Warriors (book series)

Warriors is a series of fantasy fiction books written by Erin Hunter (a fake name that consists of five people: Victoria Holmes, Kate Cary, Cherith Baldry, Tui T. Sutherland, and Dan Jolley). The series is about the adventures of wild cats as they try to survive in their forest homes. The cats call themselves warriors. The series is made up of eight mini-series with six books in each series.

Seven field guides were also released. They give more information about the cats and their history. Seventeen "Super Edition" books have been released, with one more announced to be released in 2025. These books are double the length of the normal books. Seventeen manga books have been released. These are comics that tell short stories not seen in the main books. There have also been many short stories.

The series focuses on five groups of cats that live in Clans, and their lives. They live by a set of rules called the warrior code. Each mini-series focuses on different characters.

Setting and characters

The first mini-series centers around Rusty, a kittypet (housecat) who joins ThunderClan, and eventually becomes leader of it. The second mini-series focuses on the cats finding a new home after their old home was destroyed by Twolegs (humans). The third mini-series focuses on several cats who were born with special powers. The fourth mini-series focuses on two sisters, who work together to fight the ghosts of evil cats. The fifth mini-series shows how the Clans were created. The sixth mini-series focuses on the Clans trying to bring a new Clan to live with them, while fighting an evil group of rogues (stray cats). The seventh mini-series focuses on the Clans trying to defeat an evil ghost who has possessed ThunderClan's leader. The eighth mini-series focuses on the Clans remaking the code they live by.

The cats live in five groups called Clans: ThunderClan, RiverClan, WindClan, ShadowClan, and SkyClan. When Clan cats die, they go to StarClan (Heaven) or the Dark Forest/Place of No Stars (Hell). The first mini-series, the first two books of the second mini-series, and the fifth mini-series are set in a forest that the authors have said was based on the New Forest area of England. The rest of the second mini-series and the third, fourth, sixth, seventh, and eighth mini-series are set in a different forest that surrounds a lake.

The cats have a system of leadership that uses multiple role titles. The highest position is the Clan leader, and their assistant is called the deputy. The cats who heal the Clan with special plants are called medicine cats. Normal Clan cats are called warriors. Young cats in training to become a warrior or a medicine cat are called apprentices. Kittens are called kits. Old cats who have retired from their jobs are called elders. Cats who don't live in the Clans are called loners or rogues, and cats who live with humans are called kittypets.

Warriors book list

Warriors: The Prophecies Begin (2003-2004)

The first mini-series is about the young kitten Rusty, who is later renamed Firestar. He rises to become the leader of ThunderClan.

The books in the Warriors: The Prophecies Begin series are:

• Book 1: Into the Wild
• Book 2: Fire and Ice
• Book 3: Forest of Secrets
• Book 4: Rising Storm
• Book 5: A Dangerous Path
• Book 6: The Darkest Hour

Warriors: The New Prophecy (2005-2006)

The second mini-series is about several cats - Brambleclaw, Squirrelflight, Crowfeather, Tawnypelt, Feathertail, Stormfur, and Leafpool - who must save the Clans by finding a new home for them.

• Book 1: Midnight
• Book 2: Moonrise
• Book 3: Dawn
• Book 4: Starlight
• Book 5: Twilight
• Book 6: Sunset

Warriors: Power of Three (2007-2009)

The third mini-series is about three ThunderClan cats - Jayfeather, Hollyleaf, and Lionblaze - who are born with special powers. In this series, it is shown that the ghosts of the Clan cats' old enemies are planning on taking revenge by coming back to life.

• Book 1: The Sight
• Book 2: Dark River
• Book 3: Outcast
• Book 4: Eclipse
• Book 5: Long Shadows
• Book 6: Sunrise

Warriors: Omen of the Stars (2009-2012)

The fourth mini-series is about Jayfeather, Lionblaze, Dovewing, and Ivypool. They must bring the Clans together so that they can defeat the evil ghosts of the Clans' old enemies.

• Book 1: The Fourth Apprentice
• Book 2: Fading Echoes
• Book 3: Night Whispers
• Book 4: Sign of the Moon
• Book 5: The Forgotten Warrior
• Book 6: The Last Hope

Warriors: Dawn of the Clans (2013-2015)

The fifth mini-series is about how the five Clans were created. It centers around several cats: Gray Wing, Shadowstar, Windstar, Thunderstar, Riverstar, and Skystar. These cats all became the first leaders of their Clans.

• Book 1: The Sun Trail
• Book 2: Thunder Rising
• Book 3: The First Battle
• Book 4: The Blazing Star
• Book 5: A Forest Divided
• Book 6: Path of Stars

Warriors: A Vision Of Shadows (2016-2018)

The sixth mini-series shows how Alderheart and Twigbranch of ThunderClan and Violetshine of ShadowClan brought a new Clan, SkyClan, to live with the other four Clans. It also reveals how the Clans defeated an evil group of rogues who almost destroy ShadowClan.

