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Warriors Novellas #17
Tree's Roots
ebook
Published April 7, 2020
About the author
Erin Hunter
291 books9,791 followersErin Hunter is the pseudonym of five people: Kate Cary, Cherith Baldry, Tui T. Sutherland, Gillian Philip, and Inbali Iserles, as well as editor Victoria Holmes. Together, they write the Warriors series as well as the Seekers and Survivors series. Erin Hunter is working on a new series now called Bravelands.
Erin Hunter is inspired by a love of cats and a fascination with the ferocity of the natural world. As well as having a great respect for nature in all its forms, Erin enjoys creating rich mythical explanations for animal behavior, shaped by her interest in astronomy and standing stones.
Erin Hunter is inspired by a love of cats and a fascination with the ferocity of the natural world. As well as having a great respect for nature in all its forms, Erin enjoys creating rich mythical explanations for animal behavior, shaped by her interest in astronomy and standing stones.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 12, 2020
Premise: Earth has known for as long as he can remember that once he reaches six months old, he must leave the Sisters who raised him and begin his wander of the world, as all toms are called to do. But when a sudden and tragic loss forces Earth to seriously consider the ramifications of the ancient custom, he quickly realizes he's not ready to live alone. Even so, despite his misgivings, the Sisters send the young tom on his wander as soon as he comes of age. Now Earth has to figure out on his own if he truly has what it takes to do what he must.
Story/Writing: I know I finished this book more than two days ago, but circumstances that will remain unsaid compelled me to wait until now to write my review of this second novella in the "Warrior's Spirit" collection. That said, I'm glad to finally be reviewing it! First off, although I knew that this story was going to be about the origins of Tree – hence the clever title, "Tree's Roots" – I didn't really have an idea of what would happen. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. In this case, it's actually rather refreshing. Ever since the debut of the enigmatic, matriarchal society of rogue cats called the Sisters in the super edition, "Squirrelflight's Hope," which in turn introduced us to the connection Tree has with them, I was super intrigued and interested to find out what happened between Tree and the Sisters that made their relationship so sour. I did know that the Sisters sent their toms to live on their own at six moons old, and I wondered if that had anything to do with it. Now that I've read this novella, I can happily say that I found it one of if not the most compelling and heart-tugging of the Warriors novellas.
Characters: I found this novella unique among the others in that it features characters who so far haven't been showcased all that much in the series before. I was a little concerned that it would be too short to allow us to get attached to them in any way, especially if there were brand-new characters, but I'm pleased to say that the writers on the Erin Hunter team once again work their writing magic and give each of the characters featured here the exact amount of time needed.
Tree – While this series' feature of many different names and the custom of changing them may be off-putting to some, I think the Erin Hunter writers use the custom to great effect as a tool for symbolizing character development. And this is definitely the case with Tree's character in here. In the beginning, he starts out as a sapling in the earth he's initially named for, leaving us to wonder how he became the confident and self-assured cat we were introduced to in the "Vision of Shadows" arc. But by the end, he finally gets the hang of speaking with the dead and living self-sufficiently. If anything, you could almost regard this particular story as a commentary on the different ways in which boys and girls are raised. I'm all for equal treatment, and that includes remembering that boys have feelings just like girls. I really felt for Tree when he lost Stream in the storm, and he was told that Haze would be mourned while there was no need to do the same for Stream. Not to mention he's clearly not ready when he's sent out on his wander, and longs to return to what's familiar and goes out of his way to say a final farewell to his sister, Ice. With all that in mind, I also like to think of this story as a commentary on the importance of a father in the lives of children. Now we know how Tree learned to be the great father he was, given that he had his own father's example. All in all, I was invested with Tree's coming-of-age and the spreading of his roots from start to finish.
The Sisters – Ever since the Sisters were first introduced in "Squirrelflight's Hope," I remember being intrigued by their way of life, even as I acknowledged their flaws. They're clearly inspired by the Amazons, since they're a cluster of almost all she-cats and are in some cases even more built and fit than Clan warriors. And yet, like the Clans, their way of life does have flaws, especially in regards to how toms are treated. I don't want to say it's bad, it's just unfortunate that, despite what they say, they don't value both genders as much as they should. That said, I am glad that at least Tree's sister Ice acknowledges the Sisters' faults when she and Tree have their last encounter. I also can't entirely blame Moonlight, given how she pretty much has the job of a Clan leader, and I like how she clearly does love her son. Unfortunately, while her high esteem for tradition is somewhat commendable, she does value it a little too much.
