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Titles in Order of Publication:
 WARRIORS: THE NEW PROPHECY #1: MIDNIGHT
by Erin Hunter
HarperCollins
ISBN-10: 0060744510
ISBN-13: 9780060744519
Ages 10-up
320 pages
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When the ancestor warrior cats of StarClan meet, they know the forest is in danger. They must choose a warrior leader cat from each of the four Clans --- ShadowClan, RiverClan, WindClan and ThunderClan --- in which to entrust the fate of their future.
The young tabby Brambleclaw sees Bluestar, the leader of his ThunderClan. Bluestar tells Brambleclaw that he has been chosen to meet with three other cats at the new moon. The only problem is that Bluestar is dead. Brambleclaw must have been dreaming. Besides, if StarClan wanted to send a prophecy of danger, they surely would give it to someone important such as the present Clan leader, Firestar.
Brambleclaw continues with his ordinary life. He patrols at dawn and is surprised to find the irrepressible she-cat warrior apprentice Squirrelpaw sneaking along behind. Brambleclaw finds her strangely intriguing in an irritating way.
Leafpaw, Squirrelpaw's sister, is ThunderClan's apprentice medicine cat. She attends the Gathering, the meeting of all the Clans, and meets another apprentice medicine cat, Mothwing. Mothwing's position is controversial in her RiverClan because she's a rogue cat, taken into the Clan.
At the same Gathering, Brambleclaw is astonished to learn that his sister, the ShadowClan warrior Tawnypelt, had a dream similar to his own. Now Brambleclaw is convinced that trouble is on the way.
When the night of the new moon finally arrives, Brambleclaw heads with foreboding to Fourtrees, the meeting place. Unfortunately, the scamp Squirrelpaw follows him, to his displeasure. She refuses to leave even after Tawnypelt and ShadowClan's Stormfur and Feathertail arrive. Feathertail also had the dream; her brother Stormfur accompanies her. Crowpaw of the WindClan is the last to arrive.
To their immense disappointment, there is no message from StarClan. The cats disband. When Squirrelpaw begs to be allowed at the next meeting, Brambleclaw fears she will talk. He agrees, as long as she keeps the secret. But will Squirrelpaw be able to keep the secret from her sister, Leafpaw, considering their psychic bond?
Brambleclaw has another dream, of a vast body of saltwater and cliffs. He learns from Ravenpaw, a loner, that there is such a place. Could StarClan mean for Brambleclaw and the others to travel to that far, strange region? Meanwhile, some believe Brambleclaw and Squirrelpaw are destined to be a danger to the forest. Will Brambleclaw be able to take the next step to fulfill his destiny? The band of warriors' journey begins, full of danger, excitement and mystery. Can they save the Clans?
 WARRIORS: THE NEW PROPHECY #2: MOONRISE
by Erin Hunter
HarperCollins
ISBN-10: 0060744545
ISBN-13: 9780060744540
Ages 10-up
320 pages
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The six cats from the Clans are far from home. They now know their forest will be destroyed by Twolegs in order to make a new Thunderpath (road). The traveling cats have been told by Midnight, the badger, that all the Clans will be eliminated unless the cats work together while finding a new home. Now the cats must hurry back to the forest to deliver the message.
Stormfur can't deny he has feelings for lively, intelligent Squirrelpaw. However, he knows he can't have a future with a cat from another Clan. And he hopes his sister, Feathertail, likewise realizes the futility of liking surly Crowpaw, who is also not of their Clan.
Back home, ThunderClan is appalled when the Twoleg monsters plow into the forest, pushing trees over. Winter is coming, and although certain doom lies ahead, the Clan doesn't know what to do or where to go.
The travelers, on their way home, run into trouble, starting with foxes. Rescue comes from a most unexpected corner. Stormfur and the others can't afford the time for a fight, and they can't afford to be injured. They must get home as soon as possible. They decide to avoid the Twoleg area they struggled through on their travels to the sun-drown place. Instead, they will journey through the mountains.
Firestar attempts to discuss the Twoleg danger with Blackstar, leader of the ShadowClan. Blackstar insults and threatens the ThunderClan cats, belittling their concerns. When Leafpaw tries to approach WindClan, she is met with even stronger hostility.
As Stormfur and the others scale the mountain, their trail is perilous, full of steep ascents, sheer drops, ravines to leap, and an enormous eagle hungry for cat flesh. But these are mere bumps in the road compared to the next danger they face. Stormfur finds himself ominously mistaken for a hero, placing him in mortal jeopardy. Will the group even survive to make it home? If so, can they arrive in time to save their Clans?
Meanwhile, at home, game dwindles because of Twoleg activities, resulting in hunger, trespassing and thievery. One cat reveals evil intentions to rule over the other Clans --- and Leafpaw overhears. As time goes by and winter approaches, the cats starve, becoming thin and weak.
The plot twists and turns, keeping the reader turning pages. The ending is guaranteed to make you reach immediately for Book #3, DAWN.