• Book 1: The Apprentice's Quest
• Book 2: Thunder and Shadow
• Book 3: Shattered Sky
• Book 4: Darkest Night
• Book 5: River of Fire
• Book 6: The Raging Storm

Warriors: The Broken Code (2019-2021)

The seventh mini-series centers around Bristlefrost of ThunderClan, Shadowsight of ShadowClan, and Rootspring of SkyClan as they try to defeat an evil ghost cat named Ashfur. Ashfur has possessed the ThunderClan leader, and blocked communication with StarClan.

• Book 1: Lost Stars
• Book 2: The Silent Thaw
• Book 3: Veil of Shadows
• Book 4: Darkness Within
• Book 5: The Place of No Stars
• Book 6: A Light in the Mist

Warriors: A Starless Clan (2022-2024)

The eighth mini-series centers around Frostpaw of RiverClan, Nightheart of ThunderClan, and Sunbeam of ShadowClan. The Clans are making changes to the rules they live by, and some cats don't like these changes, while other cats do.

• Book 1: River
• Book 2: Sky
• Book 3: Shadow
• Book 4: Thunder
• Book 5: Wind
• Book 6: Star

Warriors: Changing Skies (2025-TBA)

The ninth mini-series has not been released yet. It centers around Moonpaw of ThunderClan, Leafstar of SkyClan, and Tawnypelt of ShadowClan.

• Book 1: The Elders' Quest (7 January 2025)

Standalone books

Super Editions

• Firestar's Quest

Firestar goes on a quest to make a new Clan, SkyClan.

• Bluestar's Prophecy

Bluestar's life from kitten to leader of ThunderClan.

• SkyClan's Destiny

Leafstar leads SkyClan through trouble after Firestar leaves.

• Crookedstar's Promise

Crookedstar's promise to a mysterious cat leaves him with all the power he could dream of, but all his family dead.

• Yellowfang's Secret

Yellowfang's ability to feel the pain of other cats has to be kept a secret to her Clan.

• Tallstar’s Revenge

Tallstar sets out on a quest for revenge on the cat he believes killed his father.

• Bramblestar’s Storm

Bramblestar has to lead ThunderClan as a large storm destroys their home.

• Moth Flight's Vision

Moth Flight learns that she must become the first medicine cat.

• Hawkwing’s Journey

SkyClan has to leave their home. Hawkwing has to help them find the other Clans.

• Tigerheart’s Shadow

Dovewing is pregnant with Tigerheart's kits. She travels far away to find a safe place to give birth. Tigerheart has to find them and bring them back home.

• Crowfeather’s Trial

Crowfeather tries to make peace with his family.

• Squirrelflight’s Hope

Squirrelflight fights for the protection of a peaceful group of female cats known as The Sisters, while worrying that she'll leave no legacy when she dies.

• Graystripe’s Vow

Long ago, Graystripe promised never to leave his Clan, but when trouble happens in ThunderClan, he realizes he has to leave if he wants to save it.

• Leopardstar's Honor

Leopardstar wants what is best for her Clan, but she needs to avoid being reckless.

• Onestar's Confession

Onestar must confess a secret to his Clan.

• Riverstar's Home

Riverstar learns what it means to have a home and care for other cats.

• Ivypool's Heart

Ivypool is depressed after her daughter dies.

• StormClan's Folly (8 August 2025)

The leaders of ThunderClan and WindClan form a new Clan called StormClan.

Novellas

• Hollyleaf's Story

Hollyleaf meets a strange cat in the tunnels beneath the Clans' territory.

• Mistystar's Omen

Mistystar's medicine cat doesn't believe in StarClan, and Mistystar worries about this.

• Cloudstar’s Journey

Cloudstar leads SkyClan on a journey to find a new home that eventually fails.

• Tigerclaw’s Fury

Tigerclaw, former deputy of ThunderClan, seeks revenge on his old Clanmates.

• Leafpool’s Wish

Leafpool hides her kits from her Clan with the help of her sister, Squirrelflight.

• Dovewing’s Silence

Dovewing finds the loss of her special powers hard to deal with.

• Mapleshade’s Vengeance

Mapleshade seeks revenge on every cat who has wronged her.

• Goosefeather’s Curse

Goosefeather can see the fates of cats around him, including his own.

• Ravenpaw’s Farewell

Ravenpaw takes his friend Barley, and Barley's sister's kittens to SkyClan. Then he dies.

• Spottedleaf’s Heart

Spottedleaf must decide whether she wants to be a warrior or a medicine cat.

• Pinestar’s Choice

Pinestar decides to leave ThunderClan and become a house cat.

• Thunderstar’s Echo

Thunderstar struggles as the first leader of ThunderClan.

• Redtail’s Debt

Redtail's life was saved by Tigerclaw, but they begin to become enemies.

• Tawnypelt’s Clan

Tawnypelt takes her grandson on a quest.