Various Other Characters – As I mentioned before, I really like how this novella made me care about characters who make their series debut here. I felt awful when Stream died and wished just as much as Tree that they could've gone on their wander together. Probably the character I got most invested in was Tree's father, Root. Now we know where Rootpaw's name came from! That said, I love that father and son found each other almost as if by providence. I love how Tree learned his unique method of hunting from his father. And I love how Root learns that it's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. While his death scene was a bit rushed, I still found it really poignant. And of course, I grinned with delight when Tree and Pebbleshine crossed paths and became brief friends! It was a bit sad knowing what happens to her, but I thought it was really cool that Tree first learned of the Clans through her.
Overall: While I wish I could've had a bit more in some parts, I found this novella touching and even thought-provoking. I unfortunately don't have time to go into much more detail, but as a fan of Tree's character and good character development in general, I devoured this story and highly recommend it!
Story/Writing: I know I finished this book more than two days ago, but circumstances that will remain unsaid compelled me to wait until now to write my review of this second novella in the "Warrior's Spirit" collection. That said, I'm glad to finally be reviewing it! First off, although I knew that this story was going to be about the origins of Tree – hence the clever title, "Tree's Roots" – I didn't really have an idea of what would happen. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. In this case, it's actually rather refreshing. Ever since the debut of the enigmatic, matriarchal society of rogue cats called the Sisters in the super edition, "Squirrelflight's Hope," which in turn introduced us to the connection Tree has with them, I was super intrigued and interested to find out what happened between Tree and the Sisters that made their relationship so sour. I did know that the Sisters sent their toms to live on their own at six moons old, and I wondered if that had anything to do with it. Now that I've read this novella, I can happily say that I found it one of if not the most compelling and heart-tugging of the Warriors novellas.
Characters: I found this novella unique among the others in that it features characters who so far haven't been showcased all that much in the series before. I was a little concerned that it would be too short to allow us to get attached to them in any way, especially if there were brand-new characters, but I'm pleased to say that the writers on the Erin Hunter team once again work their writing magic and give each of the characters featured here the exact amount of time needed.
Tree – While this series' feature of many different names and the custom of changing them may be off-putting to some, I think the Erin Hunter writers use the custom to great effect as a tool for symbolizing character development. And this is definitely the case with Tree's character in here. In the beginning, he starts out as a sapling in the earth he's initially named for, leaving us to wonder how he became the confident and self-assured cat we were introduced to in the "Vision of Shadows" arc. But by the end, he finally gets the hang of speaking with the dead and living self-sufficiently. If anything, you could almost regard this particular story as a commentary on the different ways in which boys and girls are raised. I'm all for equal treatment, and that includes remembering that boys have feelings just like girls. I really felt for Tree when he lost Stream in the storm, and he was told that Haze would be mourned while there was no need to do the same for Stream. Not to mention he's clearly not ready when he's sent out on his wander, and longs to return to what's familiar and goes out of his way to say a final farewell to his sister, Ice. With all that in mind, I also like to think of this story as a commentary on the importance of a father in the lives of children. Now we know how Tree learned to be the great father he was, given that he had his own father's example. All in all, I was invested with Tree's coming-of-age and the spreading of his roots from start to finish.
The Sisters – Ever since the Sisters were first introduced in "Squirrelflight's Hope," I remember being intrigued by their way of life, even as I acknowledged their flaws. They're clearly inspired by the Amazons, since they're a cluster of almost all she-cats and are in some cases even more built and fit than Clan warriors. And yet, like the Clans, their way of life does have flaws, especially in regards to how toms are treated. I don't want to say it's bad, it's just unfortunate that, despite what they say, they don't value both genders as much as they should. That said, I am glad that at least Tree's sister Ice acknowledges the Sisters' faults when she and Tree have their last encounter. I also can't entirely blame Moonlight, given how she pretty much has the job of a Clan leader, and I like how she clearly does love her son. Unfortunately, while her high esteem for tradition is somewhat commendable, she does value it a little too much.
Various Other Characters – As I mentioned before, I really like how this novella made me care about characters who make their series debut here. I felt awful when Stream died and wished just as much as Tree that they could've gone on their wander together. Probably the character I got most invested in was Tree's father, Root. Now we know where Rootpaw's name came from! That said, I love that father and son found each other almost as if by providence. I love how Tree learned his unique method of hunting from his father. And I love how Root learns that it's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. While his death scene was a bit rushed, I still found it really poignant. And of course, I grinned with delight when Tree and Pebbleshine crossed paths and became brief friends! It was a bit sad knowing what happens to her, but I thought it was really cool that Tree first learned of the Clans through her.
