Warrior's Return

Last updated
Warrior's Return
Cover of Warrior's Return.jpg
First edition cover, showing Graystripe and Millie.
Author Erin Hunter
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Series Warriors
Genre Children's, Fantasy novel
Publisher HarperCollins and Tokyopop
Publication date
22 April 2008
Media typePrint (Paperback)
Pages112
Preceded by Warrior's Refuge  

Warrior's Return is an original English-language manga volume written by Erin Hunter as part of the Warriors series. It is the third and final in a trilogy following Graystripe, a fictional wild cat trying to find his Clan. It was released on 22 April 2008. It is drawn by James L. Barry.

Contents

Publication history

The three-part Graystripe manga series was announced as the first part of a partnership between Tokyopop and HarperCollins. [1] Erin Hunter and Dan Jolley would write the stories and James L. Barry would illustrate it. [2] After the release of The Lost Warrior and Warrior's Refuge , focus turned to the third volume. On the Warriors website, an excerpt was released, but was later removed. [3] Warrior’s Return was released as a paperback on 22 April 2008, [2] the same day Outcast was released, a novel in the Warriors: Power of Three series. [4] To promote these two stories, Erin Hunter went on tour in the US. She visited several bookstores across the states. [5] Warrior’s Return was also published in the UK [6] and Canada. [7] At the back of Warrior's Return were promotions for The Rise of Scourge , Cats of the Clans, Secrets of the Clans, and Firestar's Quest , all from the Warriors series, and The Quest Begins, from the Seekers series. [8]

Story

Setting

The cats from the Warriors series live separated as four Clans (called ThunderClan, WindClan, RiverClan, and ShadowClan). They believe in StarClan (ancestors who sometimes give them advice and prophecies). [9] Humans, called Twolegs by the cats, are a threat. [10] Graystripe, the focal point of the manga trilogy, is a cat from ThunderClan. During the events of Dawn , he is captured by Twolegs. [11] The Graystripe trilogy has followed him as he tries to find his Clan. He has a traveling partner, Millie, a former kittypet (domestic cat) that has joined him. [12]

Plot

Warrior's Return picks up from the previous volume, with Graystripe and Millie just having found the ruined ThunderClan camp. The duo leave it behind and find Ravenpaw (a former Clan cat) and Barley, loners introduced earlier in the series. Ravenpaw and Barley help them continue their quest to find the Clans before returning to their barn. Graystripe and Millie plan to go to the sun-drown-place (Atlantic Ocean), which was where Ravenpaw told them the Clans had planned to go.

On their travels, a fight emerges between Graystripe and Millie about how much help they can accept from Twolegs. At a gas station, Graystripe is hit by a car, and is nursed back to health by Millie and Diesel, a loner who lives by the gas station. As Graystripe recovers, he tries to confess that he is sorry to Millie, though Diesel gets in the way. Millie tells Graystripe that the fastest way of getting to the ocean (where they will find the Clans) is by a truck, which forces him to make a choice; to use Twolegs to help him find his Clan and go against the warrior code, or take longer to find his Clan. The duo decide to use the truck to get to the Clans. The volume concludes with Graystripe and Millie finding the Clans and Graystripe apologizing to Millie and also asking her to be his new mate. When Graystripe and Millie see the Clans in the middle of a Gathering, Firestar welcomes Graystripe and Graystripe introduces Millie.

Characters

Critical reception

A review by School Library Journal praised the drawing that "captures the cats' expressive faces, action-packed battle scenes, and familiar surroundings as these animals travel through the realm of the Twolegs and recommended the book for "reluctant readers, manga fans, or "Warriors" enthusiasts". [13] Booklist felt that the first two chapters would be confusing for new readers, but would still be able to understand what is going on after reading through the book. [14]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Warriors</i> (novel series) Series of juvenile fantasy novels

Warriors is a series of novels based on the adventures and drama of multiple Clans of feral cats. The series is primarily set in fictional forests. Published by HarperCollins, the series is written by authors Kate Cary and Cherith Baldry, as well as others, under the collective pseudonym Erin Hunter. The concept and plot of the pilot series were developed by series editor, Victoria Holmes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Jolley</span> American novelist and comic book writer

Dan Jolley is an American novelist and comic book writer. His comics work includes DC Comics' Firestorm and Graphic Universe's Twisted Journeys, a series of interactive fiction or gamebooks in graphic novel form, and his novel work includes the young-adult science fiction espionage series Alex Unlimited along with his international best selling novel, The Gray Widow's Walk, which is his first book in the Gray Widow trilogy that he publishes through Seventh Star Press. He created the comic book character Jason Rusch with ChrisCross.

<i>Into the Wild</i> (novel) 2003 novel by a team with the pseudonym Erin Hunter

Into the Wild is a fantasy novel about the lives of fictional cats, written by a team of authors using the pseudonym Erin Hunter. The novel was published by HarperCollins in Canada and the United States in January 2003, and in the United Kingdom in February 2003. It is the first novel in the Warriors series. The book has been published in paperback and e-book formats in twenty different languages. The story is about a young domestic cat named Rusty who leaves his human owners to join a group of forest-dwelling feral cats called ThunderClan, adopting a new name: Firepaw. He is trained to defend and hunt for the clan, becomes embroiled in a murder and betrayal within the clan, and, at the end of the book, receives his warrior name, Fireheart, after a battle with another clan. The novel is written from the perspective of Fireheart.

