Warriors: Power of Three #5: Long Shadows Reviews

• Well, as a person who actually READ the book...

  
  By A1NFQG93EVM5M7 on 2008-11-26
  ... It's great! Contrary to other reviews, this book isn't all about how the Clans originated - a far cry from that, in fact. I won't reveal any spoilers, but it starts out slow like any other novel and progresses from there. Jaypaw receives his warrior name, and Hollyleaf's darker side begins to come out. Some readers may be pleased that a ThunderClan cat - one considered a hero - has finally done something shockingly wrong, which is unusual for ThunderClan. And it's interesting to read about Jaypaw's adventures as his powers increase.
  
  This book kept me absorbed - I could literally not put it down, and as a result I ended up staying up late to finish it. A few things I'd hoped for were not revealed (i.e., Breezepaw's rumored mate), but besides that it was pretty well-written. The plot is different from the usual ones that dealt with drama such as the death of loved cats, cats from different Clans falling in love, etc. Long Shadows has much darker elements than that, and we get to see another glimpse of the mysterious Sol. It's intriguing and I, for one, cannot wait for the next book to come out.
  
  

• exciting middle school fantasy

  
  By AFVQZQ8PW0L on 2008-11-27
  Since the solar eclipse occurred shaking many of the cat clans because the pale yellow eyed Sol, belonging to no one, predicted it. ShadowClan Leader Blackstar consulting with his Deputy Russetfur and his Medicine Cat Littlecloud announces to his loyal followers they will no long adhere to the ancient warrior code of the StarClan, but instead pledge their allegiance to Sol. His pronouncement has shocked his clan and stunned ThunderClan, WindClan and RiverClan. The Ancients led by Furled Bracken and his Sharpclaws are also taken aback.
  
  ThunderClan apprentice Jaypaw is not convinced that tossing the code of StarClan for the enigmatic nomadic Sol is the right thing for the communities; he seeks the truth in the long forgotten ancient past. ThunderClan warrior Lionblaze wants out of his destiny as it is killing him even when he sleeps, but the litter-mate sibling code will not allow him to betray his two comrades. The third destined one Thunderclan warrior Hollyleaf fears that Blackstar's ruling is the beginning of the end as the StarClan warrior code has been the underlying ethical base of the clans forever and that will crumble under a Sol cult. However, as each of the threesome struggle with the radical change, the LONG SHADOWS of death by murder stalks ThunderClan.
  
  The latest Powers of Three Warriors book is an exciting middle school fantasy. The story line rotates perspective between the three youthful heroes as the understanding they have gained in THE SIGHT and DARK RIVER is abruptly unraveling. Each is confused by what is happening to the code that they are pledged to follow as their previous experiences may turn out to have been for naught as obsolete adventures. As they go on their separate journeys to find the truth, all three subplots are well written and exciting, but also contain the trademark impending doom which seems inevitable. Once again the Power of Three is a winner with a great twist on the coming of age theme.
  
  Harriet Klausner
  
  
  

• One word: Wow.

  
  By A7Y9UF16B5FWY on 2008-11-28
  ...And now for some more words:
  
  Though it seems that there are mixed feelings concerning this latest installment in the Warriors: The Power of Three series, I found Long Shadows to be THE BEST thus far. Much of the controversy seems to be over the great deal of time devoted to the past (remember the ancient cats?), rather than the present. But personally, I found this to be incredibly intriguing. The four-or-so chapters literally spent in the past serve to answer some questions while simultaneously posing so very many more, and you're left wondering about the true meaning and origin of not only the prophecy, but the Three themselves.
  
  ...And as for the Three...
  
  Jaypaw's character continues to develop, as does his power, and the portion of the book spent from his point of view was, in my opinion, the most interesting. He also receives his full name at long last. Lionblaze, meanwhile, is haunted by visions of killing Heatherpaw- visions that interfere with him carrying through with a task that could mean the life or death of his Clanmates. Hollyleaf, as in Eclipse, continues on with her constant fretting over the Warrior Code, but you also begin to see a new, darker side to her- a power-hungry side so intent on holding up the Warrior Code that it could spell trouble...
  
  Like the Three, the prophecy also deepens, and you see them use their power in different ways- as in, to aid StarClan in solving the problem with Sol. ...But later, when a dark secret is drawn out into the open, the very meaning of the prophecy- and the identity of its subjects- is questioned...
  
  One thing about this book that was a bit... I wouldn't call it a 'problem', but it was, well, odd... was the constant trouble that seemed to plague ThunderClan. The whole book, it seemed as though there was one major problem after the next- issues with ShadowClan, then sickness, then forest fires, and then a secret that could turn that Clan up-side-down- serving to make this a very "busy" book. But it was still really good.
  
