The third generation takes the stage and things get even darker than before. Bluestar had prophesized long ago that the kin of Firestar’s kin, a trio to be precise, would be the most powerful cats of the age. They would have the power of the stars.

The thing about prophecies is that they’re oftentimes vague and Firestar’s grandkits-Jaypaw, Hollypaw and Lionpaw end up in more trouble than they could ever believe when they stumble through their destiny.

This series starts at the very beginning of the kits’ lives with each eager to become real warriors and contributing members to the clan. They don’t know of the prophecy even though Firestar suspects that they’ll be the ones to fufill it. They fit the criteria after all. But they’re not just Firestar’s grandkits, they’re also Tigerstar’s grandkits and when they learn about the prophecy, the pursuit of power becomes a major focus.

Jaypaw and Lionpaw are particularly susceptible to the idea of power. Jaypaw, becoming a medicine cat makes him more spiritual connected to Starclan and the powers of the universe. Lionpaw’s skills on the battlefield with his enhanced speed, strength and senses make him physically unbeatable. And when you’re ontop, it’s intoxicating. Hunter nicely segues into the different types of temptation that power can hold over the kits with Jaypaw believing he can use his power for the good of the Clan, Lionpaw wishes to protect the Clan. Their power also allows them closer connect with the Starclan, specifically Tigerstar who offers to help them become stronger to take their true place in true might-makes-right mentality.

Hollypaw, on the other hand, is strictly bound to the Warrior Code. Honestly, she’s a bit anal about it and is the least tempted about power. She’s a real rule follower which is why the actions of a traitor in the Thunderclan or the Shadowclan turning their backs on the warrior code hit her hard. Despite her rule-following personality, she also falls prey to power as she wishes to make everyone obey the code.

Which brings me to the Warrior Code. Here, it is questioned and tested to the limits from Lionpaw’s interclan friendship with Heatherpaw of the Windclan, Jaypaw aiding the Tribe and biggest disruption of all-an outsider named Sol whose prophecies and warnings lead some cats to believe Starclan has forsaken them. The prophecies and omens are all hookem more or less, and even though some cats can see that his words are just clever twists to fulfill his own ambition, he is charasmatic, threatening the entire world of the clans.

Yet with all this talk of power, the kits remain relatable as they struggle with what the respnsibility means to them, even wishing such prophecy wasn’t thrust upon them because if how it will make them different from others and make them more likely to fail.

Also the grand twist was just shocking and adds a new darker layer to the cat’s souls that had never been done before. As you can see in my rankings:

1. Sunrise: The final gets number one for the huge plot twist it served. Maybe others figured it out before me, but I just wasn’t expecting it. Villains are usually well-defined in the cat world with those of grand ambition being the most likely suspects of murder. But no, it was Hollypaw! Hollypaw murdered Ashfur so their secret wouldn’t get out. And she ripped her real mother to shreds at the Gathering for breaking the Warrior Code yet feels abandoned when people take her mom’s side over her gross overreaction. We see how Hollypaw’s black and white thinking become her downfall and it is epic yet tragic and just wow. Plot twist alone makes it number one. Other stuff happens but mainly that. Just wow.
2. Long Shadows: The second to last book also serves as a great tone shift with the triplets reckoning with their parents’ big secret. They’re actually adopted. Suddenly, their whole identities as the trio in the power of three prophecy is put into question and they’ll do anything to keep it a secret from the rest of the Clan whilst figuring out their true parentage. It is thrilling to see how this revalation affects each cat. There’s also the big showdown as they face against Sol whose lies have turned Shadowclan against Starclan and are being used as weapons against Thunderclan for his own power.
3. Dark River: Interclan friendships are always interesting to see as the relationship conflict is delicious with Lionpaw and Heatherpaw bonding, forcing Lionpaw to question the clan’s rules and questions of his loyalty. Meanwhile Hollypaw is facing her first real crisis when she is sent as a spy to Riverclan to figure out their weakness, circumverting warrior code. Also Jaypaw gets further into his mentorship with Tigerstar and learns about the prophecy.
4. Eclipse: With the great eclipse, some of the Clans lose faith in Starclan and Sol makes his move to amass power. With Jaypaw’s close connection to Starclan, we learn more about their dealings and that even they do not known all the answers, making Jaypaw more wary indeed of how to defeat Sol. His siblings are finally privvy to the prophecy and soon begin envisioning their glorious futures, losing sight of what’s in front of them.
5. The Sight: The intro of the series nicely sets up the kits’ distinctive personalities and hints at the great power bestowed upon them. However, all this is in the background of their lives while the adults debate what it must mean for them. The kits themselves are going through a typical coming of age as Hollypaw and Jaypaw realize where their true roles lie and Lionpaw learns what it means to be a warrior. It picks up at the end though with the first sign of Jaypaw’s spiritual sight.
6. Outcast: The kits search for their answers in the mountains. Jaypaw, the only one in the know, wants to know what the prophecy really means for the fate of the clans. Hollypaw and Lionpaw are more concerned about the recent attacks and whether or not they may have to move again. All just in time to help the Tribe with maintaing their boundaries against aggressive strays. While it is all thematically important, I found it to be a bit fillery and thus comes last.