Which Reading Order Should I Follow For The Warriors Series?

When I first dove back into the world of cats, I learned the hard way that how you read 'Warriors' changes the whole vibe of the story. If you want my enthusiastic vote: start with publication order. That means reading the arcs as they came out — 'The Prophecies Begin', then 'The New Prophecy', 'Power of Three', 'Omen of the Stars', 'Dawn of the Clans', 'A Vision of Shadows', 'The Broken Code', and then the newest arcs. Publication order preserves the pacing, reveals, and emotional beats Erin Hunter built, so plot twists land the way they were meant to. I personally did this with a friend and we kept texting each other after cliffhangers for days — it’s a whole mood.

Super editions, novellas, and field guides are best sprinkled in when they match the timeline or when you want a breather. For example, read character super editions around the arcs where those characters are important, and slot novellas either between arcs or after finishing an arc to avoid spoiling future events. Manga can be a fun side trip: most manga are stand-alone or adapt small parts, so I read them between arcs as palate cleansers. If you like lore, pause for 'Secrets of the Clans' or 'Code of the Clans' — they’re delightful detours that deepen StarClan and Clan history.

If you want a different experience, chronological order gives origin context (especially for 'Dawn of the Clans'), but for a first-time read I swear by publication order. It made my first re-read feel like visiting old friends with better understanding, and it’s how most long-time readers still recommend it.

I totally get the temptation to read everything in-universe time order — I tried that on my second run and it felt like assembling a puzzle. Chronological order means starting with the origin stories (like the events told in 'Dawn of the Clans') before moving through the classic arcs and into modern ones. The upside: you experience the world’s history linearly, so character backstories and clan formation make sense from the jump. On the downside, some reveals that were originally placed for suspense lose their punch.

A practical compromise I use: read the first original arc 'Into the Wild' and its companions to get hooked, then dive into 'Dawn of the Clans' if you’re craving ancestry and myth. After that, proceed through publication order. Slot super editions and novellas where they fit chronologically if you want continuity, or after their related arcs if you care about surprise moments. Manga? I treat them as side quests — fun and quick. Ultimately, pick the route that suits your patience for spoilers and your craving for lore; both ways are rewarding in different flavors, and swapping between them keeps the series fresh.

For a no-fuss guide: if you’re new, read in publication order — it’s how the story’s mystery and pacing are intended. That’s the route that made me fall in love with 'Into the Wild' and kept me turning pages late at night. If you’ve already read it once and want background, try chronological order so 'Dawn of the Clans' sits first and you get the origins up front. Novellas, super editions, and field guides are optional extras — I usually insert them after the arc they relate to, or use them as breaks between heavier books. Manga are tasty side stories; they don’t need strict placement. Pick what feels fun: emotional rollercoaster (publication) or historical deep-dive (chronological). I still flip between both depending on my mood.

If you're an ebook reader, check what's available on platforms like Kindle Unlimited or your library's OverDrive. The availability often dictates order more than any ideal plan. You might find they have all of 'The Broken Code' but only scattered earlier volumes. Go with the flow. Read the summaries of missing books, then dive into the available arc. The joy is in the moment-to-moment storytelling—the descriptions of the forest, the tension of a hunt, the drama of a clan meeting. The overarching prophecy is cool, but the immersive details are what make people stay for dozens of books.