Warriors: A Vision of Shadows #1: The Apprentice’s Quest audiobook

** spoiler alert ** If you want to figure out everybody's names on your own, don't read this review!Dewpaw: Dewnose, Amberpaw: Ambermoon, Snowpaw: Snowbush, Fernpaw: Fernsong, Hollypaw: Hollytuft, Sorrelpaw: Sorrelstripe. Just so you know, Lilyheart and Snowbush have kits: Larkkit (tom) and Honeykit and Leafkit (she-kits)! Heathertail and Breezepelt's kits are named Brindlekit and Smokekit.

5 starsVery good book. Nice start to a new series in the Warriors Universe. RIP Sandstorm. Hope she and Firestar are happy together again. Liked the introduction of Bramblestar and Squirrelflights's kits, Alderpaw and Sparkpaw. Wonder if Twigkit and Violetkit will be okay. Hope the clans will be able to save SkyClan. Can't wait to read Thunder and Shadow!!!

Well, I'm disappointed that I started accidently started the Vision of Shadows series on the second book, because I missed out on an amazing book. A great way to start off an amazing series.

I enjoyed reading it. Definitely one of the better Warriors books from this era. Probably better than all of Dawn of the Clans tbqhwyimho.

I LOVED this book. It is a begging to a terrific series. The only one thing I was sad about was that my favorite cat died. But otherwise a great book.

Good (better than expected)I rated this book 4.5 stars after me finding out these books, against popular belief in my class, are good

*This review was originally published on RachelPoli.comBOOK COVERThe covers for the series as a whole got a make-over. The covers all look gorgeous and even though these are “new” for earlier books, this is the first edition cover for A Vision of Shadows. I really like the colors and think the art style is beautiful.FIRST THOUGHTSAfter reading Omen of the Stars, I hopped right into this series since I’m trying to catch up on the books before the next series comes out.PLOTAlderpaw and his sister Sparkpaw are Bramblestar (the clan leader) and Squirrelflight’s kits. They’re made into apprentices at the beginning and begin their warrior training. Except, poor Alderpaw is a terrible “warrior.” His fighting skills are lacking and he has yet to catch a single piece of prey. He’s worried about what good he would be for his clan if he can’t defend it or catch food.So, Bramblestar and the two medicine cats, Leafpool and Jayfeather, decide to make Alderpaw a medicine cat apprentice. Shortly after, he begins to have visions from StarClan and must go on a quest to help SkyClan from long ago.I enjoyed this particular plot because it’s not every day you meet a protagonist who “can’t” do what they’re supposed to – at least, not in this series. I was certainly intrigued by his story and how he would fit into his clan throughout.CHARACTERSAlderpaw makes a great main character. He has a lot of anxiety and is very self-conscious which makes me feel bad for him and root for him all the more. His sister Sparkpaw is an interesting character, though she’s a bit of a know-it-all and can be a snob. I’m looking forward to seeing how their relationship plays out throughout the next few books.WRITING STYLEThe Apprentice’s Quest is an easy read and definitely a page-turner at some parts. The book is just shy under 300 pages, which is the typical length. The plot and characters are interesting enough and easy to follow along with.OVERALLThis was a great beginning to a new series of Warriors books. I’m looking forward to reading book two and seeing where Alderpaw goes from here.Favorite Quote:“And from the way you described Mistfeather, all ragged and skinny, the attack didn’t happen just yesterday.” -Erin Hunter, Warriors: The Apprentice’s Quest (A Vision of Shadows 1)

This was a great book, just as good as the other Warriors books, but I felt like they should have stopped at The Last Hope It was just such a good ending to the series. (view spoiler)[I mean, you start with Firestar, and you end with Firestar. No, wait never mind, Alderpaw's gonna get a book too! (hide spoiler)]Now besides my misgivings, Squirrelflight has always been my favorite cat, so I did enjoy this. (she wasn't in it much, but, well, you know what I'm talking about if you've read it.)(view spoiler)[Also Sandstorm's ending was perfect! (hide spoiler)]I'm not sure what I think of Needlepaw.(view spoiler)[Twigkit and Violetkit... i feel so bad for them (hide spoiler)]Overall it was a very good book. I did wish it could have held more of my favorite characters. It was mostly just Alderpaw, Sparkpaw, Molewhisker, Sandstorm, Needlepaw, Leafpool, Jayfeather, and Cherryfall. That was just a matter of opinion though.

