How Many Warriors Books Are There? The Complete 2024 Count & Series Guide
Have you ever found yourself wandering the shelves of a bookstore or scrolling through an online catalog, completely overwhelmed by the sheer volume of cat-centric fantasy novels? You're not alone. The burning question for both new and veteran fans alike is: how many Warriors books are there? It’s a deceptively simple question that opens the door to one of the most expansive and beloved fictional universes in modern children’s literature. The Warriors series, following the thrilling adventures of feral cat clans, has grown from a single six-book arc into a sprawling literary empire. Getting a precise count is more than just a numbers game; it’s about understanding the rich tapestry of stories, spin-offs, and companion guides that make up this incredible world. Whether you're a curious newcomer or a dedicated fan trying to complete your collection, this definitive guide will break down every single publication, offering clarity on the staggering total and helping you navigate the forest of stories.
The Warriors phenomenon, written under the collective pseudonym Erin Hunter, has captivated millions with its intricate politics, epic battles, and deeply emotional character arcs. But its massive scale can be daunting. The series isn't just one long story; it's a constellation of interconnected narratives, each exploring different eras, clans, and characters. To answer "how many Warriors books are there?" we must categorize them properly. Are we counting only the core chapter books? What about the longer Super Edition novels, the detailed field guides, or the popular manga graphic novels? This article will leave no stone unturned, providing a meticulous count for every format and offering essential context for each. By the end, you’ll not only know the exact number but also possess a roadmap to this vast, thrilling universe.
The Warriors Universe Explained: More Than Just a Series
Before we dive into the numbers, it’s crucial to understand what we’re counting. The term "Warriors book" encompasses several distinct formats, each serving a different purpose in the lore. The foundation is the original chapter book series, which are the standard 300-400 page novels that form the backbone of the story. These are followed by the Super Editions, which are longer, standalone novels that delve deep into a single character’s past or a critical event. Then there are the field guides and manga.
The field guides (Secrets of the Clans, Battles in the Forest, etc.) are illustrated compendiums that act as encyclopedias for the clans’ territories, laws, and histories. They are non-fiction within the fiction, written from the perspective of a kittypet turned scholar. The manga series are graphic novels that adapt stories from the main timeline or explore entirely new narratives, often focusing on characters outside the main arcs. Each of these formats contributes to the overall count and enriches the experience in unique ways. Therefore, when we answer "how many Warriors books are there?", the most honest answer is: it depends on what you include. For a truly comprehensive total, we must tally them all.
The Core Chapter Book Series: The Main Arcs (42 Books)
This is the heart of the Warriors library. These are the novels that launched the franchise and tell the continuous, chronological story of the forest clans from ThunderClan, ShadowClan, RiverClan, and WindClan. They are published in sequential story arcs, each typically consisting of six books. As of late 2023/early 2024, there are seven completed main arcs, with an eighth currently in progress.
1. Warriors: The Prophecies Begin (6 Books)
This is where it all started. We meet Rusty, a housecat who becomes Firepaw and eventually Firestar, the leader of ThunderClan. This arc establishes the fundamental lore, the code, and the primary conflicts. The six books are:
- Into the Wild
- Fire and Ice
- Forest of Secrets
- Rising Storm
- A Dangerous Path
- The Darkest Hour
These books set the template for everything that follows and remain a cornerstone of the series.
2. Warriors: The New Prophecy (6 Books)
Set several moons after The Prophecies Begin, this arc follows a new generation of kits, including Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight, who must fulfill a prophecy about a new home. The journey and its consequences reshape the clans forever.
- Midnight
- Moonrise
- Dawn
- Starlight
- Twilight
- Sunset
3. Warriors: Power of Three (6 Books)
Focusing on the three kits of Leafpool and Crowfeather—Jaypaw, Hollypaw, and Lionpaw—this series explores a prophecy about three with the power of the stars in their paws. It delves deeply into medicine cat duties, destiny, and internal clan strife.
- The Sight
- Dark River
- Outcast
- Eclipse
- Long Shadow
- Sunrise
4. Warriors: Omen of the Stars (6 Books)
A direct continuation of Power of Three, this arc follows the same three cats (now Lionblaze, Jayfeather, and Dovewing) as they navigate a prophecy that one of them will hold the power of the stars. The threat of the Dark Forest looms large.
- The Fourth Apprentice
- Fading Echoes
- Night Whispers
- Sign of the Moon
- The Forgotten Warrior
- The Last Hope
5. Warriors: A Vision of Shadows (6 Books)
Introducing a new protagonist, Alderheart, and his kin, this arc deals with the aftermath of the Great Battle and the search for lost SkyClan. It also introduces the concept of "the Rising Storm" within ThunderClan itself.
