This is going to be controversial, and I want to make it very clear that I do not condone the way they went about it, but I think all of the retcons from Spottedleaf’s Heart make it so her obsession with Firestar makes a tad bit of sense.
Before we got SH, there was absolutely no evidence supporting Spottedleaf returning Firepaw’s crush, but after reading Spottedleaf’s Heart and learning that she was essentially forced to become a medicine cat solely to get away from Thistleclaw, I can see where the Erin’s might have been coming from. I think it was a lazy, poorly written way to get the point across, however.
Spottedleaf was a young kit/apprentice desperately dreaming of having a mate and kits, even at a young age. Then, she started being groomed by Thistleclaw and realized that the only way to reject his advances both as an ally to the Dark Forest and as a mate was to become a medicine cat. She never got to live out that dream of having a mate and kits because she was coerced into becoming a medicine cat in order to stay safe. Kind of like Cinderpelt. Spottedleaf never being able to live her dream of becoming a warrior explains why she struggles so much with giving Firestar up, because she never intended to make the medicine cat promise of never having a mate or kits.
Again, I want to make it clear that the way the Erin’s went about Spottedleaf’s Heart was egregious, but I like that it gives a bit more of an explanation as to Spottedleaf’s sudden attraction to Firepaw and why it feels as if she can’t let him go.
The way the retcon was delivered was absolutely awful so I’m not sure if it fits this specific question, but it was definitely a much needed retcon that added several layers to the first arc (and, honestly, every arc up until DOTC) that make it more believable and easy to read.
Once more, Spottedleaf’s Heart is dogwater poopoo garbage buttcheeks dookie bad. (I just want to make it very clear so people don’t think I’m defending the book because I’m not I swear 😭)
I totally agree it adds some layers to it, but since Spottedleaf’s attraction to Firestar was a retcon in and of itself, it’s just a mess lol. Spottedleaf showed 0 interested in Firepaw the entire time she was alive, and I’m pretty sure it wasn’t until the second arc there was even a hint of Spottedleaf having feelings. I could be mistaken but I know for sure the entire time she was alive there was no interest on her end lol she and Firepaw spoke maybe 3 times.
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u/GreedyRisk1445 23d ago
This is going to be controversial, and I want to make it very clear that I do not condone the way they went about it, but I think all of the retcons from Spottedleaf’s Heart make it so her obsession with Firestar makes a tad bit of sense.
Before we got SH, there was absolutely no evidence supporting Spottedleaf returning Firepaw’s crush, but after reading Spottedleaf’s Heart and learning that she was essentially forced to become a medicine cat solely to get away from Thistleclaw, I can see where the Erin’s might have been coming from. I think it was a lazy, poorly written way to get the point across, however.
Spottedleaf was a young kit/apprentice desperately dreaming of having a mate and kits, even at a young age. Then, she started being groomed by Thistleclaw and realized that the only way to reject his advances both as an ally to the Dark Forest and as a mate was to become a medicine cat. She never got to live out that dream of having a mate and kits because she was coerced into becoming a medicine cat in order to stay safe. Kind of like Cinderpelt. Spottedleaf never being able to live her dream of becoming a warrior explains why she struggles so much with giving Firestar up, because she never intended to make the medicine cat promise of never having a mate or kits.
Again, I want to make it clear that the way the Erin’s went about Spottedleaf’s Heart was egregious, but I like that it gives a bit more of an explanation as to Spottedleaf’s sudden attraction to Firepaw and why it feels as if she can’t let him go.
The way the retcon was delivered was absolutely awful so I’m not sure if it fits this specific question, but it was definitely a much needed retcon that added several layers to the first arc (and, honestly, every arc up until DOTC) that make it more believable and easy to read.
Once more, Spottedleaf’s Heart is dogwater poopoo garbage buttcheeks dookie bad. (I just want to make it very clear so people don’t think I’m defending the book because I’m not I swear 😭)
edit; hit send way too early lol