a new favourite? I love his changes that we see over the series and how he finally makes the decision to confide in Fireheart.
. Fireheart's comment during Bluestar's death was super cringey. Like why does his weak-ass commentary convince Mistyfoot and Stonefur that all is forgiven right away? I'm sorry but it always confused me.
My heart has joined the Thousand, for my friend stopped running today. How am I supposed to stop crying.
hey uh. erins? square up i’m mad. i did not need to go through that much grief in a 300 page middle grade novel thanks. my heart breaks for bluestar every single time she calls her clan traitors and for everything else that happens
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was another perfect Warriors book! "Rising Storm", the book immediately before this one, was absolutely incredible and had so many important moments that it was a tough act to follow, but this book delivered. "A Dangerous Path" is fast-paced, with plenty of character building moments throughout the suspenseful horrific events going on. Thunderclan is already vulnerable at the start of this book, as they have to face the challenge of rebuilding their camp after the fire and death of their medicine cat. Tigerstar showing up as leader of Shadowclan adds another obstacle, and Bluestar's instability becomes an issue that her whole clan has to deal with. So much happened in this book that the tension stayed constant without any of the plot feeling rushed, and I could not put this book down despite having read it before. This book alone is a strong argument for starting at the Original series rather than the newer arcs.
Oh my god, I'm crying here. Bluestar can't die! That was so emotional, an excellent instalment in the warriors series, straight onto book 6 for me.
As much as this book is absolutely essential to the series and contains a wealth of information and major plot events, I can’t help but rate it lower than the other books thus far. Why? Because of Bluestar. Her mind has snapped, essentially, after Tigerclaw’s betrayal, and her overwhelming suspicion of everyone and everything got very tedious to read after a while. I can’t say that there was a good way of avoiding this tedium, since Hunter had to express Bluestar’s state of mind and the added burdens that lay on Fireheart, but that doesn’t mean it made for the best reading.
Still, it’s not as though this book could be skipped without leaving the reader very lost and confused. A great deal of important thing happen here. Tigerclaw is now Tigerstar, leader of ShadowClan. Bluestar’s history with her lots kits comes into play, and is revealed to her now-grown RiverClan kits. Dogs are loose in the forest, stealing prey and making life difficult, but Bluestar won’t see the truth of the matter.
And then there’s the ending, which involves the ultimate and final death of Bluestar. It was an emotional death, in many ways, since was readers we’ve come to know Bluestar quite well since her appearance in the first book. In a moment of clarity, she sacrifices herself for the good of her Clan. But at the same time it was also a welcome death, since was growing old and was not mentally capable of leading her Clan anymore, and her shattered mental state left me feeling more pity and disgust for her than real sympathy, after a while.
The writing style remains consistant, as it has through the rest of the series, though it still takes a darker bent than the first two novels, because things are still in the process of heating up and there’s a lot of hard concepts to tackle as the series goes on. Faith in higher powers, noble sacrifice, dementia, betrayal for the sake of power, these things are not flinches away from, and for a mid-grade series, I honestly can’t recommend these books enough if you feel that you or your children are mature enough to handle books about cats that are far more than fluffy sweetness-filled stories involving balls of yarn and comfy beds. Hunter once again proves that young readers are capable of handling far more than many writers will give them, and does it with style and emotion that will leave you desperately wanting to pick up the final book of the first Warriors series.
Still, it’s not as though this book could be skipped without leaving the reader very lost and confused. A great deal of important thing happen here. Tigerclaw is now Tigerstar, leader of ShadowClan. Bluestar’s history with her lots kits comes into play, and is revealed to her now-grown RiverClan kits. Dogs are loose in the forest, stealing prey and making life difficult, but Bluestar won’t see the truth of the matter.
And then there’s the ending, which involves the ultimate and final death of Bluestar. It was an emotional death, in many ways, since was readers we’ve come to know Bluestar quite well since her appearance in the first book. In a moment of clarity, she sacrifices herself for the good of her Clan. But at the same time it was also a welcome death, since was growing old and was not mentally capable of leading her Clan anymore, and her shattered mental state left me feeling more pity and disgust for her than real sympathy, after a while.
The writing style remains consistant, as it has through the rest of the series, though it still takes a darker bent than the first two novels, because things are still in the process of heating up and there’s a lot of hard concepts to tackle as the series goes on. Faith in higher powers, noble sacrifice, dementia, betrayal for the sake of power, these things are not flinches away from, and for a mid-grade series, I honestly can’t recommend these books enough if you feel that you or your children are mature enough to handle books about cats that are far more than fluffy sweetness-filled stories involving balls of yarn and comfy beds. Hunter once again proves that young readers are capable of handling far more than many writers will give them, and does it with style and emotion that will leave you desperately wanting to pick up the final book of the first Warriors series.
4.5 Stars
LOVE THIS SERIES SO HARD
My ultimate goal is to get everyone to read this, we'll see how that goes.
LOVE THIS SERIES SO HARD
My ultimate goal is to get everyone to read this, we'll see how that goes.