Starlight (Warriors)

Infobox Book
name = Starlight
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = First edition cover
author = Erin Hunter
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = United States
language = English
series =
genre = Fantasy novel
publisher = HarperTrophy
release_date = April 4, 2006
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback)
pages = 352 pp
isbn = ISBN 978-0060827625
preceded_by = Dawn
followed_by = Twilight "Starlight" is the fourth book in Erin Hunter's bestselling "" series. The hardback was released on April 4, 2006cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/Starlight-Warriors-New-Prophecy-Book/dp/0060827580/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205701724&sr=1-1|title=Starlight (Warriors: The New Prophecy, Book 4) (Hardcover)|work=Amazon.com|accessdate=2008-03-16] and the paperback on March 27, 2007.

Plot summary

The Clans have finally found their new home by following the prophecies of their warrior ancestors. The journey was difficult and all the cats are weak, but now they must struggle to establish territories and learn the hidden dangers of this unfamiliar place. The cats have become accustomed to living with all four Clans and have made strong bonds, so it will be hard to fight against each other in the future. Most importantly, the ThunderClan medicine cat apprentice Leafpaw knows they must find a new Gathering place and a replacement for the Moonstone — a place to communicate with StarClan, the four Clans' warrior ancestors, otherwise there will be no way to choose new leaders, no way to share medicine cat secrets and no way to know whether the Clans are on the right path.

The future seems uncertain, and more than one cat is harboring sinister plans that could lead to violence and darkness. As all the warriors wait for a sign, some of them begin to realize that the threats they face from the forest may not be as perilous as the threats they face from within.

As ThunderClan settles in their new territory, some of the Clan cats struggle with their emotions. Brambleclaw is hurt by Squirrelpaw's hostility towards his slight obsession with his half-brother Hawkfrost; Squirrelpaw is troubled by Brambleclaw's closeness to his kin, and the two break up later, Squirrelflight (now a warrior) stating: "It's not going to work, is it? You and me? Because I can see just where I stand in your life. I'm not as important to you as other cats are. As "Hawkfrost" is." Leafpaw later begins to fall for Crowfeather (at the ThunderClan camp during the battle with Mudclaw and his rebel force, Crowfeather saves Leafpool from falling from the high wall of the ThunderClan camp and confesses his love for her, and she realizes that she too loves him)and Tallstar, the frail WindClan leader, loses his last life at the lakeside and goes to join StarClan. As he is dying, Tallstar makes Onewhisker WindClan's new leader, saying that Mudclaw, the former deputy, is not the right cat to lead WindClan. Tallstar doesn't, however, use the ritual words for a deputy ceremony, and passes on after naming his successor. Firestar and Brambleclaw witness Tallstar's death and go to announce it with Onewhisker to the Clans.

Meanwhile, Leafpaw is sent on a journey from a dream from Starclan. Sorreltail tags along with Leafpaw and they find their replacement for the Moonstone. It is a pool of water which reflects the starlight (hence the title of the book). This becomes known as the Moonpool. After finding it, Sorreltail and Leafpaw wearily go home from their journey to announce their finding.

Mudclaw is furious at Onewhisker's sudden leadership and he eventually leads an attack against his new leader, but WindClan is not the only Clan turning against Onewhisker. Hawkfrost from RiverClan, Tigerstar's other son, was secretly gathering cats for Mudclaw's rebellion too.

In the end, a falling tree kills Mudclaw, creating a bridge to the island where the Clans now hold Gatherings.

The cover features Leafpool.

Critical reception

"Starlight" has been successful in gaining a good reception among critics. School Library Journal called the novel "a fine rendition". A Children's Literature reviewer commented that the viewpionts of the characters were "cleverly written".cite web|url=http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ean=9780060827588&z=y|title=Starlight (Warriors, The New Prophecy Series #4)|work=Barnes & Noble.com|accessdate=2008-01-10] AudioFile praised the narrator for the audiobook version of "Starlight".

Formats

"Starlight" has been released as a paperback.cite web|url= http://www.amazon.com/Starlight-Warriors-New-Prophecy-Book/dp/0060827629|title=Starlight (Warriors: The New Prophecy, Book 4) (Paperback)|work=Amazon.com|accessdate=2008-01-10] It also was the first of the Warriors series to be released as an audiobook.cite web|url=http://www.wandsandworlds.com/community/node/124|title=Transcript of the Second Erin Hunter Chat|work=Wands and Worlds|accessdate=2008-01-10]

References