Warriors (novel series)
Juvenile fantasy series by Erin Hunter
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Warriors, also known as Warrior Cats, is a novel series about the adventures and drama of multiple groups of feral cats. Warriors is published by HarperCollins and written by a team collectively known as Erin Hunter. The concept of the series was developed by Victoria Holmes, who wrote the storylines until her retirement in 2017.
- James L. Barry
- Wayne McLoughlin
- Owen Richardson
From left to right: Boxed sets of Warriors: The New Prophecy and Warriors: The Prophecies Begin | |
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| Author | |
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| Genre | Fantasy, children's[2][3] |
| Publisher | HarperCollins |
| Published | 21 January 2003 – present |
| Website | warriorcats |
There is an extensive list of works in the Warriors series. There are currently nine sub-series ("arcs"), each containing six books: 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. In addition to the main series, standalone Super Edition novels, several novella trilogies, several volumes of original English-language manga, and graphic novels have been published. A website and physical media also exist, with an animated series in development.
Warriors has received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the plotlines and suspense, but criticized the large character cast. Warriors has been nominated for multiple awards and has a dedicated online fanbase. The novels have a variety of themes, from politics to religion and economics. Warriors has been translated into 38 languages and has sold over 90 million copies worldwide.[4][5]
Setting and universe
The Warriors universe centers around feral cats who initially reside in a forest[6] and later around a lake.[7] The cats are split into five groups called Clans: ThunderClan, WindClan, RiverClan, ShadowClan, and SkyClan.[8] Each Clan has adapted to its own terrain, and some are named after their specialized abilities.[9] Relationships between different Clans are usually tense and the Clans often come into conflict with one another. However, the Clans also sometimes show concern for each other; the idea of one Clan being destroyed usually causes deep distress and prompts urgent action on behalf of all Clans. The Clans have a unique naming and hierarchy system, in that their names are determined by their rank in the Clan,[6] and can change over time.[1]
The Clan cats have a faith system based on the concept of StarClan, a group of the spirits of the Clans' deceased ancestors, who provide prophetic guidance to the living Clan cats.[9] After death, the spirits of most Clan cats join StarClan and reside in a forest similar to Heaven. As an opposite to StarClan, the Dark Forest is a never-ending forest, similar to Hell. The spirits of cats who caused great pain and suffering to others while alive reside there as a form of punishment.
Cats who live outside of the Clans are categorized into three groups: housecats, who are called "kittypets" by Clan cats[10][11] and generally do not pose a threat;[12] loners, stray cats who live outside of the Clan territories and who sometimes assist the Clans;[12] and rogues, who may live alone or in groups, and may intend to cause harm to the Clans.[12]
Background
Writing history and process
In 2001, publisher HarperCollins asked editor Victoria Holmes to write a fantasy novel about cats. The novel's base premise was that a domestic cat named Rusty (later Firestar) joins a Clan of wild cats and eventually becomes their leader. Holmes wasn't particularly interested in writing about cats, but she came up with ideas involving themes she felt passionate about. After reading her storyline ideas, HarperCollins decided on a six-novel target instead.[13][14] Holmes decided to use the storyline of the original novel as the "overarching plot thread" for the six novels.[13] She enlisted the help of Kate Cary, and together they came up with enough content to meet the six-novel target.[2] Cary wrote the first two novels in the original series, Into the Wild and Fire and Ice. Cherith Baldry then joined the team and wrote the third novel, Forest of Secrets.[15][16] Cary wrote the fourth novel, then Baldry wrote the fifth and the sixth.[15]
During the writing process, Holmes came up with a storyline approximately 30,000 words long.[13] When Holmes finished creating a storyline, Tui T. Sutherland assisted in editing until both agreed on the storyline and it could be sent to Cary and Baldry to write the final novel.[17] Holmes would then edit the finished novels to "keep continuity",[15] before it would be published under the pen name Erin Hunter. Holmes has stated that Cary and Baldry's writing resemble her writing, so the "Erin Hunter voice" was established immediately.[15][18]
For the second arc, HarperCollins originally requested three novels, so Holmes wrote a three-novel long "relocation under pressure" story, similar to Watership Down. After the first three sold well, HarperCollins requested three more novels, which meant Holmes had to "come up with three additional stories set in the Clans' new home" and create a map of the Clans' new territories.[13]
Due to medical reasons, Holmes stepped back from her involvement with the Erin Hunter team in 2017, at the end of the fourth arc.[1][13] After 21 years, Cary left the Erin Hunter team to focus on "other projects".[‡ 1] The more recent books' storylines are written by a group of editors known as the "Story Team".[‡ 2][‡ 3]
Inspiration
The authors have named several other authors as sources of inspiration when writing the novels. Holmes has stated that her influences range from Shakespeare to The Avengers,[19] Gladiator, Rambo,[13] and Agatha Christie.[20] In an interview, Baldry stated that the writers who influenced her the most are Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and Ursula K. Le Guin.[15] In the same interview, Cary stated that she read books by Lucy Maud Montgomery, K. M. Peyton, and Enid Blyton when she was younger.[15]
Holmes has cited the New Forest in southern England as indirect inspiration for the forest where the first arc takes place, as it has a variety of different environments, including "dense ancient woodland, areas of cultivated pine trees, vast open heathland, and willow-shaded winding rivers."[13] The herbal remedies used by medicine cats are referenced from a book by 17th-century English botanist and physician Nicholas Culpeper.[21]
Series plot summaries
Warriors: The Prophecies Begin (2003–2004)
The original Warriors series consists of six books: Into the Wild (2003), Fire and Ice (2003), Forest of Secrets (2003), Rising Storm (2004), A Dangerous Path (2004), and The Darkest Hour (2004).[22] The series was subtitled The Prophecies Begin for the 2015 reprint.[‡ 4] The series' protagonist is a former housecat named Fireheart, who is invited to join ThunderClan, one of four groups of wild cats in the forest. Throughout the series, he rises through the Clan hierarchy while trying to stop the treachery of ThunderClan deputy Tigerstar, who initially intends to usurp ThunderClan's leadership and later plans to take over all the Clans. Fireheart eventually becomes the leader of ThunderClan and takes on the name Firestar. Tigerstar is ultimately defeated by a city cat named Scourge.
Warriors: The New Prophecy (2005–2006)
Warriors: The New Prophecy is the second arc, consisting of six books: Midnight (2005), Moonrise (2005), Dawn (2005), Starlight (2006), Twilight (2006), and Sunset (2006).[22] In this series, the Clans' survival is put at risk as humans begin to destroy their forest home with machinery. The arc revolves around a group of cats consisting of Tawnypelt, Crowfeather, Feathertail, Brambleclaw, Stormfur, and Squirrelflight, who embark on a quest to find a new home for the Clans after their forest is destroyed. The series also details the rest of the Clans' subsequent journey to find their new territories and the struggles they face in establishing themselves again.
Warriors: Power of Three (2007–2009)
Warriors: Power of Three is the third arc, consisting of six books: The Sight (2007),[‡ 5] Dark River (2007), Outcast (2008), Eclipse (2008), Long Shadows (2008), and Sunrise (2009).[22] The arc revolves around the search for three cats who are prophesized to have untold powers. A litter of three kittens is born. Two of them, Lionblaze and Jayfeather, possess supernatural abilities; their sister, Hollyleaf, does not.
Warriors: Omen of the Stars (2009–2012)
Warriors: Omen of the Stars is the fourth arc, consisting of six books: The Fourth Apprentice (2009), Fading Echoes (2010), Night Whispers (2010), Sign of the Moon (2011), The Forgotten Warrior (2011), and The Last Hope (2012).[22] Omen of the Stars continues the plot of Warriors: Power of Three; the third cat in the prophecy is revealed to be Dovewing. The trio learn throughout the course of the arc that the cats of the Dark Forest, led by Tigerstar's spirit, are preparing an attack on the living Clans, and recruiting living cats to their cause by training them for battle in their dreams. The arc culminates in a battle involving all the Clans, as well as StarClan and the Dark Forest. Firestar defeats Tigerstar's spirit, ending the battle in the Clans' favor, but dies in the process.