  So, anyway, I do recommend that any Warriors fan read Long Shadows- it certainly leaves you desperate for the next book- and the answers to all of the thousands of questions!
  
  

• Failure

  
  By A9LXUHWEI4LJM on 2008-11-26
  It is a shame that the authors have let go of the very successful formula they followed in the first series of Warrior Cats as well as The New Prophecy's six books. In Power of Three, the authors are attempting to create drama, mystery,and intrigue, and pull readers in through curiosity. But curiosity about what? How the clans originated? I don't think it's particularly interesting and the many attempts on the authors' part to make it interesting have failed. What has made these books successful has been the ability of the authors to create for the readers vicarious participation in a close-knit clan, facing physical danger, fighting side-by-side, standing together in loyalty against the odds with courage and loyalty to each other and to the Warrior code. That was exciting! Discovering the history of the clans is just boring. I don't know whether or not this is simply because the writers lack the skill to create a new "formula," or whether their really good writers who exercised poor judgement as to where to take the plot. I don't know. What I do know is that for the first time, my kids got the new Warriors book they've been dying to read, and they put it down by the third chapter and went outside to play. It used to be impossible to separate them from a new Warriors book. But no more.
  
  

• Really Really like this one! Not near as fast a read as POW4

  
  By AYI3BYH2YWMOK on 2008-12-01
  What a great cliffhanger! The story line was rapid moving where it should have been and slower moving where you needed to pay attention. It thankfully took longer to read than the last book. My children and I all have varying ideas as to whom did what to where and why. I cannot wait for the next installment! Can you? This book is extremely creative where I was afraid the lines were wearing a little thin. I could not be more pleased.
  
  
• what happened?
  By A2HUO6MV7KS6WU on 2008-11-26
  My children couldn't wait for the new Warriors book! But it was a disappointment. It seems to be even more boring than Dark River. I think we will finally quit the Warrior Cats series for good. I have two children aged 10 & 14, and three foster children who are 11, 13, & 14. They all sat down as I began to read Long Shadows to them. But they were bored. What a far cry from the first 12 books in this series! It's gone downhill.
  
  
• Awesome book is awesome.
  By AB9BILMV3A0MK on 2008-11-27
  Ahh, how long I have awaited this book. And let me tell you, it was a heck of a lot better than I thought it would be (and i thought it would be pretty dang good)! In my opinion, Long Shadows is one of the best books in the Power of Three series.
  
  Maybe it's the flashbacks I had to the first series, maybe it's the fact that this takes Warriors in a whole new, interesting direction. I don't know. But the fact is that for the people who like old-school warriors, loves from other clans and uniting-the-Clans-type-disasters can't go on forever. Long Shadows especially opens new, riveting and suspenseful plot doors while still retaining that tie to the first Warriors series and the conflicts of Tigerstar.
  
  Jaypaw's powers and his connection to the cats who came before the Clans at the lake grow more interesting and complex with each new book. Lionblaze, trying to severe his ties with Tigerstar and escape from the evil cat's influence, becomes more likeable the more I read about him. Meanwhile, Hollyleaf shows a more intimidating and frightening side than she has in the past. Neither have we seen the last of the loner, Sol. Even supporting characters (Ashfur, Squirrelflight, Tawnypelt, Fallen Leaves...) have significant roles to play.
  
  I finished this book in four hours, because I knew that if I put it down I would be thinking about it for the rest of the day until I was done. I would definitely reccommend this and the rest of the Warriors series to anyone who is the least bit interested. Whether you're in fifth or sixth grade, as I was when I and my friends started reading the books, or are in high school, as we are now, or beyond, which my mother was when she read them, this is a series that cannot be described in one word unless that word is the word 'awesome'.
  
  My only lament is that the next one is not released until April.
  
  
• Long Shadows is a nice story
  By A1K5DUV1L52MUD on 2008-12-01
  My thirteen year old son loves the series. He finished it in a few days time, like all the other Warriors books. He says Long Shadows is a pretty good book even though he preferred Dark River and Eclipse. It was exciting and entertaining.
  
  In Long Shadows, a truth will be revealed by Squirrelflight to LionBlaze, Hollyleaf, Jaypaw, and another cat, who is somebody no one will expect. Also, Jaypaw will discover the truth about the early civilization of the Tribe of rushing water. The three of them will wonder if they were meant to lead the prophecy.
  
  
• The book you "had to read" to get the full story
  By A3FSMENH2J19A0 on 2008-12-17
  The latest author chat with Erin Hunter seemed to indicate that this was THE book in the series to read, and that all your questions would be answered. Well, that couldn't be right, since we still have Cruel Season (actually Sunrise, but I like the original title better), right? So eagerly, like everyone else, I picked up this one on the first day and finished it in a week.
  
  (Warning: While I won't spoil much, this is for people who have already read the book.)
  
