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Warriors Super Edition#13
Graystripe's Vow
In this Super Edition, set during the events of The Broken Code, respected ThunderClan warrior Graystripe seeks a path to the Clan’s future by returning to his past—and the Moonstone in the Clans’ old forest territory. Graystripe served ThunderClan for many moons before retiring to the elders’ den. As Firestar’s most trusted friend and deputy, Graystripe promised that he would never abandon his home. But as new tensions strain ThunderClan, Graystripe will need to call on all of his long history, leaving ThunderClan behind in hopes of finding an answer that might save it.
480 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2020
About the author
Erin Hunter
352books9,565followersErin Hunter is the pseudonym of five people:Kate Cary,Cherith Baldry,Tui T. Sutherland,Gillian Philip,andInbali Iserles,as well as editorVictoria Holmes.Together, they write the Warriors series as well as the Seekers and Survivors series. Erin Hunter is working on a new series now called Bravelands.
Erin Hunter is inspired by a love of cats and a fascination with the ferocity of the natural world. As well as having a great respect for nature in all its forms, Erin enjoys creating rich mythical explanations for animal behavior, shaped by her interest in astronomy and standing stones.
Erin Hunter is inspired by a love of cats and a fascination with the ferocity of the natural world. As well as having a great respect for nature in all its forms, Erin enjoys creating rich mythical explanations for animal behavior, shaped by her interest in astronomy and standing stones.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
September 18, 2020
Rating: 9 out of 10
I'll be honest: when this book was first announced, I wasn't very interested in reading it. I was obviously still going to, since it's warrior cats, but I just wasn't feeling as excited as I tend to do with other releases. However, the more information we got with the blurb and then the sample made me curious about it, and I decided to give it a try. And now I'm glad to say this was one of the most wholesome Warriors books to date, and I loved it!
One of the main factors that pulled me in was the time-jumping narrative. It is something that hasn't been done in this series before and it felt refreshing to see both plots develop and connect with each other. While I have to say the chapters set in the current arc were the most interesting for me, the ones from the past had the nice touch of nostalgia that was expected from a Super Edition about Graystripe of all cats. Since none of both plots were complex enough for a whole book, I think it was a great decision to alternate between them and it maintained the enjoyment all the way through. Here are my opinions on them:
- The past chapters: These were set during the events of Firestar's Quest (between the first and second arc) and were about Graystripe dealing with being temporary leader of ThunderClan and stopping the remains of BloodClan from conquering his Clan. I really enjoyed Fury (the new BloodClan leader) as a villain, and even though I didn't like how her arc ended (more in the spoiler notes) she was intimidating and I loved her determination and ambition. On alther note, I still have mixed opinions on Ashfur's personality retcon, but in general it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be from the sample, and the part about him needing to understand not everything would go his way was mind-blowing! Other than him, it was absolutely lovely to see other characters from the first series again (Cinderpelt especially!) and it did bring the nostalgia it promised.
- The present chapters: These were set during the events of The Broken Code (during the fourth book, which isn't out yet) and were about Graystripe going on a "wander" and eventually traveling to the Moonstone in hopes of contacting StarClan again. As I said before, these were the ones I enjoyed the most! It was great visiting the Tribe after all this time, Flipclaw has become one of my favorite background characters of all time, and, oh, WarriorClan! I could write an entire paragraph about them, but I'll just say they are the most adorable and wholesome (of course!) group that has been ever introduced in Warriors. I love them all and the bond they created with Graystripe was surprisingly sweet. Also, the story about the old mentally ill woman and the cats she kept in her house was heartbreaking and I admit it made me eyes fill with tears at times.
Graystripe's characterization was top-notch. His inner monologue and sense of humor definitely shone during the book, and his was one of the most entertaining POVs to read from in the entire series. His character arc about believing in himself and his own worth were truly heartwarming and I adored seeing how deeply he cared about others and wanted to protect them as if they were his own kin.
Overall, this was one of the most fun Super Editions I've read! While I understand why some people might find it too detached from the main series, I personally appreciate the fact that it can be read as a stand-alone book as well as a part of The Broken Code arc. The appearances of nostalgic characters such as Barley mixed with new ones like Monkeystar made it a perfect book for all types of fans! Graystripe's Vow left me with a pleasant, fulfilling sensation after I finished it, and I don't know what could be better than that. Definitely recommend!
Notes (spoilers):
- About Fury: At first I was excited to see a new female villain in Warriors (there are so few of them!) and despite liking her personality a lot, I can't help but feel underwhelmed by how she was eventually defeated. Having her give up and walk away after being cured was anti-climactic and not the ending she deserved (she should have died from either her own BloodClan warriors killing her after she said she didn't care about them, or from blood lose from the injury she received due to her own stubbornness). Even though this didn't ruin the past chapters for me, it could have been done much better.
- About Graystripe: Many readers were disappointed about him not dying in this book and I was too at first, but after thinking hard about it I'd rather see him die a warrior's death in battle or protecting other cats than having him die away from ThunderClan and his family. It's just my personal opinion, though, and I clearly see the appeal of this Super Edition being his last living appearance.
- About the Moonstone: I've seen various theories about what the lightning strike that destroyed the Moonpool meant and who caused it and honestly, I'm really intrigued to know the answer! Personally, I like to think it was an act from Ashfur (him being the impostor has already been confirmed in the Darkness Within preview but, come on, we all knew) or any other spirit working with them (I'm leaning towards Spiresight on this), since there is a notable resemblance between that scene and the one in Lost Stars where Shadowsight gets struck by lightning. Everything said, I can't wait for the next book on the arc!
I'll be honest: when this book was first announced, I wasn't very interested in reading it. I was obviously still going to, since it's warrior cats, but I just wasn't feeling as excited as I tend to do with other releases. However, the more information we got with the blurb and then the sample made me curious about it, and I decided to give it a try. And now I'm glad to say this was one of the most wholesome Warriors books to date, and I loved it!
One of the main factors that pulled me in was the time-jumping narrative. It is something that hasn't been done in this series before and it felt refreshing to see both plots develop and connect with each other. While I have to say the chapters set in the current arc were the most interesting for me, the ones from the past had the nice touch of nostalgia that was expected from a Super Edition about Graystripe of all cats. Since none of both plots were complex enough for a whole book, I think it was a great decision to alternate between them and it maintained the enjoyment all the way through. Here are my opinions on them:
- The past chapters: These were set during the events of Firestar's Quest (between the first and second arc) and were about Graystripe dealing with being temporary leader of ThunderClan and stopping the remains of BloodClan from conquering his Clan. I really enjoyed Fury (the new BloodClan leader) as a villain, and even though I didn't like how her arc ended (more in the spoiler notes) she was intimidating and I loved her determination and ambition. On alther note, I still have mixed opinions on Ashfur's personality retcon, but in general it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be from the sample, and the part about him needing to understand not everything would go his way was mind-blowing! Other than him, it was absolutely lovely to see other characters from the first series again (Cinderpelt especially!) and it did bring the nostalgia it promised.
- The present chapters: These were set during the events of The Broken Code (during the fourth book, which isn't out yet) and were about Graystripe going on a "wander" and eventually traveling to the Moonstone in hopes of contacting StarClan again. As I said before, these were the ones I enjoyed the most! It was great visiting the Tribe after all this time, Flipclaw has become one of my favorite background characters of all time, and, oh, WarriorClan! I could write an entire paragraph about them, but I'll just say they are the most adorable and wholesome (of course!) group that has been ever introduced in Warriors. I love them all and the bond they created with Graystripe was surprisingly sweet. Also, the story about the old mentally ill woman and the cats she kept in her house was heartbreaking and I admit it made me eyes fill with tears at times.