Warriors: Dawn of the Clans (2013–2015)
Warriors: Dawn of the Clans is the fifth arc, consisting of six books: The Sun Trail (2013),[‡ 6] Thunder Rising (2013),[‡ 7] The First Battle (2014),[‡ 8] The Blazing Star (2014),[‡ 9] A Forest Divided (2015),[‡ 10] and Path of Stars (2015).[‡ 11] Dawn of the Clans is a prequel arc set before the events of Into the Wild. It revolves around cats from a tribe in the mountains leaving in search of a better home. Ultimately, they form the Clans and settle in the forest from The Prophecies Begin.
Warriors: A Vision of Shadows (2016–2018)
Warriors: A Vision of Shadows is the sixth arc, consisting of six books: The Apprentice's Quest (2016), Thunder and Shadow (2016), Shattered Sky (2017), Darkest Night (2017), River of Fire (2018), and The Raging Storm (2018).[22] The arc centers around Alderheart, Violetshine, and Twigbranch, as they try to help SkyClan, the lost fifth Clan, settle in a territory around the lake. Additionally, they face constant attacks from a group of rogue cats led by Darktail, who almost succeeds in disbanding ShadowClan.
Warriors: The Broken Code (2019–2021)
Warriors: The Broken Code is the seventh arc, consisting of six books: Lost Stars (2019), The Silent Thaw (2019), Veil of Shadows (2020), Darkness Within (2020), The Place of No Stars (2021), and A Light in the Mist (2021).[22] Ashfur, a StarClan cat, severs the connection between StarClan and the living Clans and possesses ThunderClan's leader Bramblestar. The protagonists Bristlefrost, Shadowsight, and Rootspring must defeat him, restore the connection with StarClan, save Bramblestar's spirit, and change their Clans' laws to prevent more tragedy from occurring in the future. The arc concludes with Bristlefrost killing Ashfur, but dying in the process.
Warriors: A Starless Clan (2022–2024)
Warriors: A Starless Clan is the eighth arc, consisting of six books: River (2022),[‡ 12] Sky (2022),[‡ 13] Shadow (2023),[‡ 14] Thunder (2023),[‡ 15] Wind (2024),[‡ 16] and Star (2024).[‡ 17] It revolves around Nightheart, Sunbeam, and Frostdawn, cats from different Clans. RiverClan's leader and deputy die and StarClan does not show them who is to be the next leader. Additionally, there is growing unrest among the cats of the Clans regarding the changes made to the warrior code in The Broken Code. Eventually, Frostdawn chooses the RiverClan leader and peace is restored.
Warriors: Changing Skies (2025–)
Warriors: Changing Skies is the ninth arc, consisting of The Elders' Quest (7 January 2025),[‡ 18] Hidden Moon (4 November 2025),[‡ 19] Chasing Shadows (31 March 2026),[‡ 20] Guiding Light (6 October 2026),[‡ 21] False Dawn (30 March 2027),[‡ 22] and one unnamed installment. It revolves around Leafstar, the leader of SkyClan, Starlingpaw, a SkyClan apprentice, Tawnypelt, a senior ShadowClan warrior, and Moonpaw, a ThunderClan apprentice. In this arc, the Clans struggle with humans encroaching on their territory.
