Customer Reviews

Warriors: Power of Three #3: Outcast

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I was a little disappointed. This booked seemed to lack the fire, excitement and originality previous books in the `Warriors' series had. But following `Dark River' almost anything would seem dull. Nevertheless, I'll buy the next book just to see where it goes. I'll follow it to the end. I'm hooked. I'm grateful to the whole series. My 10 year old granddaughter has devoured the series from `Into the Wild' through `Outcast'. She has read all 15 books in the `Warriors' series, plus two supplemental books `Firestar's Quest' and `Secrets of the Clans' in six months and is waiting anxiously for the next book. Prior to her reading `Into the Wild' she wasn't much of a reader. Now she reads everything she can get her hands on including other books and even granny's Reader Digest. Any book under 200 pages seems small to her; when before it would have seemed like a monumental task to read. If you are new to the series, begin with `Warriors-Into the Wild'. If you want to get a young reader (girl or boy) hooked on reading this is an excellent series to begin with.

Well, Warriors fans, this is it: Outcast has finally arrived. And let me start by saying that it was excellent! By far, this is the best of the Power of Three series thus far. The story line was intriguing, and overall, the plot of this newest Warriors series really began to come together. Aside from advancing the plot, our marvelous Erins also did some major character development in Outcast.

The trio really matured in this book, laying the grounds for more interesting problems (like outside of common question "Should we disobey orders and take matters into our own paws, or listen?") later in the series. Lionpaw isn't so goody-goody, and not so proud. It grows steadily obvious that fighting is his strong point. And Hollypaw is a bit obsessed with wanting to be leader (and still slightly irritating with her constant worrying), but she's really maturing too. Jaypaw is sill prickly, but not so annoying, and the parts of the book from his point of view were, in my opinion, the most interesting. I really liked the character development in this book... even Breezepaw seems to be maturing somewhat, and you get real insight as to why he's so obnoxious.

Anyway, I thought that this book was great. From an increasingly interesting plot (read to find out what happens!) to characters that truly begin to come to life, Outcast was a must-read for all Warriors fans!

With the release of Outcast, the newest installment in the Warriors series, Erin Hunter seems to have finally gotten back into her groove, giving us a book that, dare I say it, actually rivals that of the original series. In fact, Power of Three has gotten off to a pretty good start. With The Sight, it was a bit lackluster but by far better then the last two books. Then with Dark River, the story seemed to pick up and get even better as the pages turned and now with the third book, I truley think Hunter has returned to her roots and produce a compelling read.

After the near break out of war between Windclan and Thunderclan, things appear to be returning to normal in the clan, though for our three protaganist things couldn't be anything but normal. Jaypaw still searches for answers on the ancient clan that once roamed the lake, while Hollypaw and Lionpaw strive towards becoming better warriors. And things couldn't be made easier with a newly made warrior determined to cause conflict, a mentor with a dark side, and a growing threat in the mountains that draws all three cats towards discovering their true destiney.

What I feel Outcast did was really pick up on the whole 'phrophecy' of this series, with plot details becoming more and more developed, long overdue questions finally being answered, and our three heroes finally beginning to take shape as true characters. So by far, this is the best one out of the series so far, and hopefully, the fourth will continue this momentum.

Once again, a must for all cat lovers and especially long time Warriors readers.

This book is BY FAR the best on Earth- or rather, this series. It begins with our past heroes; Lionpaw, Hollypaw, and Jaypaw. All are not exactly invited but go on a huge adventure to the Mountains of the Tribe Cats to help them sort out soem problems.
If you liked the other Warriors books, you'll LOVE this one!
Hope this helped,
Moonwhisker

The author of Outcast (one of the Hunters, Cherith or Kate, can't remember which) seemed to take everything a large step further in this book. They answered questions like why Brook and Stormfur were banished from the Tribe, and where the Tribe originally came from. She also really stepped up the three cats' personalities, giving Hollypaw a sudden want for the position of leader, furthering Lionpaw's relationship with Tigerstar and Co., and pressing the full weight fo the prophecy on Jaypaw. He is desperate now to keep his siblings alive and fulfill this prophecy, giving him answers to everything he seeks. Ashfur's relationship with his apprentice has further degraded as well. I would certainly recommend this book, because it does manage to keep up with the flow of the series, something that can't be easy with two seperate authors.

"Outcast" tackles some very complex themes in a deceptively simple format: religion, the "spreading" of our preferred political systems to other cultures, whether it's okay for our leaders to lie to us in order to motivate or protect us, the fallibility of leaders in general. These are fairly sophisticated questions to be presented in juvenile fiction, and they are handled fairly gracefully, without the authors' own views being preached or even revealed in any blatant way. The book thus provided an opportunity for me to begin exploring these issues with my eight-year-old son without overwhelming him or inculcating him in any particular philosophy (other than my own).

The book also deftly develops the characters of the three protagonists and answers some questions while raising others. However, the book is not without significant flaws.

The actual prose is dreadful. The authors never met a simile they didn't like or as.

