Rising Storm

This is the best book in the series so far. I actually cried when Yellowfang died. Although we haven't seen much of her lately, her final moments with Fireheart were extremely touching. I wish we had seen more “motherly” bonding between her and Fireheart, but I've noticed that these books don't really emphasize familial bonds (minus those of mothers and kits). Maybe it's just a cat thing, or maybe it would just make the books too long, but Fireheart seems to be the most obsessed on familial ties. He's always lamenting about not having kin, but I don't even know who Graystripe's mother is, and whoever she is - she doesn't seem to lament that he left.

As for Graystripe, I do like that we see more of his old self here, meaning book 1 Graystripe. It was nice to see that he misses the clan and wants to go back, but Bluestar is too paranoid to accept him. Maybe when Fireheart is leader we can see the two friends reunited.

As for Bluestar, she seemed to have snapped out of her funk at the end, but it was sooo much worse. She now hates Starclan and has abandoned all her core beliefs due to all the misery that's befallen her Clan and her. She abandoned her kits for this hell? I understand her anger, but she shouldn't only respect Starclan when things are going well.

As for Fireheart, I'm so proud of him for stepping up. He's holding up well as deputy considering being so young and having no experience, even Longtail is respectful! I worry about Darkstripe though. The ending with Tigerstar didn't surprise me. It was only a matter of time until he got what he wanted, and Shadowclan seems to always be the one with the most problems of all four clans. The next book should be very interesting.