Legends of the Clans

Warriors Novellas #10-12

by Erin Hunter

Three novellas featuring the cats of Erin Hunter’s #1 bestselling Warrior series—available only in this collection! In Warriors: Legends of the Clans, experience three stand-alone, never before published adventures from the Warriors world:

Spottedleaf’s Heart: Young apprentice Spottedpaw is determined to become a warrior...until she realizes that to save her Clan, she must become its next medicine cat.

Pinestar’s Choice: Discover what drove Pinestar, once leader of ThunderClan, to abandon the warrior code, betray his Clan, and become a kittypet.

Thunderstar’s Echo: In the earliest days of ThunderClan, its first leader faces down a new threat—and forges a new tradition for all the warrior Clans.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Animals, Fiction, Short Stories, Cats, Young Adult

309 pages, Paperback

First published April 11, 2017

About the author

Erin 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.

Reviews

[andie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spottedleaf's Heart
4 stars

This was really interesting because it gave a lot more depth to Spottedleaf's character. I never would have believed she used to have a thing for Thistleclaw if I hadn't read this. It was really hard to see him be so nice in some situations, then be evil in the end. I do believe he was just misguided by Mapleshade, at least now.

Pinestar's Choice
4 stars

Oh my goodness, Shanty was the best. The FEELS. And I swear everyone was friends with Jake back in those days. He is a very nice cat so I can't complain. Pinestar still shouldn't have been going behind his Clan's back though...

Thunderstar's Echo
5 stars

OH THE FEELS.

I loved Lighting Tail, and I didn't believe what was happening when it happened. Violet Dawn is amazing, and she's truly the mate Thunderstar deserved. I love their kits!

It was so nice to return to the Dawn of the Clans cats. It was one of my favorite arcs. Oh, the simpler times.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone says that Spottedleafs heart is SO terrible, it’s really not. Yes it wasn’t the greatest and was probably not the best choice for a ten year old to read, but on the surface it’s a good back story and matches up with where she is in the first arc unlike some novellas. Pinestars choice was nice, it showed how he didn’t really betray his clan but just lost so much and found a better way of life in his opinion. I imagine the tiny kitten glaring at him in his vision to be hilarious image. I reeaaallly like Thunderstars Echo though, amazing title, but it could’ve been Lightning tails novella, but it was really interesting and anything building off of the old clans is super intriguing to read about. I really liked these books all these books a lot!

[Cassidy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is probably closer to a 3.5 than a 3, but when I averaged my ratings for the three stories the outcome was closer to 3 than to 4, so I rounded down. I'll go into detail on my thoughts for each story in a spoiler section, but I can say my favorite was definitely Thunderstar's Echo. It had exciting yet predictable moments, the relationship between Thunderstar and Violet Dawn was extremely adorable, and it was just a cute little "slice of life" story. There were some conflicts, but mostly it focused on the overall life of ThunderClan. I actually didn't know there was any controversy surrounding Spottedleaf's Heart until I read it, but I'll get into my thoughts on that later. I just think it would have been a lot more effective if it had been told from Thistleclaw's point of view. Pinestar's Choice wasn't terrible, but it seemed pretty badly paced in my opinion and as a result the character development was underwhelming. My overall ratings for each story is as follows:
Spottedleaf's Heart: 3/5 stars
Pinestar's Choice: 3/5 stars
Thunderstar's Echo: 4/5 stars