Standalones
The authors have written standalone Super Edition novels, field guides which provide more information about the Warriors universe, and novellas.[1][23][a]
Several trilogies of original English-language manga were produced by HarperCollins and Tokyopop.[24][25] The manga were intended to be "side stories", shorter than regular manga due to publishing schedule restrictions.[24] Short manga comics have been included in the last pages of some Warriors novels.[24] With the shutdown of Tokyopop in 2011,[26] subsequent manga volumes, starting with A Shadow in RiverClan, have been published under the name HarperAlley.[27][25] Additionally, the original Tokyopop black-and-white manga have been republished in full color as standalone volumes.[25]
On 28 September 2023, the official Warriors website announced that the first arc, The Prophecies Begin, would be adapted into graphic novels by Natalie Riess and Sara Goetter.[‡ 23] The graphic novels were published between 2024 and 2025, and adapt The Prophecies Begin into three volumes.[28][29] The second arc, The New Prophecy, will be adapted into graphic novels by Gibson Twist and Sammy Savos.[‡ 24]
Reception
Critical reception
Main series
The first Warriors novel, Into the Wild, was generally well-received, with Sally Estes of Booklist calling it "spine-tingling"[30] and "thoroughly engrossing",[31] Publishers Weekly calling it an "exciting ... action-packed adventure".[32] Mara Alpert of School Library Journal (SLJ) praised the authors for "creating an intriguing world ... and an engaging young hero".[33] Janice M. Del Negro, writing for The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, criticized the characters and imagined world as being "neither ... consistent nor compelling".[34] Cindy Welch, writing for Booklist, stated about Rising Storm that "Hunter once again tells a good, suspenseful adventure story", and "teens may find their own journey toward adulthood echoed in the protagonist's struggles and self-doubts".[35]
The large number of characters involved in Warriors has often been seen as a negative point; a SLJ reviewer compared the "huge cast" to that of a Greek drama,[36] and others wrote that it was "hard to follow",[37] and "a little confusing".[33] The characters have also been criticized as being "somewhat flat"[37] and "limited essentially to each individual's function within the Clan".[34]
Booklist stated that the cats are "true to their feline nature";[30] Kirkus Reviews commented that the books will "leave readers eyeing Puss a bit nervously",[38] and Publishers Weekly was left wondering "what dreams of grandeur may haunt the family cat".[32] However, this realism also means that Warriors contains a relatively large amount of violence,[33] with SLJ stating that it is "not for the faint of heart".[36] Several critics have compared Warriors to Brian Jacques's Redwall series;[30][34] however, SLJ commented that it was "not as elegantly written".[33] The New York Times called Warriors a "hit with young readers", specifically because of its "sprawling universe",[39] and it appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list for a total of 119 weeks, as of 23 November 2014.[40]
Manga, audiobooks, and graphic novels
A review of Winds of Change by Kirkus wrote that while the illustrations "give a visual boost for tracking the large cast of characters", the sheer number of characters and series-specific vocabulary could make unfamiliar readers feel "lost".[41] A review of Exile from ShadowClan called it "amazing" and praised the "satisfying ending".[42] However, A Thief in ThunderClan was described as "lackluster", with a "sagging resolution" and a mystery resolved too hastily.[43]
SLJ wrote that illustrator James L. Barry "has a real knack for drawing cats",[44] but also called the illustrations "a bit basic".[45] A SLJ reviewer described that illustrations in The Rise of Scourge are "more detailed than typical manga drawings and effectively bring out the cats' personalities and characters"; she concluded that due to the violence, it is "not a cuddly animal tale".[46] A reviewer for Children's Bookwatch wrote that Into the Woods "ends on a tense cliffhanger, leaving the reader in anxious anticipation for more [...] Into the Woods is especially recommended for cat lovers everywhere."[47] Its sequel, Escape from the Forest, was also well-received: a reviewer for Publishers Weekly said that readers would benefit from seeing Sasha leaving the powerful Tigerstar due to his "growing violence". The reviewer wrote that "Hudson's artwork brings Sasha's emotional journey to life, showing each moment of fear, anxiety, contentment, and joy. The cat's-eye perspective of many of the panels, in addition, add a dramatic, energizing element to the book", adding that the book would appeal to young adults trying to find their place in the world.[48] SLJ also gave the book a positive review, writing that the plot would attract new fans and appeal to old fans, but also stated that "though the cover claims that this is a 'manga,' the straightforward illustrations are drawn in a simple, realistic style."[49] A Clan in Need and SkyClan and the Stranger have both been New York Times Manga Best Sellers in 2009, 2010, and 2011.[50][51][52]
