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"I don’t deserve a place in StarClan. I never will. But I owe them, and the living Clans, something."
This article contains major spoilers for the recently released, A Light in the Mist. This also includes the reveal of the identity of the impostor. Please proceed at your own discretion.
"Bristlefrost flattened her ears. She had to stop Ashfur. He had hurt so many cats already—she couldn't let him kill Shadowsight. Her nostrils flared as she remembered all the time she'd spent wanting to please the impostor, even as his demands became stranger and stranger. She knew him better than any Clan cat, except, perhaps, Shadowsight. She knew how truly dangerous he was. As Ashfur shifted his weight, she saw her opportunity. But I have to move now. There was no time to second-guess herself. She knew, deep in her bones, that this was right."
— Bristlefrost making her decision in A Light in the Mist, page 264

Bristlefrost is a thick-furred[8] pale gray she-cat[9] with blue-green eyes,[10] neat ears,[11] and long whiskers.[12]

Bristlefrost was a ThunderClan warrior who has served under Bramblestar's, the impostor's, Squirrelflight's, Lionblaze's, and Graystripe's leaderships in the lake territories. She was born as Bristlekit to Fernsong and Ivypool, with her littermates Thriftkit and Flipkit, and was later apprenticed to Rosepetal as Bristlepaw. She saved Rootpaw from drowning, and he developed a crush on her. She earned her warrior name of Bristlefrost, but quickly became depressed as Stemleaf, her crush, rejected her. After Bramblestar's revival, he easily manipulated Bristlefrost into working with him to catch any cat breaking the the warrior code. However, Bristlefrost soon learned her leader was an impostor and agreed to become a double agent for the rebels. The impostor named her deputy, but when Squirrelflight was named leader following the impostor's defeat, Bristlefrost happily stepped down and desired to became a dedicated ThunderClan warrior.

After a journey to retrieve the Sisters, Bristlefrost and Rootspring admitted their love for each other, but found temporary acceptance remaining in their own Clans. After Rootspring was trapped in the Dark Forest following Bramblestar and Squirrelflight's rescue, Bristlefrost and Shadowsight went to save him. Her affection for Rootspring grew, and she began to question whether to leave her Clan for him. Realizing that both StarClan and the Dark Forest were disappearing from Ashfur's influence, Bristlefrost inspired hope in some of the Dark Forest cats to aid them. During the final confrontation against Ashfur, Bristlefrost—the cat who once stood by Ashfur's side—sacrificed herself to save Shadowsight, throwing herself and the estranged tom into the dark water. Her spirit disappeared forever, though her sacrifice allowed StarClan, the Dark Forest, and the Clans to be saved.


Looking for a longer overview? Find one here!

A Vision of Shadows

"Ivypool says you came to visit us before. But I don't remember you. We'd only just opened our eyes. You look like Ivypool except you don't have white splotches."
―Bristlekit to Dovewing The Raging Storm, page chapter 3
She and her littermates, Flipkit and Thriftkit, are born to Ivypool and Fernsong. Bristlekit also meets her aunt, Dovewing, and her cousins, Shadowkit, Lightkit, and Pouncekit, before Dovewing makes the choice to move to ShadowClan to be with Tigerstar. When she and her littermates are old enough, Ivypool spends less time in the nursery and Fernsong moves in to help care for his kits, which is unusual for a tom.

The Broken Code

Rootpaw: "But you're one of the greatest cats I've ever met. You saved my life when my own Clanmates were too scared even to try. If it weren't for you, I'd be at the bottom of the lake right now, frozen solid like the medicine cats say the Moonpool is. And you came to check on me every day while I was recovering."
Bristlefrost: "Any cat would have done that. But what have I done since?"
Rootpaw: "No warrior can do much while this leaf-bare lasts. And once it's over, you'll be one of the warriors who gets your Clan back on its paws. I'm sure of it."
—Rootpaw to Bristlefrost Lost Stars, pages 184-185
Now apprenticed to Rosepetal, Bristlepaw attempts to complete her warrior training early but fails due to a lack of prey. She saves Rootpaw when he nearly drowns in the lake. After successfully redoing her warrior assessment, Bristlepaw is named Bristlefrost, and confesses to Stemleaf about her feelings for him. Stemleaf politely rejects her instead, which heavily depresses Bristlefrost as she wanted to complete her training early so she could be his mate. After Bramblestar's revival, Bristlefrost becomes obsessed trying to please him, and he lets her organize the daily patrols instead of Squirrelflight. Realizing how dedicated Bristlefrost is to the code, the impostor manipulates her into being his eyes and ears in the Clan, resulting in her Clanmates being punished. Bristlefrost later realizes that her leader is an impostor, and begins working against him with the rebels to try and restore the true Bramblestar as leader.
When the rebels wish to murder the impostor, Squirrelflight fears for Bramblestar's spirit and makes Bristlefrost promise to protect him. Following a failed assassination attempt on the impostor's life, he exiles Berrynose and names Bristlefrost his deputy instead, despite her never receiving an apprentice. After a devastating battle between the Clans, Squirrelflight instead chooses Lionblaze as deputy. Bristlefrost is horrified when several of her Clanmates, including her brother, decide to leave ThunderClan, and questions the stability of her Clan's future. She, Rootspring, Needleclaw and Spotfur go on a mission to retrieve the Sisters when Rootspring and Tree learn the spirits of their former Clanmates are suffering. She and Rootspring struggle to maintain their growing feelings towards each other, and Bristlefrost promises Spotfur to help raise her kits when the queen discovers she is expecting Stemleaf's kits. They find the Sisters and convince them to help the Clans; however, the spirits they summon are writhing in pain. Bristlefrost and Rootspring admit their love for each other, but both relent that they belong in their own Clan. When the Clan leaders decide to kill Ashfur, Bristlefrost and Rootspring convince Squirrelflight to let Bramblestar go and comfort her.
Upon learning that Ashfur escaped and kidnapped Squirrelflight, taking her to the Dark Forest, Bristlefrost goes to the Moonpool with a ThunderClan patrol to discuss recent events, and she later suggests that Graystripe become their acting leader following the old tom's wander, in place of Lionblaze. Both Lionblaze and Jayfeather agree with Bristlefrost's suggestion, and Graystripe takes up leadership, with Bristlefrost accompanying the gray tom to the Moonpool and serving as ThunderClan's representative. Bristlefrost later enters the Dark Forest to try and find Shadowsight and Rootspring, as well as try and save Squirrelflight and Bramblestar. She and Shadowsight later re-enter the Dark Forest to try and save Rootspring, but discover in horror that he has been taken captive by Ashfur and made to fight to the death against Snowtuft.
After saving Rootspring, she, Shadowsight, and some of Ashfur's prisoners discover a thick bramble wall blocking the passage to StarClan. They discover that hope can loosen the brambles, and learn from Leafpool that both StarClan and the Dark Forest are slowly disappearing. Determined to find more cats to help them, Bristlefrost recruits Redwillow, Maggottail, and Sparrowfeather. A joint patrol with StarClan, Dark Forest, and living cats confront Ashfur. The dark warrior nearly drags Shadowsight into the dangerous dark water to kill him, and Bristlefrost sacrifices herself to save him by throwing both herself and Ashfur into the dark water. The dark water prevents her from escaping, and she drowns feeling a surge of love for Rootspring. Her sacrifice allows the trapped spirits to join StarClan, but her spirit is gone forever. Bristlefrost is named a Light in the Mist by Bramblestar as thanks. As the Clan leaders debate on changes to the warrior code, Rootspring suggests a change to be made for cats who love another in a different Clan.

