Warriors (novel series) facts for kids
Boxed sets of the Warriors: The Prophecies Begin and Warriors: The New Prophecy series
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| Language | English |
| Genre | Fantasy, young adult fiction |
| Publisher | HarperCollins |
| Published | 21 January 2003 – present |
Warriors, also called Warrior Cats, is a popular book series about wild cats. These cats live in special groups called Clans. The stories happen mostly in make-believe forests. The books are published by HarperCollins. They are written by authors like Kate Cary and Cherith Baldry. These authors, and others, use the group name Erin Hunter. The main idea for the first series came from the editor, Victoria Holmes.
There are currently nine main story groups, called "arcs." Each arc has six books. These arcs include The Prophecies Begin, The New Prophecy, Power of Three, Omen of the Stars, Dawn of the Clans, A Vision of Shadows, The Broken Code, A Starless Clan, and Changing Skies. Besides these, there are longer "Super Edition" books, shorter stories called novellas, and guidebooks. There are also manga and graphic novels. The series has been translated into many different languages.
Contents
- How the Warriors Series Began
- The World of Warriors Cats
- Main Warriors Story Arcs
- Warriors: The Prophecies Begin (2003–2004)
- Warriors: The New Prophecy (2005–2006)
- Warriors: Power of Three (2007–2009)
- Warriors: Omen of the Stars (2009–2012)
- Warriors: Dawn of the Clans (2013–2015)
- Warriors: A Vision of Shadows (2016–2018)
- Warriors: The Broken Code (2019–2021)
- Warriors: A Starless Clan (2022–2024)
- Warriors: Changing Skies (2025–TBA)
- Other Warriors Books
- Important Themes in Warriors
- Other Warriors Media
- See also
How the Warriors Series Began
The Warriors series started when the publisher HarperCollins asked Victoria Holmes to create a fantasy series about wild cats. At first, Holmes wasn't sure she could come up with enough ideas. But she worked on it, adding exciting parts like battles, tricky plans, and even forbidden love.
The first idea was for just one book. But so many ideas came up that the publisher decided to make it a six-book series. The first book, Into the Wild, was written by Kate Cary. She wrote it in about three months under the name "Erin Hunter." Victoria Holmes then worked behind the scenes. She helped edit and check all the details. Cherith Baldry joined the team to write the third book, Forest of Secrets. Later, Tui Sutherland also became an "Erin Hunter" author.
The authors have shared what inspired them. Cherith Baldry mentioned authors like Tolkien and Shakespeare. Victoria Holmes was inspired by writers such as J. K. Rowling. Other authors who inspired the Warriors writers include Enid Blyton and Meg Cabot.
Real places also inspired the books. The New Forest in southern England was the model for the cats' forest home. Places like Loch Lomond and the Scottish Highlands also played a part. The authors also used a book called Culpeper's Herbal. This book, by Nicholas Culpeper, helped them create the many plant-based medicines the cats use. Even the Rambo movies gave them some ideas!
The World of Warriors Cats
The Warriors stories are about many wild cats. They first live in a forest, and later, near a lake. These cats are divided into five main groups called Clans. These are ThunderClan, WindClan, RiverClan, ShadowClan, and SkyClan. Each Clan has learned to live well in its own type of land.
Clans often have disagreements and sometimes fight. But they also care about each other. If one Clan is in danger, the others usually try to help. The Clans have a special way of naming cats. A cat's name often shows their rank or role in the Clan.
StarClan and the Dark Forest
The Clan cats believe in StarClan. This is a group of spirits from their ancestors who have passed away. StarClan cats live in a beautiful forest, like a peaceful afterlife. They often guide the living cats through dreams and special signs.
There is also the Dark Forest, sometimes called The Place of No Stars. This is a never-ending, dark forest. It's where the spirits of cats who did bad things in their lives go as a punishment.
Cats Outside the Clans
Cats who don't belong to a Clan are grouped into three types:
- Kittypets: These are housecats who live with humans. Clan cats often look down on them for their easy, pampered lives.
- Loners: These cats live by themselves, away from the Clans.
- Rogues: These cats also live on their own. But they often cause trouble for the Clans.
Sometimes, stray cats form their own large groups. It's rare for an outsider cat to join a Clan. Clan cats usually don't trust or like cats from outside their groups.
Main Warriors Story Arcs
Warriors: The Prophecies Begin (2003–2004)
This first series has six books. It tells the story of Rusty, a housecat. He leaves his cozy home to join ThunderClan, one of the wild cat groups. As Rusty, now called Firepaw, grows up, he becomes a brave warrior. He works to stop his Clanmate, Tigerclaw, who is planning to take over all the Clans.
Warriors: The New Prophecy (2005–2006)
In this second series, the Clans' home is destroyed by humans and their machines. A group of young cats, including Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight, go on a long journey. They must find a new home for all the Clans. The series shows their difficult trip and how they build new lives by a lake.
