Warriors: Omen Of The Stars #2: Fading Echoes [Paperback]

I see fans are calling this book a return to greatness, a return to the Erins' former passion and convincing narrative. Is this the case with Fading Echoes? Perhaps, but I think the novel is more a tipping point in a long grueling uphill climb to this point. Experiencing the revelations that seem to pop up at every turn, we the reader are left to catch our breath at how these events shape our protagonist's choices. In a good way of course. This I believe are what some readers are experiencing.

I've been a fan of the series for nearly a year now. Fascinated by cats and passively taking notice of the detailed cat covers I thought I'd give Warriors a shot. I picked up Fire and Ice because my library didn't have Into the Wild, but even starting at the second book, I didn't let that stop me. Even starting in the middle of the arc, I wasn't lost, in fact I had been given a reason to go back for more. I was hooked. From then on I voraciously craved the next book in the series, renting 2-3 books a week until I caught up in the action. I feel I've benefited from reading so late in the series life being able to absorb such a long history simultaneously. All the plots driven by 'The New Prophecy' and 'The Power of Three' hit numerous cliffhangers that left story ends unfulfilled and readers hopelessly unsatisfied. I enjoyed the series for what they were at the time I read them, but I can see why some readers may have been disappointed by those books. Mysteries of hidden prophecies, the mysterious origins of the Tribe of Rushing Water, the nature of Star Clan and the Dark Forest, the broken promises and broken hearts, and the dredging of old rivalries and scars, they were brought about but were disjointed mechanisms that were otherwise pervasive through clan life. The Fourth Apprentice carries the burden of setting up the series with the ornery history, but Fading Echoes throttles the Omen of the Stars Arc by handling all these loose ends without forcing the reader that it's doing so.

What truly makes the book great is that the events happen in sequence, have reason and work with the natural flow of the story. That element was sorely missed since the first arc where every action led directly into another tale. Ever since The New Prophecy, the multiple perspectives were clumsy. I think by now the Erins have found their proper pacing and execute the narratives of Jayfeather, Lionblaze and Dovepaw +1 much more brilliantly. This is the 'return to greatness' fans have come to expect yet were sorely disappointed by the broken paths and dead ends before. Fading Echoes doesn't disappoint. It breathes life into the series once more and is an excellent addition for any Warriors fan old or new to start their enthusiasm for the series once again.

Without spoiling too many details, I would say characters whom we grew with are given adequate exposure. Better still, we see Firestar acting his role as the leader, for better or worse instilling himself in clan life and taking note of everyone's needs around him. The Firestar we all grew to love. And unfortunately we see old lines draw to a close, but that's to be expected with Warriors. In a way, this book reminded me of 'Forest of Secrets.' A lot was revealed, and once again we see the blurred meanings of black and white, what it means to be good and what it means to be loyal. In all the ways this book could be considered similar to early books there are certainly revisits to old themes of 'the friend in need' but instead we receive the opposite of their intended outcomes, but maintain realistic consequences. It isn't just another rehash. That's why this was a good book.

The Erin Hunter team has definitely hit its stride again with this installment of the Warriors saga. Some of the greatest villains ever are amassing strength and influencing cats who truly mean well. The drama and suspense are ratcheted up to the highest levels in several books. The battles are HUGE! And the consequences are enduring. There is no do over.

Threads from all three of the previous series are being pulled together here, and the book leaves off with new questions - important ones - about some very old rivalries and how the past can be resolved in the present. I do not want to spoil one second of this book for anyone, but I will say that it presents a somewhat more complicated view of its newer and younger protagonists than we have seen in the past. The antagonists also are given some pitiable, if not outright sympathetic, qualities that make this a more internally compelling story than some of the past books have been.

Buy this one.

I respect the main characters in this series, unlike those featured in the Power of Three series. They have more depth, and are basically likeable cats. Also, the main characters from the Power of Three series, who continue into this series, (Jayfeather and Lionblaze), seem to be developing a conscience and concern for others.
This book brings focus and perspective to some of the main characters from the New Prophesy, (eg. Squirrelflight and Leafpool) who were basically kicked to the curb at the end of the Power of Three series. In this book, Firestar, as well, is revisited as a real person (cat) again, instead of a distant, infallable figurehead, as he has increasingly been portrayed.

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