Series Review: Warriors by Erin Hunter (+ I Made My Own Clan!)

Into the Wild by Erin Hunter
Series: Warriors #1
Published by HarperCollins (3.17.2015)
Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Source: Library

For generations, four Clans of wild cats have shared the forest according to the laws laid down by their ancestors. But the warrior code is threatened, and the ThunderClan cats are in grave danger. The sinister ShadowClan grows stronger every day. Noble warriors are dying--and some deaths are more mysterious than others.

In the midst of this turmoil appears an ordinary housecat named Rusty...who may turn out to be the bravest warrior of them all.

My thoughts

I honestly don’t even know how I had never heard of this series until recently – I mean, a book about cat warrior clans basically screams ‘Jessi book!’ I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about it knowing that it was more of juvenile fiction than teen fiction; but because I went in knowing that fact, I was able to bring my expectations of the prose down. And it did read like Middle Grade. But, once I got into the story I was engrossed! I loved the world of the cat clans, and there was plenty of action to keep me going. I gobbled this book up in a couple of hours because I couldn’t stop reading!

I honestly didn’t expect to get so attached to the story or the characters, but then again they are cats so why was I surprised? View Spoiler »I teared up when Spottedleaf died! Poor kitty!! « Hide Spoiler There were so many awww! moments. I really wish I had read these when I was younger!

 

Fire and Ice by Erin Hunter
Series: Warriors #2
Published by HarperCollins (3.27.2003)
Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Source: Library

Deep in the heart of the forest, four Clans of warrior cats coexist in uneasy harmony--but uncertain times are upon them, and dangers threaten the precarious balance of the forest.

Fireheart is a ThunderClan warrior now, but his troubles are far from over. The cats of rival RiverClan grow restless, while WindClan is weak and faces threats from all sides. Now Fireheart faces not only imminent battle, but betrayal from within his own Clan.

My thoughts

These books are such a great distraction! I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump lately, and these are so easy to get through. Plus I love the world of the cat Clans!

This one was a bit depressing compared to the first. With the sickness going around and loss of a couple cats, it made for a pretty sad read. View Spoiler »It’s so upsetting that Bluestar is on her last life! I’m going to cry when she dies, and I know it’s coming :( « Hide Spoiler

I also really hated the division between Graystripe and Fireheart, it made me sad too. I’m glad there was a little bit of catharsis at the end, I hope they can mend things with their friendship! I also love that Fireheart and Sandpaw are finally warming to each other. Perhaps there will be a future romance?

 

Forest of Secrets by Erin Hunter
Series: Warriors #3
Published by HarperCollins (3.17.2015)
Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Source: Library

Allegiances are shifting among the Clans of warrior cats that roam the forest. With tensions so delicately balanced, former friends can become enemies overnight, and some cats are willing to kill to get what they want.

Fireheart is determined to find out the truth about the mysterious death of brave ThunderClan warrior Redtail. But as he searches for answers, he uncovers secrets that some believe would be better left hidden.

My thoughts

Oh my god, this one broke my heart!! I didn’t realize how invested I was, but this series has gotten under my skin. I mean, it IS about cats and we all know I’m a crazy cat lady. But to be honest I never expected to be this invested because I can’t usually get into Middle Grade for the fact that it feels too juvenile. But, despite it being MG, this series is quite complex. It has it all – secrets, lies, betrayal, loyalty, leadership, love, friendship, and family value. Even death.

There were some nice little twists in there, too – you could see them coming a mile away because of the giant hints dropped and some painfully obvious foreshadowing, but it still made for a great plot line. View Spoiler »It was easy to guess that the lost ThunderClan kits belonged to Bluestar, and that Tigerclaw was bad news and was plotting with Brokentail. But I still enjoyed reading about it!

I freaking cried when Silverstream died. I was shocked when she said she was going to have Graystripe’s kits, and I never saw it coming that she would die during birthing. That part got me bad! I was also sobbing at the end when Graystripe decided to leave and join RiverClan with his kits. The loss of Fireheart’s best friend and everything that entailed just broke my heart into little pieces! It reminded me of the end of The Fox and the Hound *sobs*

I was also incredibly surprised to find that I was affected by Brokentail’s death. He was horrible, yes, but I still cried. Mostly I was just upset on behalf of Yellowfang, because I love her and it was such a hard decision for her to make. That scene was so heartbreaking! Poor Yellowfang :( « Hide Spoiler

Basically, if you haven’t read this series, you should! It’s great for all ages!