  Well, it turns out that Long Shadows is kind of a stumble compared to the previous (and superior) book, Eclipse. Whereas Eclipse took a sudden shift into some serious mystery and intrigue, not to mention serious battle, Long Shadows seems to be doing nothing but picking up the pieces until the end. This story felt quite disjointed, and mainly consists of 4 parts that don't really connect with each other at all: Shadowclan and Sol, the sickness, the Ancient Clan, and the fire. Sol is gone within the first third of the book and has no bearing in the story afterward, which makes me wonder why he is on the cover. The sickness, to me, felt like nothing more than a way to extend the book's length as it's been done many times before and doesn't have any lasting effect on the story.
  
  And the fire? Well, aside from the fact that it sprang up out of nowhere, this section was entirely obvious and the explaination was lame. Readers who are over the age of 14 saw this coming 5 books ago, and it seemed incredibly rushed. Another well-known "rumor" is also dealt with, and this is not fully resolved until the next book, but once again it's obvious. Finally, the book ends on a wicked cliffhanger that is...dare I say it?...OBVIOUS.
  
  There's also the section involving the Ancient Cats, which for me is pretty boring. I don't care about the history of the Clans. Ok, I do a little, but I don't want entire books to be dedicated to this "mystery" which has next to no meaning in the present.
  
  This book, on the whole, felt scattered all over the place and didn't really feel like it was going anywhere until the very end. In effect it was more like 4 "minibooks" sewn together at the last minute, and only 2 of them I actually care about, and only 1 seems to be extending into the next book. But, being a diehard fan, I will still read anything these authors put out.
  
  
• warriors
  By A2JXTU2EYIY7ND on 2008-12-03
  an extremely good book who could have gest that squirrelflight was not the 3's mother
  
  
• What the crap...
  By ACMFCHG0XS427 on 2008-12-13
  okay, so, i was really getting into the book and it seemed as if i would thoroughly be satisfied with it as compared the last couple. i was reading and reading, then suddenly, it was over. the questions werent answered, not even a little bit. im pretty disapoointed, but i guess im making the whole book sound bad. really , it was pretty good, but im mad about the ending. it just doesnt seem right. not to mention they make the answer to the three's question is made quite obvious. but, whatever. it was okay. cant wait for the next book to come out.
  
  
• Surprising!
  By A2FELERUX84V47 on 2008-12-13
  Great book,I loved it.It really stood out from the others because it was really surprising and had a bit of a cliff hanger ending.It was nicely written,nicely designed and the story line is easy to follow with lots of nice characters.Its also nice because it has humor in it,even though the plot was serious.
  
  
• Solid and suspenseful addition
  By on 2008-12-15
  Long Shadows, the fifth book in the Warriors: Power of Three series, is a title that I have anticipated greatly ever since my satisfaction with the fourth book, Eclipse. I am a devoted Warriors fan, and have found that the third series has brought back some of the exciting characters, action-packed plot, and interesting settings that made the first series so popular intially. Long Shadows does not fail to continue this trend.
  The book picks up only a short time after Eclipse left off; Lionblaze and Hollyleaf are now warriors, Jaypaw is serving his Clan well as a medicine cat apprentice, and prey is plentiful for leaf-fall. However, the world of the Clans is crumbling. Blackstar has been influenced by the loner Sol to turn his back on StarClan and the warrior code, and Lionblaze, Hollyleaf, and Jaypaw are determined to change his mind. Meanwhile, greencough ravages the ThunderClan camp, and Jaypaw explores a mysterious connection with the past...
  As most Warriors fans already know, a very large secret us revealed in this book, and I will give away nothing except that it is unveiled on the edge of a cliff in the center of a forest fire. Even after it is revealed, there are still missing pieces, adding to the suspense and my eagerness to buy the next volume.
  The entire plot is tantalizing, suspenseful, and full of mystery. I finished this book very quckly; I found myself obsessed with the plot and drawn into the characters. I have only two minor criticisms. The first is Hollyleaf. I don't find her to be as engaging as the other two cats in the prophecy, mainly due to the fact that her entire character seems driven by her unnatural love for the warrior code. While this is an interesting plot idea, I hope that it gets expanded in the following book; toward the end, Hollyleaf expresses her desire to become Clan leader, which I found satisfying...at least she has something to aspire to in future novels.
  Additionally, I found the ending slightly rushed. With most Warriors books, you can tell when the climax is upon you...not so much with this. The forest fire seemed to come out of nowhere, and then vanished very quickly as well. I realize it was pivotal moment in the novel, but I thought there could have been more build-up to it, such as there was to the fire in Rising Storm.
  However, these are only small issues, and I found Long Shadows very enjoyable over all. I anxiously anticipate the final installent to the Power of Three series, and was disappointed to find that it isn't going to be released until April!!!
  