I’ve missed reading the main series, the books go so much quicker and have less drawn out boring parts. I really like Alderheart, he seems like the first anxious main character in the series, the rest have always been go getters with different personalities. I loved this book so much and I can’t wait to keep reading!

** spoiler alert ** I really liked the character in this story. With all the other books the main cats were always really good at fighting and hunting, but this one struggled with all of it. One thing I didn't like was that it seems Alderpaw likes Needlepaw, which happens with a lot of characters,Leafpool, Lionblaze, and Dovewing. But other than that I liked it

No, this is not okay! Weren't the clans peaceful?

could have been better

** spoiler alert ** Premise: Ever since the Great Storm, the four Clans by the lake have lived in harmony. In the midst of this period of peace, Alderpaw – the son of ThunderClan leader Bramblestar and his deputy Squirrelflight – begins his apprenticeship. The young tom is nervous and unsure of himself. But one night, he receives a vision from StarClan that could change not only his future, but that of all the Clans as well. Before he knows it, Alderpaw finds himself going on a quest to find what he saw in his vision. Little does he know, however, of the darkness he'll also find.Story/Writing: It's always fun starting a new arc, even as it is bittersweet to end another. I must admit though, after the world-changing end of the "Omen of the Stars" arc, I couldn't help but wonder how the Erin Hunter team was going to top something like that. Then I realized that I was probably being unfair. I need to accept this arc for what it is (or will be). I was also curious because, unlike the previous arcs in this series I've read, I didn't know much at all about this arc other than that it's about SkyClan taking their rightful place among the warrior Clans again. Not to mention, this is the first arc in the series where Firestar is not leader of ThunderClan. But maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. I'm here to review this one book, not the whole arc it's part of. And I gotta say…this is probably the most solid first entry in an arc in this series I've read in a long time. Not that the other first entries in other arcs aren't great, but this one to me really stood out. Maybe that's because I didn't know too much about it going in. But now that I know what I know, I cannot WAIT to read the rest! First off, as I said before, this is the first arc in the series (chronologically) where ThunderClan is not led by Firestar. But that's not necessarily a bad thing! Firestar couldn't have had a better successor in Bramblestar. And I definitely got a sense of how much time had passed since the Great Battle when Firestar sacrificed his last life (almost two years). Things feel different – but not the bad kind of different. It felt like I was reading the beginning of a new era in ThunderClan's history, one in which Bramblestar is the leader. As for the story itself, I thought it was just fantastic! The journey of going to SkyClan's territory in the gorge doesn't feel like a retread of "Firestar's Quest" – not in the least because Darktail and his rogues have stolen the gorge by the time the questing cats get there. It really did feel like it's own thing. Another thing I thought was even better was that I genuinely found myself wondering what the prophecy could mean. I mean, I knew it was about SkyClan's return, but beyond that I didn't know much else. And then something happens toward the end that I did not see coming! Not that it's revealed in this particular book. But I connected things in this book to what I'd read in previous titles, and I got SO excited! I cannot wait to see how it all adds up in future titles!Characters: I thought this book had a wonderful mixture of old characters and new characters! It really felt like a mingling of generations of much more well-known characters kinda passing the torch, so to speak. That said, the new characters really have won me over and I can't wait to read about how they'll grow and change in the future!Alderpaw – Given how much of the series I've read now, one of my favorite things about it is that the main characters in each arc feel distinct and interesting in their own way. And I can happily say that Alderpaw has really endeared himself to me! Not to mention it's also kinda refreshing knowing that he and his sister truly are the children of Bramblestar and Squirrelflight – whereas Lionblaze, Hollyleaf, and Jayfeather turned out to be the children of Crowfeather and Leafpool. Anyway, given what he experiences and learns and such in this book alone, I know Alderpaw has great potential and has a very bright future ahead of him! Despite his legendary lineage – being the grandson of both Tigerstar and Firestar – from the beginning, and even a little by the end, he's clearly a shy and introverted character who lacks confidence in himself. And yet never does that lack of confidence feel forced or is used as an excuse to keep him from growing. He has plenty of admirable traits, even if he doesn't always think so. He's brave, kind, heartfelt, and sincere. He wants to make his parents and his Clan proud. He's a very soulful protagonist that I don't remember having read about in this series prior to this. For at least half the book, he struggles to find his place in ThunderClan. Even when he becomes a medicine cat apprentice he doesn't immediately prove he's a natural, which I really liked. That said, he's not a pushover. He can more than stand up for himself and gets better at it as time goes on. Yet he's also humble. He knows when he's made a mistake, and even if he tends to mull over it and worry about it a bit too much, he's at least honest about it. My heart broke for him when he felt he was responsible for Sandstorm's death, and later thought he'd failed in his quest to help SkyClan. But even more so, I was rooting for him to finish what he started all the way through…and that may not even be done yet! Bottom line, I really got into Alderpaw's character and I can't wait to see where he goes (in all ways)!Sparkpaw – I liked Sparkpaw almost as much as I liked her brother! Her name definitely fits her sparkly personality – not to mention she's the granddaughter of Firestar, and therefore a spark from his fire – and she's definitely her mother's daughter as well. That said, she's not just a carbon copy of her mother or her brother's shadow. It's obvious she was born to be a warrior, given how she makes two catches on her first day as an apprentice. I also liked that, while she is seriously talented and skilled in hunting and fighting, she doesn't lord it over her brother. If anything, she's very sweet and sympathetic toward him (they are the other's only surviving sibling, after all), even if she is sometimes oblivious of his feelings. And wherever Alderpaw goes, she goes – especially if it means adventure and even danger! Not to mention she makes for a pretty sweet bodyguard for him. That said, she can be bossy and a bit of a know-it-all, as well as a bit too fiery and daredevil-natured for her own good. But she's also a new apprentice, and clearly has a bright future ahead of her as a ThunderClan warrior (provided she doesn't get any life-changing injuries, that is). I guess the best way to put it is that she's bizarrely both mature and immature at the same time, and in the most delightful way! I hope she gets to continue accompanying her brother on more adventures, yet I hope even more that she continues to grow as a great character in her own right!Needlepaw – Talk about first impressions! I confess, when Needlepaw was first