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Sunset (Warriors)
Encyclopedia
Sunset is a children's fantasy novel, the sixth and final book in Erin Hunter's Warriors: The New Prophecy series. The book begins with the Clan rebuilding the camp along with the help of Stormfur and Brook. As the book progresses Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight fall in love again, but Brambleclaw continues to visit Tigerstar. Brambleclaw manages to convince Firestar to choose a new deputy and is surprised when he is chosen. Hawkfrost attempts to kill Firestar, but Brambleclaw saves Firestar and also killing Hawkfrost fulfilling the prophcey: "Before there is peace, blood will spill blood and the lake will run red".
The book was first released on December 26, 2006 in the US as a hardcover
. It then was released as a paperback
, e-book and audiobook. The book was the third in the series to receive an audiobook. The audiobook was read by Nanette Savard whose performance was praised by AudioFile
. Sunset received mixed to positive reviews from reviewers.
After moons of waiting and persuasion from Brambleclaw, Stormfur, Leafpool and Sandstorm, Firestar admits to himself that Graystripe isn’t going to return. When a dream from StarClan tells Leafpool that Brambleclaw should be the new deputy, Firestar agrees and appoints Brambleclaw as the new deputy. The decision is first met with objection, because Brambleclaw had never mentored an apprentice. The matter is soon cleared when Firestar declares that Brambleclaw will mentor Berrykit when he comes of age and explains Leafpool's dream from StarClan.
As for Cinderpelt, all of the Clans are grieving for her. Leafpool finds herself struggling between grief and betrayal, for she has not seen Cinderpelt in the ranks of StarClan. During a visit to the Moonpool, Spottedleaf comes to Leafpool in a dream and shows her that Cinderpelt has been reborn in the form of Cinderkit, a fluffy gray she-cat (one of Sorreltail's four kits).
Tigerstar continues to visit Hawkfrost and Brambleclaw in their dreams and when Brambleclaw becomes deputy, Tigerstar reveals his plan for Brambleclaw to take over ThunderClan and WindClan and for Hawkfrost to take over RiverClan and ShadowClan. Brambleclaw firmly rejects this idea, but agrees to make up a plan with Hawkfrost when they awake.
During the meeting, Brambleclaw suddenly hears another cat struggling in pain. He finds Firestar caught in a fox trap and Hawkfrost urges Brambleclaw to kill the ThunderClan leader so that Brambleclaw can become the new leader. After struggling with his desires, Brambleclaw refuses to kill Firestar and he frees him from the trap. Since Brambleclaw has betrayed their father's plans, Hawkfrost attacks Brambleclaw, but Brambleclaw kills Hawkfrost with the trap's sharp stick by stabbing his neck. Before he dies, Hawkfrost claims to Brambleclaw that he had help with his plan and that their fight is not over.
With that, the prophecy "Before there is peace, blood will spill blood, and the lake will run red" is fulfilled. Brambleclaw and Hawkfrost are half-brothers, thus they share the same blood and are kin, and as he stumbles down to the lake, blood pours from Hawkfrost's neck, making the lake run red.
The book was also re-released in the UK on September 29, 2011 with a brand new cover.
. It also received praise from Barnes and Noble, which said the book had an "addictive bite". A review from Children's Literature
compared the novel to a soap opera
, with conflict after conflict. These conflicts, the reviewer noted, added depth to the novel. The reviewer closed by saying that while not well written and difficult to understand without knowledge of previous books, it was still entertaining. A second review, also by Children's Literature, was lukewarm, saying it had a "steady pace" but could be "more frustrating than satisfying" for readers. Booklist
praised the book saying, "As series fans will expect, the action here proves as compelling as the relationships between cats and the dynamics among the clans".
The book was first released on December 26, 2006 in the US as a hardcover
Hardcover
A hardcover, hardback or hardbound is a book bound with rigid protective covers...
. It then was released as a paperback
Paperback
Paperback, softback or softcover describe and refer to a book by the nature of its binding. The covers of such books are usually made of paper or paperboard, and are usually held together with glue rather than stitches or staples...
, e-book and audiobook. The book was the third in the series to receive an audiobook. The audiobook was read by Nanette Savard whose performance was praised by AudioFile
AudioFile (magazine)
-Launch:The publication was launched in 1992 as a twelve-page black & white newsletter with about 50 critical reviews of audiobooks, focused on new releases. In 1997, it switched to a 36-page colour magazine format with about 60 reviews per issue and interviews with authors, readers, and...