  
  
• Amazing book!
  By ATX258WSRFQXU on 2008-12-15
  I couldn't wait for this book to come out, and bought it the day it was released. It was a major thriller that kept me up all night.
  "Eclipse" left off where Sol, the loner, had convinced Blackstar of ShadowClan to no longer follow their warrior ancestors in StarClan. Lionblaze, Hollyleaf, and Jaypaw find an interesting way to convince him to change his mind.
  Lionblaze's former relationship with Heatherpaw is often mentioned throughout this book. He has dreams where he kills her; his hatred for her still stands strong. Hollyleaf has become dangerously bound to the warrior code. She refuses to disoebey the code, which sometimes leads to do what's supposed to be done instead of what is best for the Clan.
  I found the parts pertaining to Jaypaw [Who earns his full name] and the Ancients to be quite interesting rather than dull or boring. And especially the cilffhanger at the end, when a truth is revealed that could be the ultimate end of the prophecy. One cat with a long-held grudge almost destroys the prophecy... but you'll have to read the book to find that bit out. =J
  Amazing book; can't wait until the next one comes out. Great job, Hunter Team!
  My suggestion: Don't write a review for a book you don't read. =]
  
  
• You will not be disappointed
  By A19F0H720RYZ9H on 2008-12-21
  I ordered this book from Amazon and read it all the way through. It's really excellent. I think Jayfeather has the most interesting adventure in this book. Also Hollyleaf's interest in the Warrior code is brought more into focus. I think I know who did what to whom, there were some significant hints at the end of the book. I have to say that it really put a new perspective on an older character and I don't think I will ever see that character in the same light again. I've already ordered the next book and I suggest that every fan of Warriors order this one.
  
  
• an enchanting read
  By A1J7JK5DZ7XWME on 2008-12-22
  I loved this book! The begining was a bit "iffy" for me. It seemed kind of simple and for the first few chapters I was worried that the erins might have lost their touch. I shouldn't have worried! For sure enough it became really good. I continued to wonder if Lionblaze will turn out to be good or bad while reading this. I was fascinated when Jaypaw entered the ancient world of the lake. I can't say much for Hollypaw though because she continued to not have a big role. It did show a little bit of her ambition towards the warrior code though, so I guess that's good. The last few chapters of this book are superb! Just when you think something is about to happen, it ends with a huge cliffhanger and something totally unexpected. One tiny complaint on this book is that I realized how in the original series it had more of a mood of sadness. For instance in many of the books, fierce battles took place and many cats died. Now I'm not saying I think more thunderclan cats should die, but during the book there is a deadly sickness that goes around and even the sickest cats don't die! That is totally unrealistic. Besides that though I loved this book and would say it is the best in POT so far.
  
  
• Perfect Gift
  By AW8MKRKLU9NCZ on 2008-12-23
  I purchased this book as a gift for my grandson. He collects these books and told me this one was totally brand new and he was so impressed over ones I have purchased at retailers "off-line". I will purchase more in the future
  
  
  
• best warriors book yet!!!!!!!!
  By on 2008-12-24
  This is the BEST Warriors book so far. I read it in one afternoon because it was so good. You should read the other ones first, but when you get to this one, then read it.
  I wish you didn't have to wait until April for the next installment! There's a cliffhanger ending. Huge secrets are revealed but I'm not telling which
  
  
• WARRIORS - LONG SHADOWS - POWER OF # #5
  By A2KK8VC1PHN1NX on 2008-12-27
  Again, another excellent book by Erin Hunter. Three young cast explore their expectations of themselves, their clans and their loyalties. Also, much more of Rock and the ancient cats are realed through Jaypaw's dreams. In the midst of all this, a newcomer, Sol seems to be intent on slowly destroying the clans from within. One of the best books in the series so far.
  
  
• No Disappointments Here!
  By A2LO0D94ISMQWA on 2008-12-28
  Full of twists and turns leading the Warriors books down a whole new path - not just the books, but the three`s intertwig destiny. From experiece alone, I can guarantee this well-written piece of artwork will leave you egrossed in the book, unable to put it down. It soars past other books and I wholesomely can say three things: Your life will be changed by Erin Huter`s masterpiece, this is the best book series I have ever read and I would recommend it to any one, and lastly that you should have money for spare when you read this book because you will want the next book in the series. Overall, this is one of the best books I`ve ever read and I could not have pictured this book any better. I loved it. A magnificant work of art.
  
  

• Eclipse (Warriors: Power of Three, Book 4)
• Outcast (Warriors: Power of Three, Book 3)
• Dark River (Warriors: Power of Three #2)
• Warriors: Tigerstar and Sasha #1: Into the Woods
• Warriors: Cats of the Clans