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Quick answer: If your child loved Warriors by Erin Hunter, try Seekers: The Quest Begins by Erin Hunter, Survivors: The Gathering Darkness by Erin Hunter, Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland, Redwall by Brian Jacques, Watership Down by Richard Adams and Pax by Sara Pennypacker.
Warriors begins when Rusty, a house cat, wanders into the forest and is taken in by ThunderClan, one of four clans of wild cats who live by a strict warrior code. Erin Hunter’s series, which now runs to well over a hundred books across many story arcs, is a favorite of kids who love animals, adventure and a bit of heartbreak. If your child has finished the latest arc and needs something new, the picks below offer similar clan politics, brave animal heroes, hidden prophecies and big worlds to explore. We’ve listed a recommended starting age for each book, because a few are for confident older readers.
Table of Contents
Why Readers Love Warriors
Kids love Warriors because the cats feel like real characters in a real society. Each clan has its own territory, rules, traditions and rivals, and readers quickly pick a favorite and argue about it with friends. The books are full of battles, prophecies, secrets and deaths that matter, so kids learn that stories can be sad as well as exciting. The series also rewards loyalty to the end: the sheer length means a fan can stay in the forest for years, and the graphic novels and field guides give reluctant readers more ways in.
How We Chose These Books
Every pick below shares at least one thing readers loved about Warriors: its characters, its mood, its setting or the questions it raises. We mixed well-known favorites with a few less obvious choices, and we noted the genre and who each book suits best in the table, so you can scan for the right fit before you read the blurbs.
We kept every description spoiler-free and flagged mature content where it matters, since some of these books are written for adults and others suit teens. If you’re not sure where to start, the tips near the end of this list match each pick to what you loved most. The FAQ at the bottom answers the questions readers ask most often.
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seekers: The Quest Begins | Erin Hunter | 8–12 | More Erin Hunter |
| Survivors: The Gathering Darkness | Erin Hunter | 8–12 | Dog packs and survival |
| Bravelands: Broken Pride | Erin Hunter | 8–12 | African savanna adventure |
| Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy | Tui T. Sutherland | 8–12 | Prophecies and tribes |
| Redwall | Brian Jacques | 8–13 | Classic animal fantasy |
| Guardians of Ga’Hoole: The Capture | Kathryn Lasky | 8–12 | Owl kingdoms |
| Watership Down | Richard Adams | 10+ | A literary classic |
| Pax | Sara Pennypacker | 9–12 | Boys, foxes and war |
| The Wild Robot | Peter Brown | 7–11 | Gentle survival and community |
| Silverwing | Kenneth Oppel | 9–12 | Bats and adventure |
| Poppy | Avi | 8–11 | Short, suspenseful animal fantasy |
| Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH | Robert C. O’Brien | 8–12 | Classic mystery and heart |
| Spirit Animals: Wild Born | Brandon Mull | 8–12 | Animal partners |
| The One and Only Ivan | Katherine Applegate | 8–12 | Emotional, short, based on a true story |
| The Tale of Despereaux | Kate DiCamillo | 7–11 | Small heroes in a large story |
1. Seekers: The Quest Begins by Erin Hunter
Three bear cubs from different species set off on a journey across the wilderness after their homes are threatened. It’s from the same author team as Warriors and has the same sense of epic travel, shifting alliances and fierce animal loyalty. A great second series for fans who want a fresh cast without leaving the style they love.
2. Survivors: The Gathering Darkness by Erin Hunter
After a disaster destroys the world of humans, a lost pet dog named Lucky has to survive among wild packs. The pack rules, leaders and loyalties will feel familiar to Warriors fans, and the story is full of danger and loyalty. It’s a natural bridge for kids who like canine heroes.
3. Bravelands: Broken Pride by Erin Hunter
On the African savanna, a young lion cub must fight for his place in his pride while lions, baboons, elephants and hyenas struggle for power. It’s another Erin Hunter series with animal societies, prophecy-like mysteries and big battles, and it adds the fascination of real animals.
4. Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland
Five young dragons are raised in a cave and told they will end a war between dragon tribes. Like Warriors, it has distinct groups with their own cultures, shifting alliances and a long series that lets readers choose a favorite tribe. It’s one of the best next steps for kids who love battles, secrets and found family.
5. Redwall by Brian Jacques
A young mouse named Matthias must find the lost sword of Martin the Warrior to save Redwall Abbey from a rat warlord. The books are famous for their heroes, wicked villains and enormous feasts. They’re slightly old-fashioned but beloved, with riddles, songs and a strong sense of good against evil.
