Warriors Books In Order: From Rusty To Broken Code

Navigating the sprawling, multi-arc universe of Erin Hunter's Warriors series can feel like trying to cross a frozen lake during a thaw. With dozens of main-arc novels, super editions, graphic novels, and short stories, knowing where to start and how to progress is essential. If you want to experience the saga from the very beginning—when a house cat named Rusty steps into the forest—all the way through the chilling supernatural events of The Broken Code arc, you need a precise blueprint.

This guide maps out the core reading order for the first seven arcs of the Warriors universe, stretching from Rusty's introduction to the ghostly crises of The Broken Code. By following this sequence, you'll avoid major spoilers and experience the Clan politics, prophecies, and betrayals exactly as intended by the authors.

Arc 1: The Prophecies Begin (The Original Series)

This is where the phenomenon started. Originally published simply as Warriors, this first arc introduces readers to the wild clans of feral cats living in the forest, governed by a strict code and a spiritual connection to StarClan.

1. Into the Wild – Rusty, a pampered house cat (kittypet), decides to leave his comfortable life behind to join ThunderClan, earning the name Firepaw (later Fireheart and Firestar).
2. Fire and Ice – Firepaw earns his warrior name, but escalating tensions between ThunderClan and RiverClan test his loyalties.
3. Forest of Secrets – Dark secrets about Clan leadership emerge, and Fireheart uncovers a murder plot within his own ranks.
4. Rising Storm – A devastating forest fire strikes, and internal betrayals threaten to tear ThunderClan apart.
5. A Dangerous Path – ThunderClan faces threats from a pack of rogue dogs, while leader Bluestar loses her faith in StarClan.
6. The Darkest Hour – The ultimate showdown arrives as Tigerstar's ambition threatens every cat in the forest, forcing the Clans to unite or perish.

Arc 2: The New Prophecy

Set shortly after the first arc, this series follows a new generation of cats chosen to embark on a perilous quest when human destruction threatens their forest home.

1. Midnight – Representatives from all four Clans are chosen for a mysterious quest guided by a badgermediator named Midnight.
2. Moonrise – The travelers face harsh mountain terrain and hostile tribes on their journey back home.
3. Dawn – The Clans must evacuate the forest as logging machines destroy their territory, leading them toward a new home around a lake.
4. Starlight – The displaced Clans try to establish their new territories around the lake, sparking fierce border disputes.
5. Twilight – A vicious attack by rogue cats tests the fragile stability of the lake Clans.
6. Sunset – Internal treachery threatens ThunderClan's leadership circle in the dramatic conclusion of the arc.

Arc 3: Power of Three

This arc shifts focus to Firestar's three grandchildren, who possess a mysterious prophecy granting them supernatural powers.

1. The Sight – Three kits—Jaypaw, Hollypaw, and Lionpaw—begin their training while grappling with strange abilities that set them apart.
2. Dark River – Tensions rise between the Clans as secret relationships and forbidden crossings complicate daily life.
3. Outcast – Lionpaw and other young warriors travel to the mountains to help the Tribe of Rushing Water defend their home.
4. Eclipse – A solar eclipse disrupts a massive battle, leaving the Clans reeling and introducing a mysterious outsider named Sol.
5. Long Shadows – Secrets threaten to burst into the open, shaking the foundations of the warrior code.
6. Sunrise – A murder mystery is solved, and a shocking revelation changes the identity of the third cat in the prophecy.

Arc 4: Omen of the Stars

The continuation of the Power of Three plotline, this arc deals with an impending battle against the Dark Forest—a place where dead, wicked cats train for revenge.

1. The Fourth Apprentice – A severe drought plagues the lake, and a fourth cat is revealed to complete the prophecy.
2. Fading Echoes – Ivypool discovers she can visit the Dark Forest in her dreams, acting as a spy against the dead warriors.
3. Night Whispers – Dark secrets ripple through the Clans as young cats make dangerous choices under the influence of the Dark Forest.
4. Sign of the Moon – Jayfeather travels back in time to help the ancient Tribe, uncovering the origins of the ancient cats.
5. The Forgotten Warrior – A long-absent cat returns to the Clans, causing friction and suspicion across borders.
6. The Last Hope – The ultimate battle between the living Clans and the Dark Forest determines the survival of the warrior code.

