Warriors: Sunrise

Hunter, Erin. Warriors: Sunrise. New York : HarperCollinsPublishers, 2009.


Plot: The novel opens with the discovery of murdered body of Ashfur, secret traitor of the Thunderclan, by his clanmates. Determined to find the murderer, Firestar orders a search party to seek the badger seer, despite the misgivings of his medicine cats. While the search fails, the cats find another possible lead. Sol, the tyrannical, manipulative former leader of the Shadowclan, was seen near the scene of the murder. A second party seeks the tabby through the dangers of the Twoleg territories. Yet, the fallen leader does not appear guilty. Within the search, a new mystery arises. Who are the three mentioned in the prophecy? Who really birthed Jayfeather, Hollyleaf, and Lionblaze? What is the place of the three cats without an origin?

Genre: Adventure, Animals

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: Redwall

Personal Thoughts: This is the first book in the third series of the Warriors novels. The adventure, intrigue, and drama of the series accounts for its popularity. That said, I cannot recommend the title for a series of reasons.


1. The cast of thousands: The series includes a large number of characters. To accommodate readers, the author includes four pages of character descriptions. However, many of the characters have a passing reference in the novel. One is included apparently for the sole purpose of killing off. The author introduces and kills her within two pages. While her death appears traumatic, it does not actually fulfill any need or purpose in the story. It is just an extra character with extra drama.

2. Dramamongering: Many of the actions of the novel seem unnecessarily dramatic. The death of the two-page cat provides an example of unnecessary drama. However, the names of the characters also lead to unrealistic dramatization. Lionblaze is a good example. His name refers to an animal none of the characters have access to. It is power-inspiring without reference. Many of his actions, such as his intention to fight, appear dramatic, but have no actual result or influence on the plot. They just artificially add emotion to the story.


3. Misinformation: The audience gives the author their trust. The author is responsible for that trust. Several biological facts presented in the novel are grossly wrong. For example, the author introduces tansy as a healing herb. Tansy is, in fact, poisonous. This is an manipulation of fact and an inexcusable betrayal of trust.


4. Directions, directions: Generally, animal stories fall into two basic camps: Watership Down and Wind in the Willows. Watership Down presents the animals as speaking animals with normal animal instincts, fears, and responses. Wind in the Willows presents animals as furry humans. This novel series attempts to use both methods. While this can be done effectively, as shown by Poppy, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIHM, and Charlotte's Web, blending the two methods requires careful thought and hard consideration. Hunter's cats catch mice, do not use tools, avoid humans, and fear dogs. This is normal for cats. However, they also live in a monarchy, use medicines, hunt collaboratively, and maintain elaborate legal structures. These characteristics are not typical of cats. Additionally, "magical" elements are introduced in a clearly non-magical world. Jayfeather sees visions and Lionblaze is immortal. No other cats have gifts remotely similar to these. The switch between realistic, unrealistic, and fantastic does not come smoothly or expectedly. Instead, the changes occur unnaturally and abruptly, jarring the reader from the plot while destroying story immersion and world-building.

5. Incomplete information: As previously mentioned, the author takes great care to describe each and every character in the series. However, she does not explain important details of the story itself. The
Warrior's Code, which is apparently worth lying and killing for, is never defined or described. Similarly, several of the cats refer to a prophecy. The prophecy involves three cats, but the actual facts of the prophecy are never discussed. It is just a prophecy about three cats. Not defining such a key aspect of the plot prevents the importance of the element from having any meaning. This failure to inform the audience limits the progression of the story's elements and growth of its characters.

6. Show, don't tell: Two of the most important events in the novel are told, not shown. A failed battle between a city clan of cats and some stray dogs forms the first. The second is the murder of Ashfur. While choosing to tell the story can have a positive influence in the plot's direction, it has a limited place in an adventure story. The novel relies on action and actions require description, not interpretation.

The book series can be something great. At its most basic level, it is the story of the fight between the  status quo and the discovery of truth in light of supernatural expectations...with cats. In many ways, the plot potentially mirrors Greek tragedy and epic beginnings. Unfortunately,  the plot elements and style do not assist the story, but actually shatter it and the audience's belief in it. Some result from the serial nature of the novels. However, the majority appear to result from lazy research and storytelling. As a result, I cannot recommend the series.