Warriors: Power of Three (2007–2009)
This third series is about a prophecy. It says three cats will have amazing powers. Three kittens are born: Lionblaze, Jayfeather, and Hollyleaf. Lionblaze and Jayfeather gain special abilities. Their sister, Hollyleaf, does not. The series follows their journey to understand their destiny.
Warriors: Omen of the Stars (2009–2012)
This series continues the story from Power of Three. It's revealed that Dovewing is the third cat with a special power. The three cats discover that evil spirits from the Dark Forest are planning an attack. These spirits are training living cats in their dreams. The series ends with a huge battle involving all the Clans, StarClan, and the Dark Forest.
Warriors: Dawn of the Clans (2013–2015)
This series goes back in time. It shows how the Clans first began. Cats from a mountain tribe leave their home to find a better place. They discover the forest that later becomes the Clans' territory. This arc explains how the first Clans were formed.
Warriors: A Vision of Shadows (2016–2018)
This sixth series follows Alderheart, Violetshine, and Twigbranch. They try to help SkyClan, a lost Clan, find a new home by the lake. They also face dangerous rogue cats led by Darktail. These rogues cause big problems for ShadowClan.
Warriors: The Broken Code (2019–2021)
In this seventh series, something strange happens to Bramblestar, the leader of ThunderClan. Three cats from different Clans—Bristlefrost, Shadowsight, and Rootspring—must work together. They need to defeat an evil spirit that has taken over Bramblestar. They also have to fix their connection with StarClan, which has been cut off. The series ends with the Clans deciding to update their warrior code.
Warriors: A Starless Clan (2022–2024)
This eighth series focuses on Nightheart, Sunbeam, and Frostdawn. RiverClan loses its leader and deputy, and StarClan doesn't show them who should lead next. Also, cats in all the Clans are worried about changes made to the warrior code.
Warriors: Changing Skies (2025–TBA)
This ninth series is currently being released. It follows Leafstar, Tawnypelt, and Moonpaw. The Clans are struggling because humans are moving into their territory.
Other Warriors Books
Super Editions
Super Editions are longer Warriors books, about twice the length of a regular one. They tell a complete story about one important cat. The first Super Edition was Firestar's Quest, which was about Firestar helping to rebuild SkyClan. There have been 17 Super Editions published so far. The most recent one, Ivypool's Heart, was released in September 2024. Most Super Editions also include a special manga chapter.
- Firestar's Quest (21 August 2007)
- Bluestar's Prophecy (28 July 2009)
- SkyClan's Destiny (3 August 2010)
- Crookedstar's Promise (5 July 2011)
- Yellowfang's Secret (9 October 2012)
- Tallstar's Revenge (2 July 2013)
- Bramblestar's Storm (26 August 2014)
- Moth Flight's Vision (3 November 2015)
- Hawkwing's Journey (1 November 2016)
- Tigerheart's Shadow (5 September 2017)
- Crowfeather's Trial (4 September 2018)
- Squirrelflight's Hope (3 September 2019)
- Graystripe's Vow (1 September 2020)
- Leopardstar's Honor (7 September 2021)
- Onestar's Confession (6 September 2022)
- Riverstar's Home (5 September 2023)
- Ivypool's Heart (3 September 2024)
- StormClan's Folly (26 August 2025)
Field Guides
The authors have also created "field guides." These books have short stories, lists, and art. They help fans learn more about the Warriors world. Each guide is usually about 150 pages long.
- Secrets of the Clans (29 May 2007)
- Cats of the Clans (24 June 2008)
- Code of the Clans (9 June 2009)
- Battles of the Clans (1 June 2010)
- Enter the Clans (26 June 2012)
- The Warriors Guide (8 August 2012)
- Warriors: The Ultimate Guide (5 November 2013)
- The Ultimate Guide: Updated and Expanded (31 October 2023)
Manga and Graphic Novels
Several series of original English-language manga were made for Warriors. These include Graystripe's Adventure, Tigerstar and Sasha, Ravenpaw's Path, and SkyClan and the Stranger. There's also a stand-alone manga called The Rise of Scourge. Later books like A Shadow in RiverClan are called graphic novels and are single books. Many of the older manga have been re-released in color.