introduced, I didn't really know what to think of her. Like Sparkpaw, her name definitely fits her, given her sharp wit and tongue. Which surprised me because at first I thought she was kinda an airhead. At first, she came off as rude and seemed to disrespect everyone, even her own Clan leader and Clanmates. Plus there's her tendency to find her way around rules if not openly flaunt them. And yet, despite these otherwise off-putting traits, I found her surprisingly likable! Not only that, she ends up playing a crucial part in the success (yes, success) of Alderpaw's quest in more ways than one. She saves him and the others from one of the foxes; she convinces Alderpaw that telling his companions of SkyClan's existence and the reason for this quest is the right thing to do; she buys them some time to escape from Darktail and his rogues by calmly feigning innocence; when she and Alderpaw get separated from their companions, she puts them on the right track by asking a kittypet for directions; and perhaps most importantly, her insistence in exploring the tunnel beneath the Thunderpath leads to the discovery of Twigkit and Violetkit. As brave as Alderpaw can be, were it not for Needlepaw's bold and blunt nature, things could've turned out much differently (arguably worse) for him and his quest. In addition to that though, I also thought their friendship was rather touching, even if it did seem to lead toward romance. On the one hand, I like that it's a male medicine cat who might be falling a female warrior this time. But on the other hand, we've already had a relationship like this with Crowfeather and Leafpool. And we all know how "well" that turned out. That said, I ultimately thought Needlepaw was cool and I'm curious to see what kind of warrior she'll be.Sandstorm – She may die about halfway through the book, but I seriously want to give credit where credit's due. Sandstorm's role in this book could not have been more perfect, nor could have there been a more fitting way for her to go, sad though it was. That said, it was really sad but also beautiful. Reading about her character grow from a stuck-up apprentice to a formidable warrior has been such a joy. Of course, she keeps her signature stubbornness to the end, but it's that stubbornness that made her so devoted. Even if she should've let Alderpaw treat the infection like he should have, she knew the perils this quest would present for an elder like her. But as she said, she wanted to die doing something important for her Clan, if not all the Clans. Not to mention she provides her grandson with invaluable help and advice. It's also a wonderful come-around from "Firestar's Quest." Now that Firestar was gone, she was the only cat with any memory of the modern SkyClan. So even if she was a bit old to make the journey there again, it made sense. I loved the relationship between her and Alderpaw. Like I said, it very much felt like a grandmother and her grandson. And even though she did die, it's great knowing that one of my favorite couples in the series is finally reunited together again! May you find eternal happiness in StarClan, Sandstorm! You deserve it!Darktail – Man, even before Alderpaw and his party arrived at the gorge, I was nervous, 'cause I knew they were gonna find Darktail and his rogues there instead, and that Darktail might put on a heck of an act. I'm just happy that Alderpaw discovered the ruse before it was too late! Once again, Darktail proves himself to be a formidable new adversary, just as he was in "Hawkwing's Journey." He's ruthless, brilliant, and will not hesitate to violently kill someone unless he has a very good reason (to him, at least). He clearly subscribes to a "survival of the fittest" mentality, going so far as to blame SkyClan themselves for being driven from their home in the gorge. He doesn't hesitate to slap someone when it's obvious they're getting sick, nor does he have no second thoughts about slitting the throat of a ragged and feeble warrior. While neither were surprising, given I already read about his heinous nature in "Hawkwing's Journey," but those scenes were still pretty tough to get through. Once again, I do wish we got a little bit more of his backstory and his motives. But even if I do never get more than I've gotten so far, I will not deny that Darktail is a vicious foe who's obviously going to make a lot of trouble for the Clans!Various Other Characters – While not featured too much in the book, I loved how Squirrelflight and especially Bramblestar once again proved themselves to be great parents, especially considering that they're actually raising their own children this time! I loved the scenes between Bramblestar and his son. Not only is he a wise and fair leader; he's also a loving and caring father, encouraging his children to reach their potential but not scorning them when they make mistakes. Speaking of which, I thought Cherryfall and Molewhisker were good mentors for Sparkpaw and Alderpaw respectively, even if Molewhisker doesn't mentor Alderpaw for long. Cherryfall is obviously proud of her apprentice, but just like Sparkpaw, she doesn't lord her good fortune over her brother Molewhisker. Speaking of whom, I liked how Molewhisker seemed mature for his age – a sort of strong and wise warrior who only speaks when he needs to, outside of the occasional moment when he gets frustrated. Moving on from that, it's clear that Jayfeather's age is starting to catch up to him, as he does kinda feel more cranky than before. And while I will admit, it is odd to have Leafpool back as a medicine cat, it's also good to see her doing what she's meant to do once again. I got so nervous yet excited when Alderpaw came across Mistfeather. He may not have featured much in "Hawkwing's Journey" or in this book, but I felt so sorry for Mistfeather and knew he was probably unintentionally left behind when SkyClan left the gorge. Not to mention he fought bravely despite his seriously lacking state. And even if he did die a warrior's death, it was still awful to read about him being utterly murdered in such a horrific way. Speaking of characters from "Hawkwing's Journey," when Alderpaw and Needlepaw first came across Violetkit and Twigkit, I wondered along with them if the kits had anything to do with the prophecy. And once I thought of that, I remembered that Hawkwing and Pebbleshine were separated, and that Pebbleshine was pregnant with Hawkwing's kits at that time. My mind then reasoned that Violetkit and Twigkit must be the children of Hawkwing and Pebbleshine. I go SO excited and thought that if it was true, then it was brilliant! That said, if it is true, then where was Pebbleshine? She wouldn't just abandon her kits like that. But she also can't be dead. I'm hoping her novella or another book down the line explains that, partly 'cause I want it to be true so bad! That said, that was probably the saddest scene in the book, when Violetkit and Twigkit get separated! I knew it was coming, but when they start crying for each other, I was close to crying myself. Still, I look forward to what their characters turn out to be. If nothing else, I hope they turn out to be well-adjusted!Overall: This was a wonderful start to the "Vision of Shadows" arc and the era of Bramblestar's ThunderClan! I really got into the new characters and their stories, and I cannot wait to see the return of SkyClan after such a long time of having them separated from the other Clans! That said, I can only imagine how the other Clans will react when they learn of SkyClan's existence. If there's anything I know of this series, it's that huge secrets can have huge consequences/ramifications when revealed. Still, I cannot WAIT to see how it all turns out!