 WARRIORS: THE NEW PROPHECY #3: DAWN
by Erin Hunter
HarperTrophy
ISBN-10: 006074457X
ISBN-13: 9780060744571
Ages 10-up
368 pages
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The questing cats have returned home from their travels. Now, how can they convince the four Clan leaders that they must leave the forest? They are shocked by the immense damage the Twoleg monsters have done to the area, as they separate to return to their respective Clans to plead their case.
Leafpaw, searching for missing ThunderClan cats, has been trapped, along with other cats, by Twolegs. In the next cage, a kittypet named Cody informs her that they will all escape, rousing Leafpaw from her apathetic hopelessness. She also finds the cats she's been searching for (Mistyfoot, Cloudtail and Brightheart) as well as a WindClan cat named Gorsetail --- all trapped and caged.
Back home, Squirrelpaw and the others find the ThunderClan den abandoned. They encounter Cinderpelt who has returned to check her supplies. Cinderpelt informs them that the Clan abandoned their camp as the Twoleg monsters approached. She also informs Squirrelpaw that her sister Leafpaw has been caught by Twolegs.
ThunderClan is not pleased when the questing cats reveal that StarClan wants all the cats to leave the forest. Among the Clan leaders, there is great discussion and controversy. When the questing cats and their leaders follow Midnight's directions to let "the dying warrior" show the cats where to find their new home, they don't see the sign.
RiverClan leader Leopardstar refuses to believe or trust the traveling cats. Since RiverClan still has plenty of fish to catch, they plan never to leave the forest. ShadowClan leader Blackstar states that his Clan will leave the forest alone. Firestar, of ThunderClan, insists that the Clans remain together, to no avail. Only the WindClan leader Tallstar wishes to travel with ThunderClan to find a new home. However, Firestar refuses to leave without ShadowClan and RiverClan.
Squirrelpaw has a dream indicating where her sister Leafpaw is imprisoned. Brambleclaw refuses to go with her until Firestar is notified, but Sorreltail is eager to help with the rescue. Despite their best efforts, though, they're unable to free Leafpaw, who is being taken away by Twolegs. When they head back with reinforcements, though, their luck changes…but at a dreadful cost.
When one Clan's home is under immediate and terrifying Twoleg attack, warrior cats go on the defense in a desperate, breathless battle. If they can escape Twolegs this time, how much longer will they be able to remain in the forest? Time is running out.
 WARRIORS: THE NEW PROPHECY #4: STARLIGHT
by Erin Hunter
HarperCollins
ISBN-10: 0060827580
ISBN-13: 9780060827588
Ages 10-up
336 pages
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At last, after their grueling journey the cats of the four Clans approach their new home. Brambleclaw asks that the remaining members from the StarClan-guided quest to the sun-drowning place take the final steps together. He feels their comradeship even as he knows that the four Clans will once again separate; his friends and all the other cats may next meet in a battle against each other.
Political jousting for power begins immediately as Mudclaw assumes leadership for the ailing WindClan leader, Tallstar. The Clan leaders vie to be the ultimate authority as they decide how to go about dividing the area and turning the unfamiliar land into their homes.
As a way to claim the new territory as their own, Firestar calls upon StarClan to transform Squirrelpaw into a warrior. Her warrior name will now be Squirrelflight.
When a group scouts for good Clan areas, they find likely spots but also squabble over places. They discover a Twoleg nest with a couple of shockingly dangerous kittypets who are not exactly welcoming to the strangers. The patrol group continues after an intense battle.
Brambleclaw is concerned because, unlike for the other Clans, there is no obvious spot for ThunderClan to settle in. He also worries about the many signs of Twoleg activity. He fears Twolegs will wreak their devastation on their new area, as they did on their old home. Even after he discovers a likely spot (in a most unlikely manner), Brambleclaw frets that the Clans don't truly belong to the new area. He strives, however, to act confidently so as not to destroy the other cats' pleasure in their new homes.
Tallstar, leader of WindClan, gives his final dying wish --- shocking his Clan. Some WindClan cats refuse to believe that Tallstar made the request at all. Sides are chosen, and the situation turns ugly.
Brambleclaw wants to be deputy of ThunderClan, but Firestar refuses to replace Graystripe because he will not believe Graystripe is dead. Brambleclaw worries about his own ambitions: Surely, he hopes, he will never be as ruthless as his thieving traitor father, Tigerstar, was.
As the Clans settle in, Leafpaw experiences an ominous vision. She hears the words "Before there is peace, blood will spill blood and the lake will run red."
STARLIGHT delves deeper into the Clan lives, exploring politics, family connections, the power of forbidden love, and touching briefly on the nature of spiritual beliefs, while continuing the rapid pace of the previous books. Bring tissues for one incredibly touching encounter between Leafpaw and her StarClan ancestors.
