Premise: Graystripe has finally made it back to the forest. But it's not the forest the former ThunderClan deputy remembers. He's devastated to find his beloved home has been torn apart by Twolegs and fears his Clanmates have all been either captured or killed. But Millie, the former kittypet he's been traveling with – and grown to love – urges him not to give in to despair and insists that his Clan is still alive and well somewhere. Could that be true? And if it is, can Graystripe find the strength to face the challenges and changes still coming his way?
Story/Writing: Yes! Finally! Welcome back, Graystripe! It's so good to see you come home at last! Reading this trilogy has been such a treat! But at the same time, it's also bittersweet, 'cause this is the last graphic novel trilogy in the "Warriors" series that I'll get to read…until another one gets published, that is. That said, this was such a thrilling adventure to read! Homecoming stories always pull at my heartstrings, and this one is no exception. It really reminded me of "Homeward Bound," which was one of my favorite movies when I was little. Ever since I read that part in "Sunset" where Firestar appoints Brambleclaw as the new deputy, I kept wanting to say that Graystripe is still alive and he's coming home! Of course, one thing that really hammers all these emotions home is that this last volume starts with Graystripe and Millie coming back to the forest. Or, rather, what's left of it. I'd always been dreading that part, and it was just gut-wrenching to see Graystripe's reaction! I wanted to give him a hug so bad! I know for sure that I'd feel the same way if I saw my home in that same state. Plus, it wasn't just his home. It was the home of all four Clans (five at one point) for fifty years (according to the timeline in my head). It remained there in peace, undisturbed for years, and now seeing it like this all of a sudden was just heartbreaking! That said, what was most important was that the cats he knew and loved were still alive and had found a new home. And seeing Graystripe finally come back to then after months and months of exhausting traveling just gave me such a euphoric relief that I felt like I wanted to celebrate!
Artwork: The imagery used to convey the complete and utter devastation of the forest was already bad enough, but to see it in color made it feel all the worse. It's now nothing but dust and dirt, and here and there we have flashbacks of the beautifully vibrant and green place it once was. It was just awful. But then again, that was what made their long-awaited arrival at the lake all the better, because it looked just as beautiful as I imagined it, and all the more so because it was inhabited by the four Clans we all know and love! By the way, I kept forgetting to say this in my other reviews for graphic novels in this series. So I might as well say it here since it's my last chance. I like how the dialogue from the humans and other animals has a different font than what's used for the cats, because even if we know what they're saying, it's meant to remind us that they don't understand each other. I thought that was pretty clever.
Graystripe and Millie – I really liked the way the relationship between these two was written. I know some people might take issue with their arguing and bickering, but I actually liked that, because it felt more true to life (in a way). They've had to come a long way and have been traveling for StarClan knows how long. Of course they feel lost and frustrated. And that in turn would lead to a bit of bickering. Now, if they let that slow them down significantly, then I probably would've had more of an issue with it. But fortunately, they're obviously grown-up enough to realize that arguing won't get them any further in their journey. Besides, as much as I love Graystripe and how determined he was to get back home, he could've been just a little less stubborn. Not that I'm saying Millie's always right, but sometimes compromises have to be made. Speaking of whom, Millie is just awesome! Just as Graystripe said, if it weren't for her, he probably would've never made it to the lake. She's saved his life on multiple occasions and convinced him that the Clans were still out there, even if their forest home was gone. So happy they're a thing now! I can't wait to see where else their relationship goes!
Various Other Characters – It was so good to see Ravenpaw and Barley again, however brief it was! Ravenpaw may have turned down Firestar's offer to go with the Clans, but had he taken it up, he wouldn't have been there to point Graystripe and Millie in the right direction. That said, as Ravenpaw put it, Graystripe was the former's last connection to the forest. Now I might not see Ravenpaw again until his novella. And I think I might be spot on about what goes down in that… Anyway, I liked Diesel too. He felt like a surfer dude in the way he looked and talked, not to mention he lives near the sea, so it makes sense. I also thought it was funny that Graystripe started getting jealous when Diesel and Millie spent a bit too much time together for his liking.
Overall: As bittersweet as it is to say goodbye (for now) to these fantastic graphic novels, this was the perfect one to end on! Graystripe is now home and he has a new mate with him! They've gone through so much together, yet it only made them stronger and drew them closer to each other. Even if Graystripe doesn't go back to being deputy, it's so good to finally have him back with ThunderClan!