Lionpaw, Hollypaw, and Jaypaw-grandchildren of the Clan leader Firestar-are thriving as the newest ThunderClan apprentices. Yet with their new responsibilities come new experiences, new power . . . and secret dangers.

Lionpaw makes a friend-and a discovery-that must be kept hidden; Jaypaw learns a secret that could benefit ThunderClan only by bringing harm to others; and Hollypaw knows something that could avert a battle, if only she could convince the rest of her Clan. Prophecy looms, ominous forces threaten to tear them apart, and each young cat discovers darkness: in the past, in the Clans-and in themselves.