nah bc this book is actually goodaspects of taq- alderpaw characterization (view spoiler)[no bc i love him as a character! the first 8 or so chapters of this book is just characterizing him and him going through just daily life as a ball of anxiety. he's the clan leader and deputy's kid and there's a lot of pressure on him, a lot of which he comes up with himself. (hide spoiler)]- journey + sandstorm (view spoiler)[it was, okay? but travel sequences are just boring and i really wished sandstorm didn't die, but i do understand why she had to (for plot reasons). (hide spoiler)]- darktail (view spoiler)[i hate conflicts based on misunderstanding so i really didn't like this part. (hide spoiler)]- twig & violet (view spoiler)[ngl, separating twigkit and violetkit was probably among one of the most evil things that has been done in warrior cats. like that's some tigerstar level treachery right there. but it's understandable. like i understand< why shadowclan wants a kit (needlepaw proves a good case), and it would probably cause so many more battles over who gets to keep them.the gathering was so hard to read and everyone was just being so cruel and unempathetic (esp mistystar and onestar- this does not have to do with you lmfao) (hide spoiler)]in summary - i always mix this book's title up with the fourth apprentice but they are not similar. this one's... dark, honestly. very interesting though! (except for the travel chapters which are extremely boring). alderpaw is the protagonist for the entire book, which is a courtesy we haven't had since tpb (view spoiler)[ tnp was leafpool+brambleclaw/stormfur/squirrelflightpo3 was the three (obviously) oots was like 5 different characters (jayfeather/dovewing/lionblaze/ivypool/flametail) (hide spoiler)], and he's a very likable character/narrator :)toodles ✌️

