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Post by celestialsquared on Dec 19, 2012 0:54:07 GMT -6
A human reader thinking from a human perspective. Imagine that. Sometimes I forget I'm reading about cats and for that I apologize.
Chapter 19
The clans are now pretty close to a suburban area now and they run into Ravenpaw and Barley. Firestar catches up with his old pal and they offer a place for the cats to rest for the night. They can't turn down the offer of food and they agree to go to the broken house where Bluestar was sheltered in the first arc.
The rain had conveniently stopped before they reached the old house with no roof. Warriors go with Barely and Ravenpaw to hunt while the apprentices are left behind to guard the others. The warriors come back with plenty of food for everyone.
It's the next morning and "cold sunlight" brings light into the old house. M'kay.
They found that they've slept too long and they have to get going as soon as possible. Some of the cats think that they should stay though, and who can blame them? Firestar tries to remind them that Ravenpaw only invited them for the night.
Geez, guy.
The chosen ones and Leopardstar think it's best to move on, though and Blackstar settles down. Ravenpaw offers to join them to Highstones.
On the way there, Ravenpaw made the grave mistake of asking who the new ThunderClan deputy was. We all know what his answer was. They make it to Highstones by sunset and the leaders and medicine cats go into Mothermouth to see if they'll get any answers. Leafpaw was not allowed to join.
All the chosen ones meet up to discuss where to go next just to be sure what they were doing was right. Unfortunately, none of them can think of any other alternative other than going to the beach.
I seriously doubt that it would have made any difference. Let's also chose to forget that they all have connections to major characters from the last arc.
They wonder if the falling warrior was Mudfur, but Squirrelpaw points out that he was a medicine cat. Just when they start to panic, they see a shooting star. Shooting star = Dying warrior.
They now know they have to go over the mountains.
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Post by Lady Ten on Dec 20, 2012 16:47:43 GMT -6
ah, okay. I thought, like, ShadowClan was forced to share with all the Clans with in retrospect makes no sense. Okay. Okay, do you want Interventionist Thunderclan or Isolationist Thunderclan? hmm. Pyro, you've inspired a new thread idea. This, this particular bit here, this is stands out as odd. That is, these cats' body language can be viewed through an anthropomorphic lens or a feline behavior lens, yeah? So, in the view of the former, Leafpaw is shaking her butt. I imagine this is supposed to be an indicator of agitation, anxiety, or uncertainty of some sort, and it may well be that for somebody, somewhere, butt-shaking is a human way to express that... but it is not customary for the British, I think. On the other hand, from a feline perspective, a quivering tail is an indicator of excitement and happiness. uhh? The third possibility is that there is some other, third lens that is neither humanlike nor catlike and somebody else can clue me in as to what that is.
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Post by celestialsquared on Dec 20, 2012 17:56:23 GMT -6
On the other hand, from a feline perspective, a quivering tail is an indicator of excitement and happiness. uhh? Erin usually uses a quivering/twitching tail to signify both excitement and nervousness (and sometimes amusement). I guess they figured there's but so much cat expressions they could actually use.
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Post by celestialsquared on Dec 20, 2012 19:16:22 GMT -6
Chapter 20
It's the next morning and as a parting gift, Ravenpaw gives Firestar some food and they say some words of farewell to each other.
We flashback to the night before where the chosen ones had given their clans the good news that they've finally seen the "dying warrior". They realized that Midnight had meant the Highstones, not the Great Rock at Fourtrees; an honest mistake considering she had never been to the forest before.
I'm wondering how StarClan chose which of them would be the "dying warrior". Did they vote, or did someone volunteer?
Back the the present, Leafpaw asks Cinderpelt if the sign meant that StarClan was coming with them. Cinder admits that she could hardly hear StarClan when she had visited the Moonstone. Leafpaw suggests that StarClan must be suffering too to see their old home destroyed.
I never understood this. StarClan just showed you to your new home, so why would they give you those directions if they weren't going that way too? That makes me think one of the StarClan cats must have traveled there already to know that the even new home exists.