Character pixels

Official art

Killed victims

This list shows the victims Bristlefrost has killed:


Bristlefrost's warrior ceremony
Bramblestar: Then I, Bramblestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She...has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn. Bristlepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?
Bristlepaw: I do.
Bramblestar: Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name. Bristlepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Bristlefrost. I know that StarClan will honour your skill and determination, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan.
Everyone: Bristlefrost! Bristlefrost!
Reference: Lost Stars, pages 139-140

Bristlefrost's deputy ceremony
Ashfur: So, now I must appoint a new deputy. I say these words before StarClan, that the spirits of our ancestors may hear and approve my choice. Bristlefrost will be the new deputy of ThunderClan.
Reference: Veil of Shadows, page 199

Personality and Relationships

Bristlefrost is brave, eager, and has a strong sense of duty. While serving as the impostor's aid and secret spy for the rebels, Bristlefrost developed a negative reputation with her Clanmates. For more of Bristlefrost's personality and relationships, click here!


Bristlefrost's parents are Fernsong and Ivypool, and her siblings are Flipclaw and Thriftear. For more of Bristlefrost's family, click here!



Author statements

  • Kate likes Bristlefrost as a character and thinks she would make a good leader of ThunderClan.[blog 1]
  • Kate believes Bristlefrost to be short-furred.[blog 2]

Interesting facts

  • Bristlefrost and her littermates have WindClan blood through Crowfeather.[15]
  • She was made deputy despite never mentoring an apprentice.[6]


Bristlefrost: "I really-really-like you. I've always felt that we might be mates one someday. And now that I'm a warrior, maybe this is the time for us to start thinking of each other in a new way?"
Stemleaf: "I'm sorry. I had no idea you felt like this, Bristlefrost. I like you a lot, but I always thought of you as a friend-a really good friend, almost like another littermate. I've never felt...that way about you."
Bristlefrost: "But now that you know how I feel...do you think that in time, Stemleaf, you might feel the same way?"
Stemleaf: "I don't think so. Actually I...I like another cat. I'm so sorry, Bristlefrost."
—Bristlefrost admitting her feelings to Stemleaf Lost Stars, page 141

Bristlefrost: "We never thanked StarClan for the prey! We must thank StarClan."
Dewnose: "I thanked StarClan. Just not out loud."
Thriftear: "Me too, I said it to myself."
Bristlefrost: "Perhaps we should all say it out loud now, so we know we've done it"
Thriftear: "We're not kits."
Bristlefrost: "It's important. You heard Bramblestar at the Gathering. We have to stop breaking the code if we want StarClan to talk to us again."
Rosepetal: "Do you really think StarClan would stop talking to us because of something so small?"
Bristlefrost: "It's not small if every cat does it. I think we should all thank StarClan out loud from now on, after every catch. That way we can be sure we've done it, and we can remind any cat who forgets."
Lionblaze: "We can't start yowling after every catch. We'll scare off our next prey while thanking StarClan for our last."
Bristlefrost: "Warriors have been giving thanks to StarClan for their prey since the warrior code was invented. It must be important."
Dewnose: "She has a point. There's a reason it's part of the code."
Bristlefrost: "Exactly."
Lionblaze: "Okay. We'll thank StarClan out loud from now on."
Rosepetal: "I'll mention it to Bramblestar so he can remind the other warriors."
—Bristlefrost convincing her patrol to thank StarClan out loud The Silent Thaw, pages 57-59

Bristlefrost: "How will StarClan come back if we keep breaking the code?"
Spotfur: "Do you really think they'll come back if no cat talks to me for a quarter moon?"
Bristlefrost: "Not just that. It's lots of things. I never realized how much we break the code without thinking. Every cat has to obey orders."
Stemleaf: "And you're going to make sure that we do?"
Bristlefrost: "I'm just trying to stop you from getting into trouble like Spotfur. You don't want Bramblestar to stop your Clanmates from talking to you too."
Stemleaf: "You don't get it, do you? There's more at stake here than whether we're allowed to talk to each other. Something is very wrong. I always thought you were a good cat. Soon we're going to have to make choices. I just hope you'll be ready to make the right ones."
—Bristlefrost arguing with the others The Silent Thaw, page 118

See more
"I told you. I'm worried about Bramblestar. He's been acting weird. But you say it's not Bramblestar. And that makes sense. Bramblestar was always kind. He always wanted the best for his Clan, but I think this Bramblestar wants to hurt ThunderClan. He doesn't care who suffers."
―Bristlefrost to the others concerned about Bramblestar The Silent Thaw, page 234

