This week's entry for Hermione was written by the delightful and talented book blogger, Kaliana, of The Written World and Twisted Kingdom.
Cat lovers everywhere rejoice in the wonder that is the Warriors series by Erin Hunter. Midnight is part of The New Prophecy series that follows on the success of the original Warrior series. In the beginning, there are a lot of cats, as Hunter goes very far to assure that all the members of the cat clan are mentioned, but as the story progresses the main characters take the forefront. This is a story of Brambleclaw and his clan, the Thunderclan.
One night in a dream a deceased wildcat comes to him to say that the wildcats are in danger, and that it is up to him and three other cats to save all the clan cats. Brambleclaw writes it off as just a dream, though, until he learns that three other cats from the other three clans, ShadowClan, WindClan and RiverClan, had the same dream. Clans live in relative peace with one another, but to be called on to work together so closely is a rare thing, especially when the four chosen ones are just regular members of the Clans and not the leaders that they believe should be receiving the prophecies.
In this book, readers get the chance to join Brambleclaw and the clan chief's daughter, Squirrelpaw, from ThunderClan. Squirrelpaw was not one of the chosen ones, but you try and tell her that. Joined by Tawnypelt, Brambleclaw's sister from another clan, Crowpaw, and Feathertail, as well as Stormfur, Feathertail's brother, who refuses to be left behind. These six cats set on an adventure to reach a place that they are not even sure exists and they believe that when they get there, midnight will reveal the truth behind the prophecies.
If the adventure aspect of this young adult book are not enough for you, you also get to look forward to seeing the world through the eyes of a cat. I believe that Hunter does a very good job thinking like a cat does, and the words that the cats use to describe the human world are comical and fitting. It's one of those books that will have you waiting impatiently to read book two in order to find out what happens to these cats next.
Why would Hermione read this book? That's simple: Squirrelpaw. Squirrelpaw may be a cat, but as I was reading the book I found that she strongly reminded me of the Hermione we all know and love. They are both very strong female characters, and both good at finding trouble. Hermione might have the persona that breaking the rules is a bad thing, while Squirrelpaw seems to welcome it, but they still act very similar to each other. Squirrelpaw is also bold and sassy and she does not take any trouble from the male members of the group; she is her own boss. Quite like Hermione, I think.
I had not heard of this before, but it definitely sounds like my kind of book. I love cats, both real and fictional. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!
Posted by: Nymeth | June 22, 2007 at 07:00 PM
Sometimes book from animals point of view can be rather bad, but I so far enjoy this series. I think she captures cats really well. :)
Posted by: Kailana | June 23, 2007 at 04:09 PM
I've read that, and I cannot even vaguely see Hermione in Squirrelpaw.
Posted by: Lilly | September 01, 2007 at 06:38 AM