what are the plot beats of bonefall tpb? i know youve mentioned its very politically focused, but what does the story really look like (if youve got that hammered out yet)?
It's very similar to Canon TPB in terms of plot beats, it's the least reworked arc because I think it's the one that needs the least amount of fixing. Even as-is I think it's a really good narrative against isolationism that just has some moderate stumbles (namely the introduction of BloodClan as the endgame enemy)
The majority of its problems come from its treatment of disability and its... terribly written romance. Even ships that should check out in theory like FireSand I think are just... frustrating at best.
So anyway I'll walk you through the changed plot beats off the top of my head. I'll also make some off-brand title changes for fun
Book 1: Into the Clans
Fireheart is aware of BloodClan to begin with and knows about their warnings of Clan Cats
Smudge has actually been seeing Spottedleaf in the darkness of the forest, she looks like an apparition of death because of her leaf-blight spots and bone-shaped markings
To begin with, more time is spent on Firepaw's apprenticeship before deposing Brokenstar
We're introduced to Channeling, which is an illegal way to contact a spirit... if they're willing to come when called. Spottedleaf does this to try and talk to her brother.
Redtail is not helpful because he is a jerk. Fireheart learns to not be afraid of death because of Spottedleaf's blithe attitude towards it
I also plan to establish at some point here that Longtail and Sandpaw's dads are Runningwind and Redtail and have Firepaw realize that the death of Redtail has affected them deeply
He considers this because he does not know what it is like to have a single dad let alone two, but if it's like losing a mom that's rough
Spottedleaf, Lionheart, and Rosetail die in the same raid where the Frostfour are snatched
Fireheart joins that patrol to retrieve the Frostfour from ShadowClan. Bluestar is on it, also.
Deerfoot is established as a rebel and Tangleburr as a Brokentail loyalist.
Deerfoot and many others don't like what Brokenstar has done, but he's a popular leader and they need help getting rid of him
Bluestar agrees to send the reinforcement they need. Tigerclaw is upset about this, citing that Clans aren't supposed to meddle in the affairs of others. They should just take the kits back honorably
An explanation of the ancient tradition of kit-stealing is given to Firepaw, which he is horrified by, but then he tunes back in to Bluestar rebuffing Tigerclaw with the Queen's Rights. He bows his head and agrees.
After Brokenstar is dethroned, Fireheart is named, and uses tarspot-blighted sycamore leaves to channel Spottedleaf for the first of many times.
Book 2: Blood and Water
Fire and Ice is basically unchanged, WindClan is retrieved, Silverstream is introduced, Cinderpaw and Brackenpaw apprenticed (though they are not below 6 moons this time), Brokenstar blinded, Cloudkit acquired, etc, but there's minor changes to motivations of scenes.
For example, the scuffle that gets Whiteclaw killed is an example of the Right of Challenge in action... and also Deadfoot and Leopardfur are equally matched the abelism in this fight bothers me.
Customary Deadfoot bonkening. All of his opponents get bonked once.
Graystripe's utter failure to train Brackenpaw is not forgotten, this is remembered. Fireheart is also asked to fill the role of Brackenpaw's mentor during the Warriorship ceremony later
Cloudkit is raised by Fireheart alone, Brindle just suckles him because Fireheart can't make milk.
Brindleface's kits are swapped! Ashkit is born later; the childhood friends of Cloudtail are Elderberry and Ferncloud.
Book 3: Old Secrets
In general THIS is the book where we would get an actual description of Thistle Law and its name
Fireheart also learns about Bluestar's Forget-Me-Nots, her old group of friends, and he starts to piece things together quicker than in canon.
For newcomers: The Forget-Me-Nots were a friend group of Bluestar, Deadfoot, Ashfoot, Barley Sr, Lizardstripe, and Oakheart. Her love of these people is what causes her to lead the way she does, helping all clans in a way unlike any other leader before her.
Similar to canon this is the book where Silverstream dies, Graystripe leaves, Tigerclaw is exiled, and Brokentail is poisoned. Not much else is different.
Book 4: Rising Fire
Runningnose does a little bit of epidemic. As a treat. Kills Cinderfur and Nightstar and installs Tigerstar
This is the book where Longtail starts to rise up as a close ally of Fireheart, more reliably than his younger sister Sandstorm who has more of her own mind.
