The fourth book in the Warriors series. I'm rating this one on par with the third installment but for different reasons. Where the third one ties up some loose plot ends and developed characters in an interesting way, Rising Storm (the first part of the second half of the series) clearly throwing challenges and conflict at the clan members to overcome in the next two books and ends on an obvious, but massive, cliffhanger. There is A LOT going on, but I think younger readers would find that as exciting as I did, not confusing. However, as mentioned the introduction of challenges means that the themes tend towards the more emotionally difficult: conflict, isolation, mental illness

shown through Bluestar

, becoming homeless

shown through the forest fire

, kidnapping

shown through Cloudpaw

, betrayal, outcasting

shown through the casting out of the sick shadow clan cats who asked help

, lack of confidence, and death.

I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT MY YELLOWFANG HAS DIED. I WAS HEART BROKEN. Both she and Cinderpaw remain my favourites. Graystripe is still up there too.