Whitepaw and Spiderpaw are trying to get some information out of Brambleclaw. He caves in and tells them about some dangers they'll have to look out for. Listening to him has Leafpaw worrying even more. Bleh.
They pass the sheep as described in Midnight and get to the giant road (highway?).
Mudclaw, who has taken up the role of leader since they left the forest, says that each clan should take its own chances. Leopardstar disagrees and says that they should be helping the weaker clans cross, which upsets Mudclaw.
While the leaders are busy bruising each other's ego, Brambleclaw proposes that the chosen ones lead their clans across because they've crossed the road before. This makes sense to almost everyone and while Brambleclaw bickers with Mudclaw over letting Crowpaw lead, Stormfur leads RiverClan across.
Mudclaw is an idiot and tells WindClan to cross without Crowpaw's signal, leading them right into a car's path. Crowpaw tries to make sure that all the kits are across and in all the chaos, Morningflower falls behind.
Firestar tries to encourage her forward. Lucky for her, the driver is either drunk or asleep and veers on the wrong side of the road, missing her completely.
ShadowClan crosses and one of Tallpoppy's kits is still wondering around on the road, but was saved by Dawnflower.
The next couple paragraphs is uneventful and by the next two pages, they are one day away from the mountains. It's noted that clan boundaries were starting to dissolve.
Leafpaw agrees to go hunting, but she pretty much fails at that. Hawkfrost unfortunately saw her having a bad time and came over to gloat. Their bickering is cut short when Hawkfrost smelled a dog coming in their direction. Leafpaw is told to run as Hawkfrost buys time against the dog. Brambleclaw comes in to help and soon the two cats have the dog running away. More gloating from Hawkfrost
Squirrelpaw comes to see what all the commotion was and after Leaf explained, Hawk leaves.
The chapter ends with an entire paragraph containing all of Leafpaw's worries. Just in case you forgotten about them.
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Post by celestialsquared on Dec 22, 2012 20:18:12 GMT -6
Chapter 21
The clans are travelling through the mountains and after Morningflower cuts her paw, Leafpaw request that the clans take a little break.
Once Morningflower is handled with, Leafpaw asks her sister if this route was familiar to her and is shocked when Squirrelpaw answers no. Hopefully, Tawnypelt knows where she's going because Squirrelpaw clearly doesn't.
Doesn't sound too different from a Clan cat.
It is noted that Stormfur fit in so well in the mountains that he seemed "quite unlike a RiverClan cat".
It's the next day when the clans have to travel along a narrow path and walk single file.
As expected, trouble happens and Smokepaw dies falling to his death (whoever he is).
Lady, he's either dead or horribly injured. Get real.
Blackstar tells her he won't be forgotten, but his memory will probably only last two pages in the mind of the reader.
Smokepaw's demise left a gap in a path that the cats have to jump over. As Crowpaw is helping Leafpaw across she finds it hard to concentrate because he's breathing on her (ew).
After that excitement is over, hunting patrols are organized. Brambleclaw tells the patrols how the tribes hunt to give them an edge, but some cats just want to be difficult.
Are you an idiot, or what?
Brambleclaw goes through with his lessons anyway and they try it out. After Sorreltail's near-death encounter, Brambleclaw sees a "huge bracken-colored bird". Pffft!
Apparently, the eagle wants a taste of cat meat today and decided to attack the clans. It manages to get hold of Marshkit (Again, who is that?) but before it can take off, Brackenfur attacks, making it drop the kit.
Leafpaw is to the rescue as she runs over to check if Marshkit is okay and orders Sorreltail to check Brackenfur. I sometimes wonder what happened to the other four medicine cats within the clans.
Oh, there you are, Cinderpelt. Marshkit is pretty much okay. Tallpoppy has a spout of Queen Syndrome, however, and goes into hysterics.
I would like to take a minute to remind everyone that this young she-cat will one day be ThunderClan's deputy. The clans are shocked that the chosen cats would withhold information about a dangerous predator, but they resolve they'll be prepared the next time.
The Erins uses this moment to signify the clans bonding together to become one.
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Post by mistytail on Dec 22, 2012 20:33:13 GMT -6
Hawkfrost more like Hawkfullofhimself. Dang.