 WARRIORS: THE NEW PROPHECY #5: TWILIGHT
by Erin Hunter
HarperTrophy
ISBN-10: 006082767X
ISBN-13: 9780060827670
Ages 10-up
352 pages
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As the Clans continue to settle into their new territory, Squirrelflight struggles with her disgust toward Brambleclaw's support of his half-brother, the treacherous Hawkfrost. Meanwhile, one cat receives a StarClan dream that seems to indicate he or she may soon die and join them.
Squirrelflight goes out on patrol with Brambleclaw. The two squabble and bicker until Squirrelflight nearly forgets how close the two of them once were. Speaking of hostility, it seems that the Clans, nearly one family for the long journey to the new territory, are now divided as rivals. But Squirrelclaw's musing is cut short as the ThunderClan warriors discover a den full of their mortal enemies: badgers.
Leafpool is faltering in her medicine cat duties. She can't quite keep her mind focused on her work because of her forbidden love for WindClan's Crowfeather. She keeps remembering his confession of love, but she must hide her feelings because medicine cats cannot fall in love. When she discovers that her friend Sorreltail is expecting kittens, Leafpool is torn between joy and jealousy. As a medicine cat, she will never be a mother.
Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw's relationship heats up further until Squirrelflight runs off in a rage at her former friend. Her flight lands her in a life-or-death battle with a deadly fox. Ashfur tries to help her, but it's the furious Brambleclaw who manages to come to the rescue --- which only makes Squirrelflight angrier. Why does it have to be Brambleclaw who saves her? And why must he be so arrogant about it? The fact is, she no longer trusts Brambleclaw even though she wants to.
Leafpool sees Feathertail in a dream. Feathertail asks her to warn Mothwing that RiverClan is in serious danger from Twolegs. Leafpool feels guilty about her attraction to Crowfeather around Feathertail. Could the spirit cat be angry that Crowfeather has fallen in love with Leafpool?
As time goes on, events happen fast and furiously. ThunderClan gets a population boost from an unexpected direction. One Clan bows under the weight of a terrible illness. The Clans find new enemies to battle. A romantic quandary leads to a shocking solution. An old friend reappears bearing an ominous warning.
The excitement keeps building in another action-packed story guaranteed to please the legions of Warriors fans.
 WARRIORS: THE NEW PROPHECY #6: SUNSET
by Erin Hunter
HarperCollins
ISBN-10: 0060827718
ISBN-13: 9780060827717
Ages 10-up
320 pages
•
Click here to buy from Amazon.com
After the devastating battle with the badgers, Brambleclaw finds not only his fellow wounded warriors everywhere but two unexpected visitors: Brook and Stormfur, from the Tribe of Rushing Water. Together they assist the wounded warriors.
Leafpool and Crowfeather have returned, but Leafpool believes they should part. Her Clan needs her to perform her duties as medicine cat. Heartbroken, the two say goodbye.
There is much to do, since the entire camp is in shambles after the battle. Many cats can't help rebuild because of their injuries. Sadly, the able warriors must also tend to their dead. The friendly badger Midnight, who helped the warriors during the battle by bringing WindClan, departs for her home. Brambleclaw watches her leave with a heavy heart, but meanwhile the Clan must hunt fresh-kill and find comfortable sleeping areas for the warriors.
Leafpool is concerned for her sister, Squirrelflight, even as she agonizes over her own separation from Crowfeather. Leafpool knows that Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw are drawing ever closer. She also realizes that Ashfur is hurt and furious over Squirrelflight's change of heart. Could Squirrelflight be in danger?
Leafpool also wonders about the allegiance of Brambleclaw and his brother Hawkfrost. In a dream, Leafpool watched the brothers' father, Tigerstar, urge his sons to seek power. Now, though, she is too busy with her duties as medicine cat to have time to worry about Squirrelflight or the Brambleclaw situation.
Brambleclaw is torn, too. He knows Squirrelflight doesn't trust Hawkfrost, yet Hawkfrost is Brambleclaw's brother --- and he joins him in his dreams to meet up with their dead father, Tigerstar. Brambleclaw keeps secret his nighttime meetings, in which Tigerstar gives him advice on how to gain power in his Clan. Meanwhile, Squirrelflight can't help but wonder if Brambleclaw's loyalties are ultimately with his Clan or with his brother.
A hunting party finds a new danger from Two Legs --- a trap. Although the trap is evidently set for foxes, the warriors must beware. Are there more traps set throughout their new territory? It's not too long before ThunderClan knows the answer to that question.
Leafpool receives some astounding news from StarClan warriors during a dream. She feels strengthened by the dream and decides to follow Brambleclaw to see if he meets his brother. While stalking him, she is aware of the terrifying prophecy from StarClan: "Before all is peaceful, blood will spill blood, and the lake will run red." She knows a horror waits in ThunderClan's future, yet she feels hopeless to stop it.
Conflict and dangers pile in on the warriors as the Clans haggle over boundaries, secrets, lies, faith and power, while one leader struggles with a momentous decision. The many Warriors fans will devour the last book of the New Prophecy series, which ties the story threads into a satisfying conclusion.
--- Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon (terryms2001@yahoo.com)
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