** spoiler alert ** It feels like nothing really...happened. SkyClan is scattered AGAIN and they didn't even make an attempt to find any of them? Not a little? Alderpaw couldn't have gone around Twolegplace asking kittypets if they'd seen any cats matching Leafstar's, Echosong's, or Sharpclaw's descriptions? Sandstorm died for, in my opinion, basically nothing. Finding the kits seemed very last minute and weird. Maybe I should have stopped after Omen of the Stars...but we'll see.

Finally, the Warriors series is picking up again! I really enjoyed the beginning of this arc and am annoyed that I have to wait for the next book to be available.Most of the reviews are saying how they weren't happy with most of the original characters being gone. I didn't find this to be accurate or at all. There isn't too much of a jump in time, and the series has been progressing to new characters as protagonists, while keeping old protagonists involved in the background. Yes, most of the characters from the first arc are older/gone, but I like the freshness of these 'newer' characters. It develops the world more and shows the passing of time. There's only so many stories you can do with characters before it gets boring.The Apprentice's Quest introduces Alderpaw, Bramblestar's and Squirellflight's son. I enjoyed the story following him and only him. He reads much like Leafpool, a character I have always liked. His sister, Sparkpaw, reads like a younger version of her mother. I got tired of her quick. I think she will be annoying and I am more so focused on Alderpaw.The story, as a whole, was good. I can't wait to see what happens with (view spoiler)[SkyClan, and the two kits found (hide spoiler)].(view spoiler)[I also can't believe they separated the kits! I never was a fan of Rowanstar. This has made me dislike him even more. (hide spoiler)]