Overall: While I wish I could've had a bit more in some parts, I found this novella touching and even thought-provoking. I unfortunately don't have time to go into much more detail, but as a fan of Tree's character and good character development in general, I devoured this story and highly recommend it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2023
April 2020 Very enjoyable. I loved getting to know Tree better. And Root was pretty awesome. Fun to see things come together. (Also, Tree totally saved his future mate's life! How weird is that?)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2023
Tree is one of my favorite cats in the warrior books. I was hoping for a longer version of his story.
January 20, 2022
I love this book! I love the layers of the title, and the characterisation of Tree and the Sisters.
This book introduces us to the Sisters very differently from how we were introduced to the Clans. It is very negative portrayal, but I think it is still done well. It highlights the reverse sexism of their society, and how Tree, at the time Earth, feels less loved by his mother for no reason except that he's a tom. When his best friend Stream dies, the Sisters mourn the she-cat Haze that died as well and do not mourn Stream, which Earth finds unfair and upsetting and also leaves him very lonely.
I really like how he decided to follow the Sisters after he leaves as it demonstrates his need for them and how he only becomes a capable cat once he meets his father, Root.
I love that his father is called Root. It connects with the title and it adds some extra meaning to Rootspring's name which I also like. I think it's a bit strange how soon Root dies, but I understand that they needed him dead for him to save Tree and Pebbleshine.
Pebbleshine's Kits and Tree's Roots work very well together with them happening at the same time and meeting each other, and them being in the same three-in-one novella set. It does, however, separate Mothwing's Secret from them.
I like how Root is the first ghost that Tree sees, as it represents how important their relationship was and how Tree actually getting more help from his father and being able to be at peace with his unfair past with the Sisters means he can access the ability that the Sisters said he should be able to.
I feel like the book ended a bit abruptly, but as it's a novella it can't be too long. I think it added a very interesting part to Tree's life that we did need answers to, and makes me want to reread his later meeting with the Sisters in Squirrelflight's Hope.
This book introduces us to the Sisters very differently from how we were introduced to the Clans. It is very negative portrayal, but I think it is still done well. It highlights the reverse sexism of their society, and how Tree, at the time Earth, feels less loved by his mother for no reason except that he's a tom. When his best friend Stream dies, the Sisters mourn the she-cat Haze that died as well and do not mourn Stream, which Earth finds unfair and upsetting and also leaves him very lonely.
I really like how he decided to follow the Sisters after he leaves as it demonstrates his need for them and how he only becomes a capable cat once he meets his father, Root.
I love that his father is called Root. It connects with the title and it adds some extra meaning to Rootspring's name which I also like. I think it's a bit strange how soon Root dies, but I understand that they needed him dead for him to save Tree and Pebbleshine.
Pebbleshine's Kits and Tree's Roots work very well together with them happening at the same time and meeting each other, and them being in the same three-in-one novella set. It does, however, separate Mothwing's Secret from them.
I like how Root is the first ghost that Tree sees, as it represents how important their relationship was and how Tree actually getting more help from his father and being able to be at peace with his unfair past with the Sisters means he can access the ability that the Sisters said he should be able to.
I feel like the book ended a bit abruptly, but as it's a novella it can't be too long. I think it added a very interesting part to Tree's life that we did need answers to, and makes me want to reread his later meeting with the Sisters in Squirrelflight's Hope.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2020
Reading this felt like going upwards on a roller coaster for more than half an hour for then the ride to end the moment you reached the top. So much buildup without any trade off at the end that makes any sense. It's probably the longest it's taken me to read a novella because of it.
Okay, my thoughts:
- With the Tree we know being so rooted (jesus christ) in the fact that he's this sage cat able to communicate with spirits, it felt so forced that his arc focused on his inability to see spirits. The expected trade off from this sort of plot should be that Tree ends up not seeing any ghosts at all, or at the very least doing it so differently from the sisters. His whole deal was to break off the sisters and reject their ways, and yet he ends up exactly as they meant him to. A loner tom who speaks to ghosts. Becoming just what your terrible family expected from you. Sure he changed his name and will one day join Skyclan, but for a short novella plot, it sucks. No real change or progress that isn't super forced.
- The procession from living with the sisters to living as a loner took too long. There was no point of him trying to go back to them for like three chapters with no repercussions.
