Reading Order – Warriors: Dawn of the Clans – Erin Hunter – Complete Guide – Books in Order
- Jason Montero
- Jul 5
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 25
Reading order guide for Warriors: Dawn of the Clans. Contains foundational spoilers, tribal decisions, and formative outcomes through the saga’s end. Before the prophecies, there was hunger. Before the Clans, there were names without legacy and choices without law. Gray Wing, Clear Sky, and Thunder didn’t follow paths—they carved them in blood, loss, and vision. Reading this arc means stepping into the origin, where every meow became a law and every claimed land meant fate.
Introduction – Reading Order – Warriors: Dawn of the Clans
Warriors: Dawn of the Clans is the zero point of the Warrior Cats universe. This prequel arc, written by Erin Hunter, tells the origin story of the Clans, the rise of their leaders, and the creation of the codes that would govern their lives for generations. It is the story of how a group of cats—without territory, without rules, and without a shared past—shaped a civilization with its own laws and beliefs.
This reading guide presents the six books in their correct order, allowing you to follow step by step the journey of Gray Wing, Clear Sky, Thunder, and other pioneers. From a hunger-driven exodus to the first battles, through illness, ideological divisions, and celestial signs, each book reveals another step in the creation of the world we would later know as ThunderClan, RiverClan, WindClan, ShadowClan, and SkyClan.
If you seek to understand not just the “what” but the “why” of the Warrior Cats universe, this saga is where it all begins.
All Books in Reading Order – Warriors: Dawn of the Clans
1. The Sun Trail – Warriors: Dawn of the Clans – Book 1
Food is running scarce in the mountains. Faced with starvation and guided by mysterious dreams, a group of cats decides to leave their harsh home in search of a better life. Gray Wing and Clear Sky take on leadership roles as the travelers make their way into unknown territory, encountering lush forests and hidden dangers. This journey marks the beginning of their transformation, but not everyone agrees on how the new world should be shaped. As differences start to form, tensions rise. The choices made here will echo far into the future. This is the first step toward the rise of the Clans. Dive into the full summary of The Sun Trail ➤
2. Thunder Rising – Warriors: Dawn of the Clans – Book 2
After the initial journey, the cats are trying to settle—but conflict brews quickly. Clear Sky believes in controlling land with strict rules, while Gray Wing favors cooperation and respect. Thunder, Clear Sky’s son, is caught between them, unsure where he belongs or who he wants to become. As disagreements turn into divisions, the cats face their first true tests of loyalty. New friendships are formed and old ones break. In this second installment, we begin to see the early signs of what will one day become structured Clans, as each cat chooses a path that could shape generations. Read the full summary of Thunder Rising ➤
3. The First Battle – Warriors: Dawn of the Clans – Book 3
The forest is no longer a place of peace. Cats are claiming land, arguing over territory, and preparing for conflict. In this third book, ideals clash and visions for the future come to a head. Gray Wing seeks harmony, but Clear Sky’s growing ambition threatens it. Thunder finds his voice and begins to take his own stance, no longer just a son or follower. The first real battle among the cats breaks out, and it leaves deep scars—physically and emotionally. With loss on both sides, the cats must ask themselves if fighting is the only way to move forward. Check the full summary of The First Battle ➤
4. The Blazing Star – Warriors: Dawn of the Clans – Book 4
Just as the forest begins to calm, a strange sickness spreads among the cats. There’s no known cure, and fear makes enemies even of those who once stood united. The cats must now search for healing and hope, looking beyond their differences to survive. When a sign in the sky—the Blazing Star—appears, it’s taken as guidance from powers beyond. This fourth book shifts from war to survival, showing the importance of wisdom, trust, and a connection to something larger than themselves. Some will lead. Others will fall. But all must face the unknown together, or not at all. Access the full summary of The Blazing Star ➤
5. A Forest Divided – Warriors: Dawn of the Clans – Book 5
Divisions run deep. Although the sickness has passed, not all wounds have healed. Trust is fragile, especially with Clear Sky’s past actions still casting shadows. Some cats believe in building communities, others still cling to power. In this fifth volume, bonds will be tested. Thunder emerges as a cat with a vision of something different—something balanced. Meanwhile, Gray Wing tries desperately to hold everything together. There are moments of peace, but danger is never far. Cats must now decide what kind of world they want to live in—and if they’re willing to fight for it once more. Discover the essence in the full summary of A Forest Divided ➤
6. Path of Stars – Warriors: Dawn of the Clans – Book 6
The time has come for final decisions. The cats know the forest can’t survive constant conflict. In Path of Stars, they begin to define the rules that will guide them: borders, leadership, and the code. Gray Wing, whose health is fading, becomes a quiet but powerful voice of reason. Thunder, now a leader in his own right, helps shape the vision of organized Clans. This final book in the arc shows how everything falls into place—not easily, but with purpose. Sacrifices are made, names are chosen, and history is written. The Clans are born, and the journey comes full circle. Explore the full story in the summary of Path of Stars ➤
Conclusion – Reading Order – Warriors: Dawn of the Clans
Dawn of the Clans is more than a prequel—it is the emotional and spiritual root of the Warrior Cats universe. In this arc, Erin Hunter reveals how the choices of a few brave, confused, and often divided cats planted the seeds of everything that would follow.
Each book reflects the natural tension between the desire for freedom and the need for order, between family ties and ideological divides. The story of Gray Wing, Clear Sky, and Thunder is also a story of leadership, sacrifice, identity, and community. There are no grand battles over prophecies or supernatural foes—only real, foundational decisions that shaped the destiny of future generations.
This reading guide is the perfect map to venture into that origin, where everything was still undecided… and every choice changed everything.
Other Books or Series – Erin Hunter
Warrior Cats – Ultimate Guide to the Complete Universe – [View reading order]
Bravelands
Seekers
Survivors
FAQs – Reading Order – Warriors: Dawn of the Clans
What is the correct reading order for Dawn of the Clans?
The correct order is: The Sun Trail, Thunder Rising, The First Battle, The Blazing Star, A Forest Divided, and Path of Stars. Reading them in this sequence allows you to experience the full arc as intended.
Is this series a good starting point for new readers?
Yes. Even though it was published after other arcs, Dawn of the Clans is the first in the timeline. It’s a great introduction to the Warrior Cats universe, especially for readers who want to start at the very beginning.
Who are the main characters in this arc?
The story mainly follows Gray Wing, Clear Sky, and Thunder. Each of them represents a different vision of leadership and belonging. Their actions shape the future Clans and leave a deep mark on history.
How do the Clans actually form in this series?
Through struggle, negotiation, and vision. What begins as survival becomes something structured. The cats eventually divide into five Clans—ThunderClan, RiverClan, WindClan, ShadowClan, and SkyClan—each with its own values and leaders.
Where does Dawn of the Clans fit in the overall timeline?
Chronologically, it’s the first arc, even if it wasn’t the first published. Everything that happens in the later arcs builds on the events and choices made in Dawn of the Clans.
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