So... Thought I'd try out the other Erin Hunter series, 'Seekers'. Obviously it's about bears instead of cats like I'm used to reading about in 'Warriors.'
Characters - 4/5 - I thought that the characters were good, and there was a good variety of different personalities incorporated into them which made them each more interesting and unique to read about. My favourite would probably be Lusa; she seems to have this sort of humour about her, yet it's ironic considering the situations. I really enjoyed how this was portrayed. However, I still need to develop more with the characters, which I'm sure I will as the series progresses. In this first book we find out the basics about each one, but now it's all been set up, I expect the characters will grow on me in books two and beyond.
Plot - 4/5 - A slower plot than what I'm used to from Erin Hunter, so I suppose this seemed strange at first, and by the end of the book only the very basics had been set-up. Though I think because there were a lot of themes in here, the pacing gave for more thinking time rather than simply dashing through the pages. But I still feel like more could have happened and, for me, it lacked a little bit of intensity and the action that I like to see from any book that I read.
Writing - 4/5 - As I've said, it progressed in a much slower style, and I didn't feel as much intensity from it. There were definitely elements of sadness though, and that was brought across brilliantly, and a lot of the descriptions are always fun to read - just the right amount; not too much that it's overpowering, but not too little that you need to know more. The perspectives were interesting too and showed contrasts between each bear, but this had some negatives in the sense that you were sometimes waiting three chapters to actually find out what happened from the cliffhanger a few chapters before. This probably caused the slower pace, and whilst I felt like reading on to find out, maybe it was a little too long to wait and caused any intensity to come and then go soon after...
Enjoyment - 4/5 - It was an enjoyable read, but I definitely prefer Warriors. I'm not sure, I just think everything works a lot better in those books. But it's still a great, easy read, and it incorporates some great themes and personalities within the characters. Needed further development and more action at times, but I'm confident that, because it's a series, that'll all come in future books.
Overall - 4/5 - A solid rating, obviously not outstanding, but still really good. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone interested animals or someone who's looking for a nice, easy read that explores a lot of environmental issues. And if you read it, I hope you enjoy as much, or if not more, than I did! :)