Frequently Asked Questions
The most-asked questions about Warrior Cats.
What is Warrior Cats?
Warrior Cats is a long-running young-adult fantasy series set in a world where wild cats live in rival clans and battle over territory. The plots follow individual cats as they train from apprentice to warrior, navigating clan politics, warfare, and a supernatural spirit realm called StarClan.
Who writes the books?
All titles are published under the shared pen name Erin Hunter, a pseudonym used by a rotating team of authors and ghostwriters. The original creative team included Victoria Holmes and Tui T. Sutherland, with Sutherland later serving as the lead writer.
Where should a new reader start?
The most natural entry point is the original arc, opening with the novel Into the Wild, which introduces the four clans and the cat who becomes the franchise's most recognizable figure. Later arcs are readable on their own, but the first arc lays out the world's rules and core cast.
What are the main clans?
The story revolves around four bordering clans—RiverClan, ShadowClan, ThunderClan, and WindClan—each with its own territory, customs, and long-standing rivalries. Outsider groups such as rogues, kittypets, and later the Clans' enemies also feature prominently throughout the series.
Who are the most iconic characters?
Bluestar and her apprentice-turned-warrior Firestar (originally a ginger tom named Rusty) anchor the original saga, while subsequent arcs spotlight figures like Ravenpaw, Crowfeather, Graystripe, and various kits of clan leaders. The series is known for rotating its narrative focus, so the central character shifts every few books.
What is the Warrior Code?
The Warrior Code is a set of sacred rules governing daily clan life, including prohibitions on killing a fellow clan-mate, stealing prey, or harming kits. Violating the Code is treated as the most serious offense and can lead to exile or, in extreme cases, a death sentence.
How many books are in the series?
As of the latest releases the franchise spans well over fifty novels across multiple arcs, supplemented by numerous novellas, companion guides, and short stories. Major arcs include the original saga, the Power of Three, the New Prophecy, the Omen of the Stars, the A Vision of Shadows, and the Dawn series.
What is StarClan?
StarClan is the afterlife realm where deceased warriors reside, and its members can reach the living through dreams, omens, and subtle signs. It functions as both a spiritual home and a source of prophecy that drives much of the plot across the arcs.
How are the story arcs structured?
The series is organized into multi-book arcs, each built around a distinct conflict or prophecy—such as the original clan wars, the Power of Three, the New Prophecy, and the A Vision of Shadows. Each arc typically runs six to eight novels and introduces a new set of central characters and antagonists.
Why has Warrior Cats become so popular?
The combination of an animal-perspective setting, episodic character spotlights, and escalating inter-clan drama gives readers both long-term continuity and easy entry points. A large, active fan community produces extensive fan fiction, art, and community wikis, keeping the franchise culturally vibrant well beyond its publication schedule.