- I super loved the Sisters and learning more about their ways intrigued me, but we only get the negative aspects of it with Tree´s pov. Like sure, they were built almost antagonistically for Squirrelflight´s hope, but there is a reason it's worked for so long, so why not show us that? Why spend so much time just shitting on them? The Clans never really comment on the huge amount of cats forced to become medicine cats bc they're either considered useless otherwise or have some prophecy tell them it's their destiny. And disabled cats just being made elders or put in the medicine dens forever? Yeah, that's dumb as hell, but we still think the clans are good!
- Just, the pacing, man. He should have stayed with the sisters a shorter time, have not followed them for so long, sooner and spent more time w him, and the Pebbleshine bit should have been in Pebbleshine´s book instead of all the other randos she met.
Anywho, onto the next one.
Okay, my thoughts:
- With the Tree we know being so rooted (jesus christ) in the fact that he's this sage cat able to communicate with spirits, it felt so forced that his arc focused on his inability to see spirits. The expected trade off from this sort of plot should be that Tree ends up not seeing any ghosts at all, or at the very least doing it so differently from the sisters. His whole deal was to break off the sisters and reject their ways, and yet he ends up exactly as they meant him to. A loner tom who speaks to ghosts. Becoming just what your terrible family expected from you. Sure he changed his name and will one day join Skyclan, but for a short novella plot, it sucks. No real change or progress that isn't super forced.
- The procession from living with the sisters to living as a loner took too long. There was no point of him trying to go back to them for like three chapters with no repercussions.
- I super loved the Sisters and learning more about their ways intrigued me, but we only get the negative aspects of it with Tree´s pov. Like sure, they were built almost antagonistically for Squirrelflight´s hope, but there is a reason it's worked for so long, so why not show us that? Why spend so much time just shitting on them? The Clans never really comment on the huge amount of cats forced to become medicine cats bc they're either considered useless otherwise or have some prophecy tell them it's their destiny. And disabled cats just being made elders or put in the medicine dens forever? Yeah, that's dumb as hell, but we still think the clans are good!
- Just, the pacing, man. He should have stayed with the sisters a shorter time, have not followed them for so long, sooner and spent more time w him, and the Pebbleshine bit should have been in Pebbleshine´s book instead of all the other randos she met.
Anywho, onto the next one.
January 12, 2023
This book is exceptionally great! Tree's story is very melancholic. He grew in the weird cult of the sisters and was abandoned by them, but reunited with his father. I just wish he'd had more time. It felt as when Root died, Tree felt nothing and brushed the grief off very easily. This novella definitely needed more chapters. The story was great, my only complaint is about the length-after the 7th chapter the pace changed and suddenly everything started happening too fast, maybe faster than it should for a good plot to develop.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2024
Tree's Roots:
4 Stars
Tree is a favorite character of mine, and so I was pleased he had a novella.
It's insightful to see what the Sisters are like from a tom's perspective.
The story felt a little rushed, but altogether not bad. The Sisters are very interesting, and liked learning about them and how Tree came to be the free thinker that he is.
Also, side note, I had no idea that Tree was old enough to be Violetshine's father... lol.
4 Stars
Tree is a favorite character of mine, and so I was pleased he had a novella.
It's insightful to see what the Sisters are like from a tom's perspective.
The story felt a little rushed, but altogether not bad. The Sisters are very interesting, and liked learning about them and how Tree came to be the free thinker that he is.
Also, side note, I had no idea that Tree was old enough to be Violetshine's father... lol.
March 30, 2023
IhateMoonlightIhateMoonlightIhateMoonlight...
This book was pretty good! Tree and Mothwing should bond over their religious trauma
Root was a cool bg character I wish he hadn't died :(
Tree kind of felt like a different character than in the main series but maybe it's just because he's younger here
Anyway this book did a good job deconstructing how harmful the Sisters' lifestyle is
This book was pretty good! Tree and Mothwing should bond over their religious trauma
Root was a cool bg character I wish he hadn't died :(
Tree kind of felt like a different character than in the main series but maybe it's just because he's younger here
Anyway this book did a good job deconstructing how harmful the Sisters' lifestyle is
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2020
Tree has not featured until recently and has become one of my many favourite characters. This gives his background in some detail which was very interesting and not what I had expected. This is another delightful book in this outstanding Warrior series.
October 24, 2020
Great book on trees backstory
July 14, 2021
A neat look into Tree's past with the Sisters.
Full review at: https://skybookcorner.blogspot.com/20...
Full review at: https://skybookcorner.blogspot.com/20...
September 30, 2021
4.5 stars
May 31, 2022
I’m not a fan of the Sisters or of the character of Tree but I loved seeing him with his father.
August 5, 2023
The end saved this book. The beginning was kinda weird and slow.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews