The second in the newest Warriors arc, Changing Skies: Hidden Moon releases two weeks from today on Tuesday, November 4th. Although the preview chapters were sent out to the Fan Club on September 26th, so many events and news about the graphic novels came out that I decided to push this article back.
I feel indifferent about Hidden Moon based on the preview. I had a fairly neutral opinion of The Elders’ Quest too, finding it unremarkable in my review. I’m waiting for this arc to get exciting, and the preview, which includes the prologue and three chapters, didn’t do it for me. Read on to find out why.
This article contains spoilers for the series through Changing Skies: The Elders’ Quest and especially for Hidden Moon itself.
Check out the book’s blurb:
Erin Hunter’s #1 bestselling Warriors series continues with the second book in the Changing Skies arc, as the Clans continue to navigate an ominous prophecy that foreshadows the end of the cats’ connection to StarClan.
Still healing from an accident that almost killed her, Tawnypelt is eager to share the message she received from StarClan about a “great peril” looming over the clans. But her vision is dismissed by her son and leader, Tigerstar, leaving Tawnypelt with no choice but to take action on her own.
Racked with guilt that he caused his father’s death, Starlingpaw is determined to atone for his mistake. His chance comes when Tawnypelt warns him of a “two-faced cat” intent on destroying the clans. Believing himself uniquely suited to find this cat and stop them, Starlingpaw seizes on the opportunity to prove that he is an asset, and not a liability, to SkyClan.
Moonpaw is settling into her role as a Thunderclan apprentice, even as she continues to grapple with the voice in her head. But the more she tries to ignore the voice, the louder—and angrier—it grows.
Meanwhile, Twolegs have set their sights on the Moonpool, preventing the Clans from reaching StarClan. Will the cats find a way to reach their ancestors before all is lost?
My favorite part of this preview was the prologue. Surprisingly, it thrust readers into Brambleclaw’s POV. It was an adorable look into one of his dreams, back when Sparkkit and Alderkit were just babies. As cute as that is, what’s more important is that Brambleclaw gets his own warning like Tawnypelt. Leafpool–amazing cameo–tells him “A fight is coming. You must all be ready.” Bringing him in makes me more convinced that the Great Journey cats will be important. Their knowledge of moving, perhaps?
I even find myself wondering if they’re foreshadowing an attack by having Brambleclaw explain to his kits that a fox will never get into camp. Will Moonpaw’s sister somehow make that happen?
As for Tawnypelt’s chapter, it was fine. Readers get a little look into her harsh recovery after she was brought back from the brink of death by StarClan and the SkyClan medicine cats. Her chapter is essential since it repeats the prophecy she received at the end of the first book, but it also highlights her relationship with Birchfeather again. Through him, readers get insight into how Leafstar and Hawkwing have yet to go to the Moonpool to switch leadership.
I understand Birchfeather’s frustration that he can’t complete his trials to become a SkyClan warrior because of the hold up. Yet, I was amused how Tawnypelt was commenting to herself that he’s used to special treatment from Tigerstar in ShadowClan. I’m curious how much of this is background flavor and how much relates to the plot.
One of my biggest gripes for The Elders’ Quest was how slow everything was. The plots seemed to be touched upon instead of launched, and Hidden Moon is the same so far. With the addition of Starlingpaw, and the removal of Leafstar’s POV, readers have to get used to a new plot to follow. I’m still disappointed they removed such an emotional and interesting POV with Leafstar. The Warriors universe has rarely touched upon leaders aging, let alone seeing into their thoughts as they did.
Starlingpaw could potentially be a good addition, but I worry he’ll become annoying. He is a very anxious, guilt-ridden cat, thinking he was the cause for the death of his father, Kitescratch. Depending how long he blames himself, it could get tiresome to read. I’m hopeful we might get some apprentice interactions, whether with his peers or his mentor at least.
Plus, the entirety of his character arc right now seems to be based on the miscommunication trope. With Tawnypelt’s poppy-seed addled mutterings, Starlingpaw believes that he is “the only one who can help” her. He also got only little bits of the prophecy she was given in the first book: “beware the two-faced cat with a paw in each world!” I’m nervous for what this badger-look-a-like will get up to as he believes this is the only way StarClan wants him to “redeem” himself.
Clearly, the two-faced cat is Moonpaw. I can’t imagine it’ll take long for Starlingpaw to figure that out, though what comes next, I’m not sure. I’m still under the impression that we’ll get yet another cross-Clan love story between the two.
Her first chapter in Hidden Moon was intriguing, though I’m still not fully drawn into her character. I love seeing hints of her Clanmates’ mistrust in her, with Daisy being one of the first. If the permanent queen of the Clan is anxious about you, that’s not good. It was also cool to see how Moonpaw appears to be sleepwalking. Is her haunting littermate controlling her when she’s asleep? Is that how Sunkit “saw” Moonpaw last book? I’m wagering yes.
Hidden Moon unfortunately didn’t have a lot to talk about like other previews. The chapters themselves aren’t long, though I’ll find out for sure when the physical book arrives.
Check out the next Warriors releases and where they can be pre-ordered:
2025:
Warriors: Changing Skies #2: Hidden Moon: November 4, 2025
Warriors: The Prophecies Begin #1: Into the Wild Collector’s Deluxe Limited Edition: November 4, 2025
2026:
Warriors: Changing Skies #3: Chasing Shadows: March 31, 2026
Warriors Graphic Novel: The New Prophecy #1: June 30, 2026
Warriors: Super Edition #19: Darktail’s Judgement: (details to come)