The New Prophecy's audiobooks are spoken by Nanette Savard; a reviewer for AudioFile wrote that "[h]er dazzling variety of voices (and tonal variety within voices) astonishes".[53] Another said that "[h]er narration is crisp and clear, and she knows how amplify the drama by building tension".[54]
The graphic novel adaptations of The Prophecies Begin have received both praise and criticism from Kirkus. A review of Volume 1 wrote that the "vivid colors, dramatic action sequences, and appealingly expressive feline faces will grab readers' attention".[28] A review of Volume 2 criticised the difficulty of visually recognising characters, "particularly since the illustrators admit to adding a few extras".[55] A review of Volume 3 wrote that "the visual format suits the violent, dramatic storyline".[29] SLJ stated that the "unique and vibrant colors" would surely "help bring these stories to a new audience".[56]
Other standalones
Booklist stated that though Firestar's Quest is longer than previous Warriors books, the "fast-packed action" and "exploits of old and new friends" prevent it from deterring fans.[57] SLJ wrote about SkyClan's Destiny that the characters are "skillfully developed, with a range of emotions and thoughts that draw readers into their dilemmas", also praising the values imported in the "satisfying conclusion", in which Leafstar learns that "relying on others is vital to the welfare of all".[58] Kirkus stated that readers of Riverstar's Home "may need help from online wikis to keep track of the teeming feline cast"; however, the reviewer wrote that it would be "sure to please" established fans.[59] Kirkus stated that the humour in Ivypool's Heart "relieves the overall heaviness of the story", which involves "profound grief and ominous visions".[60]
SLJ stated that Cats of the Clans is "mind-boggling" and "dizzying" due to the large number of characters and references to prior events not explained in the book. SLJ praised the artwork, describing the "full-color portraits" of the characters as "spectacular".[61]
Accolades
Into the Wild was nominated for the Pacific Northwest Library Association's 2006 Young Reader's Choice Awards;[62] it was also listed on Booklist's top ten fantasy books for youth in 2003.[31] In 2006, Warriors also received an honourable mention for the best book series for Publishers Weekly's "On the Cuff" awards.[63] The Sight was nominated for the best Middle Readers book in Amazon's Best Books of the Year (2007) and placed sixth out of the ten nominees, with six percent of the total votes.[64]
Cultural impact
Warriors is read by both adults and children.[3] Abby Hargreaves of Book Riot wrote that Warriors's use of talking animals is comparable to Redwall and The Chronicles of Narnia.[1] One of the authors and editors behind Erin Hunter, Tui T. Sutherland, went on to write Wings of Fire, a similar book series about dragons.[1] Warriors has a large fanbase on the social media platform YouTube, with fans creating animations based on Warriors as early as 2007;[65][66] one example is an animated adaptation of Warriors, titled SSS Warrior Cats.[1][67] The 2017 video game Cattails "takes some inspiration" from a fan-made Warriors game, according to lead developer Tyler Thompson.[68] Holmes has said that "positive, wholesome fanfiction" is "the greatest compliment you can pay us".[69]
Themes
Authorial intent
Holmes has stated that "the characters do need to tackle issues that can be identified in twenty-first century life", citing Firestar's journey to be accepted into ThunderClan and Ravenpaw's shyness when in groups as examples,[2] and saying that "spirituality", "war", "religion", "prejudice", "bias", "fitting in", "feeling different" and "feeling awkward" were all themes she worked with when writing the original script for the first novel.[70] She has said that the themes in Warriors come from her literary influences as well as her personal experiences; Firestar joining ThunderClan was intended to resemble a student joining a new school,[71] and Cinderpelt learning that she was about to die coincided with Holmes receiving "very bad health news".[72] Firestar disobeying Bluestar represents "making good choices" when there is freedom to do so.[73]
