Fan Fiction!
Because apparently I can't get enough cats. The Warriors fandom is filled with amazing and talented writers that I want to talk about. Below is a running list of what I've read!
Paws of Stars by SunnyfallShaken Roots by Sedated Dreams (MothDapple)
Paws of Stars
by Sunnyfall
(Banner art also by Sunnyfall)| Rising Tides |  |
| Stars to Shadows | |
| Inferno | |
| Founder's Pact | |
| Fading Light |  |
| Uproar | |
| Metamorphosis | |
| Average Rating: | |
Paws of Stars is a rewrite of Power of Three and Omen of the Stars, combined into a seven volume series. It’s a much cleaner canon compliant retelling that I absolustely fell in love with. (Surprising considering POT is my least favorite set). Below are my thoughts on each volume after reading them!
Rising Tides
I'll preface this by saying I've read all the Warriors books, and PoT was my least favorite arc. The idea of a re-write, from Sunnyfall no less, got me very excited.
Now I am happy to report that the first entry in Paws of Stars not only exceeded my expectations, but is already a vast improvement over the source material. Sunnyfall has a way of bringing out the best of these characters, and really cleaning up the narrative.
Here is a list of things I loved in no particular order:
- Combining The Sight and Dark River. (Also speeding up the apprenticeships)
- DOTC cameos in the prologue
- Brackenfur's confrontation with Graystripe
- Brightheart being determined to be a good mentor and getting Icepaw to train.
- The way Cinderpelt/Cinderpaw was handled
- Thornclaw mentoring Hollypaw
- That Jaypaw gets more of a choice
and probably more tbh
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Stars to Shadows
Similar to Rising Tides, Stars to Shadows trims a lot of fluff and creates the tighter story that this portion of PoT needed. This book covers the introduction of Sol, the eclipse battle (now with more clear motivation), the green cough outbreak, the loss and return of Shadow Clan. (I'm glad this time around the three all have their proper names, and having Tawnypelt's kits already be apprentices.)I'm still not crazy about Sol immediately leaving the three after he agrees to mentor them, but I have a feeling this won't be the last appearance he makes. Of note, Hollyleaf is much better in her writing. She's very popular in her clan, but hyperfixated on the code and her power. I'm very excited to see her unravel.
I also liked the epilogue setting Tigerpaw up to be mentored now that Lionblaze has rejected the Dark Forest. It seems like that will be tied in a lot better than in the series proper.
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Inferno
Inferno was the entry I was looking forward to the most, and I was not disappointed! It combines the best parts of Long Shadows and Sunrise while cutting out all of the pointless filler (finding Sol). It also seamlessly introduces Dovepaw and Ivypaw into the story, and switched up their mentors too which will be interesting.The real meat of this story was Hollyleaf's madness, which was executed perfectly! The devastation of the fire, killing Ashfur, finding out she's not in the prophecy, seeing Lionblaze get an apprentice, then finding out she's half clan all in one entry was perfect. Her spiral was my favorite part of POT, but this has really perfected it.
As usually, many clan relationships are more fleshed out, and interactions are much more deliberate. Can't wait to see what happens next!
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Founder’s Pact
Inferno seemed like a hard entry to follow up, but Founder's Pact pulls it off. It helps that Ivypaw and Dovepaw are now POV characters, and as some of my series faves, it's so great to see them.This entry ties together some of the major initial events of Omen of the Stars while also having them make more sense character-wise (ex. Instead of a beaver mission, the clans bring prey to a dying Leopardstar).
Sunnyfall also continues to do a nice job of keeping characters consistent and having them reference past events. (For example, remembering sibling relationships, mentor relationships, things that do matter).
Other Highlights in this entry include:
- Ivypaw having more friends, and inviting Blossompaw to the dark forest.
- The wedge between Ivypaw, Lionblaze, and Dovepaw makes for great drama
- Lionblaze and Jayfeather dealing with the grief of Hollyleaf
- Dovepaw's internal conflict and reason for visiting Tigerheart
- Tigerheart's entire reason for going to the Dark Forest making infinitely more sense.
- Birchfall having more characterization. Mousewhisker being dead and in the dark forest.
- Purdy.
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Fading Light
Fading Light was another solid entry into the Paws of Stars series. This book combines the middle events of Omen of the Stars ending around the time of the Forgotten Warrior. This is also where Sunnyfall's changes to the Dark Forest really begin the shine. Instead of being a handful of recent book cats, it's an entire army of the undead spanning generations.The "family" dynamic is so much smarter and at many points that dark forest cats seem to have good ideas about changing the Warrior code. It's a smart way of weaponizing the desire for social change.
Ivypool's jealousy and turn being the willing spy is done so well. The reader can really see her side of things, where she's wrong, and root for her.
I'm glad that the Flametail POV was cut out, it would've really bloated things. His death is still one of the sadder moments.
Brightheart being named deputy was unexpected, but not unwelcome. She makes a lot of sense to be chosen as deputy over Brambleclaw at this point. It's still a bummer to see Brambleclaw being so nasty to Squirrelflight, but at least the clan is calling him out.
Hollyleaf's return was also exciting! Glad that she will be a POV, and was surprised when she admitted the truth of the murder. I'm excited to see where she goes - hopefully there is some good Hollyleaf Ivypool interactions.
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Uproar
Uproar was a bit of a breather. Unlike the previous entries, it isn't trying to tie several books together, but rather focuses on character drama and dynamics. It feels really good to see so many of these characters actually talking through their feelings together and being honest, something that wasn't done in the series proper.Some of my favorite scenes include Hollyleaf and Ivypool bonding, Hollyleaf training the three, the siblings talking thing through with Squirrelflight, Leafpool, and Brambleclaw, and the three to four prophecy being about the clans. I also like how the magic of Starclan/Dark Forest have more concrete rules, such as energy draws.
I'm not entirely sure how I feel about the power coming from a time travel fluke. The entire time travel subplot isn't my favorite carry over in general, but at least this does explain the origin of the powers.
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Metamorphosis
Metamorphosis was the perfect conclusion to Paws of Stars, and honestly makes me wish this had been the canon right. Unlike the source material, Metamorphosis spends most of its time on the battle with the Dark Forest. This battle has all of the stakes and gravity that had been built up, and was hard to put down. Not only was it action packed with real losses for each clan, but it was also full of cathartic character moments. All loose ends are tied up with each POV, and some of their friends, getting room to breathe and get closure.On that note, I love that most of the problems were solved by talking and listening. I love that the three's powers MEANT something, and we're sacrificed to save the clans. The re-writing of the code just feels like such a logical conclusion to not only this story, but the canon arcs preceding it.
Kudos to Sunnyfall for writing such an amazing story.
Shaken Roots
By: Sedated Dreams (Mothdapple)
| Midnight | |
| Moonrise | |
| Dawn |  |
| Starlight | |
| Twilight | |
| Sunset | |
| Average Rating: | |
Shaken Roots is a rewrite of the New Prophecy. It is currently in progress, but is updated consistently. So far, I am in LOVE with it. The characters are a lot more defined and dynamic. The different points of view also brings a welcome new look into my beloved TNP characters.