Graystripe's characterization was top-notch. His inner monologue and sense of humor definitely shone during the book, and his was one of the most entertaining POVs to read from in the entire series. His character arc about believing in himself and his own worth were truly heartwarming and I adored seeing how deeply he cared about others and wanted to protect them as if they were his own kin.
Overall, this was one of the most fun Super Editions I've read! While I understand why some people might find it too detached from the main series, I personally appreciate the fact that it can be read as a stand-alone book as well as a part of The Broken Code arc. The appearances of nostalgic characters such as Barley mixed with new ones like Monkeystar made it a perfect book for all types of fans! Graystripe's Vow left me with a pleasant, fulfilling sensation after I finished it, and I don't know what could be better than that. Definitely recommend!
Notes (spoilers):
- About Fury: At first I was excited to see a new female villain in Warriors (there are so few of them!) and despite liking her personality a lot, I can't help but feel underwhelmed by how she was eventually defeated. Having her give up and walk away after being cured was anti-climactic and not the ending she deserved (she should have died from either her own BloodClan warriors killing her after she said she didn't care about them, or from blood lose from the injury she received due to her own stubbornness). Even though this didn't ruin the past chapters for me, it could have been done much better.
- About Graystripe: Many readers were disappointed about him not dying in this book and I was too at first, but after thinking hard about it I'd rather see him die a warrior's death in battle or protecting other cats than having him die away from ThunderClan and his family. It's just my personal opinion, though, and I clearly see the appeal of this Super Edition being his last living appearance.
- About the Moonstone: I've seen various theories about what the lightning strike that destroyed the Moonpool meant and who caused it and honestly, I'm really intrigued to know the answer! Personally, I like to think it was an act from Ashfur (him being the impostor has already been confirmed in the Darkness Within preview but, come on, we all knew) or any other spirit working with them (I'm leaning towards Spiresight on this), since there is a notable resemblance between that scene and the one in Lost Stars where Shadowsight gets struck by lightning. Everything said, I can't wait for the next book on the arc!
May 22, 2024
Who would think that a book about cats could be so captivating? I was drawn into these cats’ adventures from the very beginning. Features excellent action and intrigue while working themes of honor, duty, friendship, and other morals into the story.
September 4, 2020
Absolutely loved it. It was the very first book in the warriors series (that I have read) that actively jumps back and forth between time zones and that, to me, made it more interesting. The book allows for more appreciation of a warrior that honestly seemed to always be in the shadows behind Firestar (who was always a favorite charactor of mine as well). Including Warriorclan was a great choice too, it opens the path for more books and i honestly can't wait to read about them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2020
OH MAN, gonna be honest here, I wasn't that excited for this one, but this has got to be one of my favourite modern Warriors books. I haven't been satisfied with a Warriors ending in a long time, but this book actually left me feeling happy with the way it ended. It was like Firestar's Quest done right. Not sure if it'll be everyone's cup of tea, but I loved all the new characters, and it was so nice to see Barley. After reading this book, no one can tell me Ravenpaw and Barley weren't like an old married couple.
September 7, 2021
If you loved SkyClan’s Destiny and the level of excitement it brought then you’ll love this one. (It was the most boring Super Edition ever.)
September 20, 2020
Premise: With Firestar dead, Graystripe – former deputy of ThunderClan and best friend of the great leader – can now only watch from the elders' den as his Clanmates continue to reel from the chaos wrought by the false Bramblestar and StarClan's absence. In his despair, the aging tom breaks a vow he'd made to Firestar long ago, and leaves the beloved Clan he no longer recognizes. Before he knows it, Graystripe finds himself on a journey in which the past and present will collide…and cause him to wonder if he still has a place in ThunderClan after all.
Story/Writing: Whew! Haven't pulled an all-nighter like this since "Bluestar's Prophecy!" Now that that's out of the way… Whenever I finish a "Warriors" super edition, I feel like I've been on an epic journey – but that's especially the case with this one. If anything, considering all the troubles the world has been going through this whole year, this book could not have come out at a better time. That, and I personally have had to deal with issues in the past year and a half that made me feel like my own world was just shattering. So…yeah…I needed to read a book like this. I think a ton of people do at this time. The best books are often the inspiring ones, and while this story may be about talking cats, I think it can speak for a lot of people facing similar circumstances now. I can only imagine how emotional it must be for people who've been with the series since it started seventeen years ago. I'm sure there are still plenty of fans who still read these books as avidly as they did then. And while we may not be elders, we too have grown up and changed and now face a daunting world that barely resembles the one we were raised in. I only recently got back into the series last year, and it felt incredibly nostalgic even for me. Fortunately, however, this is not a doom and gloom book. It certainly values everyone and everything that came before, but it uses that to inspire both the characters and the reader to look forward to the future. Of course, it wouldn't be nearly as good as it is were it not for the fantastic writing from the Erin Hunter team. I've come to learn that I should expect nothing but the very best of them. But they always manage to keep surprising me. As usual, it immerses you into the world and the emotions of both the main and supporting characters. But this to me felt more than that. This book felt almost like a love letter to the fans who've stuck around ever since 2003, and reminds them that the series may have changed and evolved, but its essence has remained the same and no amount of time will change that.
Characters: With cats from the past and present given equal opportunity to shine, this book has something both for old and new fans, showing how far the Clans have come, and how farther they can go still. It's definitely close to heartbreaking to part with beloved characters who've been in the series for years, both in their time and ours. But it's also inspiring considering how long it's been going and how it still manages to draw people in with cats that are honestly better written than most human characters.
Graystripe: Oh Graystripe… If there ever were a cat in shining armor, that cat is you! You've gone above and beyond in your service to not only ThunderClan but the Clans and their history as a whole. Really, the authors could not have chosen a more perfect main character for a book like this. Graystripe has been a series veteran since the beginning, so in a way he kinda stands in as a sort of avatar for those who've been reading the series from the beginning. He shares our situation in that, just like our world, his world has changed much in the years since he became a warrior. He's far from decrepit, but he's not as young as he used to be. He's one of if not the oldest cat in his Clan, and the ThunderClan he lives in now no longer resembles the one he always knew. Probably the most heartbreaking part for me is when he goes back to the old forest territories, and he sees just how different it was even though he left it almost ten years prior (in his time). It's not surprising that he dreams about Millie afterwards, 'cause he feels as devastated as he did when she died – and so to we, to an extent. But of course, it all culminates in the shocking moment when he finds the Moonstone…only to see it get struck by lightning and shatter like glass. He doesn't know what that means, and neither do we (again, to an extent). But after he meets and befriends WarriorClan and helps Fang rescue the cats from the old lady's house, he realizes that, even when he thought he had no hope without StarClan, he was still the Clan cat he always was, and he'll always have something to contribute – whatever his age. With that in mind, I really, really liked the flashback sequences in which we get to see Graystripe ten years prior – when he lead ThunderClan while Firestar and Sandstorm went to rebuild SkyClan – and we see both the differences and similarities between the past and present. In the past, he has to contend with being in Firestar's shadow. Firestar is good at being decisive on the spot, whereas Graystripe needs time to think through things – time which his Clanmates aren't always willing to give him. Through this, he learns pretty fast that he's not cut out for leadership like his best friend is. And while that may be true, he needs to give himself more credit. After all, were it not for the risk he took in trusting his instincts by trusting Gremlin, ThunderClan wouldn't have fended off a remnant of BloodClan without help from any of the others! And even when they won, Graystripe refused to stoop to Fury's level and instead made her swear an oath to leave the Clans alone in exchange for healing. All that said, while I was disappointed that Graystripe didn't get to contact Firestar in the present, I was satisfied when Firestar returned home in the past and praised his deputy for his efforts. StarClan knows he deserved it! Just as Firestar helped secure the future of the Clans by rebuilding SkyClan, Graystripe helped to ensure their legacy by building WarriorClan!
