Darkness Within Spoiler Page

Spoiler page for The Broken Code #4: Darkness Within!

Official cover art by Owen Richardson (presumably)!

We’re jumping right into making this a spoiler page since we have the title, cover, and blurb for the fourth installment of The Broken Code!

Embers of a Spring Dawn (Emberdawn)

Writer, photographer, moderator

1,616 comments

  • Hey Kate! I just saw Tree’s trivia. Someone asked if Tree and Sunrise are related and you answer that we will get an answer to that further in The Broken Code. Would you still say the same thing, or would you say Tree’s Roots now? If not, than the Sisters are coming back! I hope to help, but it would also be a good plot if they set up Ashfur/anyone else as an impostor or something. Anyway, I just really like the idea of them returning!

  • I adored Veil Of Shadows, finished the book 4 hours after I got it! However, I could go on about how much I loved it, which I might on a seperate comment. Right now I’m going to talk about one of the problems I have with it, this problem is more of a personal peeve, but if you have not for whatever reason finished veil of shadows yet do not read below.

    Okay I kid you not I told a friend that “If Lionblaze becomes deputy I am going to fly an airplane to Wuhan china”
    And then Lionblaze becomes deputy
    😤
    I’ll be honest, i think that he really has developed, and though a boring character compared to his brother, sister, Ivypool, and Bristlefrost. And as much as I have a bias and really wanted Ivypool to become deputy, that’s not the main reason I’m angry. No, it’s because we needed a female cat to lead, because I’m sure by the end of this arc, Squirrelflight is going to retire, and though I would like a Squirrelstar, she is very old. But Lionblaze to fill her role? The fandom has been asking for a female leader to lead for ages now! Leafstar amd Mistystar are also both undoubtedly old and might die. Both of there deputies are dudes! Tigerstar has a female deputy, sure, but he still has 9 lives and is pretty young, and is not dying anytime soon! Assuming all goes back to normal and Crow becomes WindClans deputy again, that means all the Clans will have male leaders! We need a female leader. Bristlefrost would have been nice, I had thought her character arc was leading there, but after the end this is obviously not going to happen. Ivypool would have been the best option there was, as she has proven herself competent multiple times and after the whole dark forest thing has proven herself a natural leader, an added bonus is that she hasn’t lost her personality like a lot of characters do, and pretty much half the fandom wants her to be leader at this point. But I also would have been fine with basically any she-cat (other than Sparkpelt). Rosepetal would have been cool, but she’s dead now. But heck I’d even go for a Twigbranch or a Spotfur, literally anyone but Lionblaze!

    Other than that I loved this book, sorry for ranting
    Only other thing that bothered me was Bristlefrost and Rootpaws romance, but that’s a whole other thing

    • I get what you’re saying, but I think what matters more at this point is a cat’s ability to lead rather than their gender (I mean…Mistystar, anyone? she’s female and she’s been a terrible leader for awhile now imho, VoS cements that). And if the first deputy curse happens once again then Lionblaze likely isn’t going to stay deputy for that long, anyhow. Personally I hate the idea of Ivypool as leader or as deputy (I am…very outspoken about this lol), so I’m glad she wasn’t chosen. I doubt Lionstar will happen by the end of this arc, tbh. I feel that Bristlefrost or Spotfur will probably be deputy/leader by the end of this arc (assuming Spot is still alive by then), considering how much they’re pushing for Bristlefrost to be in a deputy position and how Spotfur’s getting her own novella.

      …but I’ve personally been wanting a Twigstar for the longest if I have to pick a female cat, lol. Otherwise Molewhisker would make a pretty good leader/deputy.

      I doubt Leafstar will end up kicking the bucket in this arc, though. Hawkstar will probably happen if he doesn’t get any major death flags, because he got an SE and was pretty much groomed for the position. RiverClan basically doesn’t exist if their leader isn’t acting OOC, so it really doesn’t matter if Reedstar happens or not – they aren’t going to get any good attention for awhile, so I don’t see why this matters for them tbh. Harestar’s a relatively newer leader, so I doubt he’s going to end up permanently dead in this arc, and I doubt Crowfeather will die too, since he had that SE and all (though he’s older than Harestar, so it wouldn’t be too shocking).

      • I do agree yeah it matters less what gender someone is and it should be about skill. The gender thing is just one of the main factors personally for me, and I know a lot of other people in the fandom because people have been wanting a female ThunderClan leader for a while. But I totally get what you’re saying. Now I also think that Ivypool is also good leader potentially and that she has the skill and past experience, also feel free to disagree. Although a Bristlestar or a Spotstar would be pretty great too, (although everyone has been saying Bristle is too young, but Spot is older, maybe a Spotstar with Bristlefrost as her deputy?) Spotfur is a cool and strong cat who I’m really liking, so I won’t be disappointed if she becomes leader. Really, the only thing I’m worried about is if Lionblaze stays deputy and gets to become leader. IMO that would be boring and predictable. I hope he resigns or some external factor forces him out of the position

        • Yeah, Bristle is definitely too young atm but I do feel that she’ll probably end up with a leadership position considering how much the books are pushing for it. Spotfur might end up in one instead though, since she’s having the novella coming out next year (I believe), so that might give her more leadership experience as well. I wouldn’t have entirely minded Rosestar, but she’s dead now. There’s also Sparkstar since she’s been given more attention in this arc. There could also be a Twigstar, as she’s been given decent attention for a background character.