6. Guardians of Ga’Hoole: The Capture by Kathryn Lasky
A young barn owl is kidnapped and taken to a sinister owl academy, then escapes with a friend to find the legendary Guardians. It has epic battles and a detailed owl society with its own laws, ranks and myths, and it appeals to readers who like the clan-structure of Warriors.
7. Watership Down by Richard Adams
A group of rabbits leaves their doomed warren in search of a new home. Richard Adams gives the rabbits their own language, myths and politics, and the journey is thrilling and sometimes brutal. It’s longer and more mature than most animal fantasies, so it suits strong readers aged ten and up.
8. Pax by Sara Pennypacker
A boy is forced to give up his pet fox, Pax, before leaving for his grandfather’s house during a war. When he decides to find him, the story alternates between the boy and the fox. It’s moving, thoughtful and a good choice for readers who loved the emotional side of Warriors.
9. The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
A robot washes up on an island and has to learn how to live among the wild animals. It’s shorter and quieter than Warriors, but it shares the theme of building a community with others who are different, and it’s a favorite read-aloud.
10. Silverwing by Kenneth Oppel
A young runt bat gets separated from his colony during the winter migration and discovers the secrets of the world. It has fast action, mythology and plenty of peril, and it begins a trilogy that readers often finish quickly.
11. Poppy by Avi
A brave deer mouse challenges the owl who rules her family’s home, in a story that includes courage, trickery and the fear of authority. It’s brief but exciting, the start of the Tales from Dimwood Forest series, and good for readers who want a shorter story.
12. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien
A widowed field mouse must move her family before the farmer plows, and she turns to a colony of unusually intelligent rats for help. It’s a Newbery Medal-winning classic with a science-fiction twist.
13. Spirit Animals: Wild Born by Brandon Mull
Four kids bond with legendary animals and must save their world. Each book in the series is written by a different author, and the action never stops. It’s perfect for kids who loved the bond between the cats and their clans.
14. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
A silverback gorilla living in a mall tells his own story and sets out to free a baby elephant. Inspired by a real gorilla, it’s told in short, poetic chapters. It’s a powerful novel about friendship and promises.
15. The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
A tiny mouse who loves music and stories falls in love with a princess and is sent to the dungeons. It’s a gentle fable about bravery, forgiveness and the power of light, beautifully told, and a good choice for younger siblings.
How to Pick Your Child’s Next Read After Warriors
- Want more Erin Hunter? Try Seekers, Survivors or Bravelands, which have the same style.
- Want tribes and prophecies? Wings of Fire is the closest match.
- Want a classic? Redwall and Watership Down are the best-known animal epics.
- Want a quick read? The Wild Robot and Poppy are shorter.
- Want something emotional? The One and Only Ivan and Pax.
- Read the first chapter aloud. It’s the easiest way to see whether a new series clicks.
Where to Start With Warriors (and What Comes Next)
The main story begins with the first arc, The Prophecies Begin, starting with Into the Wild. Later arcs, such as The New Prophecy, Power of Three and Omen of the Stars, follow the next generations of the same clans. There are also Super Editions, novellas and manga. If your child gets stuck on a long series, a good trick is to alternate: read one Warriors book, then one standalone from the list below. That keeps them reading without exhausting a favorite world.
Is Warriors Too Violent for Younger Kids?
The books describe fights between cats, injuries and sometimes deaths, including some major characters. The tone is serious but not graphic, and most families find the series fine from about age 8 or 9. Sensitive readers may prefer to start with Seekers or Redwall, which are slightly gentler. Reading the first few chapters together is the easiest way to judge, and talking about the sad parts afterward often becomes the best part of the story.
Related: what age Warriors is appropriate for and books like Wings of Fire.
Frequently Asked Questions
What series is most like Warriors?
Seekers, Survivors and Bravelands by Erin Hunter are the closest, because they share the same author team and style. Wings of Fire and Redwall are the next-best matches for tribal or clan stories.
What age is Warriors for?
Warriors is written for ages 8 to 12, and many families are comfortable with it from about age 8 or 9. It includes fights, injuries and character deaths, but nothing graphic.
What order should I read Warriors in?
Start with the first arc, The Prophecies Begin, and read the arcs in publication order. Super Editions and novellas can be read when a character’s story catches your interest.
Are there Warriors graphic novels?
Yes. There are graphic novels and manga series that retell parts of the story, and they’re a good way for reluctant readers to start.
What should my child read after Warriors if they like cats?
Try Bravelands for big cats, Survivors for dogs, or The Wild Robot for a gentler animal story. Silverwing and Redwall are good for readers who like more fantasy.