Gremlin and Fang: Who'd have thought a BloodClan cat would save ThunderClan?! In all seriousness, from the moment she was introduced in the prologue, I knew Gremlin was going to have a big role in this story! And fortunately, just like Graystripe, my instincts proved right! It really is kind of amazing that Gremlin was willing to put not only her life but the lives of her unborn kits on the line for a Clan that would've liked to see her and her whole lot dead. I would've liked to see her join ThunderClan, but I respected her decision…even though it ultimately led to her death. Not that that's necessarily bad though. I mean, yes, she died in a hoarding house. But she died as she lived – helping others. I seriously hope she went to StarClan. That's certainly the impression I got when she appeared to Petunia at the sight of the shattered Moonstone in the end comic! Fortunately, she passed on her kindness and bravery to her son! Fang himself deserves acclamation for trusting his mother's word, staking the survival of his fellow prisoners on a tale she told him when he was a kit. But it was the tale of the cat who'd shown her mercy, and it was inspiring enough for Fang to wait as long as he needed to until he found that cat. And in turn, he inspired Graystripe to not only help him free the hoarded cats but return to the Clan where he has, does, and always will belong. I did feel sorry for him when he learned Graystripe wasn't his father as he'd hoped – and especially when his beloved Daffodil left his side to become a kittypet, even though it was the best option for her. But I think we can all agree Fang has a bright future as the deputy of WarriorClan!
Monkeystar and WarriorClan: This is mostly going to be about Monkeystar (Best leader name ever!), since she receives the most character development. That said, it was very heartwarming to see a makeshift Clan of ambitious young cats – and nothing short of amazing to find out they'd learned about the Clans that used to live in the forest from Smudge of all cats! At first Monkeystar and WarriorClan seemed like this ragtag team of silly kittypets. But as the story goes on, both Graystripe and the leader learn how earnest they are in their desire to live like true Clan warriors. After all, how many young kittypets with comfy homes would go so far as to participate in rescuing a bunch of strangers from a hoarding house – much less invite some of them to join their Clan?! With this in mind, I like that the comic at the end was focused on Monkeystar, and how much she and WarriorClan had matured and changed for the better because of Graystripe. Speaking of which, it was adorable when he heard them gushing over how great he is!
Past and Present ThunderClan: I'll admit, the beginning was kinda disheartening. Bramblestar's imposter has been captured. But StarClan still hasn't come back. The younger cats are fighting over trivial things. And even the older cats are arguing over the legitimacy of Squirrelflight's leadership. Luckily, from a storytelling perspective, this provides not only an understandable reason for Graystripe's departure, but also a great parallel with the ThunderClan Graystripe led in the past. In the beginning of the flashbacks, it seems his only true support is Cinderpelt. Everyone – particularly Mousefur and Cloudtail – keeps comparing Graystripe to Firestar and complaining about his lack of action against WindClan and having to keep their leader's absence a secret. Not that this makes them entirely unlikeable, if anything, it's kind of expected. And I knew Graystripe's decision to trust Gremlin was not going to be popular, however he put it. But it was nothing short of distressing to hear even his former apprentice Brackenfur denounce him as crazy. It makes me all the more glad Graystripe was proven right in the end! And as far as I'm concerned, Ashfur's undermining Graystripe and Dustpelt's own comments about his arrogance prove to me that I was right about him!
Various Other Characters: Oh those poor trapped cats! Hoarding houses are always a nightmare for any sensible animal lover. How much more is it for the animals practically imprisoned from inside? That said, I like how they point out that the old lady didn't know what she was doing, that she likely had a stroke or dementia or something. If anything, it's good that she got help at the end. Speaking of which, I thought it was great that Petunia became WarriorClan's medicine cat, with Lily as her apprentice. As awful as it was in the hoarding house, you can't help but admire Petunia's dedication to her Twoleg. That said, I was happy that she did eventually move on – not least of which because Gremlin appeared to her! Moving on… Goodbye Millie! Were it not for you, Graystripe would never have returned ThunderClan. Barley, if this is the last time we see you, I hope you and Ravenpaw will be reunited when your time comes! You may not have been a Clan cat, but you were always a great friend to them! And Stormfur, I'm so glad you and your father got to see each other one last time! And I hoped your mountain cats helped Flipclaw find his way home without trouble! Smudge, you've taught me not to underestimate the impact kittypets can have! And Fury…you were a pretty decent but, you could've been a bit better.
Overall: As I said before, with times like these, I think a ton of people are facing situations similar to Graystripe's. And that alone is enough for me to recommend this book! It provides a very timely yet timeless message that things may change, we may change, but our essences of who we are will always be there, and because of that, we'll always have something to offer.
Story/Writing: Whew! Haven't pulled an all-nighter like this since "Bluestar's Prophecy!" Now that that's out of the way… Whenever I finish a "Warriors" super edition, I feel like I've been on an epic journey – but that's especially the case with this one. If anything, considering all the troubles the world has been going through this whole year, this book could not have come out at a better time. That, and I personally have had to deal with issues in the past year and a half that made me feel like my own world was just shattering. So…yeah…I needed to read a book like this. I think a ton of people do at this time. The best books are often the inspiring ones, and while this story may be about talking cats, I think it can speak for a lot of people facing similar circumstances now. I can only imagine how emotional it must be for people who've been with the series since it started seventeen years ago. I'm sure there are still plenty of fans who still read these books as avidly as they did then. And while we may not be elders, we too have grown up and changed and now face a daunting world that barely resembles the one we were raised in. I only recently got back into the series last year, and it felt incredibly nostalgic even for me. Fortunately, however, this is not a doom and gloom book. It certainly values everyone and everything that came before, but it uses that to inspire both the characters and the reader to look forward to the future. Of course, it wouldn't be nearly as good as it is were it not for the fantastic writing from the Erin Hunter team. I've come to learn that I should expect nothing but the very best of them. But they always manage to keep surprising me. As usual, it immerses you into the world and the emotions of both the main and supporting characters. But this to me felt more than that. This book felt almost like a love letter to the fans who've stuck around ever since 2003, and reminds them that the series may have changed and evolved, but its essence has remained the same and no amount of time will change that.
Characters: With cats from the past and present given equal opportunity to shine, this book has something both for old and new fans, showing how far the Clans have come, and how farther they can go still. It's definitely close to heartbreaking to part with beloved characters who've been in the series for years, both in their time and ours. But it's also inspiring considering how long it's been going and how it still manages to draw people in with cats that are honestly better written than most human characters.
Graystripe: Oh Graystripe… If there ever were a cat in shining armor, that cat is you! You've gone above and beyond in your service to not only ThunderClan but the Clans and their history as a whole. Really, the authors could not have chosen a more perfect main character for a book like this. Graystripe has been a series veteran since the beginning, so in a way he kinda stands in as a sort of avatar for those who've been reading the series from the beginning. He shares our situation in that, just like our world, his world has changed much in the years since he became a warrior. He's far from decrepit, but he's not as young as he used to be. He's one of if not the oldest cat in his Clan, and the ThunderClan he lives in now no longer resembles the one he always knew. Probably the most heartbreaking part for me is when he goes back to the old forest territories, and he sees just how different it was even though he left it almost ten years prior (in his time). It's not surprising that he dreams about Millie afterwards, 'cause he feels as devastated as he did when she died – and so to we, to an extent. But of course, it all culminates in the shocking moment when he finds the Moonstone…only to see it get struck by lightning and shatter like glass. He doesn't know what that means, and neither do we (again, to an extent). But after he meets and befriends WarriorClan and helps Fang rescue the cats from the old lady's house, he realizes that, even when he thought he had no hope without StarClan, he was still the Clan cat he always was, and he'll always have something to contribute – whatever his age. With that in mind, I really, really liked the flashback sequences in which we get to see Graystripe ten years prior – when he lead ThunderClan while Firestar and Sandstorm went to rebuild SkyClan – and we see both the differences and similarities between the past and present. In the past, he has to contend with being in Firestar's shadow. Firestar is good at being decisive on the spot, whereas Graystripe needs time to think through things – time which his Clanmates aren't always willing to give him. Through this, he learns pretty fast that he's not cut out for leadership like his best friend is. And while that may be true, he needs to give himself more credit. After all, were it not for the risk he took in trusting his instincts by trusting Gremlin, ThunderClan wouldn't have fended off a remnant of BloodClan without help from any of the others! And even when they won, Graystripe refused to stoop to Fury's level and instead made her swear an oath to leave the Clans alone in exchange for healing. All that said, while I was disappointed that Graystripe didn't get to contact Firestar in the present, I was satisfied when Firestar returned home in the past and praised his deputy for his efforts. StarClan knows he deserved it! Just as Firestar helped secure the future of the Clans by rebuilding SkyClan, Graystripe helped to ensure their legacy by building WarriorClan!