Spottedleaf's Heart: Before everyone gets their pitchforks and torches out, let me say that I wasn't as disgusted by the romance between Thistleclaw and Spottedleaf as everyone else was. Yes, I agree it was wrong, but I have different reasons than most people. The age difference didn't really bother me that much. Sure, it was a bit weird to see a newly made apprentice with a warrior, but look at some of the most beloved ships such as Ferncloud and Dustpelt or even Spottedleaf and Firepaw (even though it didn't go anywhere while they were alive). Some people said Thistleclaw was in love with Spottedleaf as a kit, and if that's the case I do agree the age thing is very disgusting, but while I was reading it I honestly didn't see his feelings like that. He was actually pretty great with all of the kits and while he did show favoritism to Spottedkit, she was the one who showed the most concern for him, so that only seems logical. Stormtail showed affection to Moonflower from the moment she was born, and even if he was an apprentice rather than a warrior that'd be like a 12 year old kid having feelings for a newborn according to reader logic. I don't agree that that's fine either, I'm just confused about why the age thing is suddenly a problem because one of the warriors involved is evil. The thing that put me off about their relationship was how abusive Thistleclaw was and how shallow their "love" turned out to be. Thistleclaw would get angry at Spottedpaw for seemingly no reason, them come crawling back trying to make her laugh and feel happy only to hurt her again. As someone who has been a victim of child grooming, his mood swings with Spottedpaw are what gross me out. I was in a very similar situation where I would deny an adult male certain things and he would lash out, only to apologize and try to make me feel bad by putting himself down. I always thought of him as a friend, not even a romantic attraction of any sort, but now I realize how gross his actions were and it made me very uneasy to see Thistleclaw acting that way. I understand that the author did this to explain why Thistleclaw went to the Dark Forest (for preying on a much younger cat) but it was completely unneeded and just tarnished him as a character for me. Then to see the two split up over a difference of opinions just makes me wonder why the author even decided to concoct this messed up "love" story when the love wasn't even real at all, but a physical attraction if anything. This story should not have involved Spottedleaf at all, in my opinion. It would have been way more interesting to see through Thistleclaw's perspective as he turns from loving mate and father to ambitious, bloodthirsty Dark Forest trainee all because of his devastation over Snowfur's death and the fact that fighting makes him forget about his feelings of loss. This would have avoided the whole controversial relationship and addressed the facts that Thistleclaw was supposedly devastated by the loss of Snowfur and that Spottedleaf supposedly knew from kithood that she wanted to be a medicine cat. I only gave this novella three stars instead of two because Bluestar is my favorite warrior, and I actually thought it was interesting to see the side of her that shows in this novella, especially since many readers pointed out that she was extremely biased about the whole Thistleclaw situation (and her driving Thistleclaw from StarClan was way more interesting than him just being there because of an attraction to an apprentice. If Ashfur is in StarClan than why couldn't Thistleclaw be?)
Pinestar's Choice: I thought this was an interesting novella because I had never considered a backstory on Pinestar. I was always content in my dislike of him for abandoning his mate and kits to live a cushy, sheltered life, and I thought this story tried too hard to excuse that choice. Why does every cat have to be good or bad? Why can't there be shades of gray? Instead we get this convoluted explanation of why Pinestar decided to become a kittypet. The pacing was extremely awkward and if the author wanted to start at the beginning of Pinestar's apprenticeship, a Super Edition would have been much better. Except it would probably be extremely boring at the end considering this story has been told over and over and over. There were a few chapters of Pinestar as an apprentice being introduced to a kittypet who saved his life, and I liked this part as a way of introducing him to the idea that not all kittypets are defenseless and lazy. Then we jump right into his time as deputy and becoming a leader. We just skipped so much of his life, and instead of stopping on the interesting part right before Doestar's death we just go straight into Pinestar as the new leader. Then he becomes friends with Shanty almost immediately and he seems to harbor an obsession for her. His feelings for her were a lot more than friendship if he trusted her more than anyone in his Clan, including his own mate. It would have made him much more complex if he found out Leopardfoot was having his kits at the same time that he was realizing his feelings for Shanty and that was why he decided to leave. I like that idea a lot better than the vague remarks of "you and Leopardfoot are close, I'm sure you'll be having kits soon." If you're going to tell a story about Pinestar choosing to leave his family, shouldn't you at least try to establish his family? Or was there really that little of a connection between him and Leopardfoot that explaining it would just be showing their physical attraction to each other (which couldn't be done in a kid's book)? Then we see Pinestar receiving the prophecy that Tigerkit has the power to destroy his Clan, and he is literally warned that he can avoid this future by raising Tigerkit to be a good warrior. So the obvious course of action? Hand the responsibility off to someone else, even though you were specifically told you were the only one who could guide him to a brighter future, because you just can't handle loving your own family. He never once says that he feels love for his mate or kits. Coming right out and saying that he never loved Leopardfoot and didn't want kits with her would have been a great plot point. Instead he keeps up this pretense that he only thought of Shanty as a friend, despite the fact that losing her was harder than abandoning his own mate and kits, and he decided to become a kittypet to make her Housefolk feel less lonely. Personally I think him admitting he isn't connected to his warrior family in any way and running away to become mates with Shanty would have made a better story than what we actually got, which was awkwardly paced and an obviously desperate attempt to make Pinestar seem redeemable.
Thunderstar's Echo: My favorite novella of this set by far. This was an adorable slice of life tale that was supposed to detail some of the struggles that Thunderstar faced as leader, but they weren't really serious or long enough to take up the entire novella on their own. Sure, the dogs presented a threat and did kill Lightning Tail, but I'd say if all of his "struggles" only cost him the life of one cat he seems to be doing a pretty good job. Don't get me wrong, Lightning Tail's death was definitely sad, but it also wasn't as heart wrenching as some other losses simply because there was resolution. It was more bittersweet than bawl-my-eyes-out, and I liked that. Death is a natural part of life, and since Thunderstar saw Lightning Tail in StarClan he knows he'll be with him again some day and that until then his friend is watching over him. So while the threats didn't seem to hang over the Clan like say, the threat Tigerstar posed to the Clans before and after his death, it was still engaging enough to keep my interest piqued. I didn't see Lightning Tail's death coming at all until Thunderstar noticed how much he was bleeding from his wound. I wasn't a fan of Skystar, as usual, but I adored Dew Petal and how quickly she got along with Thunderstar. I always felt so bad for Thunderstar being the one kit that Skystar never really bothered with, and still doesn't exactly get along with. It was sad to see Thunderstar realize at the end that he still wants his father's approval, and I admired him for believing his father became a better cat by raising Star Flower's kits. I know I'd still be ticked at him for not even bothering to reconcile their relationship. I adored the relationship between Thunderstar and Violet Dawn. Their love for each other is so apparent, they have adorable banter (especially when Thunderstar tells the kits their mother is always right), and they really seem to love each other just as strongly even after having kits, which isn't always the case in Warriors. They might be my new favorite couple in the series because of how adorable they are. I loved that Thunderstar named his daughter after Lightning Tail at the end, and the thunder and lightning coming together was so perfect I wanted to believe it was a sign from Lightning Tail that he was watching over them (even though I don't think StarClan can control the weather).

