A Dangerous Path (Warriors) [Turtleback]

Erin Hunter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 30, 2005 | Series: Warriors (Book 5)

ShadowClan has a dark new leader, but will he be satisfied with his power now -- or does his desire for revenge burn even more strongly? Fireheart fears that there is a connection between the rise of Tigerstar and the terrible dreams that haunt his nights, murmuring of danger and death.

Meanwhile, a mysterious and vicious threat unlike any other has invaded the forest, placing every cat's life in peril. Fireheart's beloved leader has turned her back on their warrior ancestors, and Fireheart can't help but wonder if she's right. Has StarClan abandoned them forever?

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 6-9. The saga continues in the fifth book in the Warriors series as the cat Fireheart, now deputy leader of Thunderclan, finds himself taking on even more responsibility because clan-leader Bluestar is both physically and mentally ill. Add to that the dangerous machinations of treacherous Tigarstar, the head of Shadowclan, and a pack of renegade dogs. Bluestar becomes certain that all the members of her clan, including Fireheart, have betrayed her; the ancestral Starclan cats have abandoned her; and Windclan is hunting in Thunderclan's territory. After Bluestar declares war, it's up to Fireheart to find a way to avoid the battle. Hunter maintains the established characterizations of his sentient cats, who still retain their feline natures. With compelling intrigue and fast-paced actions, this is one of the most exciting books in the series--and, happily, there's another volume to come. Sally Estes
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

“With compelling intrigue and fast-paced actions, this is one of the most exciting books in the series.” (Booklist )

“A good, suspenseful adventure story that urges readers onward.” (ALA Booklist )

“A fast-paced animal adventure. Recommend this series to fans of animal fantasies such as Redwall or Dark Portal.” (VOYA ) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Turtleback: 313 pages
• Publisher: Demco Media (July 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0606336117
• ISBN-13: 978-0606336116
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (86 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Erin Hunter is the author of the bestselling Warriors and Seekers series. She is inspired by a love of animals and a fascination with the ferocity of the natural world. As well as having great respect for nature in all its forms, Erin enjoys creating rich mythical explanations for animal behavior.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not bad in the Warriors series but not the best, June 1, 2004

By 

Litwolf (MD, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Dangerous Path (Warriors, Book 5) (Hardcover)

The book picks up where the last one left off, where Tigerstar is introducing himself as ShadowClan's new leader. But he is only one side-plot that makes up this whole complicated book in this wonderful series.

With his leader unbalanced and unable or willing to do anything to help her clan, Fireheart takes matter into his own paws. He must deal with the new threat of Tigerstar and his quickly strengthening clan, the hidden and mysterious threat of an enemy that calls through his dreams "Pack, pack! Kill, kill!", and anger coming from both RiverClan and WindClan. Fireheart even goes behind his leader's back! Can Fireheart face the new threats that lay all around him?

This book was okay but not as good as the others. It annoys me how Sandstorm and Cinderpelt keep fighting for Fireheart's attention, Bluestar's sanity continues to spiral downward (the whole book I was thinking "She's not doing anybody any good, will someone just kill her and let Fireheart take over!"), that, no matter how many times Fireheart screws something up or somehow loses the trust of his clan, they always forgive and forget after a week, and the hidden enemy is portrayed as stupid and dumb when they are actually very lovable creatures.

Though the ending is very perdictable, it was sweet and the cats actually came up with a good plan. It keeps you tight in its grip, I could not put it down! The ust (unresolved sexual tension) between two cats is resolved and a new, somewhat surprising relationship is sprouted between two other cats.

Cant wait for the next book (is it the last? *cries*). A definate must read book and series for cat lovers anywhere!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Yet!, June 12, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: A Dangerous Path (Warriors, Book 5) (Hardcover)

I've read all the Warriors books, and loved every one. But I must say this is the best. Up until now, Warriors #3: Forest of Secrets was one of the greatest books I've ever read, but this passes even that up! First I have to say a few things about the series. When you see a virtually unknown set of books, especially by a rather unorigional name like Warriors, you might wonder if the books are worth reading. These definately are! All of them are very descripitive and really are what many English teachers might call "Good Literature". But, just to let you know, you HAVE to read them in order.

So, anyway, about this installment itself...
When I first started reading it, it seemed so similar to the other books in the series that I thought this one would be pretty boring. But after the first chapter, I was proved very wrong. Dangerous Path actually turned out to be the most interesting and different of them all. Bluestar has completely lost faith in her clan, and in the warrior ancestors, so Fireheart finds himself pretty much leading Thunderclan. The relationship between him and Sandstorm is unsteady, and leads to some difficulties. But Fireheart's biggest problem is the mysterious dog--or dogs--that have invaded the forest. A young cat is horribly mauled, another killed by the dogs. Also Tigerstar, Fireheart's worst enemy is growing more venomous, and is planning horrible revenge on Thunderclan. The plot builds to an exciting climax, and a very sad ending. Along the way, the characters are becoming much more developed than they were in any other Warriors book, which is one of the reasons that this installment is my favorite.

The one thing I don't appreciate about this book is how the dogs, really very gentle, intellegent animals, are portrayed:
as vicious killing machines, that are also extremely dumb. They have a vocabulary of about two words: "pack" and "kill", while some of the cats are practically philosophers. I have to admit, however, that even I, a big dog-lover felt pretty scared for the feline characters because of the author's vivid descriptions.

Overall, this is a terrific, edge-of-the-seat book that I would strongly recommend.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best in this great series!, October 16, 2005

By 

TearsOfNightfall "The Lost One" (WA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Dangerous Path (Warriors, Book 5) (Hardcover)

I would have to say books 3, 5, and 6 are the best in the original series. This book is by far one of the most tension filled! And one of the best written! A dog pack is loose in the forest - turning the cats into prey in their own territory. Also, Bluestar has gone completly out of her mind now! The only complaint I had was that, while you hear about the dog's escape in the prolouge, the cat's trouble with the dogs doesn't start until relatively late in the book, but nonetheless this book is never boring! I read this book in record time. Some people complain about the way dogs are protrayed in this book - tottaly un-equal from the cats! While the cats are intelligent, noble, and live by a honorable set of rules, the dogs are protrayed as horrid beasts who live only to kill and can hardly talk. Though this is certainly unfair to the dogs, what else can you expect? The rivaly of cats and dogs is a legendary one, and in the many stories bound to be based on this one of them has to be the bad guys. And it's usually the cats (i.e. the movie Cats and Dogs), so at least they play the hero roll in this book. But I will admit the dogs portrayal a bit extreem (but these wern't cuddly pets, these were escaped gaurd dogs), however it did really make you fear for the clans! The final battle was astounding! Probably the best final battle in the series! The cats come up with a clever and pulse-pounding plan to rid their forest of the dogs for good. The ending was however, very sad (though not nessesarily un-expected.) It left you satisifed between books though. The characters get a little deeper in this book too. Overall, an amazing book in this great series! I highly recommend it.