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Soturikissaklaanit ovat pitkän taivalluksensa jälkeen viimein löytäneet uuden paikan, johon asettua asumaan. Ensimmäiseksi ne etsivät kaikille klaaneille leirit ja perustavat reviirit. Kaikkein tärkeintä on löytää vastine Kuukivelle – paikka, jossa klaanit saavat yhteyden Tähtiklaaniin.
Moni hautoo kuitenkin pahaenteisiä suunnitelmia. Kuka voittaa Tuuliklaanin valtataistelun? Mitä tapahtuu Vatukkakynnen ja Haukkahallan välillä? Kissat alkavat ymmärtää, että uudessa kotimetsässä vaanivat ulkopuoliset uhat eivät ehkä olekaan yhtä vaarallisia kuin klaanien sisäiset…
Moni hautoo kuitenkin pahaenteisiä suunnitelmia. Kuka voittaa Tuuliklaanin valtataistelun? Mitä tapahtuu Vatukkakynnen ja Haukkahallan välillä? Kissat alkavat ymmärtää, että uudessa kotimetsässä vaanivat ulkopuoliset uhat eivät ehkä olekaan yhtä vaarallisia kuin klaanien sisäiset…
300 pages, Hardcover
First published April 4, 2006
1199 people are currently reading
7104 people want to read
About the author
Erin Hunter
277 books10.7k followersErin Hunter is the pseudonym of five people: Kate Cary, Cherith Baldry, Tui T. Sutherland, Gillian Philip, and Inbali Iserles, as well as editor Victoria Holmes. Together, they write the Warriors series as well as the Seekers and Survivors series. Erin Hunter is working on a new series now called Bravelands.
Erin Hunter is inspired by a love of cats and a fascination with the ferocity of the natural world. As well as having a great respect for nature in all its forms, Erin enjoys creating rich mythical explanations for animal behavior, shaped by her interest in astronomy and standing stones.
Erin Hunter is inspired by a love of cats and a fascination with the ferocity of the natural world. As well as having a great respect for nature in all its forms, Erin enjoys creating rich mythical explanations for animal behavior, shaped by her interest in astronomy and standing stones.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 807 reviews
November 13, 2017
In this one, everyone yells for 598 hours about borders and who should run Windclan. Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight refuse to talk to each other over stupid reasons, and Leafpool has a sexual awakening realizing Crowfeather is hawt, but remembers she is a magical nun. Fun times.
September 5, 2014
I've completed the 4th book in Erin Hunter's "Warrior: The New Prophecy" series, "Starlight". My regular readers will remember that I'm working my way through this young adult series that depicts the lives of an entire culture of cats living in the wild. This is the second set of six books about these cats and I am happy to report this book returns to the roots of what makes these books great.
I really enjoyed the first 6 "Warriors" books and felt the series stood complete at the end of that first set of novels. It was a complete cycle. I had been sceptical about starting a new set of books, wary of a "next generation" syndrome that may have succombed to being only a copy of the original. Trying to "do it again" only to enhance the financial income of the authors/publishers as opposed to moving on to something else is something I am always concerned with because I tend to read quite a few series. And sure enough, when I tried the first book of this "New Prophecy" series, Midnight, my worries seemed well founded. It was difficult for me to switch gears to a new set of protagonists while the old ones were still around. The Firestar character from the first 6 books was a genuine hero but now he would have to be squeezed into a supporting role.
The books were still well written, and absorbing in their own way but it has taken me until this 4th book to get comfortable in the new skin. Perhaps I am just used to this new set of heroes now but I think it is due more to the plot settling down. The first 3 books of this set were all about moving the entire society of cats to a new home due to the infestation of human activity at their old home. Danger was everywhere with no time to rest. But now they have found their new home and this book is much more about building their new home, setting clan boundaries, and becoming 4 clans once again, instead of one bigger uneasy clan. We get to see a return to normalcy in many respects including naming ceremonies, warrior training, and consultations with the spirtual Star Clan ancesters. Clan differences are once again allowed to provide conflict and adventure instead of relying on the great unknown for everything. In short, this novel brings the series back to its roots. And it doesn't hurt that I am comfortable with the new heroes now.
Don't get me wrong; I don't blame the authors at all for having to uproot everything we have come to know and love about this feline society. That's the only way to prevent the "let's do it again" syndrome. And now, after completing Starlight, I am confident that I will look back at the end of this second set of 6 books and see it as another fantastic addtion to the universe of young adult literature. Two more books to go and I'll be sure to let you know!
I really enjoyed the first 6 "Warriors" books and felt the series stood complete at the end of that first set of novels. It was a complete cycle. I had been sceptical about starting a new set of books, wary of a "next generation" syndrome that may have succombed to being only a copy of the original. Trying to "do it again" only to enhance the financial income of the authors/publishers as opposed to moving on to something else is something I am always concerned with because I tend to read quite a few series. And sure enough, when I tried the first book of this "New Prophecy" series, Midnight, my worries seemed well founded. It was difficult for me to switch gears to a new set of protagonists while the old ones were still around. The Firestar character from the first 6 books was a genuine hero but now he would have to be squeezed into a supporting role.
The books were still well written, and absorbing in their own way but it has taken me until this 4th book to get comfortable in the new skin. Perhaps I am just used to this new set of heroes now but I think it is due more to the plot settling down. The first 3 books of this set were all about moving the entire society of cats to a new home due to the infestation of human activity at their old home. Danger was everywhere with no time to rest. But now they have found their new home and this book is much more about building their new home, setting clan boundaries, and becoming 4 clans once again, instead of one bigger uneasy clan. We get to see a return to normalcy in many respects including naming ceremonies, warrior training, and consultations with the spirtual Star Clan ancesters. Clan differences are once again allowed to provide conflict and adventure instead of relying on the great unknown for everything. In short, this novel brings the series back to its roots. And it doesn't hurt that I am comfortable with the new heroes now.