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Post by celestialsquared on Dec 26, 2012 10:13:20 GMT -6
Chapter 22
Squirrelpaw was out hunting when she's pinned to the ground by two Tribe cats. One of them, Talon, recognizes her. She explains that all of the clans have left the forest and after hearing there were kits on this journey, Talon demands that she brings the cats to the Cave of Rushing Water.
An eagle circles in wait above where the clans have taken shelter and just as the bird dives, the cave-guards drove it away.
Actually, that makes a whole lot of sense. Providing that you guys survived the winter.
The chosen ones and some of the cave-guards have a happy reunion and the Tribe cats are introduced to the clans. After teaching Tallpoppy a trick to keep the kits warm, Blackstar and Mudclaw argue with the other leaders about weather they should rest with the Tribe cats or not.
He is an elder.
After asking Littlecloud his diagnosis, Blackstar agrees to go with the Tribe cats and Mudclaw grudgingly follows along.
Stormfur comes back just in time from searching for Brook hunting and immediately asks how Brook is. He really does follow in his father's footsteps.
The chosen ones have a nostalgic moment when they make it to the waterfall and as soon as they're inside the cave, Brook and Stormfur meet up.
Joke's on you, Squirrelpaw.
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Post by celestialsquared on Dec 28, 2012 19:37:22 GMT -6
Chapter 23
There's more introductions and explanations of Tribe life. The medicine cats together make sure everyone is taken care of . Stoneteller comes over and basically asks for their leader so Leafpaw takes him to see Firestar.
Stoneteller offers herbs after seeing the state of Tallstar's condition. Leafpaw naturally wants to learn more about Tribe healers, so Stoneteller invites her and Cinderpelt into the Cave of Pointed Stones. While there, Leafpaw tries to connect with StarClan but dialed the wrong number and got the Tribe of Endless Hunting instead. Why did she expect to be able to call StarClan in a shrine specifically for worshiping the Tribe's ancestors? That's beyond rude.
Leafpaw is ordered to rest but she's to worried to take a nap.
I dunno, start using your brain?
Meanwhile, Brook, Stormfur, and Crowpaw go out to sit vigil for Feathertail and Leafpaw wonders which afterlife she went to. She finally goes to sleep and who would of guessed that StarClan would send her a message. She dreams about the lake and Spottedleaf shows up just to let her know they're still around.
The next day she's happier than ever. Cinderpelt asks if StarClan sent her a message.
Maybe I'm getting this impression because this is from Leafpaw's POV, but Leafpaw has basically taken over the medicine cat role in this book. Cinderpelt has become a background character and Leafpaw is knowledgeable enough to not need her help anymore. No wonder she gets killed off later; it's not like she's needed.
Cinderpelt stops her from feeling guilty for having superior medicine cat skills than her. After Leafpaw tells her about the dream, Firestar comes over to inform them that they won't be going anywhere because it snowed all night and more bad weather is on the way. So all they can do at the moment is to go hunting with the tribe to make sure everyone has food.
Leafpaw joins a hunting party and Stormfur has already painted his fur with mud just like the other tribe cats. Crag realizes she's an apprentice and asks Leafpaw if she plans to be a cave-guard or a prey-hunter. More explanations about Tribe life.
Crag informs her that he'll be watching their back as they're hunting and Leafpaw "felt a prickle of resentment at Crag's superior attitude". Apparently, Leafpaw doesn't like it when she's treated like an apprentice.
She manages to show up the mountain cats though when she was able to smell two rabbits at the same time, earning the forest cats some respect.
While everyone is chilling out, Leafpaw worries if there will still be four clans when they reach their new home. I am so tired of Leafpaw's worrying. She has to explain to Stoneteller why having four separate clans is important and she is told for the billionth time that she is wise.
There's a celebratory feast in memory of Feathertail's bravery against Sharptooth. After they've all eaten, Tallstar steps up to make an announcement; it's time for Crowpaw's warrior ceremony. As we all know, he was named after his first true love at his own request.
I don't really think so. But if you rather be named after a dead girlfriend than your own personal goals, then whatever.
As Crowfeather sits vigil, Leafpaw sees Feathertail and Silverstream looking down at him from the sky. In my mind image, it looks exactly like that Simba/Mufasa scene from the Lion King.
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Post by cloudbat on Dec 28, 2012 19:43:26 GMT -6
HERESY
I recommend the experience of naming yourself after a dead girlfriend to everyone.
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Post by celestialsquared on Dec 28, 2012 23:28:45 GMT -6
Is it as satisfying as I heard it was?
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Post by celestialsquared on Dec 29, 2012 13:54:15 GMT -6
Chapter 24
The snow is beginning to melt so the clans are getting ready to leave. But for some reason, Stormfur is leading Squirrelpaw away to go hunting. She figures he must be hunting for the Tribe to thank them for their hospitality.
She notices he looks troubled and bombards him with questions involving Brook. She then wonders if he had asked Brook to join the clans.
I don't understand. Are you saying a kittypet with no hunting skills can adapt better than a cat that's praised for her hunting?
After catching a mouse, Stormfur finally tells her that he plans to stay with the Tribe. Why he's telling an apprentice this and not his clan leader, I don't even know.
His argument is that he has no kin left in RiverClan and so he doesn't feel apart of it. When Squirrelpaw finds ways to argue against this, he finally says the real reason is because he wants to stay with Brook. Because apparently, Brook can't adapt to Clan life, but he can adapt to Tribe life. Which makes zero sense.
When they return to the cave, Squirrelpaw is so upset that she accidently mistakes Brambleclaw for Hawkfrost. He's already figured out that Stormfur plans to stay. As if the fact that he painted his fur with mud wasn't a giant clue.
She realizes that Bramble thinks she has a thing for Stormfur and is jealous. Commence intense kawaii moment.
Stoneteller tells his Tribe to help lead the cats out of the mountains. Firestar thanks him and asks Tallstar if WindClan is ready.
Remember, if you're nice to your elders, then you'll get a large portion of their will. Proven fact.
Stormfur just now informs Leopardstar that he plans to stay. Listening to your heart > Loyalty to the Warrior Code
The Tribe cats lead them to a place where they can see where their future territory will be and they all look at it with awe.
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Post by celestialsquared on Dec 29, 2012 14:28:37 GMT -6
Chapter 25
Final Chapter!
Nearing their new territory, Tallstar seems to be feeling better than usual and is walking proudly by himself like a leader should. In fact, everyone is back to "their old selves" once out of the mountains.
Urge to strangle her is quickly raising.
They wake up in the early morning to continue on. They must continue until StarClan gives them a sign. (Or until they find a place that seems right for all the clans)
Cinderpelt informs everyone that Leafpaw had a dream that the place was near a lake. But Leafpaw thinks that maybe it was just a dream and not a sign from StarClan, which ruins everyone's hope.
As they move on, Firestar brings up the fire and tiger prophecy again. He tries to make sense out of it, but I'm going to be honest and say there was no reason for it at all besides being the cause of unnecessary drama. Even without the prophecy, Squirrelpaw would have join the journey because she's just that bratty and stubborn.
They spend the entire walk fretting about when the sign will appear and what the sign will be.
Lo and behold, they find the lake looking exactly as the one described from Leafpaw's dream. Look at that, they found their new home at dawn. Ha ha ha ha.
Lessons learned in this book:
> Humans are evil. Period. > Ambition is also evil. It helps not to look like a previous villain. > Four young cats are smarter than four adults. > Always depend on dead cats to tell you everything. > Love is more important than loyalty to your Clan. > Last, but not least, Clan cats are superior to most other cats.
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Post by mistytail on Dec 30, 2012 0:46:14 GMT -6
Is it just me or is this book filled with a whole lot of nothing?
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Post by cloudbat on Dec 30, 2012 16:50:36 GMT -6
Biggest lesson learned in this book: The Erins don't just not give any expletives about biology, they don't do ANY freaking research at ALL.
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Post by victorystars on Dec 30, 2012 16:53:19 GMT -6
What I learnt from this book: Apprentices are so much smarter than warriors. Why don't we just keep everyone at the -paw stage, before they become 'idiots'.
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