{A Blast from the Past} Warriors: Into the Wild by Erin Hunter

Today's review is about:

THE SUMMARY

FIRE ALONE CAN SAVE OUR CLAN...
For generations, four Clans of wild cats have shared the forest according to the laws laid down by their warrior ancestors. But the ThunderClan cats are in grave danger, and 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 house cat named Rusty... who may turn out to be the bravest warrior of them all.

MY REVIEW

I got introduced to this series from my silly Dad who wanted to bring me back a present from a recent work trip. So he stumbled into the airport book store (they had those back then), told a nearby employee my interests, and asked if they had a book that I would like. Luckily enough, this lady was awesome, and decided to recommend the Warriors series to him, and he bought the first one. When he brought it home, I devoured every word and hungered for more. Since then, I have devoured around 20 of these books, but this one (Warriors: Into the Wild) is the most loved book that I own other than Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell (and by loved, I mean that the spine of the book has evidence of being bent many times from reading).
But enough about my obsession, let's get to the meat and potatoes.
This book is about a kittypet (house cat) named Rusty who has to choose between the comfort and care under his twolegs (owners), or to become a warrior cat and hunt in the forest, maybe even become leader of the nearby Clan. This choice is what I think is what I love most about this book. On the one paw (See what I did there? ;) ), you've got comfort and laziness, on the other adventure and the great unknown.
The fact that Rusty (obviously) chooses the adventure is what I love most about him. True, he chooses it at first for selfish reasons, but over the book you get to see him grow to love and fiercely protect the Clan that he chose as home. That, and he's feisty and doesn't take crap from any cat. He's got a sharp tongue that one...
Not only that, but time and time again he proves in the forest that no matter where a cat came from, be it from a Clan, a house, or a nearby street, they deserve respect and care as much as his Clanmates. He's willing to go into unknown territory to protect any cat that deserves it.
All that I'm going to say about the plot in this book is watch out. There are a small group of cats that you can't trust.
All in all, this book is a must read for cat lovers and adventurers alike of pretty much every age (obviously you have to be able to read XD). :) You will not regret delving into the world of the warrior cats.

A LITTLE EXCERPT

""But kittypets can't be warriors!" Graypaw blurted out. "They don't have warrior blood!"
"Warrior blood," Bluestar echoed with a sigh. "Too much of that has been spilled lately."
She fell silent and Lionheart meowed, "Bluestar is only offering you training, young kit. There is no guarantee you would become a full warrior. It might prove too difficult for you. After all, you are used to a comfortable life."
Rusty was stung by Lionheart's words. "Why offer me the chance, then?"
It was Bluestar who answered. "The fact is, ThunderClan needs more warriors."
"Understand that Bluestar does not make this offer lightly," warned Lionheart. "If you wish to train with us, we will have to take you into our Clan. You must either live with us and respect our ways, or return to your Twolegplace and never come back. You cannot live with a paw in each world.""

Well, that's all for now!

See you next time!

~Sea-Solo

EXTRA! EXTRA!

Visit the Warriors website to look at the cats, clans, and videos!:
http://www.warriorcats.com

Warriors Super Edition: Tallstar's Revenge by Erin Hunter

Today's review is about:

THE SUMMARY

THERE WILL BE A WARRIOR WHO MUST SEEK FAR BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES OF THE CLAN TO DISCOVER WHERE HIS HEART BELONGS...

As a young apprentice, Tallpaw's life is marred by a tragedy that fills his heart with bitterness, and he sets off on a dangerous path in search of revenge.

A map of the territories.

A LITTLE CONTEXT

The books in the Warriors series by Erin Hunter follow the clans that live in the wild and the cats that live in them. Each clan has different abilities; Riverclan's cats are adept swimmers, Windclan's cats blend in with their flat surroundings and are fast, lean, and swift, Thunderclan's cats are excellent stalkers, and Shadowclan's cats are skilled at skulking unseen though the undergrowth. They are guided by Starclan, their ancestors and past warriors. When a cat dies, a person they knew who previously passed visits them and guides them to Starclan. Apprentices become warriors, medicine cats, and leaders only with their blessing.

The cats start first as a 'kit, then a 'paw, and then a warrior or medicine cat (ex: Flamekit, Flamepaw, and then Flamepelt). Leaders are given nine lives and have the name 'star (ex: Flamepelt to Flamestar). They appoint deputies (vice presidents, if you will) and manage the ceremonies that change a cat into an apprentice and warrior, along with keeping the clan together and leading them into battle if necessary.

You can learn more about the clans and the cats by visiting http://www.warriorcats.com/.

Before reading Tallstar's Revenge, I would recommend reading Into the Wild, the first book in the series (shown below) and the rest of that series.

THE REVIEW

I'm going to be honest with you: despite my Erin Hunter and Warriors obsession, I hadn't read one of these books in a long time. I know, I know. The third series really shook me up, and I wasn't sure if I liked the stories anymore.
That was all changed with this book. I was transported back into the clans, this time as a cat named Talltail with a wicked past. Just like in real life, sometimes when it rains, it pours. I'm not going to say what happened to him because you need to experience it for yourself, but it will make you gasp and feel sorry for our black-and-white hero. You understand his bitterness, and share his pain. This is what I liked most; that fact that kept me reading long into the night and it kept my thoughts throughout the day. This book takes you through so many twists and turns, it's hard to put down!
I was introduced to death and revenge, something typical to the Warriors story, but with a new look. Instead of seeing the destruction left in it's wake, we are blind to how far revenge takes him until Talltail realizes it himself.

I loved immersing myself into the world of the Warrior cats again. I had forgotten how beautiful the world was. Definitely read this one. :)

Talltail racing across the moor.

JUST A LITTLE EXCERPT
Shrewpaw sprang into the air. Tallpaw froze for a moment, then, seeing daylight beneath the young tom's belly, he ducked beneath it and bucked like a rabbit. He felt Shrewpaw's weight on his back, and pushed his spine into his denmate's belly. Shrewpaw yelped as Tallpaw tossed him backward. Tallpaw turned on his hind paws. Shrewpaw was writhing on the grass. Tallpaw reared over him and Shrewpaw stared up, his eyes wide with shock.

Well, that's all for now!
See you next Saturday!
~Sea-Solo out!

EXTRA! EXTRA!

To learn more about Erin Hunter, Survivors, and Seekers, go here:
http://www.warriorcats.com/

Other Warriors Super Editions: