Why I gave up on aVOS by Starstripe

Starstripe shares why they stopped reading AVOS. No spoilers for the arc!

Ok, I really don’t know how this is going to go, but before I start I just want to say that these are only my opinions and to respect my opinions. In other words: No nasty comments ok!!

Here it goes.

Ok, so I have loved Warriors for quite a while now. But a Vision of Shadows was a big series for me, it was the first where I actually had to wait for the books between reading them, I also had to wait for it after reading all the books. So publishing day, I eagerly ran into my local bookstore, I was so excited, I had saved up my own money to buy the Apprentice’s quest and instantly started reading.

After getting halfway through the book my enthusiasm started fading, but I persevered because I really didn’t want to be disappointed. I devoured the first book, then patiently waited for the second. When it arrived…that was it for me, I found out eventually that I was forcing myself to read it, and I NEVER like doing that. So I gave up. I was never really angry, just really disappointed, really sad that one of my favourite books had been ruined.

Why? Here are my reasons:

1. Dragged out
Normally, you can realise a series has been dragged out, but if you love the book (or TV show) so much you’re willing to ignore it. But It came to the point where the book itself had been forced, with each book deliberately dragged out to maximise content. And you really notice this when you’re reading, which limits the extent to which you can enjoy it.

2. No Firestar
Ok, I know this is a really controversial point, I understand for some people this was a good thing. But just…hear me out. Throughout the series, Firestar was always a driving force for me. He was the character, whom I loved, and we had followed since the beginning. And without him…I don’t know. It’s just not so good, there’s no character that I’m really as close to aside from Sandstorm and Leafpool, but both don’t play as big roles in the stories any more. It’s not the main reason I didn’t like the books but it’s a massive factor and leads me nicely to my next point.

3. The Characters.
I don’t know why, but I just hate the characters in this series. It contains the young cats from the two previous series, some of the old characters who are all in the elder’s den and some new characters. And I don’t really like the young cats from the two previous series, well some of them anyway. I don’t really like Lionblaze to be honest, and I sometimes find Bramblestar a bit annoying. The new characters, I don’t know… just seem really samey, and really flawed though I know that not all characters are going to be perfect but…

4. Slightly samey
When I was reading the first two book I kept finding myself recognising scenes or plots or characters. It’s because these books take a lot of influence from the other series, and there are relatively similar plots. This wasn’t a massive factor for me, hence why I haven’t written much about it, but I still think it’s a valid point.

5. Forced reading
Just quickly heading back to the point I made earlier. I hate forcing myself to read things, I takes the enjoyment out of it. It was an experience I never thought I would have with Warriors. Though I would have very much like to continue reading, I knew I had to stop, what was the point? I’m not saying it’s not a good series, It just dosen’t appeal to me.

So what do you think?

Do you think I’m right? – Tell me what you agree with, or why you don’t like it. I’d like to know I’m not alone

Are you sitting there shouting at the screen in protest? – What did I miss? What are your reasons for liking the series? Who are your favourite characters and favourite books in the series?

Do you have no opinion on the matter? -Then you can give me an unbiased opinion of what you thought of this article.

Also quick shoutout to Owlflight for making me feel like I should write this article. Keep writing amazing ones!

Thanks for reading!