Warriors

This fifth book in Hunter's Warrior Series brings more unrest to the feline warrior clans, who face growing internal divisions. Hunter's cat characters (with names like Firestar and Mosspelt) each have their own virtues and demons. Nanette Savard is an inspired choice for narrator; there's a feline quality to her voice that's perfect here, a kind of purring undertone. Savard also brings a quiet dignity to lines like "you're a warrior, not a moonstruck rabbit" and conveys the serious nature of the cats' situations, and the often ferocious world in which they live. Her dazzling variety of voices (and tonal variety within voices) astonishes, and helps listeners keep straight the many, many cats they'll meet. J.C.G. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine

September 1, 2006
Gr 5-8 -Erin Hunter -s fourth book (HarperCollins, 2006) in the series is the most compelling one so far. The Cat Clans are struggling to establish territories in a world where dangers and resources are yet to be found. Having been forced to leave due to -two-leggeds - - destruction of their world, unexpected alliances were forged between the Clans as they journeyed to an unfamiliar land. Creating new boundaries for the Clans challenges those temporary alliances. It is of utmost importance to reconnect with the StarClan, the warrior ancestors whose guidance oversees the selection of new leaders, medicine cat secrets, and faith that they -re following the correct path. There -s a healthy dose of feline personification, complete with moral and emotional struggles urging the story along. Personal jealousies and passions seem natural in this reading by Nanette Savard. Her subtle voice changes have sufficient dramatic effect to help listeners identify which cat is speaking. For cat lovers and fans of the series, this is a fine rendition. -"Robin Levin, Fort Washakie School/Community Library, WY"

Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.