          I just hope that Lionblaze or Squirrelflight don’t become the leader, though. Lionblaze seems more temporary since he seems to be a cat Squirrelflight trusts, but I doubt he’ll stay in that position long. Not to mention he’s kind of bland, though he’s been given some interesting lines in this arc. Squirrelstar would have been interesting back when she was younger, but now it just seems like Squirrelflight needs a rest and a break from this all.

          • I’m so salty about Rosepetal’s death, like she hardly got any closure, and Bristlefrost didn’t even seem upset which seemed so out of character because they have been shown to have a really close mentor/student bond. Anyway same, Rosestar would have been cool but she is dead. I suppose a Sparkstar might be a possibility, but I doubt it, Twigstar is more likely, but all in all a Spotstar would make the most sesne if not Bristlefrost because of her future Novella, like you said.

            Agree with everything you said about Sqiuirrelflight and Lionblaze, and yeah, Lionblaze would be boring. Squirrelstar would have been better when she was younger, but she’s a lot older now, and honestly she’s been through a lot she needs a break. I don’t want her to die though, she had a whole super edition about choosing not to die, to kill her would be silly. I think she should just retire around the end of this arc. Lionblaze is probably incapable of dying, but like you said I hope that he’s just a temporary deputy.

      • I hope Spot does, I don’t like Bristle

        though they both annoy me

        personally, I want Cinderheart as deputy, but she’s older than Squirrel. I used to want Berrynose as deputy and I got that, but…

        I wanted Stem as leader too, or Rose

        Cinder4thewin

        • …Cinderheart’s not older than Squirrelflight 😛 Maybe Cinderpelt was older, for sure, but Cinderheart grew up alongside Squirrelflight’s “kits”, so she’s an entire generation younger. ^^

        • I find both Spot and Bristle annoying, the latter only feeling like a window now just so we can see the imposter aside from in Gatherings and whatnot

          I really wish Whitewing wasn’t so old, I think she could have made a good deputy too. I kind of just don’t want another cat closely related to Firestar to be deputy/leader though, I like the idea of both Cinderstar or maybe Poppystar (and like I’ve mentioned, Twigstar and somewhat Sparkstar as she’s gotten better)

      • Lionblaze’s past kills don’t really matter in terms of deputyship, though…? If this was the case, Graystripe, Hawkwing, Bramblestar, and others like shouldn’t have become deputy. Lionblaze killing Harestar was a complete accident, nor did he mean to – just like with Russetfur. He was likely chosen by Squirrelflight because he’s the safer choice considering all that has happened, and since Squirrelflight knows who the imposter is (which is pretty much all but directly stated to be Ashfur at this point), Lionblaze will likely know the imposter is too, as Ashfur mentored Lionblaze and Lionblaze would know how Ashfur fights, etc.

        • Yeah…it is a little weird that Lionblaze keeps accidentally killing cats though.

  • I hope I’m wrong about this but I’m beginning to highly suspect that the Imposter is None-other than…….

    ASHFUR! I have some proof that supports my suspicion. First of all, The Imposter is a pervert with a chilling obsession about squirrel flight, He is revealed to have deep blue eyes, When he was revised after the Clash of The Clans, The imposter, stated that he specifically came back for Squrrielflight, Bramblefake appeared to be visibly upset when Squirrelflight disappeared, even more so after her “death”,
    And was confirmed to be an Ex-Starclan resident, Darktail was also ruled out along with Tigerstar as the ghost impersonating Bramblestar, And While I never seen Ashfur as being lazy that may’ve been because he only became leader of ThunderClan so he can be with Squirrelflight.

    • I think the authors are trying to make us think it’s Ashfur, but it’s actually someone new.

      And the Squirrel excuse is pretty garbage, as Bramblestar is her mate, and the impostor would try to have empathy for her, when in reality he doesn’t actually care, seeing how he was able to exile her with no pain. That’s something Ashfur would never do.

      I don’t what’s happening, but I think StarClan is behind all of this since they allowed Harestar to be revived, but not Bramblestar. The Dark Forest is also accessible, and that gives a hint that StarClan is still active. I think they know that their cats are becoming less dependent on them, and are trying to spread some message via the living. But again, what about the cats that are ghosts? I think they’re purposely cutting off their connection to make a reason to follow the code, then cats will begin to actually note its flaws. They can still revive leaders, but decided to just give Bramblestar a different soul. They’re not letting warriors into StarClan to not raise suspicion.

      If StarClan just told them from the Moonpool, I doubt anyone would listen and call them crazy. That’s why they’re making such a complex plan as a simple message the cats are too dumb to follow.

      And if Ashfur was the impostor, I think he was forced into it, as he knows a bit about the current living conditions of ThunderClan. If he exiled Squirrelflight, it was because his Starmates forced him.