[Areej Khan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lights, Camera, Action! (Ok not necessarily lights or camera) but plenty of action! High tensions and drama! What has Erin Hunter come up with this time?? Something good!
(At least I hope so...)

1st Story: Full of shocking surprises! (Weren’t good)
2nd Story: blahhhhhh -.- disappointed
3rd Story: THE BEST!!!!!!!!

But...... why?

The first book was just SHOCKING to me because Spottedleaf's character was just WRONG!!! Like WHAT??? She is known to be the sweetest and kindest cat in Bluestar's Prophecy, and she was NEVER known as a bossy and sort hard person!! And I really CAN'T recall her and Thistleclaw with a relationship! That’s so MADE-UP!! The authors were clearly getting DESPERATE!!!
The second book was interesting in the first and second chapters but then got extremely boring! Ok, I got to admit I know why Pinestar made that decision..... but still.... :( I mean I get it Pinestar..... you are so lame. -.-
The third book was the BEST!!! The only part which I actually cried was when Lightning Tail died. But I was okay with it. (Unlike Feathertail's death!! But that is another review for another time) I am also glad that the authors made this book because I NEEDED to know what happened after Moth Flight's Vision. Anyway, I think that Thunderstar's Echo was the best! People should read it!!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This comprises three Novellas each of which is enchanting. I prefer the super editions however these novellas certainly provide an interesting more indepth look at the characters.

[Miranda.S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book!

[˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Mia ♣˚₊· · Rating 1 out of 5]

I remember how controversial this book became when it first got released. It shouldn’t have been written; Spottedleaf was a perfectly good character without the whole Thistleclaw grooming and this new plotline for her is complete and utter bullshit (THIS IS A CHILDREN’S BOOK TOO!) Thunder’s novella was boring and unnecessary, it also probably didn’t help that I wasn’t TOO attached to the DOTC characters but hey ho. The one star is solely for Pinestar’s Choice and i’m glad we got to see his reasonings for becoming a kittypet despite all he had.

[Michelle Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm only giving this a 3* "I liked it" for Pinestar's Choice. It's so rare to see a cat go from Warrior to kittypet, and I did feel some connection with Pinestar. Spottedleaf's Heart was borderline boring and Thunderstar's Echo was fullblown boring and wholly unnecessary. I never thought I'd say this, but maybe the Erins needs to hang it up; their best stories are behind them with no signs of improvement on the horizon.

[Isabella McPhee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the books in this group of novellas, and I would suggest them to readers who want gap fillers for books, I like them so we know what happened before/after a book.

Spottedleaf's Heart 3.5/5
This one for me was my least favorite in the book, I had heard a lot of bad stuff about it, but it isn't as bad as people say, in my opinion. At first I thought Thistleclaw was just trying to get her to like him, and that was really creepy, like first pawstep out of camp and boom he was trying to be friends with her and future mates, and then he went on to be rude, and somehow Spottedpaw couldn't see that I guess. At the end of the book it turns out she liked him?? And that, to me was really weird, this story wasn't very entertaining.

Pinestar's Choice 5/5
I liked this book, it was sweet how Pinestar only wanted a friend to talk to about stuff other than borders, and prey. I wish he would have explained more to his clan about why he left, because when i first met him in Bluestar's Prophecy, I was like, eh he's kinda weird, but seeing him in this light made me actually kind of like him. I was very sad when he was in Twoleg place and his friend died, but I thought it was sweet how he ended up living with her twolegs after.

Thunderstar's Echo 5/5

This one was definitely my favorite, I was in tears at the end, and I really do love warriors, and I cry with a lot of the books I read but this one was the most heart felt, Thunderstar loses Lightning tail and instead of moping around, (don't get me wrong, he still grieved but it wasn't quite as dramatic as say, Bluefur when Rainflower died no hate just an example and it's perfectly fine that she did, but I liked how quickly Thunderstar recovered) He finishes his job and at the end, it was so heartwarming I had tears rolling down my cheeks as he saw the flash of lighting and the sound of thunder I just thought that was the sweetest paragraph in the whole history of Warriors.

[Hannah Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spottedleaf's Heart - 3.5 stars

I loved reading about Spottedleaf and seeing more of her character, especially since we only get to see her really within the first book. What I didn't like was the suggested relationship between Thistleclaw and Spottedpaw. Yes, they are cats, but that's a hell of an age gap. But still a good read and the Erin's do write it well.

Pinestar's Choice - 5 stars

I loved this novella. Pinestar is the one character who showed that sometimes even warriors aren't suited to the wild life, and that it's okay to explore the other worlds. Pinestar's kittypet friends are all so nice and well written and you will find yourself wanting to give old Pinestar a big hug.

Thunderstar's Echo - 4 stars

Thunderstar has always been one of the best characters within the early Clan arc. He goes through so much, yet manages to become the cat he is despite it all. And seeing him try to lead his cats without the advice of Gray Wing to fall back on makes your heart clench in sympathy for him.