<i>Fire and Ice</i> (Hunter novel) 2003 novel by Erin Hunter

Fire and Ice is a children's fantasy novel, the second book in the Warriors series, written by Kate Cary under the pen name of Erin Hunter. The plot centers around Fireheart and Graystripe, newly promoted warriors of ThunderClan, which is one of the four groups of feral cats living in the wilderness. Fireheart learns that his best friend Graystripe has fallen in love with Silverstream, a warrior from RiverClan, even though it is against the cats' "warrior code".

<i>Forest of Secrets</i> 2003 novel by Erin Hunter

Forest of Secrets is a children's fantasy novel, the third book in the original Warriors series, written by Cherith Baldry under the pen name of Erin Hunter. The plot is about Fireheart, a ThunderClan warrior, attempting to prevent his best friend Graystripe from falling in love with Silverstream, whom Graystripe is not allowed to fall in love with. Silverstream later dies giving birth to Graystripe's kits. When RiverClan claims the kits, Graystripe makes the difficult decision to join RiverClan. Fireheart also becomes deputy after Tigerclaw, the deputy, attempts to kill the leader, Bluestar. The main theme of the book is forbidden love. Forest of Secrets takes place in a fictional forest based on many natural locations.

<i>The Darkest Hour</i> (novel) 2004 novel by Erin Hunter

The Darkest Hour is a children's fantasy novel, the sixth and last book in the original Warriors series by Erin Hunter, featuring the fictional character Firestar, a cat. The series revolves around a group of wild cats living in four Clans, ThunderClan, RiverClan, WindClan, and ShadowClan. It was published on 1 October 2004, by HarperCollins. The story chronicles the events directly after A Dangerous Path and leads to the final battle for the forest.

<i>Sunset</i> (novel) 2006 novel by Erin Hunter

Sunset is a fantasy novel, the sixth and final book in Erin Hunter's Warriors: The New Prophecy series. The book begins with the group of cats known as ThunderClan rebuilding its camp with the help of its old friends Stormfur and Brook following a badger attack in Twilight. As the book progresses, Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight overcome a previous conflict and fall in love again, but Brambleclaw continues to visit the spirit of his evil father Tigerstar in his dreams. Brambleclaw manages to convince ThunderClan leader Firestar to choose a new deputy to replace the long missing Graystripe and is surprised when he is chosen. Brambleclaw's half-brother Hawkfrost attempts to kill Firestar in order that Brambleclaw might become leader of ThunderClan, but Brambleclaw saves Firestar and kills Hawkfrost, fulfilling the prophecy "Before there is peace, blood will spill blood and the lake will run red".

<i>The Sight</i> (Hunter novel) 2007 novel by Erin Hunter

The Sight is a children's fantasy novel. It was released on 24 April 2007, and it is the first installment of the Warriors: Power of Three series by Erin Hunter. The book was recommended as Children's Summer Reading by the Washington Post Children's Book Club.

<i>The Lost Warrior</i> (comics) 2007 OEL manga by Erin Hunter

The Lost Warrior is the first in an original English-language manga trilogy based on the best-selling book series Warriors by Erin Hunter. The manga was published by the distributor Tokyopop, and was released on 24 April 2007. It follows Graystripe's adventures trying to escape from the Twolegs, who have taken him in as their kittypet. It is drawn by James L. Barry.

<i>Warriors Refuge</i> 2007 OEL manga by Erin Hunter

Warrior’s Refuge is the second in an original English-language manga trilogy based on the best-selling book series Warriors by Erin Hunter. The manga was published by the distributor Tokyopop, and was released on 26 December 2007 along with Dark River, the second book in Warriors: Power of Three. It follows Graystripe and Millie as they journey to find ThunderClan. It is drawn by James L. Barry.

<i>Firestars Quest</i> 2007 novel by Erin Hunter

Firestar's Quest is a volume in the Warriors novel series by Erin Hunter.

<i>Cats of the Clans</i> 2008 book by Erin Hunter

Cats of the Clans is a field guide in the Warriors novel series. The novel itself consists of biographical details and paintings of the most notable cats. The information is given the form of stories told to three StarClan kittens. The narrator is Rock, a mysterious hairless blind cat.

Shattered Peace is one in a series of OEL manga in the novel series Warriors. The book was published by Tokyopop and released on 24 November 2009. It follows the story of two cats who are thrown out of their home by a group of hostile cats. It is illustrated by James L. Barry.

<i>A Clan in Need</i> 2010 OEL manga by Erin Hunter

A Clan in Need is one of three entries in a spin-off original English-language manga series based on the Warriors novel series. The book was published by Tokyopop on 23 March 2010 and drawn by James L. Barry under the pen name Erin Hunter.

