rising storm: part seven

After the fire has died Fireheart and Graystripe go back to see if it is safe for the clan to return - and to discover Yellowfang and Halftail's fates. They find Halftail dead and Yellowfang dying. While Graystripe buries Halftail, Yellowfang confesses to Fireheart her murder of Brokentail and her wish that Fireheart instead was her son. Fireheart does not confess that he overheard the murder, he instead sits by his friend as she dies.  

When they get back to the RiverClan camp and tell Bluestar the news she insists they leave for home immediately. Graystripe tries to ask to come home but Bluestar angrily refuses, telling him he chose his kits over his clan. Fireheart knows that Bluestar is struggling with her own choice and that is part of her reason, but he cannot confess that to Graystripe. 

Back at the camp Bluestar is angry. She declares that StarClan has turned it's back on ThunderClan so she will have nothing more to do with them. Cinderpelt gives her poppy seeds to help her sleep and a guard is set up to watch over her. Fireheart begins the rebuilding of the camp with Darkstripe demanding to know why Bluestar is not doing it. Fireheart puts Darkstripe in charge of rebuilding the camp - publicly because Darkstripe is such a good warrior, privately so he can keep him close and watch him. 

Bluestar seems to be slipping further away. She is uninterested in the camp being rebuilt and she refused to speak the words for the deaths of their clanmates. Whitestorm spoke the words but everyone is upset. Especially when the Gathering comes and Bluestar refuses to go. Fireheart leads the party there, deciding to tell the other clans that Bluestar is still recovering from the fire. While there ShadowClan's new leader is revealed to be Tigerclaw, now Tigerstar, and Darkstripe is clearly excited.

I feel like this was an odd ending. Every book had a very clear story arc but this one ends abruptly with the reveal of Tigerstar. I feel like this book is a part one of two, if that makes sense. I suppose I feel this way because the danger in this book was a random forest fire instead of a plot by Tigerclaw.

With that said, things are seriously moving forward now. Tigerstar has his ambition - clan leader - but I seriously doubt he will end there. Not with his hatred of Fireheart and his attempted murder of Bluestar. And the declaration of Tigerstar as clan leader can only have a negative impact on Bluestar.

Darkstripe's reaction is troubling. Despite everything his clan has stood by him and kept him welcome - yet he still clearly prefers Tigerstar the murderer. This makes me feel that there probably is no hope for Darkstripe. I just hope that Tigerstar's return does not sway Longtail as well.

Lastly, I feel bad for Graystripe but I understand Bluestar's reaction. I don't think she seriously believes for one moment that Graystripe is a traitor. I think instead she is trying to protect him and stop him from making the same mistake she did.