Darkness, air, water, and sky will come together...

The wild cats of the forest have lived in peace and harmony for many moons -- but a doom that will change everything is coming. Strange messages from their warrior ancestors speak of terrifying new prophecies, danger, and a mysterious destiny.

All the signs point to young warrior Brambleclaw as the cat with the fate of the forest in his paws. But why would the son of wicked cat Tigerstar be chosen to be a hero? And who are the other cats mentioned in the prophecy? All Brambleclaw knows for sure is that the strength and courage of the greatest warriors will be needed now, as the quest to save the Clans begins.

...and shake the forest to its roots.

ANNOTATION

Called by StarClan to fulfill a new prophecy, a group of young cats sets out on a long and dangerous journey, knowing only that trouble threatens the forest, as the adventures of the warrior clans continue.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Darkness, air, water, and sky will come together...

The wild cats of the forest have lived in peace and harmony for many moons -- but a doom that will change everything is coming. Strange messages from their warrior ancestors speak of terrifying new prophecies, danger, and a mysterious destiny.

All the signs point to young warrior Brambleclaw as the cat with the fate of the forest in his paws. But why would the son of wicked cat Tigerstar be chosen to be a hero? And who are the other cats mentioned in the prophecy? All Brambleclaw knows for sure is that the strength and courage of the greatest warriors will be needed now, as the quest to save the Clans begins. ...and shake the forest to its roots.

SYNOPSIS

In the launch volume of the Warriors New Prophecy trilogy, a new generation of heroic cats stalk into the forest, not knowing what doom could await them.

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Kathleen Karr

The prolific Erin Hunter (the pseudonymous author/authors of this "created" series) is back with Book One of "Warriors: the New Prophecy." Some of the main characters from the first six books of "Warriors" are present—in name, if not in spirit. It is a definite downer to watch Firestar, the former "kittypet" turned hero, become nothing but a generic spokesman for his clan while the action filters down several generations to the next batch of pussy protagonists. The new plot? Starclan—those deceased feline elders populating the night sky—lay down a new prophecy of doom on the shoulders of four untried cats, one representing each clan. Not only do these four have to learn to tolerate each other, they must also quest for the true meaning of their dreams. The answer, of course, will fill the next five books. In the meantime, there are just too many cats. It takes a close reading of the first fifty pages just to sort them out. Then the half dozen we are left with are fairly wimpy—with the possible exception of Squirrelpaw, Firestar's feisty, but obedience-challenged daughter. Could we have a little more characterization, folks, before your cat franchise goes down the tubes? 2005, HarperCollins, and Ages 10 to 12.

Kirkus Reviews

This first-in-series animal adventure with a fine plot but recurring preciousness will satisfy a particular readership. Four cat Clans live in bordering countryside territories in tentative peace. They meet only at ritualized times. Each Clan has warriors, apprentices, a medicine cat and a leader. Days are spent hunting and patrolling until a few select cats receive cryptic dreams from their mutual gods about a prophecy of doom. One chosen cat from each clan and two others who refuse to stay behind sneak away together and embark on a journey they don't understand, away from the forest and into dangerous Twoleg territory. A few cats are well characterized, though the sheer number named and the names themselves (Brambleclaw, Squirrelpaw) make them blend. Use of "meowed" and "mewed" instead of "said" is contrived (and unintentionally funny); the word "kittypet" (for those who live with humans) is distractingly cloying. Structurally solid; this will please Redwall-genre fans and cat devotees. (name chart, maps) (Fantasy. 8-11)