- Graystripe's Adventure (colored release on 8 August 2017)
- The Lost Warrior (24 April 2007)
- Warrior's Refuge (26 December 2007)
- Warrior's Return (22 April 2008)
- The Rise of Scourge (24 June 2008) (colored release on 12 March 2024)
- Tigerstar and Sasha (colored release on 8 July 2025)
- Into the Woods (2 September 2008)
- Escape from the Forest (23 December 2008)
- Return to the Clans (9 June 2009)
- Ravenpaw's Path (colored release on 26 June 2018)
- Shattered Peace (24 November 2009)
- A Clan in Need (23 March 2010)
- The Heart of a Warrior (3 August 2010)
- SkyClan and the Stranger (colored release on 28 May 2019)
- The Rescue (5 July 2011)
- Beyond the Code (22 November 2011)
- After the Flood (3 April 2012)
- A Shadow in RiverClan (2 June 2020)
- Winds of Change (1 June 2021)
- Exile From ShadowClan (7 June 2022)
- A Thief in ThunderClan (6 June 2023)
It was announced in September 2023 that the first main arc, The Prophecies Begin, would be made into graphic novels.
- The Prophecies Begin
- Volume 1 (16 July 2024)
- Volume 2 (8 April 2025)
- Volume 3 (30 September 2025)
Novellas
Novellas are shorter Warriors stories. They were first released as e-books. Later, they were published in collections of three novellas each.
- The Untold Stories (2 July 2013)
- "Hollyleaf's Story" (3 March 2012)
- "Mistystar's Omen" (11 September 2012)
- "Cloudstar's Journey" (29 January 2013)
- Tales from the Clans (4 November 2014)
- "Tigerclaw's Fury" (28 January 2014)
- "Leafpool's Wish" (22 April 2014)
- "Dovewing's Silence" (4 November 2014)
- Shadows of the Clans (26 January 2016)
- "Mapleshade's Vengeance" (24 March 2015)
- "Goosefeather's Curse" (1 September 2015)
- "Ravenpaw's Farewell" (26 January 2016)
- Legends of the Clans (11 April 2017)
- "Spottedleaf's Heart"
- "Pinestar's Choice"
- "Thunderstar's Echo"
- Path of a Warrior (9 April 2019)
- "Redtail's Debt"
- "Tawnypelt's Clan"
- "Shadowstar's Life"
- A Warrior's Spirit (7 April 2020)
- "Pebbleshine's Kits"
- "Tree's Roots"
- "Mothwing's Secret"
- A Warrior's Choice (6 April 2021)
- "Daisy's Kin"
- "Spotfur's Rebellion"
- "Blackfoot's Reckoning"
Important Themes in Warriors
Victoria Holmes has said that writing about cats lets them explore big human ideas. These include things like death and how different groups get along.
A common theme is forbidden love. These relationships are not allowed by the warrior code for different reasons. Another main theme is faith and spirituality, especially with StarClan. StarClan's influence and prophecies are key to all the stories. Sometimes, scenes even happen in StarClan's world. This shows that an afterlife and spirits are very important to the series.
The books also explore how different beliefs meet. For example, the Tribe of Rushing Water has different spiritual ancestors than the Clans. Holmes explained that neither group is shown as "right" about faith. Both are equally valid. This can lead to fear between them because they don't understand each other. The idea of not believing in StarClan is also explored through some characters.
Another theme is that characters can be both good and bad. Holmes finds these "shades of gray" interesting. For example, Bluestar, a noble cat, gave up her kits for her own goals. Even the villain Tigerstar is brave and loyal in some ways. This theme also appears with Brambleclaw. People wondered if he would be evil like his father, Tigerstar. But Brambleclaw shows he is good, proving that who you are inside matters more than where you come from.
Reviewers have noted other themes. Friendship and responsibility are taught to the characters. The books also suggest that experiencing challenges in life is important. In Dawn, the Clans, who are usually enemies, must work together to find a new home. This shows the importance of cooperation. Other themes include family, loss, honor, bravery, death, loyalty, and following rules.
Other Warriors Media
Website and Apps
The Warriors website used to have screensavers, videos, and quizzes. There were also online games. An official mobile app was released in 2011. It had information about the books and characters. In 2019, a new app called Warrior Cats Hub was released. Through this app, fans can read blogs, play games, shop for merchandise, and see fanart. They can also vote in polls that sometimes affect the story!
Film and Animation
In 2016, it was announced that Alibaba Pictures bought the rights to make a Warriors movie. David Heyman, who produced the Harry Potter films, is involved. In 2018, STX Entertainment joined to help make the film. Screenwriters Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger are writing the movie script.
In January 2024, it was announced that Coolabi Group signed a deal with Tencent Video to create a Warriors animation.
Games
An official Warriors roleplay game for Roblox was released in May 2021. It's called Warrior Cats: Ultimate Edition. This game has become very popular, with over 430 million plays.
Physical Merchandise
In China, "3-D trading cards" are included with each book. These cards show characters, their names, and information. In 2019, when the Warrior Cats Hub app came out, many official items were released. These included posters, pins, bracelets, bookmarks, and figurines. Small plush heads and full-sized plush toys of characters have also been made.
See also
In Spanish: Los gatos guerreros para niños
