Warrior Cats Books in Order: Complete Reading Guide to All 7 Series (2026)
Every Warrior Cats book in order — the original arc, all 7 main series, and the best place to start. Over 60 books explained so you know exactly what to read next.
The Warriors series by Erin Hunter is one of the most loved children’s fantasy series ever written — sixty-plus books following the wild cat clans of the forest across multiple generations, with new arcs still being published in 2026. The series has sold over forty million copies globally, and it is currently experiencing a significant resurgence driven by TikTok and YouTube communities exploring the lore.
The reading order matters. Not because the arcs are densely interconnected — each new arc follows different characters — but because the original six-book arc is the foundation everything else assumes you know. Start there. End there if you like. Continue if you cannot stop.
Quick answer: Into the Wild → Fire and Ice → Forest of Secrets → Rising Storm → A Dangerous Path → The Darkest Hour. That is the complete original arc — a self-contained story with a beginning, middle, and end.
The Original Arc — Start Here
The first six books follow Firestar (born Rusty, a house cat) as he joins ThunderClan, one of four wild cat clans living in the forest, and rises from apprentice to warrior to leader. It is one of the most complete world-building achievements in middle grade fiction.
| # | Title | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Into the Wild | 2003 | The starting point — always start here |
| 2 | Fire and Ice | 2003 | Loyalty is tested; moral complexity increases |
| 3 | Forest of Secrets | 2003 | Best of the arc — the mystery resolves |
| 4 | Rising Storm | 2004 | Rebuilding after the revelations of book 3 |
| 5 | A Dangerous Path | 2004 | The villain peaks; Bluestar’s arc concludes |
| 6 | The Darkest Hour | 2004 | The original arc concludes — a complete ending |
All 7 Main Series in Order
Each arc consists of 6 books and follows different cat characters. The world and clans are continuous; the main casts change.
| Series | Years | Main Characters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The Original Series | 2003–2004 | Firestar — house cat to ThunderClan leader |
| 2. The New Prophecy | 2005–2006 | Bramblestar, Squirrelflight, new generation |
| 3. Power of Three | 2007–2009 | Firestar’s grandchildren — Jayfeather, Lionblaze, Hollyleaf |
| 4. Omen of the Stars | 2009–2012 | Continuation of Power of Three; the fourth cat |
| 5. Dawn of the Clans | 2013–2015 | Prequel — the origin of the clans |
| 6. A Vision of Shadows | 2016–2018 | New threats to the clans after a journey |
| 7. The Broken Code | 2019–2021 | A new crisis involving StarClan |
A Starless Clan (2022–ongoing) is the eighth arc, still being published as of 2026.
The World of the Warriors Clans
The Warriors world is built around four wild cat clans living in a forest, each with distinct territory, culture, and abilities:
- ThunderClan — the protagonist clan of the original arc; known for courage and individual initiative
- RiverClan — skilled swimmers; live near the river; known for pride and plenty
- WindClan — fast runners; live on the moor; lean and swift
- ShadowClan — night hunters; live in the pine forest; often antagonists in the original arc
Beyond the four clans: StarClan is the spiritual realm of warrior ancestors, who communicate with living cats through dreams and omens. The Warrior Code is the ethical framework that governs all clan behaviour — a code that is tested, broken, and reinterpreted across the entire series.
Where to Start
Always start with Into the Wild. There is no other entry point into the series. The original arc is the foundation; later arcs reference its events, characters, and world constantly.
After the original arc, readers have choices:
- Continue to The New Prophecy — directly follows the original arc’s events with new characters
- Read Dawn of the Clans — the prequel arc, which explores how the clans were founded; can be read after the original arc without reading The New Prophecy first
- Stop — The Darkest Hour is a complete ending; the series does not demand continuation
Super Editions, Novellas, and Graphic Novels
Beyond the main arcs, the Warriors universe includes:
Super Editions — standalone novels focusing on individual characters. Bluestar’s Prophecy (the backstory of ThunderClan’s leader from the original arc) is particularly recommended for readers who have completed the original six books. Others cover Firestar, Crookedstar, Tallstar, and other major characters.
Novellas — shorter works filling in gaps between arcs. Best read between arcs rather than within them.
Graphic Novels — manga-style adaptations of key storylines. A good format introduction for visual readers.
Reading recommendation: Complete an arc, then read any super editions or novellas that focus on characters from that arc, then move to the next arc. This approach keeps the supplementary material contextually meaningful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Warrior Cats book?
Forest of Secrets (Book 3 of the original arc) is the most cited favourite among long-term fans — the mystery plot, the revelations about Bluestar’s past, and the traitor reveal are all executed with structural precision unusual for middle grade fiction. The Darkest Hour (Book 6) is the most beloved conclusion, and Bluestar’s Prophecy (a super edition) is frequently cited as the single best book in the entire Warriors universe by readers who have gone deep into the series.
Can adults enjoy the Warrior Cats series?
Yes — the Warriors series has a substantial adult readership, including many who discovered it as children and returned as adults, and others who discovered it through online communities. The world-building, moral complexity, and emotional depth work for adult readers. The writing style is oriented toward younger readers, but the stories are not.
How long does it take to read all of Warrior Cats?
The original arc of six books totals approximately 1,700 pages — about two to three weeks of consistent reading at a moderate pace. Reading all seven main arcs (42 books, approximately 12,000 pages) is a multi-month commitment. The super editions and novellas add substantially more. Most fans read selectively rather than comprehensively.
Is there a Warrior Cats film or TV show?
As of 2026, there is no major Warrior Cats film or television adaptation in release. The series has been in various stages of development conversations over the years without a confirmed production. The Warriors community has produced significant fan animation and YouTube content that fills this gap for fans who want a visual experience.
For more children’s fantasy series guides, see our BookTok books roundup — and for adult readers who enjoy moral complexity in fantasy, our guide to Joe Abercrombie books in order.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What order should I read the Warrior Cats books?
Start with the original Warriors arc: Into the Wild → Fire and Ice → Forest of Secrets → Rising Storm → A Dangerous Path → The Darkest Hour. This 6-book arc tells a complete story and is the essential foundation for everything that follows. After that, continue with The New Prophecy arc if you want more.
How many Warrior Cats books are there?
As of 2026, there are over 60 Warriors books in the main series arcs alone, plus graphic novels, super editions, and novellas that bring the total to over 90 titles. The seven main arcs each consist of 6 books. The original arc is the starting point; you do not need to read everything to enjoy the series.
What age is Warrior Cats for?
Warriors is written for middle grade readers aged 8-12, though the series has a wide readership including older teens and adults. The books deal with death, conflict, and moral complexity in ways that older readers appreciate. Parents should be aware that the series contains animal deaths and sometimes intense action sequences.
Are Warrior Cats books still being written?
Yes — as of 2026, the Erin Hunter team is still publishing new Warriors content. The A Starless Clan arc (begun in 2022) is ongoing, and there are regularly new super editions, novellas, and graphic novel adaptations published alongside the main arcs.
Do I need to read all the Warrior Cats books?
No. The original six-book arc (Into the Wild through The Darkest Hour) tells a complete story with a satisfying ending. You can stop there. Each subsequent arc follows new cat characters in the same world — you can sample the beginning of The New Prophecy and decide whether you want to continue, or conclude with the original arc.