<i>The Heart of a Warrior</i> 2010 OEL manga by Erin Hunter

The Heart of a Warrior is the third book in the Ravenpaw's Path series of original English-language manga. It focuses on Firestar's promise to get rid of the rogues that are living in Ravenpaw and Barley's barn. The book came out on 3 August 2010 and was published by Tokyopop. It was published under the pen name Erin Hunter, was written by Dan Jolley, and was drawn by James L. Barry.

James L. Barry is an American comic artist best known for his work on the Warriors manga series through Tokyopop. He has also done online comics, such as The Lost Horn, Lost Marbles, The Last Prophet, Punzel, Your Fun-Packed Rapture Guide, and Rabid Rabbit. He has also exhibited art in New York's Museum of Comic and Cartooning Art.

<i>Warriors: The New Prophecy</i> Second arc in the Warriors series

Warriors: The New Prophecy is the second arc in the Warriors juvenile fantasy novel series about cats, who live in four established clans and follow a code to keep the peace between them from breaking apart completely. The arc comprises six novels which were published from 2005 to 2006: Midnight, Moonrise, Dawn, Starlight, Twilight, and Sunset. The novels are published by HarperCollins under the pseudonym Erin Hunter, which refers to authors Kate Cary and Cherith Baldry and plot developer/editor Victoria Holmes. The New Prophecy details the Clans' journey to a new home when humans destroy their original territories. The arc's major themes deal with forbidden love, the concept of nature versus nurture, and characters being a mix of good and bad. Though the novels have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List and have been nominated for several awards, none of the novels in Warriors: The New Prophecy has won a significant literary award.

<i>Warriors: Omen of the Stars</i> Fourth arc in the Warriors series

Warriors: Omen of the Stars is the fourth arc in the Warriors juvenile fantasy novel series about feral cats who live in Clans. It is made up of six novels published by HarperCollins from 2009 to 2012: The Fourth Apprentice, Fading Echoes, Night Whispers, Sign of the Moon, The Forgotten Warrior, and The Last Hope. The novels were written by Erin Hunter, a pseudonym that refers to authors Kate Cary, Cherith Baldry, and Tui Sutherland, as well as plot developer and editor Victoria Holmes. Omen of the Stars details the experiences of Jayfeather, Lionblaze, and Dovewing, who, as part of a prophecy, have special powers. The arc's themes deal with forbidden love and the effect that being different can have on relationships. Though the Warriors series has appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list, none of the novels in Warriors: Omen of the Stars have won a significant literary award.

Warriors: The Prophecies Begin, originally known as Warriors, is the first story arc in the Warriors juvenile fantasy novel series about feral cats. The arc comprises six novels which were published from 2003 to 2004: Into the Wild, Fire and Ice, Forest of Secrets, Rising Storm, A Dangerous Path, and The Darkest Hour. The novels are published by HarperCollins under the pseudonym Erin Hunter, which refers to authors Kate Cary and Cherith Baldry and plot developer/editor Victoria Holmes. The sub-series details the adventures of the housecat Rusty, who joins ThunderClan, one of four Clans of feral cats living in a forest which adjoins the human town in which he originally lives. The arc's major themes deal with forbidden love, the concept of nature versus nurture, and characters being a mix of good and evil. Though the novels have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List and have been nominated for several awards, none of the novels in the Warriors sub-series have won a significant literary award.

References

  1. "Tokyopop and HarperCollins Set to Bring Erin Hunter's Bestselling Children's Series to Manga Format". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  2. 1 2 Hunter, Erin (22 April 2008). Warriors: Warrior's Return (Warriors) (Paperback). Harper Collins. ISBN   978-0061252334.
  3. "WARRIORS: Manga: Warrior's Return". www.warriorcats. Archived from the original on 2008-05-17. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  4. Hunter, Erin (22 April 2008). Outcast (Warriors: Power of Three, Book 3) (Hardcover). Harper Collins. ISBN   978-0060892081.
  5. "Spring 2008 Tour Schedule". www.warriorcats. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  6. Warrior's Return (Warriors (TokyoPop)) (Paperback). ASIN   0061252336.
  7. Warrior's Return (Paperback). ASIN   0061252336.
  8. Hunter, Erin (2008). Warrior's Return. HarperCollins. ISBN   978-0-06-125233-4.
  9. Hunter, Erin (2003). Into the Wild . HarperCollins. ISBN   978-0-06-000002-8.
  10. Hunter, Erin (2004). Rising Storm . HarperCollins. ISBN   978-0-06-052563-7.
  11. Hunter, Erin (2005). Dawn . HarperCollins. ISBN   978-0-06-074457-1.
  12. Hunter, Erin (2007). The Lost Warrior . HarperCollins. ISBN   978-0-06-124020-1.
  13. Pongkhamsing, Mari (May 1, 2009). "Jolley, Dan. Warrior's Return.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Book review)". AccessMyLibrary. School Library Journal. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
  14. "Reviews :Warrior's return Beta". catalog.dclibrary.org. Retrieved 30 October 2010.