Warriors: Power Of Three #5: Long Shadows [Paperback]

...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!

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.

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.