Hawkwing’s Journey Spoiler Page

Here are my thoughts on Hawkwing’s Journey. Loved it way more than I expected. Duskpaw’s death at the beginning was so well done, and Hawkwing’s relationships in SkyClan (with Pebbleshine (then paw), his father, his mother, with Leafstar and Waspwhisker) were really well established. I only wish they’d fleshed out his relationships with his sisters and with his mentor, Ebonyclaw. This would have made the moments when Cloudmist decided to stay behind with Cherrytail and also when Ebonyclaw chose her twolegs over SkyClan have a little more gravity.
I also wish they’d given the elders time. After all they’re characters we’ve seen before and love – Patchfoot, Clovertail and Fallowfern. I have to say I was sad to see them all in the Elder’s den so soon. I always thought Patchfoot and Clovertail would have another litter together, and I didnt get the impression that Fallowfern was ever much older than Waspwhisker. Did she retire early due to her blindness? Anyway Patchfoot died in the battle with the rogues, they never found Fallowfern after the battle and Clovertail got taken as well so I guess we’ll never know.

My favourite part of the whole book was the battle where Darktail finally revealed his true colours. I kinda wish I’d read this before AVOS because if I didn’t know Darktail was bad, it would’ve made that part of the book all the more intense. When he suddenly killed Bouncefire, and then Sharpclaw’s death… SO SAD!! His relationship with Hawkwing was so great and rich.

Another favourite thing for me in the book was Hawkwing himself. I found him a relatable and original character. I really did. And his and Pebbleshine’s relationship gave me all the FirexSand feels and I LOVED IT. But….
I hate to but a downer on it but……. Hawkwing and Pebbleshine are cousins. Like direct cousins. Hawkwing’s mother (Cherrytail) and Pebbleshine’s father (Sparrowpelt) are siblings. But let me make this very, very clear. I do not have a problem with cousins being mates in warriors. It’s even not illegal in some parts of the world today – i dont have a problem with it. But the Erin’s seemingly do. I read once that Vicky planned for Foxleap and Rosepetal to become mates (which would’ve been so perfect) but then she realised they were technically related (Rosepetal’s father (Spiderleg) is Foxleap’s brother) and decided they couldn’t be mates and consequently made Foxleap one of the cats who died after the battle with the Dark Forest!! But they’re happy to make two cats even closer in relation full-blown, kit-bearing mates? It annoys me. All mates in ThunderClan are related (apart from maybe Cloudtail and Brightheart)… it shouldn’t be a big deal!! Anyway I’m glad they didn’t realise Hawkwing and Pebbleshine were cousins because they’re relationship was amazing and it was so sad when she got taken away (they are incredibly strong candidates for Twigpaw and Violetpaw’s parents, although I’m not abandoning the idea that at least one of the two might be Dovewing and Tigerheart’s or Darktail’s).

Another theory I have – Sparkpelt might have a lot more to do with his arc than we’ve been led to believe. She’s a strong supporting character in the Apprentice’s Quest, but she’s less important in Thunder and Shadow. I was starting to believe she would just be Alderheart’s friendly, loyal sister BUT when I read this I realised that she is quite probably the “spark that remains.” Her name is SPARKpelt and she is a direct descendant of Firestar. It makes total sense!! Maybe she, Alderheart, Twigpaw and Violetpaw are all meant to save SkyClan together. Or maybe Alderheart’s the spark and it’s just a coincidence that his sister is called Sparkpelt. I want to know more!! Can’t wait for Shattered Sky.