Gremlin and Fang: Who'd have thought a BloodClan cat would save ThunderClan?! In all seriousness, from the moment she was introduced in the prologue, I knew Gremlin was going to have a big role in this story! And fortunately, just like Graystripe, my instincts proved right! It really is kind of amazing that Gremlin was willing to put not only her life but the lives of her unborn kits on the line for a Clan that would've liked to see her and her whole lot dead. I would've liked to see her join ThunderClan, but I respected her decision…even though it ultimately led to her death. Not that that's necessarily bad though. I mean, yes, she died in a hoarding house. But she died as she lived – helping others. I seriously hope she went to StarClan. That's certainly the impression I got when she appeared to Petunia at the sight of the shattered Moonstone in the end comic! Fortunately, she passed on her kindness and bravery to her son! Fang himself deserves acclamation for trusting his mother's word, staking the survival of his fellow prisoners on a tale she told him when he was a kit. But it was the tale of the cat who'd shown her mercy, and it was inspiring enough for Fang to wait as long as he needed to until he found that cat. And in turn, he inspired Graystripe to not only help him free the hoarded cats but return to the Clan where he has, does, and always will belong. I did feel sorry for him when he learned Graystripe wasn't his father as he'd hoped – and especially when his beloved Daffodil left his side to become a kittypet, even though it was the best option for her. But I think we can all agree Fang has a bright future as the deputy of WarriorClan!
Monkeystar and WarriorClan: This is mostly going to be about Monkeystar (Best leader name ever!), since she receives the most character development. That said, it was very heartwarming to see a makeshift Clan of ambitious young cats – and nothing short of amazing to find out they'd learned about the Clans that used to live in the forest from Smudge of all cats! At first Monkeystar and WarriorClan seemed like this ragtag team of silly kittypets. But as the story goes on, both Graystripe and the leader learn how earnest they are in their desire to live like true Clan warriors. After all, how many young kittypets with comfy homes would go so far as to participate in rescuing a bunch of strangers from a hoarding house – much less invite some of them to join their Clan?! With this in mind, I like that the comic at the end was focused on Monkeystar, and how much she and WarriorClan had matured and changed for the better because of Graystripe. Speaking of which, it was adorable when he heard them gushing over how great he is!
Past and Present ThunderClan: I'll admit, the beginning was kinda disheartening. Bramblestar's imposter has been captured. But StarClan still hasn't come back. The younger cats are fighting over trivial things. And even the older cats are arguing over the legitimacy of Squirrelflight's leadership. Luckily, from a storytelling perspective, this provides not only an understandable reason for Graystripe's departure, but also a great parallel with the ThunderClan Graystripe led in the past. In the beginning of the flashbacks, it seems his only true support is Cinderpelt. Everyone – particularly Mousefur and Cloudtail – keeps comparing Graystripe to Firestar and complaining about his lack of action against WindClan and having to keep their leader's absence a secret. Not that this makes them entirely unlikeable, if anything, it's kind of expected. And I knew Graystripe's decision to trust Gremlin was not going to be popular, however he put it. But it was nothing short of distressing to hear even his former apprentice Brackenfur denounce him as crazy. It makes me all the more glad Graystripe was proven right in the end! And as far as I'm concerned, Ashfur's undermining Graystripe and Dustpelt's own comments about his arrogance prove to me that I was right about him!
Various Other Characters: Oh those poor trapped cats! Hoarding houses are always a nightmare for any sensible animal lover. How much more is it for the animals practically imprisoned from inside? That said, I like how they point out that the old lady didn't know what she was doing, that she likely had a stroke or dementia or something. If anything, it's good that she got help at the end. Speaking of which, I thought it was great that Petunia became WarriorClan's medicine cat, with Lily as her apprentice. As awful as it was in the hoarding house, you can't help but admire Petunia's dedication to her Twoleg. That said, I was happy that she did eventually move on – not least of which because Gremlin appeared to her! Moving on… Goodbye Millie! Were it not for you, Graystripe would never have returned ThunderClan. Barley, if this is the last time we see you, I hope you and Ravenpaw will be reunited when your time comes! You may not have been a Clan cat, but you were always a great friend to them! And Stormfur, I'm so glad you and your father got to see each other one last time! And I hoped your mountain cats helped Flipclaw find his way home without trouble! Smudge, you've taught me not to underestimate the impact kittypets can have! And Fury…you were a pretty decent but, you could've been a bit better.
Overall: As I said before, with times like these, I think a ton of people are facing situations similar to Graystripe's. And that alone is enough for me to recommend this book! It provides a very timely yet timeless message that things may change, we may change, but our essences of who we are will always be there, and because of that, we'll always have something to offer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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November 11, 2020Aight I finished this at last. I ended up skimming the latter half. I’ve decided not to give this a rating because I can’t fairly judge it because I am not the target audience. There were elements that I did enjoy, but it was lazily written. The trouble the Erins have run into these last couple years is that they just don’t care about what they’re writing anymore. Graystripe was my favorite character in the original books when I read them in seventh grade so there was some nice nostalgia for me. Overall, I think I’ve outgrown this series.
Pre-review: **cries** i am such trash for clinging onto things that i loved when i was twelve but have hated ever since
Pre-review: **cries** i am such trash for clinging onto things that i loved when i was twelve but have hated ever since
September 21, 2020
I want to start off with saying that Greystripe has never been my favourite character and I was honestly glad when he went to the elders' den, so that we wouldn't have to see him that often anymore. Still I really enjoyed this book, and I have a new sort of respect for him because of it. It was very interesting to see things from the perspective of an elder, although sadly that aspect was only relevant the first few chapters, after which the story would have worked with a warrior as the protagonist as well.
The plot wasn't incredibly interesting and kind of shallow, especially when it comes to the "present time" chapters. Still it was fun to see old characters and meet WarriorClan, who are a delight to read about. I'm not sure if I want them to continue appearing in the series, though: it seems fun, but I don't want them to become a second SkyClan, and I hope that if they appear, they will remain detached from the main Clans. The switch between the past and the present between chapters was interesting, but I believe it could have been handled better, considering I got spoiled a few times for what would come in the next chapter, such as the very important question whether Gremlin could be trusted, and where she ended up, considering she wanted to join the Clans but obviously isn't seen in the rest of the series. Still I very much enjoyed reading about old times and current.
All in all the book didn't entirely live up to its potential, and could have been written and plotted better, but I liked reading it anyway and I'm curious to see how everything else is going to play out in the future!
