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Read Forest Of Secrets (2004)

Forest of Secrets (2004)

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Author
Genre
Series
Rating
4.59 of 5 Votes: 6
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ISBN
0060525614 (ISBN13: 9780060525613)
Language
English
Publisher
avon

Forest Of Secrets (2004) - Plot & Excerpts

I was really conflicted about what to rate this book. On the one hand, I was riveted! As the title suggests, this book is just chock full of secrets! In some cases, enough hints were dropped so that the reader could feel self-congratulatory for figuring something out. But, there were also a couple of unexpected twists that did surprise me. Developments happened at a pretty good clip, and there was just the right amount of suspense between action-packed battles. So even though I was thoroughly entertained by this book, I just couldn't give it a full 5 stars. I felt the first two books were appropriate for kids in the upper elementary grades (e.g., grades 3-5), but the content of this book seemed to fall squarely in the middle school camp. In fact, Amazon lists the first two books as appropriate for grades 3-7, but this third book is labeled for grades 5-7! It seems a bit much to expect a third grader to read the first two books, and then wait a couple years before finishing the series. Especially since Amazon has books #4-6 of the series going back to listing grades 3-7 as the target audience! Anyway, here are the concerns I had. There was a bit of romantic drama involving queens having kits and who fathered whose kits, though I have to say, the book skirted the issue of mating pretty effectively. There's also a whole lot of violence, including a crippling injury, murder, attempted murder, and treachery. Not to mention a death of a sad and sensitive nature. I don't think the events of this book would fly as a children's book if the characters were all humans - but I guess that's the point, right? They're cats. I guess by making up a fantasy world of talking cats, you can get away with more than you could with actual people. It's an interesting question, though. Why am I okay allowing my 3rd grade daughter to read about anthropomorphized cats killing other anthropomorphized cats, when I certainly would not want her to read a book about people killing people? I guess the whole point of creating fantasy worlds is to open up the realms of possibility.

Rating reflects my daughter's love for the series. This book fits the mold, with enough genealogies, history, intrigue, and secrets (some sensible, others not) to rival some adult fantasies.We did this book as a read-aloud, and I found the prose grating, repetitive, and difficult to get my mouth around. Inadvertent tongue-twisters, awkward constructions, that sort of thing.Ableism Alert: The main character's apprentice was injured in a previous book, so she's disabled here (she limps). Every time the main character sees her, he feels guilty that she got hurt on his watch and that she'll never be a warrior now. Never mind that she's adapted and is happy and confident in her new role as medicine apprentice. At first it was understandable, then kind of offensive, and finally ridiculous. My daughter and I would roll our eyes whenever the two were "on stage" at the same time, because we knew the mea culpas were coming.Cod help me, my daughter picked up the next book in the series & now I'm reading her that one, too. Remember me as I was.

What do You think about Forest Of Secrets (2004)?

I really enjoyed the first 6 books in the warrior series. While the characters were not exceptionally deep they were still engaging and the main protagonist Fireheart is likable. The first 6 books also met my most important criteria for animal fiction: the animals have semi realistic behavior and instincts. I can enjoy a good redwall book with mice and squirrels parading around with swords fighting the evil stoats and weasels, but there is a certain subset of animal fiction that will always be my favorite. I will always love the books that create a culture and semi realistic setting for animals. While I can't say that the setting and cat culture in these books is completely believable it is likable. This book would fall into my category of books that I really loved but don't think are excellent quality. I recognize that they are young adult fiction but they still don't rise to the place of true quality for me. If you love cats and are looking for an enjoyable young adult book that doesn't require deep literary analysis I would highly recommend these books. Sadly I feel that Erin Hunter has fallen into the trap so many authors do of making too much of a good thing. I have read several of her later warriors books and I think they are rapidly diminishing in quality. I decided after a while to preserve my happiest memories of the original warriors books by not continuing past the first 6 books. But to all who love animal fiction I would encourage you too read for yourselves and if the world Erin Hunter creates continues to draw you and catch your interest by all means continue.One final point I want to make. The culture for these cats includes a certain amount of ancestor worship. If you don't like characters having dreams that tell them the future or interacting with cats who died in the past then use your discretion. This aspect of the story also increases after the first 6 books.
—Serena

My 10 year old daughter loves this series so far; so I've been reading them along with her. While I don't sense the magic inherent in series such as the Chronicles of Narnia or The Wind in the Door, there is a certain charm to these tribal felines. The use of so many names and characters (as well as the fact that their names change when they go from apprentice to warrior....) can be a bit irritating at times. And as an adult, I can see where the storylines are headed. There are very few surprises if you are paying attention. However, the themes running throughout of justice, loyalty, friendship and courage are well written. Fireheart is a noble cat as is Graystripe. The divided loyalties and clan secrets in this book were a good way of tying various story lines together and providing depth to some of the warriors. Overall I enjoyed this sequel more than the 1st or 2nd book.
—Alisha Bennett

Ok, so I have already read all the Warriors books up to date. I'm waiting for the next in the Omen of the Stars series to come out. However, in such a long series, I easily forget what happened at the beginning. That is why I'm reading reading the series again. Young Fireheart continues to have his suspicions about Tigerclaw, the Thunderclan deputy. His friend Ravenpaw, who now lives with the loner Barely, told Fireheart and Graystripe that Tigerclaw killed Redtail, the previous Thunderclan depu
—Maya Volpacchio

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