Warrior Cats: the ultimate dream for young animal-lovers

In third grade, I loved reading stories about magic and animals. I frequently binged series like “Magic Puppies” and “Rainbow Magic,” so when my mom forced me to choose a different book in third grade, I was hesitant.

Picking up “Crookedstar’s Promise,” one of the books in the “Warrior Cats” series at the bookstore, I was daunted by the thick purple cover with a picture of a cat in front of me. The cover seemed more appealing than the rest of the children’s literature selection, though, so I grudgingly bought it and took it home. 

It stayed on my bookshelf for a while, collecting dust while I continued reading other fantasy and animal books. At the urging of my elementary school friends, however, I decided to give the book a try. This was the beginning of my almost 3-year obsession with the series.

“Warrior Cats,” an 80-book series written by Erin Hunter, a collective pseudonym used by eight authors, follows the drama and adventures of talking feral cats. The first book was released in 2003. Each cat belongs to one of four original clans: Thunderclan, Riverclan, Windclan, Shadowclan and later Skyclan. Cats who die either go to Starclan, basically cat heaven, or the Dark Forest, home of purely evil cats. 

A perpetual struggle exists between Starclan and the Dark Forest, which eventually boils over and splits the clans apart in a fierce battle. In the ordinary world, however, these cats take on various challenges, which can range from catching prey to fulfilling prophecies. 

Growing up, I felt a sort of attachment to these different cats, experiencing the emotional turmoil that came with their successes and failures. The power of friendship and death are two important themes throughout the series, and it was endearing for younger me to read about the variety of conflicts each cat had to face.

There are five primary series and 12 additional series, with six volumes each in the former and around four each for the latter. The first four focus on Fireheart, later Firestar, a cat who joins Thunderclan. After reading “Crookedstar’s Promise,” I wanted to find out more. Starting from the first book of the first series, I quickly became engrossed. I cheered when characters prevailed, and cried at the end of “Omen of the Stars,” when — spoiler — Firestar dies.

Finishing on average one book per week, my obsession with the series came to the point where I would place holds on unreleased books on the library database. Others shared my passion, and I was often the 300th person in line. My third-grade heart shattered whenever I saw such daunting numbers, but I dutifully went to the library every weekend to check for new Warriors books.

Although the books were long, ranging from 300 to 500 pages, and were more on the advanced side of children’s literature, the journey was one I thoroughly enjoyed. Though I finished with the series when “Omen of the Stars” ended, the novels serve as a sentimental memory of my childhood. 

Do I get embarrassed thinking about my addiction? Possibly. But does it still evoke happy experiences of a blissful and carefree youth? Definitely.