The plot wasn't incredibly interesting and kind of shallow, especially when it comes to the "present time" chapters. Still it was fun to see old characters and meet WarriorClan, who are a delight to read about. I'm not sure if I want them to continue appearing in the series, though: it seems fun, but I don't want them to become a second SkyClan, and I hope that if they appear, they will remain detached from the main Clans. The switch between the past and the present between chapters was interesting, but I believe it could have been handled better, considering I got spoiled a few times for what would come in the next chapter, such as the very important question whether Gremlin could be trusted, and where she ended up, considering she wanted to join the Clans but obviously isn't seen in the rest of the series. Still I very much enjoyed reading about old times and current.
All in all the book didn't entirely live up to its potential, and could have been written and plotted better, but I liked reading it anyway and I'm curious to see how everything else is going to play out in the future!
September 5, 2020
Book was straight fire. Graystripe is one of the OGs left in the Warriors universe, and seeing him lose and then rediscover his purpose was really great. Hunter also brought in a fantastic cast with the addition of
One of the best super editions by far.
One of the best super editions by far.
December 30, 2022
I'll admit that I'd never cared to know what happened in Thunderclan while Firestar was rebuilding Skyclan. I did like seeing what Graystripe got up to, but I did find it slightly odd that the Bloodclan conflict never got mentioned byanycharacter. Seems a bit like it was thrown in without any planning... but either way, this was a fun read!
January 14, 2022
Graystripe's Vow is a book with two stories, being told at the same time: the chapter "Then" about what happens among the Clans with Graystripe as leader while Firestar is on his quest and the chapter "Now" which is happening during the serie The Broken Code when Graystripe leaves to have a so called "wander", to think where his place is.
As it was reminded in some books, Graystripe made a promise to Firestar: He promised he will not leave Thunderclan, and yet, there he was, going to The Tribe of Rushing Water to visit his son, Stormfur.
After he payed the visit to his son, he decided to go to the Moonstone, back at the Clans' old territories to see if he might be able to speak to StarClan from there. There, he meets a strange cat that was asking about him. Stormfur told him that a cat asked a Tribe's patrol about him. And there he was, speaking with Graystripe. And the strange cat, appeared to tye Graystripe to another Vow made to a BloodClan cat, during the time when he was acting leader and Firestar gone.
Graystripe wasn't sure about his place in Thunderclan during the serie The Broken Code (the first books) and all his memories about the old forest and the time when he and Firestar were apprentices, made him wonder if he isn't useless now that the impostor turned each Clan against other, or even Clanmates!
The ideea of making to different chapters that fullfill each other in the end was something new, and unusual, but interesting at the same time. To my surprise, it wasn't hard to keep up with everything that happens, even if the years that split the memories, the adventures are far from little.
Graystripe was always there, in the first serie, the Phropecy Begin, but still not quite present. His life wasn't described very much, unless it had something to to with Firepaw (apprentice than, in the first two books from the first serie) or if it helped somehow to solve the actual problems. This book explains everything that we didn't get to know during Firestar' s Quest with Graystripe and the fact that convinced him he could still help the Clans during the Broken Code serie.
As it was reminded in some books, Graystripe made a promise to Firestar: He promised he will not leave Thunderclan, and yet, there he was, going to The Tribe of Rushing Water to visit his son, Stormfur.
After he payed the visit to his son, he decided to go to the Moonstone, back at the Clans' old territories to see if he might be able to speak to StarClan from there. There, he meets a strange cat that was asking about him. Stormfur told him that a cat asked a Tribe's patrol about him. And there he was, speaking with Graystripe. And the strange cat, appeared to tye Graystripe to another Vow made to a BloodClan cat, during the time when he was acting leader and Firestar gone.
Graystripe wasn't sure about his place in Thunderclan during the serie The Broken Code (the first books) and all his memories about the old forest and the time when he and Firestar were apprentices, made him wonder if he isn't useless now that the impostor turned each Clan against other, or even Clanmates!
The ideea of making to different chapters that fullfill each other in the end was something new, and unusual, but interesting at the same time. To my surprise, it wasn't hard to keep up with everything that happens, even if the years that split the memories, the adventures are far from little.
Graystripe was always there, in the first serie, the Phropecy Begin, but still not quite present. His life wasn't described very much, unless it had something to to with Firepaw (apprentice than, in the first two books from the first serie) or if it helped somehow to solve the actual problems. This book explains everything that we didn't get to know during Firestar' s Quest with Graystripe and the fact that convinced him he could still help the Clans during the Broken Code serie.
June 22, 2024
Low four stars. This book really surprised me!
I honestly wasn’t expecting much of this book when I went into rereading it. I even think I vaguely remember being bored the last time I read it. However, after finishing it, I’m pleasantly surprised to say that I really enjoyed it! This might be my favorite Warriors Super Edition to date.
The story flowed very well, and I thought the typical Warriors writing style worked much better than usual in this one. Weird as it sounds, the feel of the book really made it a quick read. I actually think the pacing was really nice in this one, probably because the Erins finally tried their hands at using flashbacks! Half of this book is told on the past, while the rest is in the present (Broken Code era). Both are told from Graystripe’s perspective, of course. The flashbacks are very contained, only occurring in specific chapters marked with ‘Then’. So no direct flashbacks mid ‘Now’ chapter. While I do still want to see the Erins try more typical, less contained flashbacks, I’m VERY glad we got the ones we did. Having another story from the past that tied into the present made both stories much stronger. I think it was a really good writing choice that’s very creative for the Erins. I REALLY hope they try more stuff like this in the future, even if it’s just in more super editions.
And that’s just the writing style. I thought the story was very strong in this one, too. In the present (Now), Graystripe’s logic for where and why he travels is unusually sound for Warriors. I thought the buildup to him leaving ThunderClan was done very well, and I liked that he split off from most of the other wanderers pretty quickly. Having that many characters traveling together would have shone light on their nonexistent personalities. I also appreciate that the Erins are trying to give some side characters personality. Flipclaw being a naive, goofy cat is pretty entertaining, and I really hope that his character traits don’t disappear immediately when we return to the main series... Giving Graystripe some time alone definitely contrasted the Then and Now stories very well, as did most of his visit for the old territories. I do feel like the Moonstone being destroyed, but then working fine in the manga afterward, was just annoying plot convenience, but it did set in motion one of my favorite parts of the story, so I guess I’ll let it slide. Speaking of one of my favorite parts, I loved how the Erins handled the old lady hoarding cats. Showing very clearly that she had some kind of memory loss and having even the cats treat her with compassion rather than hatred was a very mature way to handle that situation.
I did enjoy Then less than Now, but I think that was inevitable. We can’t have too high stakes when we already know everyone survives fine. That being said, I really liked the story. Aside from a few plot holes of cats being out of camp and in camp at the same time, it was written just as sharply as Now. Graystripe’s leadership struggles were well-written, and not-so-subtly set up what would happen in the next Broken Code book. (I have MANY issues with how that was handled, but that discussion is for another review) However, I did dislike what the story did with Ashfur. This goes back to what I’ve said in my Broken Code reviews: who would have ever thought or wanted MINOR VILLAIN Ashfur from Long Shadows to come back? To fix this, the Erins retconned his mostly nonexistent personality in an attempt to make it seem like he’s always been super evil and irredeemable. It just felt clumsy, and that definitely brought down my enjoyment of the ‘Then’ portion of the book.
Overall though, I really enjoyed the way the story flowed as a whole. None of Graystripe’s excursions in Now felt out of place or contrived, and getting to see the old territories again was a breath of fresh air after so many series by the lake. And I liked the idea of when Then took place; it makes the old territories timeline feel more lived in, if that makes sense.
Characters! The biggest one here is definitely Graystripe, but I’ll touch on a few minor characters first.
Getting to see Barley again was really nice. His conversations with Graystripe and his interactions with WarriorClan were very well-written. I’m glad we got to see him once more before he passed away.