[74] Holmes intentionally wrote storylines about real cats with limited anthropomorphism instead of heavily anthropomorphised animals, so that they could be faced with challenges faced by feral cats, such as "starving to death" and "getting run over"; she has said that there is "more than enough story in the reality of a feral cat's world".[75] The cats present human emotions "in the natural world".[76] The setting also allowed Holmes to write about "the morality inherent in living with lots of people in a small space",[77] which is represented through the warrior code, created from "lived experience".[78]
Holmes designed StarClan as a religion based on the cats' natural environment.[13] She has said that StarClan is "powerless", although "they do have an inkling of what's going to happen". StarClan giving ambiguous and cryptic messages creates a necessity for faith.[79] According to Holmes, StarClan act as a voice of comfort, presence, trust, and honesty for the living cats.[80]
Critics' analysis
A reviewer for Publishers Weekly wrote that friendship and responsibility are taught to characters in the novels.[32] Charlotte Ahlin, writing for Bustle, stated that Warriors are "wildly complex novels filled with political intrigue, religious warfare, forbidden love, and violent cat death",[81] also calling it a "multi-layer epic".[82] Sarah Fimm, writing for The Mary Sue, stated that Warriors includes themes like "complex political strife".[22] They also wrote that Warriors are "[t]ales of intrigue [...] and deep feline spirituality".[22] A review by Kirkus Reviews wrote that Exile from ShadowClan makes readers "ponder larger questions about violence, power, codes of law, community values, metaphysics, and individuals finding their niches".[27]
Studies
Two studies have analysed Warriors. The first study, published in 2020, described that Warriors "explores themes of political and regional economics"[83] when ThunderClan help WindClan return to their forest home, resulting in a political alliance.[84] Territory is presented through "human and animalistic concepts".[85] Thus, loyalty to the Clan is also a theme.[86] The second study, written in 2025, stated that three main themes are "impact of natural hazards, preparedness and response, and resilience",[87] citing "floods, severe storms, fires, droughts, severe winter weather, and rockslides" as frequent examples of natural disasters.[87] The authors stated that religion plays a major part in Warriors, as StarClan warns the characters of dangers.[87] Themes of "motherhood, spirituality, loyalty, and destiny" are present.[87] Both studies agreed that the nature vs. nurture debate is a theme in Warriors.[88][3]
Other media
Cancelled film
In October 2016 Variety announced that Alibaba Pictures had bought the production rights for a film adaptation of Warriors.[89] With David Heyman as producer, it was set to be a "live-action film with computer-generated characters", similar to Paddington.[90] In May 2018 Variety announced that STX Entertainment had come on board to co-produce the Warriors film, with STX board member Gigi Pritzker working alongside Heyman. Screenwriters Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger were to write the film.[91] It was eventually cancelled.[4]
Animated series
On 25 January 2024, Coolabi Group, the parent company of Working Partners, announced that a deal had been signed with Tencent Video to create an animated adaptation of Warriors.[92] On 1 June 2026 The Hollywood Reporter revealed that A. C. Bradley and Rodrigo Blaas were attached to the production. The series will adapt The Prophecies Begin and has a tentative release date of 2028 in China and South East Asia.[4] The series will air on Disney+ and Disney Channel.[5]
Physical media
In the Chinese translation of Warriors, 3-D trading cards have been included with the novels.[93] In January 2019, when the official Warrior Cats Hub app was launched, several pieces of official, licensed merchandise were released.[8] As of 2026, plushies and collectible figurines have also been released.[‡ 25]
Mobile application
In January 2019, a Warriors app was released, called Warrior Cats Hub.[8] In May 2025, the Warriors website announced that the app would be discontinued in favor of keeping all Warriors updates strictly on the official website.[‡ 26]
Video games
In 2021, Coolabi Group released an officially licensed Roblox game, titled Warrior Cats: Ultimate Edition, developed by Aldrich-Callen Studios. An expansion to the game, Warrior Cats: Lake Territory, is in development as of August 2026.[67]
On 23 October 2025, Coolabi Group announced that a mobile game was in development. It is set to launch in 2027 in all regions except China.[94][67]
On 5 August 2026, a turn-based strategy video game based on the series, titled Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest, was announced. Developed by American game developer Trailmark Games, the game is set to release in fall 2026 for PC (via Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2.[67]
See also
- Varjak Paw – 2003 book by S. F. Said