"Why would I spy for an impostor? You have to trust me. I only tried to help Bramblestar before I knew what he was. But now that I know he's not Bramblestar, I want to protect my Clan. I'll do anything you ask."
―Bristlefrost to the cats at the secret meeting The Silent Thaw, page 238

Rootspring: "I'm sorry for doubting you. But I didn't know what to think. If I didn't like you so much, I wouldn't have felt so angry when it looked like you had turned on me and the others."
Bristlefrost: "You like me? Even after...?"
Rootspring: "I can't help it."
Bristlefrost: "You know why that could never happen, right? This whole terrible situation the Clans are in is because of codebreaking—and that includes cats from different Clans getting together. That's always been against the warrior code."
Rootspring: "Yes, I know. That's why I would never had said anything...Does that mean you...you like me, too?"
Bristlefrost: "Yes...yes, I do have feelings for you. But what can we do about it? Nothing. There's no way it can go anywhere."
—Rootspring and Bristlefrost admitting their feelings for each other Veil of Shadows, pages 250-251

"Oh, don't be sorry, Squirrelflight! I never deserved to be deputy, and I'm sure StarClan would never have approved, no matter what the false Bramblestar said. I'm just not ready. I'm so glad to step back for a cat who's truly worthy."
―Bristlefrost to Squirrelflight about stepping down as deputy Veil of Shadows, page 278

Needleclaw: "You're thinking about her, aren't you? [...] I knew it! You have to get over her. You two can never happen."
Rootspring: "We're just friends."
Needleclaw: "Friends don't keep staring at each other like moonstruck rabbits. I should never have let you stand guard together last night. Did anything happen?"
Rootspring: "No. I told you, we're just friends."
Needleclaw: "When we get home, find a friend in your own Clan. If you keep trying to hang out with Bristlefrost, you'll both end up in trouble."
Rootspring: "But there's no cat like her. She's so strong, and she's been through so much. Beside, the warrior code might change. The Clans are working together more and more now. You never know, one day—"
Needleclaw: "You're fooling yourself and her if you think the Clans are ever going to allow you and Bristlefrost to be together."
—Needleclaw and Rootspring arguing about his friendship with Bristlefrost Darkness Within, pages 143-144

Bristlefrost: "It's not like you to take unnecessary risks. [...] I know you're brave, but you're not foolish. And now you're carrying kits, shouldn't you be more careful, not less?"
Spotfur: "And what if I don't want the kits?"
Bristlefrost: "Don't want them? But they're Stemleaf's."
Spotfur: "He's not here, is he? We were supposed to raise kits together, safe in ThunderClan. But we can't do that now! Stemleaf is dead and ThunderClan doesn't feel safe anymore. What if the kits only remind me of the life I should have had with Stemleaf?"
Bristlefrost: "Try to focus on the life you will have, not the on you should have had. The kits are lucky to have had a father as brave as Stemleaf, who was willing to die to save his Clan. Everything will be okay. The kits will mean that you'll always have a connection to Stemleaf. He can watch over them from StarClan."
Spotfur: "StarClan is gone!"
Bristlefrost: "We're going to get them back. In the meantime, your Clan will help you raise your kits, and I promise I will do anything to protect them. They won't go hungry or face any danger until they're old enough to take care of themselves. We'll keep them safe."
—Bristlefrost and Spotfur about her kits Darkness Within, pages 171-173