- The Apprentice’s Quest
- Thunder and Shadow
- Shattered Sky
- Darkest Night
- The Raging Storm
- The Broken Code
6. Warriors: The Broken Code (6 Books)
The immediate sequel to A Vision of Shadows, this series focuses on the consequences of the events in the previous arc, particularly the breaking of the warrior code and the mysterious "spirit" attacks.
- Lost Stars
- The Silent Thaw
- Veil of Shadows
- Darkness Within
- The Place of No Stars
- A Light in the Mist
7. Warriors: A Starless Clan (6 Books) – Currently Releasing
The latest main arc, which began in 2022. This series explores a catastrophic event that strips the clans of their connection to StarClan, forcing them to redefine their spirituality and survival without ancestral guidance.
- The Thief’s Heir (Nov 2022)
- The Silent Blade (Jun 2023)
- The Place of Lies (Nov 2023)
- A Song of the Stars (Jun 2024)
- (Book 5, TBA 2024)
- (Book 6, TBA 2025)
Total Core Chapter Books: 42 (7 arcs x 6 books each). This is the number most fans refer to when discussing the "main series."
The Super Editions: Standalone Epics (15+ Books)
The Super Editions are longer, more in-depth novels (around 500 pages) that focus on a single character’s backstory or a pivotal moment in the timeline. They are not part of the six-book arc structure but are considered essential reading for completists. They are numbered separately. As of 2024, there are 15 official Super Editions, with more announced or likely.
- Firestar’s Quest
- Bluestar’s Prophecy
- SkyClan’s Destiny
- Crookedstar’s Promise
- Yellowfang’s Secret
- Tallstar’s Revenge
- Bramblestar’s Storm
- Moth Flight’s Vision
- Hawkwing’s Journey
- Tigerheart’s Shadow
- Crowfeather’s Trial
- Squirrelflight’s Hope
- Graystripe’s Vow
- Ivypool’s Heart
- Dovewing’s Silence
Additionally, there are four "Super Edition" manga adaptations of some of these stories (Firestar’s Quest, Bluestar’s Prophecy, etc.), which are counted in the manga section below. There are also special editions like The Ultimate Guide (which is a field guide, see below) and Warriors: The Broken Code - A Novel which is a prose novelization of the arc, sometimes causing confusion.
Field Guides & Other Prose Companions (9+ Books)
These are illustrated, in-universe reference books. They are packed with maps, clan histories, and bios, written as if by a kittypet historian. They are invaluable for fans wanting to deep-dive into the lore.
- Secrets of the Clans
- Battles in the Forest
- The Ultimate Guide (Updated Edition)
- The New Prophecy: The Ultimate Guide
- Power of Three: The Ultimate Guide
- Omen of the Stars: The Ultimate Guide
- A Vision of Shadows: The Ultimate Guide
- The Broken Code: The Ultimate Guide
- A Starless Clan: The Ultimate Guide (Announced)
There are also activity books and the WarriorsCats of the Clans photo-based book, but the core reference library stands at 9 major field guides as listed, with more for newer arcs likely.
The Manga Series: Graphic Novel Adventures (30+ Volumes)
The manga line is a massive and popular sub-franchise. These are full-color graphic novels that tell self-contained stories, often focusing on characters from the main series or exploring the past. They are published in their own series and volumes. Counting them individually is complex, but here is the breakdown by manga series:
- Graystripe’s Manga (3 volumes): The Lost Warrior, Warrior’s Refuge, Warrior’s Return.
- Ravenpaw’s Manga (3 volumes): Shattered Peace, A Clan in Need, The Heart of a Warrior.
- SkyClan and the Stranger (5 volumes): A full story about SkyClan’s early days.
- The Rise of Scourge (1 volume): The origin story of BloodClan’s leader.
- Return to the Clans (1 volume): A bridge between arcs.
- The Shadow in RiverClan (1 volume): A standalone story.
- Winds of Change (1 volume): Focuses on a WindClan cat.
- Exile from ShadowClan (1 volume): A ShadowClan tale.
- A Thief in ThunderClan (1 volume): A ThunderClan mystery.
- Warriors: A Vision of Shadows - The Manga (3 volumes): Adaptation of the first three books of the arc.
- Warriors: The Broken Code - The Manga (3 volumes): Adaptation of the first three books of the arc.
- Warriors: A Starless Clan - The Manga (3 volumes announced, 1 released so far).
This totals over 30 individual manga volumes. This number will continue to grow as new arcs are adapted.