The apprenticing of Elderpaw and Fernpaw is changed; Dustpelt is too young to have an apprentice and is rewarded for his loyalty by becoming the secondary apprentice of a Clan builder.
Frostfur gets Elderpaw, Darkstripe gets Fernpaw
Dustfern does not happen while Fernpaw is an apprentice, ick. She admires him one-sidedly while he is a young warrior arguing loudly with her awful mentor, though.
Snowkit is given some extra personality as being serious like his mom, and quite religious.
He is also a friend of Tawny and Bramble.
His death after the forest fire by a hawk is unchanged; and the start of Bluestar's cruelty arc.
We get Littlecloud and Whitethroat's thing, Cloudpaw's abduction, the beginning of Bluestar's cruelty arc, the forest fire, RiverClan sheltering them, and the deaths of Snowkit, Yellowfang, and Runningwind largely unchanged.
Book 5: Paths Chosen
Who_Let_The_Dogs_Out.mp4
Bluestar's cruelty arc continues
Ashfur is born in this book
Graystripe refuses to let Leopardstar murder Fireheart and is exiled; his kittens remember this
Cloudtail is made a warrior and Swiftpaw and Brightpaw go play with puppies
IMPORTANT: Brightpaw's "Dishonor Title" is SWIFTHOUND, it has nothing to do with her scarring. Her actions got Swiftpaw killed and that is what is dishonorable about this. Scars are a desirable trait in this rewrite.
It's a dare to StarClan; take her as Swifthound or make her live with this name.
Shuffle: Tigerstar lays claim to his kits after Swiftpaw dies, that was his oldest son and he says that ThunderClan is not capable of protecting his children
Shuffle: Sandstorm is the new mentor of Tawnypaw, Brackenfur is too young.
Firestar is aromantic, no confession scenes. These two actually have kittens together later as a form of honor-siring with coparenting.
They do the dog relay race, Elderpaw replaces Ashpaw because Ashkit is literally baby rn
Longtail replaces Graystripe on this race because Longtail's got zoomies and Graystripe's extra thick; NOT a runner.
Bluestar dies
Also as a side note the redux of Bluestar's Prophecy opens up right here, with Lizardstripe playing as her defense lawyer in StarClan and the trial framing the story. Thistleclaw also LEAVES StarClan in that book in protest to Bluestar being allowed in.
Book 6: Hour of Need (but also it would be funny if this one was called Before The Dawn and then TNP opened up with Dawn lmao)
Tigerstar actually offers BloodClan land in exchange for them helping him. This is important.
Fireheart evolves into Firestar like canon
Sorrelkit's poisoning results in her developing epilepsy after this, which will follow her for the rest of her life.
TigerClan officially forms... though I am thinking of pushing this back to the previous book so it's formed for longer.
The Bonehill is actually a really stupid idea in-universe and cats are working themselves to the BONE HHA to finish this incredibly pointless vanity project
I'm thinking a TigerClan rebel actually fetches Raven, Fire, and Gray to get them to help save the prisoners. Unsure who; maybe Primrosepaw or Reedpaw.
Execution of Stonefur like canon
There are several TigerClan rebels, one of which is Deerfoot, who help the Halfclans escape. Jaggedtooth is another, Primrosepaw, Reedpaw, Pikepaw, and Mosspelt as well.
In escaping, the only cat captured is Deerfoot
He refuses to rat out the other rebels, saving their lives, and is executed for it
Tangleburr is distraught
Later, WindClan is attacked and Gorsepaw dies.
Laterer Tigerstar gets unzipped by Scourge
AND THIS IS THE BIGGEST CHANGE;
Firestar calls to speak to Scourge, to ask what it is he really wants
He essentially learns that Scourge is sick of the dishonor of Clan cats, he was promised forest and he will have it. Diplomacy breaks down and the battle must happen
When Firestar and Scourge fight, Firestar dies once, revives, and beats him by ripping the collar off, but sparing his life.
"A true warrior does not need to kill to win their battles"
Scourge calls for a retreat
The Clans Win; but a lot of cats died on both sides
Longtail, not Graystripe, becomes deputy
Epilogue is ThunderClan, WindClan, and occasionally ShadowClan (but they're difficult) engaging in diplomacy with BloodClan, including trade and foraging rights.
Aaaaaaaand there you have it! Bonefall TPB summarized. If something wasn't mentioned here (like Tawny defecting) you can assume it happened in the book in a similar way.