Don't get me wrong; I don't blame the authors at all for having to uproot everything we have come to know and love about this feline society. That's the only way to prevent the "let's do it again" syndrome. And now, after completing Starlight, I am confident that I will look back at the end of this second set of 6 books and see it as another fantastic addtion to the universe of young adult literature. Two more books to go and I'll be sure to let you know!
August 21, 2009
This book wasn't one of my favorites in the Warriors series, I don't like the way Brambleclaw is acting right now. He keeps worrying about Tigerstar and all that stuff.... It's getting a little bit annoying when the Tigerstar thing keeps being brought up. But, it was still a good book, just compared to the others it was a little slow.
July 30, 2023
My kid read this and is enjoying the series.
April 14, 2022
Watch as we follow the journey of an old married couple that are desperate for some marital counselling while everything else goes to shit!
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August 15, 2024We are not gonna talk about how excited I was that there was a new map in the front of this one.
November 11, 2021
brambleclaw is genuinely so stupid, i'm embarrassed for him
January 6, 2021
I really loved this one! It was full of suspense and intrigues that I just needed to finish it as soon as possible.
The 4 clans have now found their new home and marked their territories, but the old grudges are still there. As good as Firestar is, he just can't fix everything. I wonder when he'll be able to see that. There are some storylines that I look forward to: Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight, Leafpool and Crawfeather, but also the plans of Hawkwind.
The 4 clans have now found their new home and marked their territories, but the old grudges are still there. As good as Firestar is, he just can't fix everything. I wonder when he'll be able to see that. There are some storylines that I look forward to: Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight, Leafpool and Crawfeather, but also the plans of Hawkwind.
February 3, 2022
{ 8.99/10 }
→ rounded up because of this quote.
I am writing this review before I finish this book and give it a rate/10. I'm gonna finish it tomorrow during last period (02-01-22) But I like it!! I am probably one of the only people in the WC fandom who likes the back half of TNP. I love character drama and I like Crowfeather; lol ik I talk about him a lot.
Anyway despite that, this book is fine but it's sad in retrospect... if you don't remember, this book is about WindClan's civil war and Onewhisker's kindness against Mudclaw's ambition. It's just sad because in later books Onestar is a total bitch, which is not anything you need to read between the lines to understand, but in Crowfeather's Trial it is especially harsh. However, the conflict is written very well in Starlight I just get kinda sad reading about Onestar being nice and all.
Hype for the new Onestar SE though ngl
OH I love how Chapter 12 details Brambleclaw getting into that skirmish with ShadowClan and then he is completely unaware of his ambition, and attitude towards Squirreflight. And I just love his quarrel with Squilf too like we need more relationship problems in WC yes!!! It adds realism
Also honorable mention is Birchkit just in general because I think it's just so cute how he's the only small one in the Clan. It makes total sense toobecause his siblings died but yeah.
TL;DR - explaining the 8.99
- It should be a 9 but I can't in good conscience give it a 9 because I don't like the Onewhisker storyline and that's like half of this book. It's fine on its own just sad in retrospect
- 5 stars though because it's a comfort book... I'm sorry the 5 star thing is just limited, I can't in good faith give this the same star rating as Moonrise omg
→ rounded up because of this quote.
I am writing this review before I finish this book and give it a rate/10. I'm gonna finish it tomorrow during last period (02-01-22) But I like it!! I am probably one of the only people in the WC fandom who likes the back half of TNP. I love character drama and I like Crowfeather; lol ik I talk about him a lot.
Anyway despite that, this book is fine but it's sad in retrospect... if you don't remember, this book is about WindClan's civil war and Onewhisker's kindness against Mudclaw's ambition. It's just sad because in later books Onestar is a total bitch, which is not anything you need to read between the lines to understand, but in Crowfeather's Trial it is especially harsh. However, the conflict is written very well in Starlight I just get kinda sad reading about Onestar being nice and all.
Hype for the new Onestar SE though ngl
OH I love how Chapter 12 details Brambleclaw getting into that skirmish with ShadowClan and then he is completely unaware of his ambition, and attitude towards Squirreflight. And I just love his quarrel with Squilf too like we need more relationship problems in WC yes!!! It adds realism
Also honorable mention is Birchkit just in general because I think it's just so cute how he's the only small one in the Clan. It makes total sense too
TL;DR - explaining the 8.99
- It should be a 9 but I can't in good conscience give it a 9 because I don't like the Onewhisker storyline and that's like half of this book. It's fine on its own just sad in retrospect
- 5 stars though because it's a comfort book... I'm sorry the 5 star thing is just limited, I can't in good faith give this the same star rating as Moonrise omg
October 5, 2022
This book was such a drag. Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight actually talk out their problems challenge! And Brambleclaw is an idiot for forgiving Hawkfrost in the end. Squilf was a little harsh before the Hawkfrost plotting with Mudclaw thing, but afterwards it's clear she was right. Also the only interesting part of the book, the WindClan civil war, happened in like the last fifty pages. So much of this book felt fillery. Also what was that LeafCrow confession? This book could've been so much better
August 27, 2019
Ok, am I the only one that didn't see Leaf Pool and Crow Feather coming? Because that was so freaking sweet and I loved it.
This is the first Warriors audiobook that I've listened to without MacLeod Andrews. This narrator is very good, but it's hard to change. It's weird that she is using accents to differentiate cats when Andrews used tone.