 

Rising Storm by Erin Hunter
Series: Warriors #4
Published by HarperCollins (3.17.2015)
Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Source: Library

Fireheart's traitorous enemy Tigerclaw has been vanquished and exiled from ThunderClan--but Fireheart can't shake the feeling that he is lurking in the forest, waiting for a chance to strike.

In the heat of a blazing summer, Fireheart struggles to handle sinister omens, an apprentice with a shocking secret, and a devastated Clan leader who is a shell of her former self. And as the forest gets hotter and hotter, every cat braces for the coming storm....

My thoughts

*stares into space*

Wow, gotta pick up all the tiny little shattered pieces of my heart after this one. I actually had to put the book down for a bit because I was sobbing so hard. View Spoiler »Yellowfang’s death absolutely devastated me. She was my favorite character of the series and I’m going to miss her prickly personality so, so much. I was really loving the dynamic between her and Cinderpelt and it breaks my heart that there won’t be any more of that. I’ll never get over her death *sobs* « Hide Spoiler

There was so much hardship in this book! I really felt for Fireheart and his struggle with his responsibility as the new Clan deputy. But I think he rocked it! His character arc has really been wonderful from book to book. He’s made his share of mistakes, sure, but he’s such a brave protag with a deep sense of integrity. I love him!

Seeing Bluestar in such a state was really hard to bear as well. Being on her last life, I feel like her death is inevitable, and I honestly dread it so much. I know that will devastate me as well. She’s become kind of a twisted version of herself, battered by the fear of more treachery after Tigerclaw’s heinous betrayal, but she still means well and I still see some of her old strength shining through. I hope she heals in the next book! (I am sooo not ready for her to die. Please don’t die!!)

Cloudpaw was super frustrating in his flippant disregard for the Clan code, but it was also sad to see him get taken away. I felt terrible for Fireheart, grappling with added guilt over losing yet another apprentice. I’m glad Cloudpaw came back, and I hope he’s learned his lesson. I can’t wait to see him grow as a character and become a warrior!

Also, yes yes yes to more romance between Fireheart and Sandstorm! Do I see possible kits in the future?!

The cliffhanger was a doozy and I’m glad I have the next book on hand so I can see what happens next!

 

A Dangerous Path by Erin Hunter
Series: Warriors #5
Published by HarperCollins (3.17.2015)
Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Source: Library

ShadowClan has a dark new leader, but will he be satisfied with his power now -- or does his desire for revenge burn even more strongly? Fireheart fears that there is a connection between the rise of Tigerstar and the terrible dreams that haunt his nights, murmuring of danger and death.
Meanwhile, a mysterious and vicious threat unlike any other has invaded the forest, placing every cat's life in peril. Fireheart's beloved leader has turned her back on their warrior ancestors, and Fireheart can't help but wonder if she's right. Has StarClan abandoned them forever?

My thoughts

I’M NOT OKAY. *sobs incoherently*

What is this series doing to me?! I went in thinking of it as kind of a joke – a juvenile book for some fluff to pass the time – well, THE JOKE IS ON ME NOW.

This book is soooo not fluff. In a way, it *kind* of is – I mean, it’s about warrior cats for crying out loud. But it’s much heavier than I expected. There’s a lot of death and hardship that totally caught me by surprise. The characters and world have gotten under my skin in a way I never expected them to. I’m so invested in this story, I care about what happens to each and every one of these cats. View Spoiler »Every single death killed me a little! Brindleface, Snowkit, Swiftpaw, and even Brightpaw’s maiming (which was made more upsetting by the fact that she was renamed Lostface THAT’S SO MEAN OMG). Ughhhh!! But also can I mention that Cloudtail’s unwavering love and loyalty to her despite her being horribly scarred was SO FREAKING CUTE. “You’re still beautiful to me. You always will be.” BRB THERE’S SOMETHING IN MY EYEEEE. « Hide Spoiler

Bluestar’s decline in mental health was really hard to watch. For such a strong and resilient leader to be reduced to the bitter, paranoid cat she became made me so so sad. And it absolutely broke my heart that she labeled Fireheart as a traitor even though he was doing the right thing and what he felt was best for his Clan. The divide between them sucked so bad!