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's sad that I have to give this 4/5, but Spottedleaf's Heart means I have to. I think it can be considered an informative book in a fictional way, but I definitely feel that it at least needed to be given a warning before reading, and a firm message in the book that Spottedleaf being groomed was completely wrong. Luckily, this is a good thing about the Warriors Fandom, that this message can be conveyed, but I wish there was more to the actual physical book about it. Children/teens shouldn't read grooming without some awareness (despite this, I've read reviews of those who weren't aware and I'm glad it did help some personally).

Other than that, Pinestar's Choice was interesting! I really liked the take on Tigerclaw, how he's doomed to be evil before he's even born. How his first words to Pinestar are about a death. Very cool writing. Also loved the inclusion of Jake! :D

Even though I stopped a few books into Dawn of the Clans, Thunderstar's Echo is a great book in my opinion. Sure, it's nothing special or of great interest but I think it's a nice break from the usual books. Really focuses on mourning, loss, insecurity and anxiety. I appreciate the story.

[Samantha]

Jumping into the novellas! Still doing a chronological read, as opposed to publication order, so I'll be coming back to this volume as I read the others.

1/26/2025: Thunderstar's Echo
3 stars

This was a mostly cool return to Thunderstar, as we left his POV early in Dawn of the Clans, and it's a fresh perspective, as he is now the leader of Thunderclan. After reading two Super Editions in a row, the novella form is also a nice change of pace, giving a more slice of life vibe. I don't know how it's decided who gets a novella and who gets a Super Edition, and maybe I'm surprised Thunderstar didn't get the latter. But it was a good, well-rounded story.

I halfway expected Thunderstar to die by the end, unlikely as that may be with his nine lives, because he spends much of the story pondering how good a leader Lightning Tail will make when he's gone. Like, he talks about his bro and how amazing he is...a lot? I don't know if this pairing is included in any of the Warriors queer-coded discourse....but aaaaanyway. All that talk was not foreshadowing! Quite the opposite, I guess, as Thunderstar loses his deputy to a dog attack and has to choose a new one. It's a sad and happy end, but overall I see Thunderstar as a decent, confident leader, one who doesn't carry much doubt about his decisions as a leader.

Where he does have doubts is in his ability to be a good father. As he and Violet Dawn have kits, Thunderstar does a lot of internal questioning about how/if his role as a father will be different and better than his own father's absence from his life. I like how this comes up every now and then in Warriors; you can grow up and create a full, successful life, but the absence of a parent will always be there, trying to strike you down. We all know Thunderstar will be a great father, but he still questions it.

Side note, there is an unexpected man-on-dog violence scene in this one that some may find disturbing. Warriors is generally good at keeping the violence between animals, so this really threw me.

2/10/2025: Pinestar's Choice
2.5 stars

I didn't get super engaged with this one until halfway through, as this novella features a cat more wholly disconnected from Dawn of the Clans and The Prophecies Begin. It also covers a large timespan (Pinestar's whole clan arc) in under 100 pages. The purpose as I see it for these novellas about cats we don't really know is to advance the greater Warriors worldbuilding - revealing the origin of the Dark Forest, for example, or explaining how Skyclan disappeared. In Pinestar's Choice, we're more fully introduced to the division between clan cats and domesticated cats, so much so that it's suggested Pinestar's story is what got a kittypet rule added to the Warrior code.

I don't have a problem, generally speaking, with clan cats mingling with domesticated ones. We see it happen throughout the series, proving that kittypets can sometimes be allies to the clans. I kind of liken clan vs. domestic to boomers vs. gen Z - the former are very attached to hard work as a symbol of honor and courage, whereas the latter are just there for food, naps, and vibes, lolllll pls don't come for me. There are, as the Erins have pointed out numerous times, pros and cons to both lifestyles, and it's overall important that every cat has a choice where they go.

What gets me about Pinestar is that he's a dick, lol. He lives through a violent period in clan life, where many cats die due to fighting and hunger, and it's easy to understand wanting it all to stop. What is harder to grasp is him abandoning everyone he supposedly cares about to join the kittypet life. He is lured by great food and stability so much that he skips out on the birth and raising of his kits, then gets a kittypet he's in love with killed. While I'm glad he was able to make the choice to step away from clan life, as it certainly isn't for everyone, he is also a selfish dick!

Some sugar-coated points of interest: there is occasional queer-coding talk in Warriors, and I'm def throwing Pinestar and Jake on that list. Like...y'all lick each other too much to just be friends, I'm sorry. We're also FINALLY introduced to some key future players in the Warriors universe, Tigerstar and Bluestar! SO CLOSE!

7/8/2025: Spottedleaf's Heart
1.5 stars

At its core, this novella is about a cat who is born wanting to be a warrior and instead accepts her destiny of becoming a medicine cat. This happens a lot in the Warriors universe and is usually not as accepted as it is here. I think part of that is Spottedleaf's strengths in both warrior and medicine cat skills. She's a jack of all trades, which makes the transition to another role a little easier.

Grooming alert! This is apparently one of the more controversial stories in the Warriors universe because of Spottedleaf's relationship with Thistleclaw, an older cat. I'm not sure what to make of it. The gross factor didn't cross my mind while reading because...well, they're cats and I guess I don't think too heavily about age when reading...about cats? Like. They're cats?!!