The Complete Grand Total (As of Early 2024)
Now, let’s add it all up for the most comprehensive answer to "how many Warriors books are there?".
- Core Chapter Books (Main Arcs): 42
- Super Editions (Prose): 15
- Field Guides & Major Companions: 9
- Manga Volumes (All Series): 30+
Grand Total (All Formats): 96+ Books
If you count only the standard prose novels (Core + Super Editions), the number is 57. This is the most common figure cited for the "book series." However, the full literary experience includes the guides and manga, pushing the total well into the 90s and climbing with every new release.
Future Releases: The Count Will Keep Growing
The Warriors universe is far from static. The eighth main arc, following A Starless Clan, is in development. Each new arc will add six core chapter books. Furthermore, every new arc typically spawns its own Super Edition (or more), a field guide, and eventually a manga adaptation. Based on the current release pace, we can expect:
- At least 6 new core books in the next 2-3 years for Arc 8.
- Likely 1-2 new Super Editions in the same timeframe.
- A new field guide for the new arc.
- The manga adaptation of A Starless Clan will continue, and the next arc’s manga will eventually begin.
Therefore, the answer to "how many Warriors books are there?" is a moving target. For a precise snapshot, you must specify a date. As of April 2024, the count is 96+ across all formats, but this guide will be outdated by the time you read it if new releases have been announced.
How to Start Reading: Navigating the Numbers
With nearly 100 books, starting can feel intimidating. Here’s a simple, actionable plan based on your interest:
The Classic Path (For New Readers): Start with Warriors: The Prophecies Begin (Books 1-6). This is the perfect entry point. Read them in order. After that, continue sequentially through The New Prophecy (Books 7-12), and so on through the main arcs. This is the intended narrative flow.
The Completer’s Path (For Collectors): Follow the main arc sequence, but insert the Super Editions at the correct chronological points. For example, read Bluestar’s Prophecy after The Prophecies Begin but before The New Prophecy, as it covers events decades earlier. Websites like the Warriors Wiki provide detailed reading orders that integrate all Super Editions seamlessly.
The Casual Fan Path: Stick to the 42 core chapter books only. Read them in arc order. This gives you the complete main storyline without the extra commitment of the longer companions or manga.
The Lore Master Path: Read the core books, all Super Editions, and all field guides. You can skip the manga if you prefer prose, but the manga offers unique stories not found elsewhere.
Key Takeaway: Don’t let the high number paralyze you. The core narrative is contained within the 42 main novels. Everything else is enriching bonus content.
Common Questions Answered
Q: Do I need to read the manga to understand the main story?
A: No. The manga stories are mostly self-contained side adventures or adaptations. You will fully understand the main plot without them. However, some manga (like SkyClan and the Stranger) provide crucial backstory for SkyClan’s reintroduction.
Q: Are the field guides necessary?
A: They are not necessary for plot comprehension, but they are incredibly useful for understanding clan history, territory maps, and detailed character bios. They answer many "who was that?" and "where is that?" questions that arise in the novels.
Q: What’s the difference between a Super Edition and a main arc book?
A: Main arc books are part of a six-book sequence with a continuous plot. A Super Edition is a single, longer book that tells a complete, standalone story, usually about a major character’s past (e.g., Bluestar’s Prophecy tells Bluestar’s entire life story).
Q: How many books are in the newest series, A Starless Clan?
A: The arc is planned for six books, same as all others. As of now, four have been released (through A Song of the Stars), with two more scheduled for 2024 and 2025.
Q: Is there a definitive list of all books in order?
A: Yes. The best resource is the official Warriors website’s book list or the meticulously maintained Warriors Wiki. They list every publication in chronological reading order, including where each Super Edition fits.
Conclusion: The Ever-Expanding Forest
So, how many Warriors books are there? The definitive, all-encompassing answer is over 96 individual publications across novels, super editions, guides, and manga. If we’re speaking strictly of the standard chapter book series that drives the central plot, the number is a more manageable 42, with six more on the way. This staggering total is a testament to the enduring power of Erin Hunter’s creation. It’s a living, breathing world that has grown alongside its readers for nearly two decades.
The true magic of Warriors isn’t found in the count, but in the journey. Whether you read 6 books or 60, you’re stepping into a forest teeming with loyalty, betrayal, courage, and community. The numbers provide a map, but the stories provide the adventure. Don’t be daunted by the scale. Pick up Into the Wild, follow Firestar’s first steps into the forest, and let the journey begin. The clans are waiting, and their stories—like the series itself—are far from over. The next book, and the next arc, is already on the horizon, ensuring that the answer to "how many Warriors books are there?" will always be: more than you think, and not enough for true fans.