Rootspring: "We need to make a choice. I can join ThunderClan, or you can join SkyClan. As long as we're together, I don't care which."
Bristlefrost: "You do care. I know you do. You know exactly which of us you think should leave our Clan. You're hoping I will leave ThunderClan."
Rootspring: "It's only natural that I'd prefer if if you joined SkyClan. My kin are here."
Bristlefrost: "My kin are in ThunderClan."
Rootspring: "But SkyClan is stronger. Stronger than it's ever been. ThunderClan has been torn apart by what happened with Ashfur. Your warriors are leaving. Your leader doesn't even have nine lives. What if ThunderClan never recovers from this?"
Bristlefrost: "That's not a reason to leave. It's a reason to stay. Do you really think I could abandon my Clan when it's in trouble? If Bramblestar is really gone and the Clans kill his body, Squirrelflight will be grieving. How can I leave her to hold ThunderClan together all by herself? And I promised Spotfur I'd help raise her kits. You saw how scared she was. She'll need me. Don't you see? I need to stay in ThunderClan. So? The question is, would you be willing to leave SkyClan to join me?"
Rootspring: "I'll have to think about it."
Bristlefrost: "I understand. It's a big decision. Take as much time as you need."
—Rootspring and Bristlefrost discussing whether or not to leave their Clans Darkness Within, pages 273-274

"Love surged through Bristlefrost's chest. Rootspring was willing to fight to save something she cared about, even if it meant sacrificing his own happiness."
―Bristlefrost's thoughts about Rootspring Darkness Within, page 306

Squirrelflight: "I've imagined losing Bramblestar many times. In battles, to sickness, but never like this. I thought I'd have eight more lives to say good-bye, but he's gone before I was ready, and I can't let go of the idea that he's still out there."
Rootspring: "He's not. Something terrible is happening to the spirits around the lake. Perhaps it's better that he's not among them."
Squirrelflight: "Do you think he's suffering, wherever he is?"
Rootspring: "I don't know."
Bristlefrost: "I can't imagine how hard it must be to let go. But you have to think of your Clan. You can't do anything for Bramblestar now, but you can hold your Clan together. You can rebuild ThunderClan as its leader. You can make sure it stays strong. Isn't that what Bramblestar would have wanted?"
Squirrelflight: "Bramblestar would always have chosen ThunderClan over his own life. If he must die, then ThunderClan must survive. I will do everything I can to save it."
Rootspring: "Tree always says that every ending is a beginning."
Bristlefrost: "Now it's time to rebuild ThunderClan."
—Rootspring and Bristlefrost convincing Squirrelflight to let go of Bramblestar as the Clan leaders kill his body Darkness Within, pages 310-311

"Rootspring dropped onto his belly and pressed his muzzle to the ground. He would listen to the earth. It would tell him where she was. If he reached deep enough, he could find her. He'd done it before beside the lake. The Sisters had taught him to sense, through the deepest energy of the earth, any cat connected to him. Closing his eyes, he felt for her. The warmth of her spirit must be somewhere, and he'd find it. He had to. But the ground betrayed nothing except the coldness of the Dark Forest. Rootspring felt the emptiness like unendurable pain. Bristlefrost hadn't only lost her life; she'd lost her chance to live on in StarClan. He would never see her again. She was gone from his life, and his only wish now was that his own spirit would seep into the earth and join her."
―Rootspring after Bristlefrost's death A Light in the Mist (book), page 271

"I loved Bristlefrost. I was going to join ThunderClan to be with her. But I never got a chance to tell her that. She died believing that I'd chosen by Clan over her, and I will never see her again or have a chance to let her know she was more important to me than even by own Clan. I don't need your pity. I just want things to change. If I hadn't spent so long trying to choose between by Clan and Bristlefrost, we could have spent what little time we had left together. Instead we spent it torturing ourselves over where our true loyalties lay. My loyalty would always have been with her, and if it meant moving to her Clan, then my loyalty would have been with her Clan, because what was important to her was important to me."
―Rootspring about Bristlefrost A Light in the Mist (book), page 330

External links

Notes and references

  1. 1.0 1.1 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 267
  2. 2.0 2.1 Revealed in River of Fire, page 199
  3. Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 78
  4. 4.0 4.1 Revealed in Lost Stars, allegiances
  5. Revealed in Lost Stars, page 141
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 199
  7. Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 278
  8. Revealed in Lost Stars, chapter 16
  9. Revealed in River of Fire, page 203
  10. Revealed in Darkness Within, page 321
  11. Revealed in Darkness Within, page 272
  12. Revealed in Darkness Within, page 150
  13. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 261
  14. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 266
  15. Revealed in Sunrise, page 317

Author references