They're anthropomorphized cats, though, so I get people's feelings on the matter. It's even more aggravating that this age gap isn't really brought up in the story, at least as an interrogation of what Thistleclaw is doing (bro, what ARE you doing?). He isn't painted in the best light at times, so at least that's something. But still, this romance was a weird retcon inclusion.

I didn't love this one because I didn't see the point of it? Maybe Spottedleaf doesn't have a very interesting backstory, after all.

[GuineaPigFalconer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve been sort of struggling through the short story collections, as not all of them are super compelling and I often don’t have enough time to figure out who’s who. But I’m one step closer to finishing my Warriors goal.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good in terms of quality of writing, but honestly, do we need to know every detail of the life of every single character?

[Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

Enjoyed this book. My favorite story was Spottedleaf's Heart. It was nice to learn more about her.

[Geneva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spottedleaf’s Heart- 4 stars
Pinestar’s Choice- 3.5 stars
Thunderstar’s Echo- 3.5 stars

[diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

*2.67/5 ig

[Greyson Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only read spottedleafs heart but I can say it was amazing

[SETH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many questions ask in the warriors series were answered in this book...

[Wolfdreamer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gives us three novella's. The story of Spottedleaf and why she became a medicine cat. Pinestar and why he chose to become a kittypet. And finally how he has to save his clan from a new enemy (and introduces an area we see later in the books.)

Each story was good, but Spottedleaf didn't add anything new if you've read other books in the series. Thunder's was completely new, for obvious reasons, but I've never been as invested with the original clans as I have with Firestar's and his kin.

Pinestar's story is the only real interesting one. His story gives us the Hitler question.
If you go back in time and see Hitler as a baby/small child what would you do? Obviously, we know what Tigerstar became, so we know he made the wrong choice. But like I wrote probably the most entertaining of the three.

[zzzoe.k · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to review these all out of order and separately bc I'm trying to read the series in chronological order, and all these novellas are mixed up, so:

Spottedleaf's Heart: I honestly think this storyline is overused, the warrior-to-medicine cat path, and i was surprised that she would ever love Thistleclaw. I love her in the original series, and I don't think I'll really consider this novella as a part of her character, although I did like her interactions with Bluefur. 2/5

Pinestar's Choice: Probably the best one of the series for me, seeing as it's just so unexpected and such an interesting storyline, for a leader who is supposed to give his life to the clan to leave and be a kittypet - really makes for a more 3-dimensional cat and unique story. I think the Erins recycle a lot of material, so this story is one of a kind. 4.5/5

Thunderstar's Echo: honestly okay, I love Lightning Tail but Thunderstar is a meh from me. A solid Warriors excerpt, I can't believe they would kill Lightning Tail off just like that in 100 pages :( 3/5

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this book three stars because of the mix of stories and that, despite enjoying some parts, I did not enjoy it all. I will break down my opinion of the three novellas. Spoilers for those that continue.

Spottedleaf's Heart
Since book one, we have had a pretty typical characterization of Spottedleaf. She was devoted to her Clan, a natural born healer. She was gentle and kind but would not tolerate cats who did not listen to her medical advice. Even after her death, as she watched over and guided Firestar, her character remained the same. In Bluestar's Prophecy, we see glimpses of Spottedkit, then Spottedpaw, as Bluestar goes through life. She is still characterized as a gentle soul with a knack for medicine.
This novella takes all of that and really ruins it. Spottedkit is bossy to the other kits and boasts about being Clan leader one day. Spottedpaw is complacent, choosing to please her elders rather than think on her own. Beyond this, she is blindly in love with Thistleclaw as soon as he shows interest in her. When she confronts Thistleclaw about his feelings for her, and he says he would rather become a great warrior, it is only out of heartbreak that she chooses a new path. This novella disregards all of her characterization from old books, even ones set in this time period.

Pinestar's Choice
This novella played better into the character's personality. We saw Pinestar for a decent time while Bluestar was growing up, but we never knew why he chose to leave the Clan. The novella does a decent job showing his slow decline in his belief in himself and the Clans, as well as his growing attachment to the Twoleg Place. Overall, this novella did a good job showing how Pinestar made his decision.

Thunderstar's Echo
This one seemed a little arbitrary, more like a story the Erins wrote to fill the novella rather than one they wanted to do. While it is good to see the original founders once again, the problem facing Thunderstar seemed like one that could have been solved without Lightning Tail's death. He seems nervous throughout the entire book, unsure of what choices to make without help from others --
Skystar, Lightning Tail, or Violet Dawn. Again, it seems like the Erins are ignoring the characterization of Thunderstar in order to write the novella.

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was divided into three mini stories below I will review each one.

Spottedleaf's Heart

This book was very romance based. Which was kind of annoying to me someone who isn't that big of a romance novel person, but the writing was definitely the best. It embodied the Erins' idea of dark fantasy. The relationship between Thistleclaw and Spottedpaw was creepy. It was weird since Spottedpaw was much younger than Thistleclaw, but I don't think she loved him the way that we love people. I think she idolized him since he was a great warrior and since as Goosefeather says her heart was blind she mistook that for love. She loved him the way we love our favorite celebrities. Also age differences for cats are different than age differences for people. However I did feel that this story took away from the caring nature that we see of Spottedleaf in the other books.