This is the first Warriors audiobook that I've listened to without MacLeod Andrews. This narrator is very good, but it's hard to change. It's weird that she is using accents to differentiate cats when Andrews used tone.
September 15, 2020
El principio me ha parecido un poco lento pero el resto me ha encantado.
July 10, 2022
Although I definitely enjoyed these more as a kid, I still find them enjoyable. They're a great break from the high fantasy I usually read because they're super quick. Sure, I get irritated by them at times, but they're a nostalgia read for me.
This arc isn't one of my favorites. The angst between Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight is much more irritating than it used to be, as its just miscommunication. Leafpaw played a bit too big of a part in this one for my tastes, her parts are too whiny and the foreshadowing is painfully obvious.
I know this is a children's book, but I do wish the relationships were developed a bit more. Especially the one between Crowfeather and Leafpool. They were professing their love at the end, and it just felt a bit sudden and unnecessary.
I love revisiting this series every few years as a quick read, and this time is no exception
This arc isn't one of my favorites. The angst between Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight is much more irritating than it used to be, as its just miscommunication. Leafpaw played a bit too big of a part in this one for my tastes, her parts are too whiny and the foreshadowing is painfully obvious.
I know this is a children's book, but I do wish the relationships were developed a bit more. Especially the one between Crowfeather and Leafpool. They were professing their love at the end, and it just felt a bit sudden and unnecessary.
I love revisiting this series every few years as a quick read, and this time is no exception
December 8, 2020
This book started out slow but in the 3rd chapter it got real intense. I mostly payed attention on how Crowfeathers feelings. He mostly has emotions to his loss of Feathertail. A Riverclan cat. I also payed attention to how Hawkfrost feels about his half brother Brambleclaw. They start to ease up until the very end when Hawkfrost tries to help Mudclaw kill Onewisker. Onewisker became leader because right before Tallstar died (It was very sad) he made Onewisker deputy. Mudclaw was deputy but Tallstar perfered Onewisker to be leader. I think this is one of my favorite New Prophecy books so far.
August 8, 2017
My poor babies...
Once again I find myself thoroughly surprised at how much these books make me sad and happy all at the same time. As time goes on I find myself loving this series more and more. I will be so sad when eventually I finish it...
Once again I find myself thoroughly surprised at how much these books make me sad and happy all at the same time. As time goes on I find myself loving this series more and more. I will be so sad when eventually I finish it...
October 13, 2024
why did it take more than half of the book for them to decide where to set up their new camp. boring— except for the crowfeather/leafpool love confession scene.
February 2, 2021
Eh this was okay. Least they're quick audios. I don't like Tallstar's decision in this one, and the anger between Squirrel and Bramble bugs me. I like Leaf's journey, and how they're setting up their new homes. The nostalgia I feel when I read these is so crazy, as they were my favourite childhood series more than 10 years ago. They're definitely aimed towards younger readers
June 28, 2021
Ok. Nada espectacular paso en esta cuarta entrega, pero me dieron romance felino así que no necesito más! LOL
La verdad, los problemas de los clanes me esta pareciendo repetitivo, siempre alguien que quiere apoderarse de todos los clanes y ambición por el poder. Los diálogos mejoraron un poquitín, pero los nombres de guerreros que le dan a los que eran aprendices me parecen horrible. Quién quisiera llamarse Corvino Plumoso??? o Esquiruela???? Que es eso? Qué pasó con Esquirolina?? Era hermoso ese, pero bue…. Es un gusto más personal.
Estoy enojada porque me están arruinando mi parejita de gatitos favorita, pero me están dando otra que en realidad ya se venía venir. Debo decir y RECALCAR, estos libros son super Middle Grade, para chicos de 12 años por ahí, porque la manera de escribir es cero complicada, los personajes no tienen tanta profundidad, pero, aun así, siento que les hace falta conflicto y me hace cuestionar cómo terminará esta saga, porque la verdad siento que la alargan demasiado innecesariamente. Aunque sean Middle grade no creo que sea una excusa para que la trama general sea tan floja.
Con todo esto… la voy a seguir leyendo? ….. SI , la voy a seguir leyendo. Quiero saber si mis gatitos quedan juntos o no. 🤣
La verdad, los problemas de los clanes me esta pareciendo repetitivo, siempre alguien que quiere apoderarse de todos los clanes y ambición por el poder. Los diálogos mejoraron un poquitín, pero los nombres de guerreros que le dan a los que eran aprendices me parecen horrible. Quién quisiera llamarse Corvino Plumoso??? o Esquiruela???? Que es eso? Qué pasó con Esquirolina?? Era hermoso ese, pero bue…. Es un gusto más personal.
Estoy enojada porque me están arruinando mi parejita de gatitos favorita, pero me están dando otra que en realidad ya se venía venir. Debo decir y RECALCAR, estos libros son super Middle Grade, para chicos de 12 años por ahí, porque la manera de escribir es cero complicada, los personajes no tienen tanta profundidad, pero, aun así, siento que les hace falta conflicto y me hace cuestionar cómo terminará esta saga, porque la verdad siento que la alargan demasiado innecesariamente. Aunque sean Middle grade no creo que sea una excusa para que la trama general sea tan floja.
Con todo esto… la voy a seguir leyendo? ….. SI , la voy a seguir leyendo. Quiero saber si mis gatitos quedan juntos o no. 🤣
August 31, 2019
De clans gaan hun nieuwe gebied verkennen en hun territoriumgrenzen vastleggen. Sommige katten hebben het moeilijk om terug te wennen aan de afscheiding van de clans, nu ze tijdens hun tocht allemaal samengewerkt hebben en onderling vriendschap hebben gesloten. Voor Langster is de reis te veel geweest, en als hij stervende is, benoemt hij Eensnor tot zijn opvolger, in plaats van Modderklauw, zoals door iedereen verwacht werd. Vele katten twijfelen aan zijn keuze, en de nodige strubbelingen ontstaan.