Arc 5: Dawn of the Clans

This arc serves as a prequel series, stepping back in time to explain how the original wild Clans were formed from a band of rogue cats.

1. The Sun Trail – A group of cats leaves the mountains to find a new home in a lush forest filled with prey.
2. Thunder Rising – Disagreements over territory and survival split the group, laying the groundwork for separate factions.
3. The First Battle – Open warfare breaks out between the groups, leading to tragic losses that change the cats forever.
4. The Blazing Star – A terrible sickness strikes, forcing the fighting factions to find a way to cooperate.
5. A Forest Divided – The five distinct groups finally establish their borders and codes of honor, becoming the first true Clans.
6. Path of Stars – The legacy of the founders is cemented as StarClan takes its official form to guide future generations.

Arc 6: A Vision of Shadows

Returning to the present day around the lake, this arc deals with the arrival of SkyClan, a long-lost fifth Clan, and new internal threats.

1. The Apprentice's Quest – Alderpaw receives a vision urging him to find the long-lost SkyClan.
2. Thunder and Shadow – SkyClan is found, but bringing them back to the lake causes massive overcrowding and political turmoil.
3. Shattered Sky – A violent group of rogues led by Darktail takes over ShadowClan, pushing the Clans to their breaking point.
4. Darkest Night – The Clans band together to expel Darktail's rogues once and for all.
5. River of Fire – Bramblestar and other leaders struggle to restore order and heal the deep wounds left by the rogues.
6. The Raging Storm – Choices about family, duty, and boundaries reshape the Clans as a new era begins.

Arc 7: The Broken Code

This supernatural thriller arc delves into possession, dark magic, and a terrifying disruption of the warrior code itself.

1. Lost Stars – ThunderClan leader Bramblestar collapses and dies, only to wake up later with a cold, cruel personality that shocks his Clan.
2. The Silent Thaw – An unnatural winter grips the lake, and StarClan goes completely silent, refusing to answer medicine cats.
3. Veil of Shadows – Shadows deepen as the impostor ruling ThunderClan tightens his grip, and young cats start questioning his identity.
4. Darkness Within – Suspicion reaches a boiling point as cats from different Clans realize their leader has been possessed by a malevolent spirit.
5. The Place of No Stars – A brave rescue team ventures into the Dark Forest to find the real Bramblestar's soul before it's too late.
6. A Light in the Mist – The final confrontation against the impostor unfolds, forcing the Clans to rewrite parts of the broken code to survive.

You can check out more details on upcoming releases and official summaries directly on the Official Warrior Cats Website. For community-driven deep dives into timelines and character family trees, the Warriors Wiki on Fandom is an exhaustive resource.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Reading Warriors

Many readers make errors when tackling this series because of the sheer volume of supplementary material. Keep these practical tips in mind:

• Don't read Super Editions in publication order blindly: Many Super Editions contain massive spoilers for arcs that come later or earlier. Stick to reading them chronologically after you finish the specific arc they tie into.
• Don't skip Dawn of the Clans: Some readers think Arc 5 can be skipped because it's a prequel. However, it establishes core lore regarding how the warrior code was created, which heavily impacts later arcs like The Broken Code.
• Don't confuse manga with main arcs: Graphic novels and manga give side stories about characters like Ravenpaw or Tigerstar and Sasha, but they are not required reading to understand the main plot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I read the books in release order or chronological order?

For first-time readers, release order within the main arcs (starting with The Prophecies Begin and ending with The Broken Code) is best because it prevents major plot twists from being spoiled. Chronological order places Dawn of the Clans first, which works well if you prefer historical context before modern events.

How many books are in a standard Warriors arc?

Every main arc consists of exactly six books. This predictable structure makes it easy to track your progress as you move from one generation of cats to the next.

Are the novellas and short stories required?

No. Novellas and short story collections provide background color on secondary characters, but you can follow the main narrative arcs perfectly well without reading them.

What age group are the Warriors books written for?

The series is targeted toward middle-grade readers (ages 8 to 12), though it has a massive following among teenagers and adults due to its intricate political drama and emotional depth.