Pinestar's Choice

This was my least favorite book of all the three featured in Legends of the Clans. I was hoping that it would show a side of Pinestar that we had never seen. Something that showed him not as cowardly. No all through out the book Pinestar was a coward. Especially when it came to his son. It makes you say no wonder Tigerstar went bad. Also it was just boring.

Thunderstar's Echo

This story had the best plot. It was beautiful and fun to go back to Dawn of the Clans to see what happened afterwards. My only complaint was that it felt a bit rushed and that they didn't put enough detail into it.


I have loved the warrior cats series as soon as I got the first book, and I feel immense loyalty to the series, so though this may be a bit unfair I give all the books in the series 5 stars. If you looking for my honest rating I would probably give it a 3.5 stars. It is still I good read and I would recommend it to anyone who has read the warrior cat series (cause if you haven't read the series you would be completely lost in the book).

[Reader-pops (Taylor’s version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sorry for a long rant!! I would rate all of these books in the 4 ⭐️ range!!

Book Review: Spottedleaf's Heart by Erin Hunter

Spottedleaf's Heart is a beautifully woven tale that expands on the beloved character of Spottedleaf, the gentle and wise medicine cat of ThunderClan. Erin Hunter masterfully explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the complexity of clan loyalties, making this novel a poignant addition to the Warrior Cats series.
The story delves into Spottedleaf's past, revealing her early life, her aspirations, and the deep bond she shares with Firestar. Set against the backdrop of clan rivalries and the challenges of being a medicine cat, Spottedleaf grapples with her feelings and the responsibilities that come with her role. The narrative intertwines her personal journey with significant events in the Warrior Cats lore, providing a rich context for her character.
Spottedleaf shines as a multifaceted character. Readers witness her growth from a hopeful apprentice to a dedicated medicine cat, torn between her emotions and her duty. Her interactions with other characters, including Firestar and her clanmates, add depth to her story, highlighting her compassion and strength. The exploration of her relationship with Firestar is particularly touching, filled with moments of tenderness and unfulfilled potential.
The novel tackles several important themes, including the nature of love, the challenges of duty, and the weight of sacrifice. Spottedleaf's internal conflict between her feelings for Firestar and her commitment to her role as a healer resonates deeply, inviting readers to reflect on the complexities of relationships and responsibilities.
Erin Hunter's writing is evocative and immersive, capturing the essence of the forest and the lives of its inhabitants. The pacing is well-structured, balancing moments of introspection with action and drama, ensuring readers remain engaged throughout.
Spottedleaf's Heart is a heartfelt exploration of one of the series' most cherished characters. It offers insight into her motivations and struggles, enriching the overall Warrior Cats narrative. Fans of the series will appreciate the emotional depth and character development, making this book a worthy addition to their collection. Whether you're a longtime follower of the series or new to the Warrior Cats world, this story is sure to resonate and leave a lasting impression.

Book Review: Pinestar's Choice by Erin Hunter

Pinestar's Choice is a captivating addition to the Warrior Cats universe, exploring the life of Pinestar, the once-heroic leader of ThunderClan. Erin Hunter skillfully delves into Pinestar's internal struggles, making this story both a compelling character study and a thrilling adventure.
The narrative follows Pinestar as he grapples with the expectations of leadership and his desire for a different life. Torn between his duties as a leader and his yearning for freedom, he faces pivotal choices that will shape not only his destiny but also the future of ThunderClan. The story is rich with conflict, both external and internal, as Pinestar navigates the complexities of clan politics, loyalty, and personal ambition.
One of the strongest aspects of this book is Pinestar's character development. Readers witness his evolution from a dutiful warrior to a leader burdened by the weight of his choices. His interactions with other characters, including his mentor and fellow clanmates, add depth to his journey and highlight the challenges faced by those in positions of power.
Pinestar's Choice explores themes of identity, sacrifice, and the struggle between duty and desire. It raises thought-provoking questions about what it means to be a leader and the sacrifices one must make for the greater good. These themes resonate deeply with readers of all ages, making the story relatable and impactful.
Erin Hunter's writing is as engaging as ever, with vivid descriptions that bring the forest and its inhabitants to life. The pacing is well-balanced, with moments of intense action interspersed with quieter, reflective scenes that allow readers to connect with Pinestar’s internal conflict.
Overall, Pinestar's Choice is a must-read for fans of the Warrior Cats series and newcomers alike. It offers a fresh perspective on leadership and the complexities of choice, all wrapped in a compelling narrative filled with adventure and emotion. With its rich character exploration and thought-provoking themes, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers

Book Review: Thunderstar's Echo by Erin Hunter

Thunderstar's Echo is a compelling installment in the Warrior Cats series that transports readers back to the origins of ThunderClan. Erin Hunter weaves a rich tapestry of adventure, leadership, and the trials faced by the early cats, bringing the character of Thunderstar to life in a way that is both engaging and poignant.
The narrative follows Thunderstar, the founding leader of ThunderClan, as he navigates the challenges of establishing his clan in a world filled with dangers and rivalries. Faced with external threats and internal conflicts, Thunderstar must make difficult decisions that will shape the future of his clan. The story is packed with action, intrigue, and the ever-present tension of survival.
Thunderstar is portrayed as a strong yet relatable leader, grappling with the weight of his responsibilities. His journey is marked by moments of self-doubt, bravery, and growth, making him a compelling character. The supporting cast, including his loyal friends and fierce adversaries, adds depth to the narrative, showcasing the complexities of clan dynamics and relationships.
The novel explores themes of leadership, sacrifice, and the importance of community. Thunderstar’s struggles highlight the challenges of guiding a clan while maintaining personal connections and integrity. The story also delves into the nature of legacy, prompting readers to consider what it truly means to lead and protect one’s own.
Erin Hunter's writing is vibrant and immersive, effectively capturing the essence of the forest and the lives of its feline inhabitants. The pacing is well-balanced, with a mix of exhilarating action and reflective moments that allow readers to connect deeply with the characters and their journeys.
Thunderstar's Echo is a must-read for fans of the Warrior Cats series and newcomers alike. It offers a rich backstory to ThunderClan's foundation, filled with adventure, emotional depth, and valuable life lessons. Hunter's skillful storytelling ensures that this book not only entertains but also resonates with readers on multiple levels. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just diving into the world of Warrior Cats, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impression

[Roselyn Blonger · Rating 3 out of 5]

#10. Spottedleaf's heart: 3/5
No, no, nooo! Spottedleaf was one of my favorite characters and I thought nothing could change that, but then I read this. Yes, I know love makes you blind, however Spottedleaf witnessed lots of terrible scenarios that could not be ignored. Aside that, I understand why she decided to become a medicine cat and I appreciated her trust in Bluefur at the end of the book.

#11. Pinestar's choice: 4.5/5
I can't believe it. When I read Goosefeather's Curse, I thought Pinestar was a traitor, but now... now I realize how hard it was for him to make this decision and how much he thought about it. After what happened with his friend Shanty, I couldn't help but think he was right. He gave 8 lives to ThunderClan and he has the right to live a peaceful life from then on. I'm on his side!

#12. Thunderstar's echo: 3/5
I never liked Thunderstar, but now I hate him. He has too many insecurities and he make absurd decisions at terrible times, I can't understand how Gray Wing could think that he would be a good leader. It took me a whole week to read this last novel cause it was incredible repetitive and slow, I'd prefer it to be told by Lighting tail's point of view instead of Thundestar's. I hate him that much.

[Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find I have to really force myself to read the novellas. They're nice stories. But they never really add to the plot at hand currently. Maybe I'll feel different if/when I read the series chronologically.

Spottedleaf's Heart was really random. I never would have known she had a love interest prior to Firestar.

Pinestar's Choice I enjoyed. I now understand why he became a kitty pet. I can't say it was a question I was thinking of, but I am glad to know the answer anyways.

Thunderstar's Echo was also good. I enjoy going back to the time of the beginning of the clans. I didn't expect to go through the emotional wringer.

[JJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s hard to rate a book based on small stories, but since I’m rating all the Warrior cats books this review is more for my self please ignore me;
Spottedleafs heart 3 stars
Pinestars choice 3.5 stars
Thunderstars echo 5 stars

(Round to an over all rating of 4 stars)

[meow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love SpottedLeaf

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gosh I was worried going into this, knowing before hand what I was in for with Spottedleaf’s Heart. And yeah it was exactly what I was told it would be which is why this got a lower rating than I would regularly give a warriors book. Our side of that first story it’s a great read!
Now since this is a collection of three novellas aka short stories, I’ll break this up into the different stories.

🐈

Spottedleaf’s Heart:
2/5

Thistleclaw is a piece of shit and it’s really obvious what the authors had in mind with him from the begining and that’s just plain creepy. I mean you’re a full grown adult warrior, you shouldn’t be mischievously lusting after a girl who’s still a kitten.......even cats in the real world don’t do that.
Thistleclaw is so very predatory “prove it to me!” “Follow me to a shady location in the middle of the night!”. The elders literally warn the young one to stay away. Like this is a lot of ew. At least the book and authors make it clear he is not a good guy at all. The dark forest makes that clear. Of course Thistleclaw thinks his a “nice guy” and doing the right thing but screw him.
Spottedleaf’s is done fantastically and it’s very clear where her destiny lies to the reader; she just has to open her eyes and see it! Sweet and kind hearted to the core.

It was rather painful to read about Bluefur’s kitting, knowing what’s going to eventually happen. Having the whole Bluefur scene where she makes her choice was touching and heartbreaking.
The timing between chapters is flawless! And at points quite humourous.
It’s nice to see Tigerpaw’s and Tiny’s first meeting from a different point of view.

I rather wish this hadn’t been written at all as it tranishes one of the books best and most beautiful characters. As far as I’m concerned it’s not canon.