View Spoiler »I’m so glad they reconciled at the end. I knew Bluestar was going to die. It was just a matter of when. But fuck me, that hurt SO. BAD. I was legit sobbing for like 20 minutes after I finished the book because I couldn’t get over it! And the way it happened KILLED me. The fact that we finally see the old badass Bluestar, that she finally comes to her senses, only to sacrifice herself for Fireheart…I just…I can’t. I CAN’T. When she tackled the dog to get it off Fireheart I literally screamed “NOOO!!” out loud because I knew the moment had finally come. *sobs* I’m so glad she had a final moment of clarity, and her encouraging words to not only Fireheart but Stonefur and Mistyfoot (her own kits) made it hurt so much worse! DEAD.

Also P.S. Fireheart is the “fire” that will save the clans I KNEW IT I KNEW IT I KNEW IT « Hide Spoiler

 

The Darkest Hour by Erin Hunter
Series: Warriors #6
Published by HarperCollins (3.17.2015)
Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Source: Library

ThunderClan's darkest hour is upon them, as Tigerstar's quest for power plunges all the Clans into the most terrible danger any cat has ever faced. In order to save his Clan and his friends, Fireheart must uncover the meaning of an ominous proclamation from StarClan:

"Four will become two. Lion and tiger will meet in battle, and blood will rule the forest."

The time has come for prophecies to unfold, and for heroes to rise...

My thoughts

Holy wow, dude. This book was DARK. I’m pretty sure younger kids would be scarred by this lmao! (Um who am I kidding, I’m 30 years old and *I* was scarred by it O_O)

When I went into this series, I was honestly expecting a cute fluffy series about cute fluffy kitties. That were warriors. (I don’t know???!!!) It’s a children’s book about cats, for crying out loud. What I was NOT expecting was freaking Game of Thrones but with cats. (And the cat aspect makes it 1000x more emotional and horrifying, just saying.)

This book was definitely the most intense of the whole series so far. The action was pretty much non-stop, and it had me on the edge of my seat! It legit gave me anxiety because I am so attached to all of these characters and I never knew what to expect next or who would die. It was so brutal!!

View Spoiler »Every death was even worse than the last! Not a death, but the scene where Darkstripe basically poisons Sorrelkit was FUCKING TERRIBLE. The image of a tiny kitten slowly writhing and dying from being poisoned will forever haunt my dreams lol. I’m so glad she survived! I honestly didn’t think she would, the team of Erin Hunter has proved that they have no qualms about killing off younger cats and kits. Then the scene where Graystripe’s kits and Stonefur were brought to judgement was harrowing AF, and I sobbed when Stonefur was killed!

Which brings me to Tigerstar’s death. Holy. FUCK. He’s been a major villain for so long, that I was sure I would be satisfied and thrilled when he finally died. I also thought that it would end in a final epic, grueling battle between he and Firestar. WRONG. To go through so much grief from Tigerstar, only to have him ripped wide open just like that – I was sooo not expecting that. I didn’t feel any satisfaction, just straight up shock and horror. When he went after Scourge, at first I was like YES YOU’RE GONNA GET WHAT YOU DESER- but then Scourge was just like hahaha NO and BAM it was over just like that?! And for Tigerstar to die horribly NINE TIMES IN A ROW…dude that scene was so rough. I just-



And, last but not least. WHITESTORM. I AM NOT OKAY. I knew it was coming, honestly. But that didn’t make it any easier. I LOVED him. He was easily one of my favorite characters, and he was always such a cornerstone for Fireheart through the whole series that it was so hard to say goodbye to him. *cries* « Hide Spoiler

Basically, this book fucked me up.

Also P.S. I NEED FIRESTAR/SANDSTORM BABIES RIGHT MEOW

Overall series assessment

Plot: 4/5
Premise: 4.5/5
Writing style: 3/5
Originality: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
World-building: 4/5
Pace: 5/5
Feels: 5/5
Covers: 4.5/5

Overall series rating:

Basically, the obsession is REAL. It’s been a long time since I got so invested in a series! I loved it so much, highly recommend!

Bonus: I put together my own Clan!

Meet HomeClan! HomeClan cats sometimes fight amongst themselves and wreak havoc in their own territory, but deep down they have a loyalty and sense of family that could rival ThunderClan.

Clan Leader: Jessi(star)

Clan Deputy: Gizmo

Medicine cat: Luna

Clan elder: Oreo

Brave Warriors: River and Orion

Young apprentices: Ember(paw) and Yukiko(paw)

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