      • I mean I kind of like the theory that there was some sort of StarClan civil war to explain it
        The obvious hints that it’s Ashfur probably mean it’s Ashfur, knowing the books
        I get that Bramblestar and Squirrelflight are mates and the Imposter’s whole thing is an act, but he’s literally obsessed with Squirrelflight, was sad when she “died”, and Bristlefrost noted he talked about her with genuine affection
        There’s really not another candidate that actually makes sense and I think it was confirmed it’s someone we already know, plus it would be more confusing if it wasn’t
        Ashfur is probably still into the whole revenge thing and wouldn’t need to be forced into it, he tried to kill her family so I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t have a problem with exiling her

  • Hey, Kate. I saw on Goodreads there’s an upcoming book called “Leopardstar’s Light”. Is this the title for the next SE you’re writing? I figured if anyone would know, you would.

    P.S- I LOVED Veil of Shadows and can’t wait for Darkness Within.

    P.P.S- I hope you are staying safe and well during these troubling times.

  • Hey Kate I was wondering I was just looking up tortoiseshell toms and it showed that they have health issues throughout their lives and in TC Shellfur is a tortoiseshell tom so could we some health problems with him later on and they are also known to be sterile. One another thing, right now we have 4 tortoiseshell in TC but I was wondering since tortoiseshells are already rare are Plumstone Leafshade Finchoaw or Shellfur calicos or tortoiseshell and white cat. I was just wondering since Poppyfrost was listed as a tortoiseshell for a while before being listed as a pale tortoiseshell and white. Also because I like calicoes better. And one last thing can we have another white cat in TC and if Cherryfall and Stormcloud end up becoming mates since it hinted in Bramblestars storm that they liked each other could could they have a white kitten?

    • I think it’s more likely that warriors doesn’t consider genetics a factor, I mean Redtail was a tortie tom and had kits with Brindleface. Technically Sparkpelt also shouldn’t exist due to cat genetics because her dad is a brown tabby even though Squirrelflight is ginger. She-cats really only have a chance of being ginger if both of their parents have the orange chromosomes. If not, then the she-cat will pretty much always have a not orange/ginger/red coat, and will take after the not ginger/red/orange parent. If there is at least one ginger parent to a male cat that male cat will pretty much always be ginger, so Alderheart technically makes sense from a genetic standpoint?
      Anyway, point is warriors does not care about genetics, and frankly if it did then everyone in the clans would either be a mixed tabby or a black and white cat. Which would be boring!

  • Hi Kate! I was wondering if you are writing the next book, and if you have you started writing it yet or is it still being printed and stuff?
    Also I really liked Veil of Shadows and I really look forward to the next book! Thanks for coming up with “Warriors” idea!

  • Spiresight the main villain? Hmmm, not sure. That would mean that his POV preface would be very missleading. I remember when we met him first in the church with the guardian cats he was very confused, had some strange visions and was told by some spirit to help Dovewing and later to sacrifice himself to save Shadowsight. He seems to be thinking clear now, but maybe he is still being manipulated by whatever that spirit was….

    I agree that the imposter must be Ashfur and also think that he is not the main baddie. He only “used the opportunity” when it came up because he wanted to be with Squirrelflight again. He probably did not realize at the time that that also meant he had to destroy Thunderclan / all clans. And so he is just a puppet. I could imagine that he might even try to help the clans to work against the villain in a later book.

    And what is keeping Starclan away and fading? There are many options: A rift between starclan cats about code breakers? The “clouds from the mountains” that were prophecised and point to the Tribe of endless hunting or the old stoneteller? The Dark Forest taking over Starclan? Not sure yet. We will probably get a better idea when Greystripe gets to the moonstone and speaks to starclan or just to Bramblestar’s ghost, who does not seem to be able to get back to the forest.

    • Well… didn’t it say in Veil of Shadows that StarClan was stuck in the dark forest and Shadowsight didn’t know how to get them out…. probably the imposter stuck them there somehow……….. we’ll see in Darkness Within….. AHHH so excited!!

      • More like we’ll see more about how and where StarClan is trapped in The Dark Forest in The Place Of No Stars.

        Because in the blurb for The Place Of No Stars, it says that the Clans know the cause of StarClan’s silence, as well as the terrifying truth of what they must do to bring light back to the darkness.

    • I agree with your theory. My guess is that Ashfur is being manipulated by some Dark Forest cat, and he was forced to exile Squirrelflight. My two top candidates are Thistleclaw and Mapleshade. I don’t think Spiresight is purposefully involved, I think Ashfur, or the other cat is somehow manipulating him. As for the block in the Dark Forest, that makes it seem like a Dark Forest villain is going to make a return.

        • I think you are confused, not all of the dark forest warriors died. Mapleshade and thistleclaw are still alive. In the last hope when brokenstar died, thistleclaw told everyone to retreat and he did not die after that, The same goes for mapleshade when she noticed how they were losing then she fled. But I don’t see why ashfur is controlled by them, he said he came back for squirrelflight, it seems unlikely but possible.

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