Fang was fine. He was mostly a plot device rather than a character, but his motivations made sense, and I’m fine with having some side characters just be bland side characters.
Monkeystar, and the rest of WarriorClan, were adorable. This might be the most wholesome concept Warriors has ever come up with. I loved how we saw subtle growth from her by the end of the story, and it would be super cute to get a novella or graphic novel about Monkeystar in the future.
Flipclaw I already touched on, but I liked him a lot in this story. He’s a side character with a unique personality, and he doesn’t overstay his welcome. Well done, Warriors.
Gremlin was a pretty good character, too. She also functioned more as a plot device, and I could have done with her showing more of her personality in Then so Graystripe doesn’t have to tell us in Now, but overall she was pretty solid.
Shoutout to Fury for being the second female villain in Warriors. Like all Warriors villains, she’s pretty bland, but I just love her so much for being female that she gets a perfect grade in my book.
And Graystripe. He can get his own section since I have more thoughts on him. I was very skeptical about this book at first. We don’t normally get super editions about old territories cats that takes place in the present. I was worried the Erins would make Graystripe feel like just another cat, or turn him into a plot device only. But I was worried for nothing!
I’ll start with ‘Then’ to get it out of the way. He’s the same old Graystripe. He definitely feels more serious in this sections, but that’s likely because the situation is more immediately serious. His missing and hero worshipping of Firestar were both toned down and less annoying than in ‘Now’. I really liked seeing him struggle with leadership, and his relationship with Cinderpelt felt genuine and close. I think nowadays Warriors skims over leaders’ reliability on the medicine cats, and it was nice to have it back for half a book.
And finally, ‘Now.’ I loved how Graystripe was portrayed. He has some of those typical elder traits that Warriors shows us: reminiscing, telling stories, etc. However, getting his POV made us feel for him and understand how sad it is that he feels left behind. And his typical elder traits are supported by a compassionate, somewhat unserious, and fun-loving personality. He never feels like ‘just another cat’, like Riverstar did in his Super Edition. Graystripe always feels like Graystripe, and I think that’s a huge part of what makes this book feel so smooth and thought-out.
Overall, I am really impressed by this Super Edition. I hope Warriors writes more like this in the future.
I honestly wasn’t expecting much of this book when I went into rereading it. I even think I vaguely remember being bored the last time I read it. However, after finishing it, I’m pleasantly surprised to say that I really enjoyed it! This might be my favorite Warriors Super Edition to date.
The story flowed very well, and I thought the typical Warriors writing style worked much better than usual in this one. Weird as it sounds, the feel of the book really made it a quick read. I actually think the pacing was really nice in this one, probably because the Erins finally tried their hands at using flashbacks! Half of this book is told on the past, while the rest is in the present (Broken Code era). Both are told from Graystripe’s perspective, of course. The flashbacks are very contained, only occurring in specific chapters marked with ‘Then’. So no direct flashbacks mid ‘Now’ chapter. While I do still want to see the Erins try more typical, less contained flashbacks, I’m VERY glad we got the ones we did. Having another story from the past that tied into the present made both stories much stronger. I think it was a really good writing choice that’s very creative for the Erins. I REALLY hope they try more stuff like this in the future, even if it’s just in more super editions.
And that’s just the writing style. I thought the story was very strong in this one, too. In the present (Now), Graystripe’s logic for where and why he travels is unusually sound for Warriors. I thought the buildup to him leaving ThunderClan was done very well, and I liked that he split off from most of the other wanderers pretty quickly. Having that many characters traveling together would have shone light on their nonexistent personalities. I also appreciate that the Erins are trying to give some side characters personality. Flipclaw being a naive, goofy cat is pretty entertaining, and I really hope that his character traits don’t disappear immediately when we return to the main series... Giving Graystripe some time alone definitely contrasted the Then and Now stories very well, as did most of his visit for the old territories. I do feel like the Moonstone being destroyed, but then working fine in the manga afterward, was just annoying plot convenience, but it did set in motion one of my favorite parts of the story, so I guess I’ll let it slide. Speaking of one of my favorite parts, I loved how the Erins handled the old lady hoarding cats. Showing very clearly that she had some kind of memory loss and having even the cats treat her with compassion rather than hatred was a very mature way to handle that situation.
I did enjoy Then less than Now, but I think that was inevitable. We can’t have too high stakes when we already know everyone survives fine. That being said, I really liked the story. Aside from a few plot holes of cats being out of camp and in camp at the same time, it was written just as sharply as Now. Graystripe’s leadership struggles were well-written, and not-so-subtly set up what would happen in the next Broken Code book. (I have MANY issues with how that was handled, but that discussion is for another review) However, I did dislike what the story did with Ashfur. This goes back to what I’ve said in my Broken Code reviews: who would have ever thought or wanted MINOR VILLAIN Ashfur from Long Shadows to come back? To fix this, the Erins retconned his mostly nonexistent personality in an attempt to make it seem like he’s always been super evil and irredeemable. It just felt clumsy, and that definitely brought down my enjoyment of the ‘Then’ portion of the book.
Overall though, I really enjoyed the way the story flowed as a whole. None of Graystripe’s excursions in Now felt out of place or contrived, and getting to see the old territories again was a breath of fresh air after so many series by the lake. And I liked the idea of when Then took place; it makes the old territories timeline feel more lived in, if that makes sense.
Characters! The biggest one here is definitely Graystripe, but I’ll touch on a few minor characters first.
Getting to see Barley again was really nice. His conversations with Graystripe and his interactions with WarriorClan were very well-written. I’m glad we got to see him once more before he passed away.
Fang was fine. He was mostly a plot device rather than a character, but his motivations made sense, and I’m fine with having some side characters just be bland side characters.
Monkeystar, and the rest of WarriorClan, were adorable. This might be the most wholesome concept Warriors has ever come up with. I loved how we saw subtle growth from her by the end of the story, and it would be super cute to get a novella or graphic novel about Monkeystar in the future.
Flipclaw I already touched on, but I liked him a lot in this story. He’s a side character with a unique personality, and he doesn’t overstay his welcome. Well done, Warriors.
Gremlin was a pretty good character, too. She also functioned more as a plot device, and I could have done with her showing more of her personality in Then so Graystripe doesn’t have to tell us in Now, but overall she was pretty solid.
Shoutout to Fury for being the second female villain in Warriors. Like all Warriors villains, she’s pretty bland, but I just love her so much for being female that she gets a perfect grade in my book.
And Graystripe. He can get his own section since I have more thoughts on him. I was very skeptical about this book at first. We don’t normally get super editions about old territories cats that takes place in the present. I was worried the Erins would make Graystripe feel like just another cat, or turn him into a plot device only. But I was worried for nothing!
I’ll start with ‘Then’ to get it out of the way. He’s the same old Graystripe. He definitely feels more serious in this sections, but that’s likely because the situation is more immediately serious. His missing and hero worshipping of Firestar were both toned down and less annoying than in ‘Now’. I really liked seeing him struggle with leadership, and his relationship with Cinderpelt felt genuine and close. I think nowadays Warriors skims over leaders’ reliability on the medicine cats, and it was nice to have it back for half a book.
And finally, ‘Now.’ I loved how Graystripe was portrayed. He has some of those typical elder traits that Warriors shows us: reminiscing, telling stories, etc. However, getting his POV made us feel for him and understand how sad it is that he feels left behind. And his typical elder traits are supported by a compassionate, somewhat unserious, and fun-loving personality. He never feels like ‘just another cat’, like Riverstar did in his Super Edition. Graystripe always feels like Graystripe, and I think that’s a huge part of what makes this book feel so smooth and thought-out.
Overall, I am really impressed by this Super Edition. I hope Warriors writes more like this in the future.
