After a long break where the library constantly had one or all the books loaned out, I finally got to reading the last complete arc of the series, The Broken Code.

Of course, after a months long break, getting back into Warriors can get confusing but the character list reacquainted me with the clan heirarchies. Since the reintroduction of Sky Clan into the forests, the clans have seemingly lost their connection to Starclan. While life has continued on, the cats are wary of what this absence means and the unbroken winter that followed. Have they’ve been forsaken?

A youn medicine cat apprentice seems to have the answers. Starclan is only connecting with Shadowpaw and they have forsaken the clans because of codebreakers. They must punish the codebreakers and return to their ways, to truly become warriors again or else suffer death. These harsh decrees don’t sound like the Starclan of old but when innocent cats seem to be suffering or dying because of the lack of punishment on the codebreakers, the clans start a frenzy to root them out, draw cat against cat, clan against clan, once more.

I had mentioned before that I was starting to get tired of the constant in-clan fighting and the reoccuring doubts of Starclan before everything returns to the status quo. This one impressed me by enacting real change into how the clans’ rules and featuring not just Thunderclan but Skyclan and Shadowclan cats as protagonists, making it an exciting new arc in the series.

So on to the rankings!

1. The Silent Thaw: I was glad to see that the series quickly got to business instead of dragging out the cats figuring out if Bramblestar is an imposter or not. Rather, they all have their suspicions especially Shadowsight but they don’t know how to prove it. Rootpaw could be of help as he’s the only one who can see Bramblestar’s ghosts but it’s a phenomena that hasn’t occurred before in-universe so he doesn’t know who to trust with his sources.

Meanwhile, Bristlefrost begins to get integrated into the plot as Bramblestar uses her as a spy for codebreakers. With her sudden promotion coupled with young age, Bristlefrost is immediately shunned by her peers. Moreso, when they find out why Bramblestar elected her to his personal guard. Luckily, she’s there to provide a confidence with Squirrelflight who is disconcerted by her mate’s cruel behavior and confirm their fears. This Bramblestar is overriding Starclan’s orders, he is concerned about codebreakers, not because of the code, but because he wants to punish everyone who gets in his way. But most important, who is he?

2. Darkness Within: The imposter is revealed as Ashfur!! Remember him? Squirrelflight’s stalker ex that died a couple eons ago. Well, his time among the dead has made him worse Imposter in viciousness and machavallian intelligence. This was an interesting book full of character-growth for the cats. Shadowsight has been in isolation because some believe Shadowsight has been helping Ashfur all along. Plus there are bigger arguements to be had like whether killing Bramblestar’s body will really kill Ashfur’s spirit or he’ll dive into another deceased body. But even more interesting is with Squirrelflight missing and Bramblestar an imposter, Lionblaze takes up the mantle only to be accused of nepotism, and more cats leave the Thunderclan! Ah, I never thought they’d point out the clear family line that has been holding onto leadership in Thunderclan.

Meanwhile, Rootspring and Bristlefrost journey to find the Sisters (idk if they’ve been mentioned before but they’re ancient cats connected to the old ways and exiled from other clans) to find Bramblestar’s ghost. This strengthens the potential romance between the two as they begin to question who makes the rules, does loving another clan cat make them less as warriors or brave. Who makes the rules, what’s the point of them, and what are you willing to risk. Plus there’s some forshadowing for the next arc that Snow’s kits will be great someday.

3. The Lost Stars: The first book sets things up so let’s start with introducing everyone with Shadowpaw is the main protagonist, being the medicine cat apprentice for Shadowclan who is the only one who gets messages from Starclan. He has a mighty weight on him, not only to live up to Puddleshine’s mentorship but because of his seizures that excluded him from warrior duty. Others think him as weird so even though readers can already sense the Starclan he is contacting may not be the ‘real’ starclan, you can understand his earnest need to prove his abilities and that he isn’t a burden on the clan because of his condition.

Rootpaw has similar dilemma as his father, Tree is a diplomat for Skyclan and a bit. . . delusional. Dreamy. He’s odd and Rootpaw is often embarassed by his father so he overcompensates as an impulsive warrior.

The final protagonist is Bristlepaw, a warrior for the Thunderclan but bad at it. Her story seems the most disconnected as she deals with her first time crush and rejection, making her feel like she belonged in some animal rom-com than the usual danger and intrigue surrounding the series. Because of this I have to rank it lower than the other two.

4. A Light in the Mist: As usual with six books to build up to the final battle, it sometimes falls anticlimatically as most of it takes place in the Dark Forest which I just find very confusing setting-wise and lore-wise. However, it’s saved with its status quo shattering. Starting with how we get to see several rogue cats get a chance at the redemption that they couldn’t get in life. We also get to see Firestar and Grey Stripe have a sweet cameo remembering their friendship. The rules are only as good as the leader who interprets them so the clans decide to change the rules by allowing cats to switch clans for love. Character-wise, Bristlefrost and Rootspring get bittersweet deals here that I assume will be explored more in the next arc but Shadowsight gets to finally feel accepted so that’s nice.

5. Veil of Shadows: While Shadowsight had been the main protagonist, he is missing for the first half of the book as in-universe, the others try to figure where he has disappeared to just as he was about to relay Bramblestar’s true identity. Things get a bit Shakespearen as he wanders over the characters as a spirit, trying to regrain his body.

Bristlefrost is taking a more active role as she dances the tense line as a loyal Bramblestar’s warrior and aiding Squirrelflight and the others. Firsthand, we get to see how Bramblestar’s machinations are not secluded to just Thudnerclan. He encourages other clans to exile their cats for minor offenses, positioning himself to take over. Meanwhile Tigerstar is the unlikely one sane cat in the situation, providing sanctuary for other cats. The book points out an important message as Bramblestar ramps up his attacks, Rootpaw encourages others to rebel because leadership is not absolute, they should be able to question him, not blindly obey. Honestly, it’s the usual filler so it ranks almost last.

6. The Place of No Stars: Everyone is dragged into the spirit world in this one, and yeah. Lots of things happen but it feels like a filler book, building up to the final battle rather than just doing the final battle. I know six books is the norm but sometimes I think the Warriors could get by as just trilogies.