Loofpoot krijgt een droom en volgt Spikkelblad van de Sterrenclan naar de plek waar de nieuwe Maanpoel is, ter vervanging van de Maansteen in hun vorige gebied. En uiteindelijk vinden de katten ook een geschikte plek om hun maandelijkse vergaderingen te houden.
Dit is ook weer een uitstekend boek over de kattenclans, dat zeer vlot leest en moeilijk weg te leggen is.
Loofpoot krijgt een droom en volgt Spikkelblad van de Sterrenclan naar de plek waar de nieuwe Maanpoel is, ter vervanging van de Maansteen in hun vorige gebied. En uiteindelijk vinden de katten ook een geschikte plek om hun maandelijkse vergaderingen te houden.
Dit is ook weer een uitstekend boek over de kattenclans, dat zeer vlot leest en moeilijk weg te leggen is.
February 20, 2024
2.5. The ending brought it up .5.
okay. mainly boring and redundant except for literally the last 95% where we finally got some inter-clan drama that wasn't border related. I liked that Tallstar choosing Onewhisker instead of Mudclaw snowballed into the climax at the end. I thought that was very 'classic' warrior cats plot. But the beginning... the random romance between leafpool and crowfeather... the 'drama' between squirrelflight and brambleclaw (as if... squirrelflight JUST remembered that brambleclaw was a descendent of Tigerclaw). Hawkfrost is kinda just a Tigerclaw copy. "let me take mudclaw behind this tree... then when he comes back dead ill say a tree killed him..." yeah, i don't believe that for a second.
idk. mainly flaws in this one, but basically okay. Also i can't stand leafpool. I'm sorry, like fr. just can't stand her.
okay. mainly boring and redundant except for literally the last 95% where we finally got some inter-clan drama that wasn't border related. I liked that Tallstar choosing Onewhisker instead of Mudclaw snowballed into the climax at the end. I thought that was very 'classic' warrior cats plot. But the beginning... the random romance between leafpool and crowfeather... the 'drama' between squirrelflight and brambleclaw (as if... squirrelflight JUST remembered that brambleclaw was a descendent of Tigerclaw). Hawkfrost is kinda just a Tigerclaw copy. "let me take mudclaw behind this tree... then when he comes back dead ill say a tree killed him..." yeah, i don't believe that for a second.
idk. mainly flaws in this one, but basically okay. Also i can't stand leafpool. I'm sorry, like fr. just can't stand her.
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July 5, 2024Girly broke up with her boy because he talks to his brother once a month?
February 10, 2024
Strălucirea Stelelor-Erin Hunter
Acest volum dezvăluie drumul celor 4 clanuri spre noua, dar nestiuta locație, deoarece profeția despre războinicul pe moarte ce avea să le dezvăluie unde să se îndrepte, nu s-a mai înfăptuit.
Patru clanuri ce s-au transformat într-unul, al căror miros caracteristic este greu de identificat acum; singurul clan ce a întârziat să-si facă simțită prezența a fost "Clanul Stelelor ", ce le face pe toate piscile să se simtă nesigure. O viziune primită de Labă de Frunză dezvăluie locul unde să-și facă tabăra clanurile( acolo unde stele se oglindesc), deja instaurându-se setea de putere și alianțe noi, împărțirea clanurilor.
Decesul conducătorului Clanului Vântului-Stea Înaltă, și ultima dorința a sa de pe "muschiul" de moarte, numirea noului secund Mustăcioară în declasarea din secund în războinic a lui Gheară de Namol, au dus la o alianță între Clanul Vântului și Clanul Râului pt omorârea lui Mustacioară înainte de a primii cele 9 vieți de la Clanul Stelelor.
Clanul Stelelor si-a făcut simțită prezența în visul lui Labă de Frunză, dezvăluind noul loc unde pisicile vraci, dar și noii conducători pot primii (atât profeții, cât și cele 9 vieti) -un loc numit Iazul Lunii.
Astfel volumul se finalizează prin lupta dintre câțiva membri ai clanurilor: Tunetului, Vântului și Râului, amintindu-le pisicilor de profeția: după ce apa lacului v-a fi rosie de sânge, atunci se v-a instaura pacea...dar nu despre această luptă e vorba...
Acest volum dezvăluie drumul celor 4 clanuri spre noua, dar nestiuta locație, deoarece profeția despre războinicul pe moarte ce avea să le dezvăluie unde să se îndrepte, nu s-a mai înfăptuit.
Patru clanuri ce s-au transformat într-unul, al căror miros caracteristic este greu de identificat acum; singurul clan ce a întârziat să-si facă simțită prezența a fost "Clanul Stelelor ", ce le face pe toate piscile să se simtă nesigure. O viziune primită de Labă de Frunză dezvăluie locul unde să-și facă tabăra clanurile( acolo unde stele se oglindesc), deja instaurându-se setea de putere și alianțe noi, împărțirea clanurilor.
Decesul conducătorului Clanului Vântului-Stea Înaltă, și ultima dorința a sa de pe "muschiul" de moarte, numirea noului secund Mustăcioară în declasarea din secund în războinic a lui Gheară de Namol, au dus la o alianță între Clanul Vântului și Clanul Râului pt omorârea lui Mustacioară înainte de a primii cele 9 vieți de la Clanul Stelelor.
Clanul Stelelor si-a făcut simțită prezența în visul lui Labă de Frunză, dezvăluind noul loc unde pisicile vraci, dar și noii conducători pot primii (atât profeții, cât și cele 9 vieti) -un loc numit Iazul Lunii.