March 30, 2023
I adored this book. I love Graystripe, he is one of my favourite original Warrior characters. I usually hate books that skip between past and present but I didn't mind it in this one.
The journey wasn't boring, the new characters introduced were interesting, it was nice seeing Stormfur and Barley again and the story was overall really, really good. I just hope that we see the new characters again and that they are not forgotten because they live so far away from the lake.
I love that part of it focused on people with Alzheimer's hoarding animals, I didn't expect that at all.
The journey wasn't boring, the new characters introduced were interesting, it was nice seeing Stormfur and Barley again and the story was overall really, really good. I just hope that we see the new characters again and that they are not forgotten because they live so far away from the lake.
I love that part of it focused on people with Alzheimer's hoarding animals, I didn't expect that at all.
March 19, 2022
So, I might have just found the best super edition in the whole Warriors series.
Greystripe's Vow is a markedly different book to the majority of Warrior books - it's far less driven by action and plot (though there is some good battling, of course!), instead taking an introspective role and a slower pace. And you know what? It'sfantastic.Greystripe's character was so well-defined throughout the course of the book and his internal journey was heartwarming to read through. I find myself wishing Greystripe would go on more adventures just so I could keep reading his internal dialogue!
Normally, I try to keep my reviews spoiler-free, but there are a couple of things I wanted to mention - so stop reading if you haven't read the book yet!
So, first of all - the old lady with (presumably) dementia. Oh lord, my poor heart. I came so close to crying when the ambulance came and took her away! At first, the story leads you to believe it must be some awful negligent person (which we've encountered in the series in the past), but when you figure out it's an old lady who keeps bringing cats in because she thinks they're all her cat Petunia... have a box of tissues next to you, just in case. I am so glad they managed to escape without harming her or with her watching, because that would have been so much more heartbreaking. I'm really glad the Erins included this whole section. Also: I believe it contains our first mention of a mobile phone, when the postman calls the ambulance! I may be wrong, but I don't recall any Twoleg specifically using a phone before this point.
Also, I LOVED it when the moonstone got destroyed. It was completely unexpected but makes so much sense in hindsight. OfcourseGreystripe wasn't going to suddenly get all the answers from StarClan from his adventure - it wouldn't make the last two books of The Broken Code very exciting! It really did shatter any connection the clans might have had with their old home in a symbolic way. I was surprised to hear that RiverClan's territory was still mostly intact - honestly, I expected Greystripe to visit Silverstream's grave for the last time, and was surprised when he didn't even think of it. I would have liked to see that.
There's a lot more to talk about - like Barley (bless his soul, I'll miss him) and WarriorClan (I really want to see more of them!) - but I think I'll leave it here. All this is to say - Greystripe's Vow was absolutely incredible and is definitely worth the read.
Greystripe's Vow is a markedly different book to the majority of Warrior books - it's far less driven by action and plot (though there is some good battling, of course!), instead taking an introspective role and a slower pace. And you know what? It'sfantastic.Greystripe's character was so well-defined throughout the course of the book and his internal journey was heartwarming to read through. I find myself wishing Greystripe would go on more adventures just so I could keep reading his internal dialogue!
Normally, I try to keep my reviews spoiler-free, but there are a couple of things I wanted to mention - so stop reading if you haven't read the book yet!
So, first of all - the old lady with (presumably) dementia. Oh lord, my poor heart. I came so close to crying when the ambulance came and took her away! At first, the story leads you to believe it must be some awful negligent person (which we've encountered in the series in the past), but when you figure out it's an old lady who keeps bringing cats in because she thinks they're all her cat Petunia... have a box of tissues next to you, just in case. I am so glad they managed to escape without harming her or with her watching, because that would have been so much more heartbreaking. I'm really glad the Erins included this whole section. Also: I believe it contains our first mention of a mobile phone, when the postman calls the ambulance! I may be wrong, but I don't recall any Twoleg specifically using a phone before this point.
Also, I LOVED it when the moonstone got destroyed. It was completely unexpected but makes so much sense in hindsight. OfcourseGreystripe wasn't going to suddenly get all the answers from StarClan from his adventure - it wouldn't make the last two books of The Broken Code very exciting! It really did shatter any connection the clans might have had with their old home in a symbolic way. I was surprised to hear that RiverClan's territory was still mostly intact - honestly, I expected Greystripe to visit Silverstream's grave for the last time, and was surprised when he didn't even think of it. I would have liked to see that.
There's a lot more to talk about - like Barley (bless his soul, I'll miss him) and WarriorClan (I really want to see more of them!) - but I think I'll leave it here. All this is to say - Greystripe's Vow was absolutely incredible and is definitely worth the read.
July 12, 2022
Rating: 8 out of 10
I am going to split this review into two parts: Then and Now. This is because the book's chapters are split between then and now. This is an original style that I think works quite well.
THEN:
I enjoyed learning about what Graystripe got up to while Firestar was gone, especially as I had just finished reading Firestar's Quest. I think reading it in this order helped me appreciate these chapters more. I also liked that Bloodclan came back, as this added lots of drama and intrigue. It was nice to see that a she-cat could be fierce like a tom (You go, Fury!). I think that the climax of the Then part should've been put a little later in the story, as it happened quite early.
Graystripe was an interesting protagonist. I didn't like him that much in the original series, but this book redeemed him for me.
NOW:
At first when Graystripe was an elder in the Thunderclan camp, I did not think that this book would be that interesting. But when he left to wander, it became a lot more entertaining.
I enjoyed how he went to visit the tribe again and even though Stormfur is not usually an appealing character to me, I did quite like him in this book. I think his kits with Brook are adorable!:) Aaah, so cute. And another thing that was very cute was Warriorclan, a bunch of kittypets who lived on the old forest territories. I just wish that Graystripe would stop thinking about Firestar.
The climax felt sort of drawn-out, but I think it worked that way. It was entertaining and I felt like it ended the book well. I was so happy to see that most of the kittypets who escaped joined Warriorclan and it was so cute to see Monkeystar try to control them.
Overall, definitely a satisfying read. I do prefer the Now chapters, but they both work well together to form an entertaining story. Highly recommended for Warrior Cats fans!:)
I am going to split this review into two parts: Then and Now. This is because the book's chapters are split between then and now. This is an original style that I think works quite well.
THEN:
I enjoyed learning about what Graystripe got up to while Firestar was gone, especially as I had just finished reading Firestar's Quest. I think reading it in this order helped me appreciate these chapters more. I also liked that Bloodclan came back, as this added lots of drama and intrigue. It was nice to see that a she-cat could be fierce like a tom (You go, Fury!). I think that the climax of the Then part should've been put a little later in the story, as it happened quite early.
Graystripe was an interesting protagonist. I didn't like him that much in the original series, but this book redeemed him for me.
NOW:
At first when Graystripe was an elder in the Thunderclan camp, I did not think that this book would be that interesting. But when he left to wander, it became a lot more entertaining.
I enjoyed how he went to visit the tribe again and even though Stormfur is not usually an appealing character to me, I did quite like him in this book. I think his kits with Brook are adorable!:) Aaah, so cute. And another thing that was very cute was Warriorclan, a bunch of kittypets who lived on the old forest territories. I just wish that Graystripe would stop thinking about Firestar.
The climax felt sort of drawn-out, but I think it worked that way. It was entertaining and I felt like it ended the book well. I was so happy to see that most of the kittypets who escaped joined Warriorclan and it was so cute to see Monkeystar try to control them.
Overall, definitely a satisfying read. I do prefer the Now chapters, but they both work well together to form an entertaining story. Highly recommended for Warrior Cats fans!:)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2020
I adore this book so much!!!
It started with Graystripe leaving his clan and going to see stormfur. I enjoyed seeing his familiar face and Brook and their family.
