Maisy's Reviews > River

** spoiler alert ** I read this book in a single sitting, on one day, whilst sat in a hospital room desperately trying to engage myself through the teems of boredom.

Each person that entered my room was eagerly willed away, with the excitement of trawling through this book - each line that I loved being re-read many a time for its uniqueness that it brought to the WC universe.

River is different - finally we are presented with a book that introduces some different and diverse concepts. With three equally strong Clan perspectives, Erin Hunter begins to delve into what truly makes these Clans and their borders so important to their livelihood.

The slow realisation of the ThunderClan protagonist, Flamepaw, that they are not the best and most revered Clan in the forest is refreshing and truly brings to light the ego of the Clan and their downfall: with ominous suggestion that Bramblestar wants to uproot leadership as a whole, or his personally, makes their Clan viewed pitifully.

This is mentioned by Crowfeather and finally I find my thoughts are actually being reflected in the characters: instead of dancing around topics and lacking forth-coming, the characters finally feel real as we explore their interpersonal relationships with their Clan, their friends and ultimately their identity.

Flamepaw’s own struggles with his destiny are too refreshing as it diverts from the general ‘Firestar kin to hero’ pipline, and allows us to read as this young tom will presumably find his own reasons to be a hero, and not piggyback off the cat that began this series so many years ago.
What’s more is his name-change to Nightheart! That was definitely alluded to and for once it is lovely to read a WC book and the foreshadowing to hold steadfast - it was a welcome change and I can only imagine the turmoil it may present.

The only drawback to Flamepaw’s story is his connection to Sunbeam; while I was excited for a female protagonist to already have a mate, and thus her development being only about her love interest, now that she and Blazefire are no longer ‘a thing’ opens the opportunity for Nightheart to take that place.

If the foreshadowing remains true, Nightheart’s name change and displacement within his Clan may lead him to form a closer bond with Sunbeam and thus defect to ShadowClan . . . If not handled delicately, we could end up with yet another she-cat that is there only to be a love interest: a Rootspring x Bristlefrost 2.0, a mess of muddled ‘love’ and pitiful writing.

However I hold out hope for Sunbeam who, as a character, is wonderful to read! Her attitude reflects a calmer and more sophisticated Hollyleaf - her approach to the changing code may massively influence the events to come in ShadowClan.

Once again the ominous forewarning that Tigerstar may be usurped by Sunbeam’s unapproving mother, Berryheart, is clear! It would be wonderful to read of a character that helps and actually approves in a leadership change, as introduced by the new 3/4’s rule at the first Gathering, however I doubt that the Erin’s would want to portray Sunbeam as fully accepting of this change.

Therefore, I think she will act similarly to Ivypool and Bristlefrost had once: the ‘spy’, once on the side of no-good turned justice-seeking and righteous.

That could get boring, and thus the low rating, but I can’t judge unwritten books! And can only eagerly await the next installment.

Finally, RiverClan and Frostpaw.
How unique this book is! The massive upheaval of Mistystar and now no leader, meaning the Clan could go any-which way.
I personally am stumped: my thoughts that Mothwing may become Mothstar would make for an excellent twist of events, but whether plausible in the WC universe and by the Erin’s writing is a whole other ballpark . . .

Frostpaw as a character is engaging and the pressure placed upon her is expected but no less interesting to undergo: she’s newly orphaned (or motherless) and with the pressure of being so young, inexperienced but the Clan’s sole StarClan communicator, there is error for this young she-cat to be overlooked or misinterpreted.

I don’t truly know where Frostpaw’s arc may take her, but with her introduction and RiverClan’s leaderless-self, I am excited to see!
Potentially, she could be ‘raised’ to lead her Clan, but that would be both spectacular and stupid - who knows what A Starless Clan may bring, but for now it has been enthralling and new to read!