And to say that their style is repetitive is, at best, an understatement. If I never again read the phrase "from ears to tail tip," it will be too soon. Perhaps worst of all, the authors begin in this installment to betray their own best talents. Both of the previous series displayed a fine ear for plot pacing and story-telling. This book handles the short arc well. The story of the cats' adventure in the mountains is well-told and character-driven. Unfortunately, the authors' treatment of the series' long arc begins noticeably to fall apart.

Anvils are dropping everywhere regarding who the kits are. The plot points are so conspicuous that I keep hearing soap opera organ music in my head as each one pops into view and waves. In fact, the authors seem to be borrowing quite deliberately from the worst cliches of soap opera in order to keep us interested in this series: needless exposition from one chapter to the next (it's fine to recap what happened in other books, but we're already reading this one - don't recap what happened in the chapter we just read), parentage questions, mustache-twirling villains, forgotten history and character relationships....

This is probably good if you've got a reluctant reader. It helps to keep the pages turning and builds interest in the next book. However, if your child already enjoys reading, you might want to direct his or her time and attention into books that will enrich his or her language skills (at least after this book, which, as noted, does have its thematic plusses).

On the whole,I thought that this book(while not great like Dark River was)was good.The Three are a little more fleshed out,and I was waiting with baited breath for the next appearance of the mysterious Rock.Of course he doesn't say much,but we do learn that even the Tribe has prophecies about the Three.The one thing I didn't like was that there wasn't enough fighting and suspense,and most of the Tribe still suffer from 2-D Syndrome.But Outcast was still good.I can't wait for Eclipse!

Upon receiving Outcast, it was so good I devoured it within a day. The plot was very creative and well-thought out, and the character development was splendid.
Jaypaw, Hollypaw, and Lionpaw all feel a force pulling them towards the mountains. Jaypaw is eager to discover the secrets of the ancient cats from Dark River, Hollypaw wants to see the different ways of Tribe life, and Lionpaw finds himself yearning to see territories outside the lake. When two Tribe cats come back in search of Stormfur and Brook's help, the three apprentices have their chance, and they jump for it! To their surprise, the warriors decide to let them go. The rest blends into a wonderful tale as slowly, each of the three find what they are looking for among the Tribe.
I loved this book for many reasons. One, the fact that the journey did not start at the beginning of the book didn't matter, since irritating characters kept it interesting. Two, the character development was great. You really get to see insight on why the characters are the way they are, and follow them as it changes. Three, the final battle scene was amazing. I was literally on the edge of my chair and I read through Lionpaw's account. And four, the cliffhanger (sort of) at the end was an interesting twist. (If you're wondering, what makes it a cliffhanger is the fact that you don't get to see the others' reactions.)
So all in all, Outcast was great. I would DEFINITELY recommend it and I will DEFINITELY still feel the same emotions coursing through me when I read it again. Outcast is awesome; get it now!

This book is the best book ever. I would reccommend this book to anyone! You don't even have to like cats to like this book, it's so good! Anyone who likes cats, books, fantasy, or is just stuck without something to read will love this book! IT'S BETTER THAN HARRY POTTER!!!!!!!!!

Your heart thuds with excitement... your mouth dries up... your knuckles go white with anxiety.
Here in your hands, you hold a WARRIORS- POWER OF THREE novel, OUTCAST.
Overall, Erin Hunter has done fairly well in this book. ( SPOILERS!!! )
I must say that I was very shocked to see that Daisy had kits again, but to Spiderleg. WHAT? If I am correct, he was one who did not like so many non-Clan cats in this book. Secondly, Purdy is back! Thirdly- WHY THE HECK DID GRAYSTRIPE DO THAT? Millie is expecting kits- oooh, I am so angry. He loved Silverstream- he CAN'T have kits with some other stupid cat!
Sorry, Millie.
See, it turns out that Brook and Stormfur were kicked out of Tribe of Rushing Water since these loners have grouped together in the mountains and want to take the mountain cats over. So kind-hearted Firestar lets the original Sun-drown cats go to help them, plus Lionpaw, Hollypaw, and Jaypaw. This is an excellent idea, but sometimes I feel like strangling those 2-D Tribe cats. They are SO ungrateful! Thunderclan, Windclan, Shadpwclan, and Riverclan cats come trekking all over this green earth to help them, and they act all snotty and cruel.
There is more hints as to what powers the Three cats have, and more frusteration from the limited-talking Rock. but each main character does mature, I'll give it that. Jaypaw is still prickly but he's not so- how to put it? - oblivious, perhaps? Lionpaw got his feelings straightened out with Heatherpaw, but continues to be trained by Tigerstar and Hawkfrost while becoming a marvelous apprentice fighter, and Hollypaw is smarter and has this odd want to become leader.
OUTCAST was a very well written novel- I found only one mistake. In the begining when all the Clans are listed, Tribe O R W is listed also, and it says that Crag, one of the Tribe cats, is Brook's brother, yet this contradicts the actual novel, saying that Talon is her brother. Small mistake, easily overlooked.
Okay, Warrior fan, take care and buy this!
Sincerely,
( yes, I'm back )
Moonwhisker