This was an amazing set. I think it may be my favorite. Not only does it show us how it all began, but the forshadowing and easter eggs make it a treat for fans to track the progress, knowing what will happen in the future. And for those who tire of the constant return of Tigerstar and other cats from the dead, this features a whole new cast, entirely separate from Firestar’s family.

Also it’s very Lion King aka it’s very Hamlet filled with reluctant heroes, tragic villains, brotherly strife and full circle moments.

It just generally felt like a breath of fresh air even as it continued the series’ general themes of enviromentalism, family and honor. Also it has bonus scenes at the end providing extra content about side characters and lore in this set.

1. Thunder Rising: This book was very Lion King-esque with the two brothers on separate sides of the forest and Clear Sky’s son, Thunder in between them, and so it’s number one with a great set up and intense conflict. Since abandoning Thunder, Graywing has been raising his nephew with Tall Shadow’s camp, imparting all his knowledge and skills in hunting. But when Clear Sky takes an interest in his son again, he paints his abandonment as a way of toughening Thunder up as individual cat in the wild. Yep, Clear Sky is the Scar of this tale with his wily tongue and soon brings Thunder to his camp, promising to make him a better warrior. Meanwhile, Graywing is fielding off rumblings from the camp that want him to be leader instead of Tall Star. He doesn’t want to be a leader, he wants to reconcile with his brother before more damage is done. Yet Thunder is seeing firsthand how unyielding and ruthless Clear Sky is in his pursuit to expand on territory.
2. The First Battle: The war between the brothers come to a head as Clear Sky becomes more paranoid that Graywing is turning the forest and Thunder against him rather than any fault of his own actions, and starts recruitng rogue cats, and kittypets to his cause. Even as Clear Sky descends in his heinousness, Hunter provides some sympathy for his character as he believes that no one will see his true intentions, they are painting him as a murderer so a murderer he will be.Graywing continues his role as a reluctant leader though he is clearly one at this point and suffers from the insecurity and depression that follows when kits begin to die as a result of this feud. This battle also portends the beginning of Starclan’s presence among the cats in a very spooky climax battle.
3. Path of Stars: Once again, Hunter delivers as she continues the cliffhanger with Slash holding Slate and the kits captive, necesitating in the clans coming to the rescue and defeat this rogue once and for all. Clear Sky’s redemption is complete with his remorse and willingness to rescue his brother’s kits just as Graywing has raised Thunder in Clear Sky’s stead. And Thunder is revealed to have stayed on the side of good after all with his double cross against Slash and gets his own happy ending too. It’s more bittersweet than a happy end for after Graywing’s trials that he helps to form the fifth clan-Starclan-through his death. While I wished he had gotten to live a little longer with his mate and his kits, it fits with the overtone of the series in showing the valor and sacrifice of the wild cats, and the reluctant leader cementing a legacy no one will forget.
4. The Blazing Star: The enemy of my enemy is my friend is the mantra of this story more or less. These three books kick off Clear Sky’s redemption when the rogue cat, One Eye ursurps his control over the forest. Meanwhile, the rest of the group returns to their home to find a cure-the Blazing Star- and the journey delivers plenty of conflict when Quiet Rain learns of her son’s private war, an the death/pain the cats have encountered, making it seem like their leaving the mountains was for nothing. It leaves this book in the middle of the list for while it gives plenty of lore in showing the clans divide themselves into four, and their respective leaders lending a name to each (Thunder, River Ripple, Tall Shadow and Wind Runner) and the cats return to the mountain is interesting to see how much everyone has changed, there aren’t many memorable moments save Thunder’s ill fated romance with Star Flower. This is definately a book setting up for the grand final. It says a lot that I don’t really have any negatives that would put this in the middle, I just enjoyed the others a little more.
5. A Forest Divided: Another one that is stuck in the middle of the ranking as it delves further into world building, laying out the groundwork for the future of the clans and setting up for the final book. Nonetheless, it delivers great moments such as Graywing’s continually failing (and fatal to the she-cats) love life. Which is a surprising contrast to the one between Star Flower and Clear Sky that furthers his development, realizing how heinous his actions have been. It is almost soap operatic since he’s dating his son’s former crush and impregnated her. The surprise sparking paternal feelings that he never felt for Thunder and causing Thunder to go off to Slash’s camp for revenge.
6. The Sun Trail: IIt’s weird that the first book is the last in my ranking but this more of an introduction to the new world and kinda a repeat of the clans’ journey to a new home in New Prophecy. You see, the Clans havecome full circle as they venture from their mountain home that is becoming crowded by other feral cats and alternate dangers to their home and food source. So Graywing’s brother, Clear Sky takes it upon himself to follow Stone Teller’s dream message and lead the willing cats to find a new home. Graywing initially wishes to stay home to protect it, determined to live it out but as storms push them further out he cannot deny that the cats need to change. Hunter leaves plenty of hints at the upcoming conflicts with the cats already separating into their own bands based on differences in leadership opinion on how things should be done. Of course, the transfer from the mountain leaves them unsteady as they encounter Two legs and dogs for their first time and the group fights as they try to use their mountain heirarchy and roles in this new situation. Ir nicely sets up Clear Sky’s villainy as he clings more to his vision of how things should be done, where Graywing inadvertedly gets in the way, and fueling their rift.