. Sunset received mixed to positive reviews from reviewers.
Plot summary
With the badger attack destroying much of the Clan, Brook and Stormfur help to rebuild the Clan. However, the battle is not without its consequences with the death of both Cinderpelt and Sootfur. A few days after the badger attack, Squirrelflight and Ashfur have an argument and Squirrelflight's love for Brambleclaw returns.After moons of waiting and persuasion from Brambleclaw, Stormfur, Leafpool and Sandstorm, Firestar admits to himself that Graystripe isn’t going to return. When a dream from StarClan tells Leafpool that Brambleclaw should be the new deputy, Firestar agrees and appoints Brambleclaw as the new deputy. The decision is first met with objection, because Brambleclaw had never mentored an apprentice. The matter is soon cleared when Firestar declares that Brambleclaw will mentor Berrykit when he comes of age and explains Leafpool's dream from StarClan.
As for Cinderpelt, all of the Clans are grieving for her. Leafpool finds herself struggling between grief and betrayal, for she has not seen Cinderpelt in the ranks of StarClan. During a visit to the Moonpool, Spottedleaf comes to Leafpool in a dream and shows her that Cinderpelt has been reborn in the form of Cinderkit, a fluffy gray she-cat (one of Sorreltail's four kits).
Tigerstar continues to visit Hawkfrost and Brambleclaw in their dreams and when Brambleclaw becomes deputy, Tigerstar reveals his plan for Brambleclaw to take over ThunderClan and WindClan and for Hawkfrost to take over RiverClan and ShadowClan. Brambleclaw firmly rejects this idea, but agrees to make up a plan with Hawkfrost when they awake.
During the meeting, Brambleclaw suddenly hears another cat struggling in pain. He finds Firestar caught in a fox trap and Hawkfrost urges Brambleclaw to kill the ThunderClan leader so that Brambleclaw can become the new leader. After struggling with his desires, Brambleclaw refuses to kill Firestar and he frees him from the trap. Since Brambleclaw has betrayed their father's plans, Hawkfrost attacks Brambleclaw, but Brambleclaw kills Hawkfrost with the trap's sharp stick by stabbing his neck. Before he dies, Hawkfrost claims to Brambleclaw that he had help with his plan and that their fight is not over.
With that, the prophecy "Before there is peace, blood will spill blood, and the lake will run red" is fulfilled. Brambleclaw and Hawkfrost are half-brothers, thus they share the same blood and are kin, and as he stumbles down to the lake, blood pours from Hawkfrost's neck, making the lake run red.
Publication history
Sunset was released as a hardcover in the US and UK on December 12, 2006. The paperback version was released about a year later on September 25, 2007. Sunset has also been released in CD audiobook and e-book format.. The audiobook was read by Nanette Savard whose performance was praised by AudioFile, who stated, "Nanette Savard brings out the youth of the cats who are struggling to help their clan survive and to protect each other from outside danger."The book was also re-released in the UK on September 29, 2011 with a brand new cover.
Critical reaction
Sunset managed to secure second position on the New York Times Bestseller List (children’s series section) with first place being held by Lemony Snicket's final book in A Series of Unfortunate EventsA Series of Unfortunate Events
A Series of Unfortunate Events is a series of children's novels by Lemony Snicket which follows the turbulent lives of Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire after their parents' death in an arsonous house fire...
. It also received praise from Barnes and Noble, which said the book had an "addictive bite". A review from Children's Literature
Children's Literature (journal)
Children’s Literature is an academic journal and annual publication of the Modern Language Association and the Children’s Literature Association Division on Children's Literature. The journal was founded in 1972 by Francelia Butler and promotes a scholarly approach to the study of children’s...
compared the novel to a soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
, with conflict after conflict. These conflicts, the reviewer noted, added depth to the novel. The reviewer closed by saying that while not well written and difficult to understand without knowledge of previous books, it was still entertaining. A second review, also by Children's Literature, was lukewarm, saying it had a "steady pace" but could be "more frustrating than satisfying" for readers. Booklist
Booklist
Booklist is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. It is geared toward libraries and booksellers and is available in print or online...
praised the book saying, "As series fans will expect, the action here proves as compelling as the relationships between cats and the dynamics among the clans".