• Shadowstar’s Life

Shadowstar is stalked by a cat who wants to kill her.

• Pebbleshine’s Kits

Pebbleshine tries to raise her kits while lost from her Clan.

• Tree’s Roots

Tree leaves his family to discover who he really is.

• Mothwing’s Secret

Mothwing doesn't believe in StarClan, and she must keep this hidden from her Clan.

• Daisy’s Kin

Daisy questions her place in the Clans as she realizes what a violent place the forest can be.

• Spotfur’s Rebellion

Spotfur leads a rebellion against the possessed leader of ThunderClan.

• Blackfoot’s Reckoning

Blackfoot was one of the evil Tigerstar's closest friends, and he struggles to find his place as the new leader of ShadowClan.

Field guides

• Secrets of the Clans

Secrets of the Clans has a list of healing plants, a tour of the camps of all four forest Clans, maps, stories, Clan folktales, Clan histories, prophecies, and a cat language to human language glossary.

• Cats of the Clans

Cats of the Clans has information and pictures of the most important Warriors characters.

• Code of the Clans

Code of the Clans explains the reasons behind all the rules of the warrior code using several short stories.

• Battles of the Clans

Battles of the Clans explains all of the Clans' battle moves and some famous past battles.

• Enter the Clans

Enter the Clans is Secrets of the Clans and Code of the Clans in one book.

• The Ultimate Guide

The Ultimate Guide is an expanded version of Cats of the Clans with more characters.

• The Warriors Guide

The Warriors Guide is an updated version of Secrets of the Clans.

• The Ultimate Guide: Updated and Expanded Edition

The Ultimate Guide: Updated and Expanded Edition is an expanded version of The Ultimate Guide with more characters and new information.

Graphic novels

The first mini-series, The Prophecies Begin, was converted into three graphic novels.

• The Prophecies Begin, Volume 1
• The Prophecies Begin, Volume 2 (8 April 2025)
• The Prophecies Begin, Volume 3 (release date unannounced)

Warriors manga

Graystripe's Adventure

This series shows what happened to ThunderClan warrior Graystripe when he was captured by humans.

• The Lost Warrior
• Warrior's Refuge
• Warrior's Return

Tigerstar and Sasha

This series shows how a house cat named Sasha fell in love with a dangerous Clan cat, Tigerstar.

• Into the Woods
• Escape from the Forest
• Return to the Clans

Ravenpaw's Path

This series shows how Ravenpaw and his friend fight to take back their farm from a group of evil cats who have stolen it from them.

• Shattered Peace
• A Clan in Need
• Heart of a Warrior

SkyClan and the Stranger

This series shows how SkyClan leader Leafstar deals with a cat who causes problems.

• The Rescue
• Beyond the Code
• After the Flood

The Rise of Scourge

This single manga shows how a small kitten named himself Scourge and became the evil leader of BloodClan.

A Shadow In RiverClan

This single manga shows how Feathertail questions her place in RiverClan.

Winds of Change

This single manga shows how former WindClan deputy Mudclaw feels angry after being replaced by a warrior called Onewhisker.

Exile from ShadowClan

This single manga shows what happened to ShadowClan elders when they were banished from their Clan by their evil leader.

A Thief in ThunderClan

This single manga shows how Brightheart and Cloudtail must find out who is stealing prey from ThunderClan.

Other media

Short stories

There are four Warriors short stories: "Spottedleaf's Honest Answer", "The Clans Decide", "After Sunset: The Right Choice?", and "The Elders' Concern". There are also two educator's guides for teachers.

Plays

A play called After Sunset: We Need to Talk was performed in 2007 at a bookstore. It shows a meeting between Leafpool of ThunderClan and Crowfeather of WindClan after the events of the book Sunset.

In 2009, another play called Brightspirit's Mercy was released. This play is about the ThunderClan cat Jayfeather helping the other Clans by giving them food, even though it is against the warrior code to do that. This play was also released at www.warriorcats.com. It was written in memory of a Warriors fan and her parents, who all died in a tornado in 2007.

Website

There is a website for Warriors called "Warrior Cats Hub". There was an old website called "Warrior Cats", but this website was shut down. Both websites have included games, stores, and special information about the series.

Movie

In 2016, a Warriors movie was announced. There have been no updates on it since 2018. In 2024, an "official animation" was announced, but it is not known if it will be a movie or something else.

Physical items

There are many Warriors items that can be bought, including shirts, plush toys, figures, and more. There have also been trading cards included in the Chinese versions of the books.

App

There is a Warriors app called "Warrior Cats Hub". There was also an old app called "Warrior Cats" that was shut down.

Foreign books

The Warriors series has been published in many countries, including Poland, China, Australia, Canada, Russia, and more.

Audiobooks

There have been audiobook versions made of many Warriors books.

Other websites

• www.warriorcats.com (the official Warriors website)
• The Guttersnipe (author Kate Cary's personal site)