We also don't see any of how Park life was for the cats, since the book opens up with the park getting destroyed. I was really looking forward to learning more about that, but oh well I guess. We hear about the meditation but that's it, though I did like how that was a reoccurring ritual during the book. Technical Pacifist: If there's a way to solve things by talking, Riverstar prefers that. He also can't quite bring himself to kill Slash, which gives Slash an opening to take an elder hostage. Thankfully, Finch is able to rescue her father and accidentally kill Slash in the process. I know. I wish I could have raised you. But I've loved you even though I couldn't be with you. With this, your ninth life, I give you love. The love a mother gives her kits. Your Clanmates are your kits now. Their safety depends on your strength. You must fight for them without fear or pity. Dovewing • Ivypool • Lionblaze • Jayfeather • Cinderheart • Hawkfrost • Tigerstar • Firestar • Flametail • Brokenstar The Apprentice's Quest • Thunder and Shadow • Shattered Sky • Darkest Night • River of Fire • The Raging Storm

Riverstar’s personality is very calm, relaxed, and knowing. He always seems to know what will happen next. He, even during the Great Battle, seemed to be calm, and accepted what happened. He always helped the other groups (at the time), not caring that they were new to the forest. I mostly enjoyed this book. I wish that there was lesss retelling of the events that happen in DOTC books and more of park cats and life in the park and I wish that we got more from Riverstar in general but I liked the book I guess. RiverClan has lost its deputy, and we will miss him. He was smart and brave and a skilled warrior. And he was my littermate. I will be lost without him. The warrior I have chosen as RiverClan's new deputy has shown courage and dedication and strength. Leopardfur. And I know the DotC arc is quite controversial as most fans either love it or hate it. I personally love it. I loved reading how the Clans came to be, and DotC has some of my favorite characters ever. And I'll admit I loved reading it again from River Ripple's POV. I understand the repetition was annoying for other readers, I don't blame them. But that was not personally a qualm for me.

This book contains examples of the following:

River Ripple begins to encounter the mountain cats a bit more: a she-cat named Dappled Pelt helps when Night is injured, and River Ripple helps the cats escape a forest fire. One night he awakens to see spirit cats, who lead him to The Four Trees, where the mountain cats are fighting. He watches in horror, seeing them die, but the spirits tell him to wait: after the fight, he can be a bridge to peace. After the battle concludes, the spirits tell everyone that they must "unite or die". River Ripple accepts that he has a "group" just as much as the others, and does his best to try to be a leader. Riverstar’s personality is a complex one, at that. He, in my opinion, was more suited to be a medicine cat than a leader. He knew about StarClan, so why not use that as a medicine cat advantage? Well, that’s for another post. So, he knew about the “spirit cats” and helped the other leaders understand them more. He seemed not to be partial or impartial to any of the groups, which I find odd. You fought fearlessly against those rats. You have always had the courage and determination to be one of RiverClan's greatest leaders. With this life, I give you bravery. Protect your Clan with your life.

At this point, characters are flip-flopping their opinions around like the authors are writing this chapter by chapter and passing it around.also Windstar and Skystar's character development still magically disappears after the point of Gray Wing's death like it does in Moth Flight's vision)

I don't HATE this book, it's just very disappointing as many new releases from this series have been as of late. But to be fair I'll list some elements I like: getting to see the park cats again, getting some final closure to the Slash conflict, Night as a character (she's THE best character in this book) and the first official warrior ceremonies being held.Riverstar was the first leader of RiverClan in the forest territories. Ripple lived with the Cats of the Park until Twolegs destroyed their home. He was swept away towards the forest territories, where he renamed himself River Ripple in honor of the river who saved his life. River Ripple lived as a loner near the river, and befriended Night and Mist, who taught him how to swim and fish. He was briefly captured by Twolegs and lived as a kittypet. Feeling the call of the river, River Ripple returned and encountered the groups from the mountains. He befriended them, but remained distant. However, he was inspired by their culture and loyalty towards each other, and River Ripple eventually formed his own group of loners next to the river. His group was originally informal, but he was officially called to be leader after the spirit cats appeared at the four trees.