Next we get to see the old territory in WARRIORCLAN. Gosh I love them they’re so fun and goofy. I adore Monkeystar and Fang and the gang. Their dynamic was so great with Graystripe it made me super happy. Although I love Monkeystar I have to say I’m Team Fang. I loved his character so much. Next is the section of the story that absolutely CRUSHED MY HEART AND SOUL. Were the kittypets that were trapped in their house. Their owner couldn’t take care of them and it brought tears to my eyes. PETUNIA she cared about their two leg so much. I loved seeing her come to term with herself.
The next thing I have to talk about is BARLEY. God I missed that old cat. I truly was ugly sobbing at these chapters. He was grieving for his old boyfriend and I miss Ravenpaw as well. I loved Graystripe and Barleys relationship and chemistry.
The past chapters where we visited our old friends. SO MUCH NOSTALGIA. I love gremlin I want to know more about her. I loved seeing these familiar faces.
The manga at the end was so heartfelt and had meaning. Probably my favorite super edition manga.
TLDR: this may be my new favorite super edition and I adored the nostalgia
It started with Graystripe leaving his clan and going to see stormfur. I enjoyed seeing his familiar face and Brook and their family.
Next we get to see the old territory in WARRIORCLAN. Gosh I love them they’re so fun and goofy. I adore Monkeystar and Fang and the gang. Their dynamic was so great with Graystripe it made me super happy. Although I love Monkeystar I have to say I’m Team Fang. I loved his character so much. Next is the section of the story that absolutely CRUSHED MY HEART AND SOUL. Were the kittypets that were trapped in their house. Their owner couldn’t take care of them and it brought tears to my eyes. PETUNIA she cared about their two leg so much. I loved seeing her come to term with herself.
The next thing I have to talk about is BARLEY. God I missed that old cat. I truly was ugly sobbing at these chapters. He was grieving for his old boyfriend and I miss Ravenpaw as well. I loved Graystripe and Barleys relationship and chemistry.
The past chapters where we visited our old friends. SO MUCH NOSTALGIA. I love gremlin I want to know more about her. I loved seeing these familiar faces.
The manga at the end was so heartfelt and had meaning. Probably my favorite super edition manga.
TLDR: this may be my new favorite super edition and I adored the nostalgia
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2022
Graystripe was never my favorite of characters, but, other than a few inconsistencies, I really liked this book.
I particularly liked the whole WarriorClan subplot and I hope that they survive and show up in future books. Other than that though, I mostly preferred the chapters that described Graystripe's experiences as a deputy when Firestar and Sandstorm went to rebuild SkyClan. I also appreciated that this wasn't a completed ending in the sense that Graystripe didn't fix the Clans' inability to connect with StarClan.
Overall, while this isn't my favorite of the Super Editions I still really enjoyed it and am glad Graystripe had a book dedicated to his story.
I particularly liked the whole WarriorClan subplot and I hope that they survive and show up in future books. Other than that though, I mostly preferred the chapters that described Graystripe's experiences as a deputy when Firestar and Sandstorm went to rebuild SkyClan. I also appreciated that this wasn't a completed ending in the sense that Graystripe didn't fix the Clans' inability to connect with StarClan.
Overall, while this isn't my favorite of the Super Editions I still really enjoyed it and am glad Graystripe had a book dedicated to his story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2022
This was a pretty good book overall!
I liked the fact that it flipped between the past and the present which made it interesting although sometimes rather confusing as I couldn't remember what had happened last in each time period.
A lot of this book seemed to be filler, the plot could have been written in the same number of pages as the average warriors book: 300. The WarriorClan cats were cute however and I enjoyed reading about them.
I liked the fact that it flipped between the past and the present which made it interesting although sometimes rather confusing as I couldn't remember what had happened last in each time period.
A lot of this book seemed to be filler, the plot could have been written in the same number of pages as the average warriors book: 300. The WarriorClan cats were cute however and I enjoyed reading about them.
October 2, 2022
I’m surprised they waited so long to give gray stripe a book but it turned out very nice. I like that it introduced new characters, because most books are afraid to do that since there are already so many characters. I’m glad they showed what happened to the Moonstone, and that some of the old territory does exist. I think that it is hilarious that Smudge is the one to keep the clan legacy alive. I really liked all of the good humor and fun that Graustripe was and is in the warriors books.
October 19, 2023
graystripe has always been one of my favorite characters- i looooove this book how it goes back and forth from past to present, especially giving a viewpoint of an elder who still has much to give to his clan
July 22, 2022
It was so good to see how the old first how became to know if the moonstone survived.
June 23, 2024
6.57 on CAWPILE
This was fun, nice to get a chance to see what happened in the old forest and what things occurred in the time away.
This was fun, nice to get a chance to see what happened in the old forest and what things occurred in the time away.
May 29, 2024
Although the switching between timelines was a bit confusing, honestly one of the best books I've read from the warrior cats series in awhile
October 14, 2022
Tells wc stories we've not heard yet, and shows us more about Graystripe in general. Made me understand his point of view in some situations ^^ The language is simple as in most of the wc books so it's also good for begginers
September 4, 2020
Fantastic book! Like Graystripe, I was quite nostalgic for the old forest and some of the TPB cats.
September 2, 2020
Such a wonderfully sweet book, my eyes pricked with tears at times. Erin Hunter did Graystripe great justice with this book. It was great to look back on old cats, and I really enjoyed the quest back to the old forest.
September 5, 2020
I see a book about a favorite cat from the OG series, I read it.
I read it in just under two days.
Heckin' record right there.
I read it in just under two days.
Heckin' record right there.
October 14, 2020
I was somewhat excited for this book to come out. Usually I love the super editions. I couldn’t finish the Squirrelflight one and this one was like pulling teeth to finish. While it was neat to see familiar faces, the duel storyline was patchy at best and slow as molasses. Why not just call warrior clan skyclan 3.0. There wasn’t much different in their tactics and home life. If I could give this book a zero I would. I’m loving the Broken Code series and can’t wait for the next, but this book,....sadly you could pass it I. The series and you wouldn’t have missed much. I only finished because I’ve read all of the books and mangas. trust me, loyal readers of the series, there’s not much excitement or anything worth reading. The whole Graystripe/Bloodclan battle was so staged and built up that it was such a let down when I finically read the “battle.” Pass on this book, you’ll thank me for it.
March 16, 2021
This book had so much wasted potential. Due to the chapters taking place in the past, this book could have made parallels between Squirrelflight and Graystripe's time as leaders and shown Graystripe helping Squirrelflight. However, this book just throws it all out the window and goes; "hey, we TOTALLY need another travelling book!"
The travelling segments in this book were very boring in my opinion, and the return to the old territories was boring as well. The only memorable parts about the present chapters were the scenes involving WarriorClan in my opinion.
So yeah. In the end, I'd honestly recommend skipping this book, unless you really like Graystripe (and if that's the case, just go read the Graystripe Manga; it's way better).
The travelling segments in this book were very boring in my opinion, and the return to the old territories was boring as well. The only memorable parts about the present chapters were the scenes involving WarriorClan in my opinion.
So yeah. In the end, I'd honestly recommend skipping this book, unless you really like Graystripe (and if that's the case, just go read the Graystripe Manga; it's way better).
December 29, 2020
Worst super edition yet; extremely bland and boring. It could have been at least 100 pages shorter and nothing would've changed. Can they please just let Graystripe die already? I'm sick of the original series characters and unsure why the Erins love the boring characters like him when we have Tree (who can literally talk to and see ghosts) and Squirrelflight. And because I've seen other comments talking about this, the authors have no control over what goes into the books. A team of editors comes up with the plots. Kate Cary is basically a ghost writer who has no control over anything anymore.
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