Pinestar’s Choice:
4.5/5

The amount of foreshadowing is a bit excessive.
Jake is an utter dear but is sadly absent for the vast majority of the book; which was the exact opposite of what I was looking forward to! Seeing Jake for the first time made me squeal! Like yes I want to see my queer cat boy. Father to two of my favourite characters! For so long I’ve wanted to know the story behind this boy. But come on authors! You guys had a chance to really get into Jake and Pinestar, yet you didn’t.
Pinestar is shown being both noble and weak, selfish and selfless. He’s at war with himself to such a degree that things have to change. What happens with his tom kit just feels like a slap to the face and reality being a dick to him.
Pinestar’s final announcement feels rushed and really needed more chapters. This part was the only place where the pacing of the book(s) was really off.
The ending is so darn sweet!
I honestly wanted this to be a super edition rather than a novella, as I want more Jake. I want the authors to have the balls to actually fully delve into the one canon gay couple they currently have! Rather than just mentioning them in passing and never out right saying their mates.

Thunderstar’s Echo:
5/5
Oh the tension! It never lets up at all, if this were a full book that would be awful but in a novella it’s quite alright.
As expect from a story set in the time of Dawn Of The Clans, this was dark and depressing. Filled with guilt, uncertainties and loss. Ow just a lot of ow, even the happy moments have a pang of hurt and loss.

Lightning tail is such a strong good cat, fantastic role model. The affects of him are always and forever felt by his clan mates.
Thunderstar is a leader with his doubts and lucky has the smarts and self awareness to not carry the burden all by himself. He is wiser than he knows and he’s far less broken than he thinks.

The halfway point is wrenchingly sad and it knows it. Making you feel every little aspect of it. Thankfully it ends off the story with joy, wonder and some hope.

🐈

Cover:
The cover design fits in well with the rest of the novella sets and the red tint is quite eye pleasing. The overall tone of cover is a dark moody one, which suits these stories. All of them are marked by sadness and death.
All these titles are pretty uncreative for their particular stories but for a children’s book that’s not much of a problem.

Over all, the first two stories tied together spectacularly. Both featuring Mapleshade and both being more or less about ending up in a different destiny than what you first walked. The second and third story also tied together as both involved the creation of a new warrior code.
I’d recommend reading this one for Pinestar’s Choice alone and possibly just skip Spottedleaf’s Heart.

[Corinne Morier · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book kind of has no reason to exist. I don't like it very much.

This book consists of three novellas featuring various characters from the Warriors universe. We have Spottedleaf's Heart, Pinestar's Choice, and Thunderstar's Echo.

Spottedleaf's Heart: This novella is the reason I marked this book as "abusive relationship" because we have a story written for children glorifying the relationship between a child predator (Thistleclaw) and his unwitting victim (Spottedpaw). On the surface, you might find this story problematic because it breaks the canonic elements in Bluestar's Prophecy, but again, we have a story glorifying the relationship between a child predator and his unwitting victim. Kids reading this story won't be able to process it properly and will take the wrong view of it because it's painted in a positive light. Though it is fun to see more of Goosefeather's inane ramblings because who doesn't love crazy old Goosefeather? 2/5 stars

Pinestar's Choice: From Pinestar's POV, this shows how he decided to give up his position as ThunderClan leader to go be a kittypet. Why does this story need to exist? It seems as if I'm the only one who doesn't like this novella. The beginning is way too fast-paced to be able to follow anything that's happening, but then as soon as Pinestar takes the leadership, we get way too many chapters of Pinestar ineffectually visiting kittypets when even one or two would have been more than enough. This adds nothing to his story because I'm still under the impression that he's just a cowardly son of a b*tch and I don't agree with his decision to become a kittypet. Maybe if I'd read this story before I'd read Bluestar's Prophecy, I would have a more sympathetic view of him. *shrug* 2/5 stars

Thunderstar's Echo: While this was the best of all the three, it was still boring as all get-out. In almost a complete antithesis to Pinestar's Choice, the beginning of this novella is SO SO SLOW. There was no tension to keep you reading. It kind of reminds me of a short story I wrote long ago where nothing at all happened and the characters all just chatted happily for two pages. This is that story. Characters just happily chat for twelve pages. Also it's weird that the Clans are all so friendly with each other and visit each other not when they need to take counsel or pass on warnings but just to pass the time gossiping. At first I thought that this would be the story of how Thunderstar was betrayed by another Clan and that's how the Clans stopped visiting each other unless under dire circumstances. And apparently Thunderstar was fathered by Skystar? That makes only about 10% sense to me, based on what I understand about the Warriors universe. I just skimmed the entire first few chapters of this story until Thunderstar and Lightning Tail went off to save their Clan. It's kind of interesting after that because then we see how Thunderstar started the tradition of the warrior vigil, but I just felt like this story could be summed up in about three sentences: Thunderstar is leader of ThunderClan with his best friend as deputy Lightning Tail. He and Lightning Tail go on a quest to save his Clan from dogs. Lightning Tail dies saving Thunderstar's life, Thunderstar holds a vigil for Lightning Tail, ThunderClan is safe, and Thunderstar starts the tradition of the warrior vigil. 3/5 stars

In conclusion: If you really want to read this book, I won't stop you, but just know that Spottedleaf's Heart is triggering and damaging. You could easily skip this one entirely because the only actual merit this has is the tradition Thunderstar starts of holding a vigil for dead warriors. I don't think it's really a must-have or a must-read for Warriors fans.