HIDDEN MOON

An urgent prophecy of dangerous impending change leaves the feline Clans of Sanctuary Lake wringing their paws even more in this sluggish sequel.

Young Moonpaw continues to be haunted by the increasingly powerful ghost of dead littermate Morningkit, either for still-hidden reasons or to bulk up the page count. Meanwhile, veteran warrior Tawnypelt’s announcement of the prophecy revealed to her in the opener is only delivered after delays caused by heavy doses of narcotic poppy seeds while she recovers from her injuries, followed by her son and Clan chief Tigerstar’s irrationally stubborn refusal to let her speak. Once the dismaying news is finally out, an expedition sets off to seek advice from the spirits of the Tribe of Rushing Water, since the Twolegs have blocked off the Moonpool, the Clans’ main access to their ancestors in StarClan. The author’s apparent determination to give most of the dozens of cats named in the cast list (plus a number of unlisted Tribe members) an appearance or a mention may excite confirmed series fans. Readers struggling to keep track of who’s who in the name-clogged narrative, however, not to mention those hoping for some resolution or significant twist in one of the several ongoing plotlines before this ambling episode simply trails off, are doomed to disappointment.

An uninspired placeholder that offers little beyond further feline fretting.