Astfel volumul se finalizează prin lupta dintre câțiva membri ai clanurilor: Tunetului, Vântului și Râului, amintindu-le pisicilor de profeția: după ce apa lacului v-a fi rosie de sânge, atunci se v-a instaura pacea...dar nu despre această luptă e vorba...
March 19, 2019
Sadly, I was rather disappointed in this one. It was even slower than the first book was. I was hopeful that this second series would turn out like the first one, as the last two books picked up quite a bit. I'm still holding out hope for the last two! It breaks my heart that it's lost the magic of the first series - I was obsessed and I want that back!
Basically nothing happened in this one. NOTHING. The entire 320 pages consisted of nothing but the Clans settling into their new home. Exploring. Determining boundaries. Discovering what risks the new territory holds. More exploring. Yawn.
There was only a tiny bit of conflict, and it ended up not even being a real threat.
I am hoping that Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight resolve their issues in the next book. I'm thinking it's going to take Hawkfrost betraying Brambleclaw for it to happen. It makes me so sad that she told him that they weren't meant to be!! I need them to have babies together, haha.
Basically nothing happened in this one. NOTHING. The entire 320 pages consisted of nothing but the Clans settling into their new home. Exploring. Determining boundaries. Discovering what risks the new territory holds. More exploring. Yawn.
There was only a tiny bit of conflict, and it ended up not even being a real threat.
I am hoping that Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight resolve their issues in the next book. I'm thinking it's going to take Hawkfrost betraying Brambleclaw for it to happen. It makes me so sad that she told him that they weren't meant to be!! I need them to have babies together, haha.
November 16, 2018
This book added a lot to the clans adjusting to their new home by the lake. I read the Code of the Clans books before this and knew ow somethings would happen, but what surprised me was how late some things happened. The prophecy in this book is, Before peace,Blood will spill blood and the lake will run red. I feel like this has to do with Brambleclaw and Hawkfrost's blood relation to Tigerclaw/Tigerstar and how other cats don't think either of them are loyal to their clans anymore. If anyone has a different prediction feel free to share it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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July 19, 2025Kurzbart hat einfach keinen eigenen Charakter außer DonnerClan ist geil - Moorkralle aber trotzdem uncool. Und Habichtfrost größte Bitch.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2024
Okej moim zdaniem książki Baldry są zdecydowanie najlepsze z seri wojowników
March 21, 2025
I read the third in the “The New Prophecy” cycle of the WARRIORS series not terribly long ago, but it ended on a high note, in my view, as the four cat clans—ThunderClan, WindClan, RiverClan, and ShadowClan—trekked across the mountains and located a new place to call home after their previous home in the forest was destroyed by humans (Twolegs, in their parlance). Their arrival at their new territory seemed an exciting development moving the story forward and I ended that book eager to find out what happened next. Hence, I picked up the fourth in the six-book series, ‘STARLIGHT’, less than a month later. Sad to say, this one completely fumbles the promise of its predecessor, devoting almost its entire 317 pages to the work of exploring and hashing out the new clan boundaries.
Yes, so much of the book is about the cats circling the lake at the center of their new homeland and deciding where their camps should be. The way this is drawn out feels a bit like the series is once again trying to artificially extend itself to six books, a problem I had with the earlier books in this cycle as well. I’m doubly bothered by this because, were it not for a new map at the start of the book (yes, these books begin with maps and a list of the cast of characters, though I usually skip the character list), I don’t think I could really visualize the area. Aside from a broad lake in the middle of the location with an island at its center, nothing else really came to life. ThunderClan’s camp especially, I understand is at the bottom of a gully with thorns obscuring the drop, and that there are high rock walls, but beyond this I did not get a true image of the camp in my head. I honestly think that Erin Hunter doesn’t do a terribly good job of offering descriptions at all: I’ve frequently had similar complaints about the fight scenes, which lack the kineticism of the far superior ANIMORPHS series which I invariably compare this against.
That map at the book’s beginning is also frustrating in that this book is so much about hammering out the details of who will live where and this map gives it away right up front. Likewise, even after the cats have figured out their own living arrangements, there’s an ongoing concern about where they will “share tongues” with StarClan, their ancestors. At their old locale, they had a cave they called the Moonstone where medicine cats and clan leaders would go to have psychedelic dreams where they met and conversed with the deceased and often came away with prophecies. If they cannot find a Moonstone in their new mountain home, does it suggest StarClan doesn’t approve of their move? A lot of time is spent handwringing (er… paw-wringing?) over this question, but the map at the start clearly has a spot near the northeast corner marked as Moonpool, so the question of what would happen lacked the urgency no doubt intended.
On the topic of StarClan, there are a few moments of note. One: Tallstar, the leader of WindClan, on his deathbed names Onewhisker to replace him as clan leader rather than Mudclaw, his deputy, who has proven himself too antagonistic during a period when the clans are beginning to have a more cooperative relationship. Passing over his deputy is already a major breach of protocol, but on top of this Tallstar, get this, doesn’t use the correct words to name Onewhisker to this role. “Brambleclaw and Firestar exchanged a swift, startled glance. These were not the right words to choose a deputy, even though it was clearly what Tallstar intended. Brambleclaw felt an icy tingle in his fur. Would StarClan accept Onewhisker as the leader of WindClan if he had not been appointed as deputy in the way demanded by the warrior code?” This ridiculous concern about form over content, the insistence on ritual and concern that the “gods” might not smile down if things aren’t done in exactly the prescribed manner is so frustrating. It made me long for the earlier days of the series when Cloudtail revealed himself an atheist who believed StarClan was just a made-up children’s story. I thought then that the series might be actively making an argument for atheism, but then StarClan turned into actual characters in the book who show up in most of the prologues and often appearing in-book as well to give specific information to the characters. It’s such a disappointment that StarClan is definitely real in part because I would prefer it if the series was more critical of theism and in part because it reduces some of the tension. The question of whether StarClan has abandoned them, or maybe isn’t really there at all, is moot when they’re literally there commenting on the action.
Although she isn’t aware of the egregious misconduct which occurred when he was named deputy, before the Moonpool is discovered Leafpaw (later Leafpool) nevertheless worries about Onewhisker being unable to travel to the Moonstone of olde to “share tongues” with StarClan and receive his nine lives. She spirals, becoming convinced that “the warrior code would fade away like mist in sunshine, and they would be nothing more than rogues”. She insists aloud, “StarClan must guide us!” Still later, she learns that the RiverClan medicine cat Mothwing doesn’t believe StarClan is real and that the “sign” which made her a medicine cat was just coincidence. Leafpaw has a brief crisis of faith: “Leafpaw felt the ground sway beneath her paws. Mothwing was questioning everything she had believed since she was a kit. But it was impossible to defend, when everything she knew about StarClan, all the encounters she had had with them, were inside her own head.” Again, this would all be much more compelling and would have much more bite if it were in fact the case that StarClan did not or might not exist, but as I wrote in my notes, “Sorry, Mothwing, that ship has sailed.” I’m just irritated that they’re even making this feint now.
The one potentially saving grace of the StarClan subplot comes in a scene where Brambleclaw, the de facto protagonist, has a dream in which his father Tigerstar appears. Brambleclaw asks if StarClan sent him, to which Tigerstar spits: “I do not hunt with StarClan. There is more sky than Silverpelt, and there are hunting grounds that not even StarClan knows of.” If true, this is an intriguing expansion of the lore of the series! Could there be a whole book or series dedicated to a celestial battle between different groups of cat-gods starring popular characters who have previously been killed off? Could be! So that possibility adds a little to the book.
That said, there are definitely other things that irritate me in this book, too. Brambleclaw is unfortunately acting like Fireheart again, constantly worried that everybody thinks he’s destined to become a villain like his father Tigerstar. Nobody is thinking that! Hell, half the cats in the Clans weren’t even born when Tigerstar was a thing. This self-pity act is incredibly obnoxious. And it’s only made worse by the fact that Brambleclaw wishes to connect with his half-brother, Hawkfrost, who—let’s face it—probably is evil, and the newly-named Squirrelflight rejects him because of his desire to get to know his brother. She asserts that Hawkfrost can’t be trusted, which may be, but she cannot understand why Brambleclaw might nevertheless wish to get to know one of his only remaining family members. The behavior from both of them in this book is super maddening. Then there is the pairing of Leafpool and Crowfeather, which comes out of nowhere and has nothing motivating it whatsoever.
Some other Goodreads reviewers point to the last 30 pages or so, when Mudclaw’s treachery comes to the fore as he (along with Hawkfrost) attack WindClan in hopes of overthrowing Onewhisker, as a highlight of the book. Brambleclaw faces off against Mudclaw in pounding rain with bolts of lightning striking behind them. Personally, I didn’t find this all that satisfying for the reason I mentioned above: Hunter’s staging of action scenes is generally muddled. I will admit there is a nice moment after the face-off where a tree falls, forming a bridge to the island in the middle of the lake. It had been mentioned a few times throughout the book as an optimal place for the clans to meet to have their monthly Gatherings, but there was no way for elder cats or kits to swim to the island so it had been regretfully rejected. So this is a good payoff to all of that lead-up, as now the island is accessible to all and it appears that StarClan has shown their favor.
One last thing I want to mention before I close this out. That moment when Tallstar calls Onewhisker in to make him the new leader of WindClan, with only ThunderClan cats Firestar and Brambleclaw as witnesses so that it can seem as much like a lie to the rest of WindClan as possible, shortly thereafter Tallstar dies. Onewhisker questions whether he is really the cat for the job of being clan leader but realizes he has to announce Tallstar’s death to the rest of Windclan. Firestar, mostly to be polite, offers to make the announcement on his behalf. Onewhisker jumps at the offer. They then go outside and call WindClan together, except Onewhisker does not sit in the space reserved for the clan leader. Brambleclaw, seeing this, “fought down a prickle of impatience. It was time Onewhisker got over his shock and started behaving like a leader.” It has been literally seconds!! My god.
Anyway. When I finished reading ‘STARLIGHT’, I initially gave it 3 stars, thinking that it was, y’know, fine. But upon reading some of the other reviews here I realized that really it was slower than the rest and had those elements – the Fireheart brand self-pity, the dumb miscommunication, the poor staging of action scenes – that are the worst parts of the WARRIORS series. So I went down to 2 stars. I’m now 10 books into the series and it really doesn’t seem like it’s going to get much better than it already is. I wouldn’t be surprised if I push on with the series regardless, but at this point I’m feeling like I’m not going to get much more out of it if I go on to the next cycle. There are still two books left in the “New Prophecy”, though, and it was the sixth of the first set that encouraged me to continue into this one, so, I dunno, we’ll see what happens.
Yes, so much of the book is about the cats circling the lake at the center of their new homeland and deciding where their camps should be. The way this is drawn out feels a bit like the series is once again trying to artificially extend itself to six books, a problem I had with the earlier books in this cycle as well. I’m doubly bothered by this because, were it not for a new map at the start of the book (yes, these books begin with maps and a list of the cast of characters, though I usually skip the character list), I don’t think I could really visualize the area. Aside from a broad lake in the middle of the location with an island at its center, nothing else really came to life. ThunderClan’s camp especially, I understand is at the bottom of a gully with thorns obscuring the drop, and that there are high rock walls, but beyond this I did not get a true image of the camp in my head. I honestly think that Erin Hunter doesn’t do a terribly good job of offering descriptions at all: I’ve frequently had similar complaints about the fight scenes, which lack the kineticism of the far superior ANIMORPHS series which I invariably compare this against.
That map at the book’s beginning is also frustrating in that this book is so much about hammering out the details of who will live where and this map gives it away right up front. Likewise, even after the cats have figured out their own living arrangements, there’s an ongoing concern about where they will “share tongues” with StarClan, their ancestors. At their old locale, they had a cave they called the Moonstone where medicine cats and clan leaders would go to have psychedelic dreams where they met and conversed with the deceased and often came away with prophecies. If they cannot find a Moonstone in their new mountain home, does it suggest StarClan doesn’t approve of their move? A lot of time is spent handwringing (er… paw-wringing?) over this question, but the map at the start clearly has a spot near the northeast corner marked as Moonpool, so the question of what would happen lacked the urgency no doubt intended.
On the topic of StarClan, there are a few moments of note. One: Tallstar, the leader of WindClan, on his deathbed names Onewhisker to replace him as clan leader rather than Mudclaw, his deputy, who has proven himself too antagonistic during a period when the clans are beginning to have a more cooperative relationship. Passing over his deputy is already a major breach of protocol, but on top of this Tallstar, get this, doesn’t use the correct words to name Onewhisker to this role. “Brambleclaw and Firestar exchanged a swift, startled glance. These were not the right words to choose a deputy, even though it was clearly what Tallstar intended. Brambleclaw felt an icy tingle in his fur. Would StarClan accept Onewhisker as the leader of WindClan if he had not been appointed as deputy in the way demanded by the warrior code?” This ridiculous concern about form over content, the insistence on ritual and concern that the “gods” might not smile down if things aren’t done in exactly the prescribed manner is so frustrating. It made me long for the earlier days of the series when Cloudtail revealed himself an atheist who believed StarClan was just a made-up children’s story. I thought then that the series might be actively making an argument for atheism, but then StarClan turned into actual characters in the book who show up in most of the prologues and often appearing in-book as well to give specific information to the characters. It’s such a disappointment that StarClan is definitely real in part because I would prefer it if the series was more critical of theism and in part because it reduces some of the tension. The question of whether StarClan has abandoned them, or maybe isn’t really there at all, is moot when they’re literally there commenting on the action.
Although she isn’t aware of the egregious misconduct which occurred when he was named deputy, before the Moonpool is discovered Leafpaw (later Leafpool) nevertheless worries about Onewhisker being unable to travel to the Moonstone of olde to “share tongues” with StarClan and receive his nine lives. She spirals, becoming convinced that “the warrior code would fade away like mist in sunshine, and they would be nothing more than rogues”. She insists aloud, “StarClan must guide us!” Still later, she learns that the RiverClan medicine cat Mothwing doesn’t believe StarClan is real and that the “sign” which made her a medicine cat was just coincidence. Leafpaw has a brief crisis of faith: “Leafpaw felt the ground sway beneath her paws. Mothwing was questioning everything she had believed since she was a kit. But it was impossible to defend, when everything she knew about StarClan, all the encounters she had had with them, were inside her own head.” Again, this would all be much more compelling and would have much more bite if it were in fact the case that StarClan did not or might not exist, but as I wrote in my notes, “Sorry, Mothwing, that ship has sailed.” I’m just irritated that they’re even making this feint now.
The one potentially saving grace of the StarClan subplot comes in a scene where Brambleclaw, the de facto protagonist, has a dream in which his father Tigerstar appears. Brambleclaw asks if StarClan sent him, to which Tigerstar spits: “I do not hunt with StarClan. There is more sky than Silverpelt, and there are hunting grounds that not even StarClan knows of.” If true, this is an intriguing expansion of the lore of the series! Could there be a whole book or series dedicated to a celestial battle between different groups of cat-gods starring popular characters who have previously been killed off? Could be! So that possibility adds a little to the book.
That said, there are definitely other things that irritate me in this book, too. Brambleclaw is unfortunately acting like Fireheart again, constantly worried that everybody thinks he’s destined to become a villain like his father Tigerstar. Nobody is thinking that! Hell, half the cats in the Clans weren’t even born when Tigerstar was a thing. This self-pity act is incredibly obnoxious. And it’s only made worse by the fact that Brambleclaw wishes to connect with his half-brother, Hawkfrost, who—let’s face it—probably is evil, and the newly-named Squirrelflight rejects him because of his desire to get to know his brother. She asserts that Hawkfrost can’t be trusted, which may be, but she cannot understand why Brambleclaw might nevertheless wish to get to know one of his only remaining family members. The behavior from both of them in this book is super maddening. Then there is the pairing of Leafpool and Crowfeather, which comes out of nowhere and has nothing motivating it whatsoever.
Some other Goodreads reviewers point to the last 30 pages or so, when Mudclaw’s treachery comes to the fore as he (along with Hawkfrost) attack WindClan in hopes of overthrowing Onewhisker, as a highlight of the book. Brambleclaw faces off against Mudclaw in pounding rain with bolts of lightning striking behind them. Personally, I didn’t find this all that satisfying for the reason I mentioned above: Hunter’s staging of action scenes is generally muddled. I will admit there is a nice moment after the face-off where a tree falls, forming a bridge to the island in the middle of the lake. It had been mentioned a few times throughout the book as an optimal place for the clans to meet to have their monthly Gatherings, but there was no way for elder cats or kits to swim to the island so it had been regretfully rejected. So this is a good payoff to all of that lead-up, as now the island is accessible to all and it appears that StarClan has shown their favor.
One last thing I want to mention before I close this out. That moment when Tallstar calls Onewhisker in to make him the new leader of WindClan, with only ThunderClan cats Firestar and Brambleclaw as witnesses so that it can seem as much like a lie to the rest of WindClan as possible, shortly thereafter Tallstar dies. Onewhisker questions whether he is really the cat for the job of being clan leader but realizes he has to announce Tallstar’s death to the rest of Windclan. Firestar, mostly to be polite, offers to make the announcement on his behalf. Onewhisker jumps at the offer. They then go outside and call WindClan together, except Onewhisker does not sit in the space reserved for the clan leader. Brambleclaw, seeing this, “fought down a prickle of impatience. It was time Onewhisker got over his shock and started behaving like a leader.” It has been literally seconds!! My god.
Anyway. When I finished reading ‘STARLIGHT’, I initially gave it 3 stars, thinking that it was, y’know, fine. But upon reading some of the other reviews here I realized that really it was slower than the rest and had those elements – the Fireheart brand self-pity, the dumb miscommunication, the poor staging of action scenes – that are the worst parts of the WARRIORS series. So I went down to 2 stars. I’m now 10 books into the series and it really doesn’t seem like it’s going to get much better than it already is. I wouldn’t be surprised if I push on with the series regardless, but at this point I’m feeling like I’m not going to get much more out of it if I go on to the next cycle. There are still two books left in the “New Prophecy”, though, and it was the sixth of the first set that encouraged me to continue into this one, so, I dunno, we’ll see what happens.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2024
where the heck did leafpool x crowfeather come from???? like HUH?
August 27, 2021
Starlight in comparison to many other Warriors books lacks a lot of fighting, but it makes up for it in the sheer amount of drama that transpires on the adventure.
Plot 4.5/5★
The plot of Starlight is rather simple, but adds twists and turns that nobody can truly expect or predict. We are in unfamiliar territory now, literally. There is no way to really know where its going, or how we might get there. Instead, we learn what will happen just as the characters do, which is what makes Starlight great in my eyes. The fate of many characters is uncertain, and there are no promises, which adds to the suspense and makes it a very difficult book to put down at times. The only caveat is that at times the lack of action can be very noticeable, and it feels like the story itself has been drawn out. I believe Starlight along with Dawn is what made me realize that the plot of Warriors could easily be 5 Stars all across the books if they were not Middle Grade fantasy. It's something I've come to accept, but its interesting to think about how each series would be if they were a trilogy or a quarter, instead of six books with slower parts within each.
Style 5/5★
Since there has been no major changes in Erin Hunter's style since Midnight I feel confident giving this the same five star rating. The books of Warrior Cats, and particular The New Prophecy are filled with vivid imagery that set them apart from other middle grade reads.
Characters 4.5/5★
To the version of myself that said the characters were dull back when I read Midnight, you weren't wrong then, but you'd be shocked now. The characters of Starlight are still the characters of the entire series, but there are just so many on the sidelines now that its almost hard to keep track. And you will find yourself invested in almost every single one. (Perhaps you will even hope some did not exist). As expected with sticking by the narrator's for so long by this point any reader will have come to be both ensnared in many of their actions, and also critical of almost anything stupid they might do. I'm very excited to see where each of the characters' destiny's lie.
Overall 4.5/5★
Starlight definitely builds on the end of Dawn in all the expected ways, however it poses far more questions than it really answers (though what Warriors Cat book really answers questions besides the Super Editions?). You'll also find that the return to "life" in Warriors is a bit dull. Not in the sense that it is boring, but in that you had hoped things would be different now. However, the characters are with you, so not all hope is lost. Twilight and Sunset certainly have their work cut out for them.
Plot 4.5/5★
The plot of Starlight is rather simple, but adds twists and turns that nobody can truly expect or predict. We are in unfamiliar territory now, literally. There is no way to really know where its going, or how we might get there. Instead, we learn what will happen just as the characters do, which is what makes Starlight great in my eyes. The fate of many characters is uncertain, and there are no promises, which adds to the suspense and makes it a very difficult book to put down at times. The only caveat is that at times the lack of action can be very noticeable, and it feels like the story itself has been drawn out. I believe Starlight along with Dawn is what made me realize that the plot of Warriors could easily be 5 Stars all across the books if they were not Middle Grade fantasy. It's something I've come to accept, but its interesting to think about how each series would be if they were a trilogy or a quarter, instead of six books with slower parts within each.
Style 5/5★
Since there has been no major changes in Erin Hunter's style since Midnight I feel confident giving this the same five star rating. The books of Warrior Cats, and particular The New Prophecy are filled with vivid imagery that set them apart from other middle grade reads.
Characters 4.5/5★
To the version of myself that said the characters were dull back when I read Midnight, you weren't wrong then, but you'd be shocked now. The characters of Starlight are still the characters of the entire series, but there are just so many on the sidelines now that its almost hard to keep track. And you will find yourself invested in almost every single one. (Perhaps you will even hope some did not exist). As expected with sticking by the narrator's for so long by this point any reader will have come to be both ensnared in many of their actions, and also critical of almost anything stupid they might do. I'm very excited to see where each of the characters' destiny's lie.
Overall 4.5/5★
Starlight definitely builds on the end of Dawn in all the expected ways, however it poses far more questions than it really answers (though what Warriors Cat book really answers questions besides the Super Editions?). You'll also find that the return to "life" in Warriors is a bit dull. Not in the sense that it is boring, but in that you had hoped things would be different now. However, the characters are with you, so not all hope is lost. Twilight and Sunset certainly have their work cut out for them.
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