Renegades #1: The Magic Awakens

Renegades #1

by Erin Hunter

Een nieuwe serie van de auteur van de Warrior Cats!

Na de dood van hun moeder blijven de jonge katten Luna en Wilg alleen achter.

Op zoek naar voedsel en beschutting ontdekken de zusjes een verborgen wereld, diep verscholen tussen straten en daken. Overal in de stad leven geheime groepen dieren — het Wildverbond, de Waarheidsprekers, het Genootschap en de Rebellen. Zij gebruiken een mysterieuze kracht, ziel, om magie te bedrijven. Maar juist hun speciale vermogens brengen de dieren in gevaar, want heksen in de stad willen hen aan zich binden en als dienaren gebruiken.

Voor het eerst zijn Luna en Wilg het oneens.

Wat hen ooit onverbrekelijk verbond, dreigt nu uit elkaar te vallen.

Kunnen Luna en Wilg elkaar terugvinden… voordat het te laat is?

Genres: Fantasy, Animals, Childrens, Cats, Middle Grade, Ebooks, Audiobook

Audible Audio

Published May 19, 2026

About the author

Erin Hunter is the pseudonym of five people: Kate Cary, Cherith Baldry, Tui T. Sutherland, Gillian Philip, and Inbali Iserles, as well as editor Victoria Holmes. Together, they write the Warriors series as well as the Seekers and Survivors series. Erin Hunter is working on a new series now called Bravelands.

Erin Hunter is inspired by a love of cats and a fascination with the ferocity of the natural world. As well as having a great respect for nature in all its forms, Erin enjoys creating rich mythical explanations for animal behavior, shaped by her interest in astronomy and standing stones.

Reviews

[bandpuppy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was granted access to an advance copy of this title in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

As an avid Warriors fan from my youth, I was delighted to see that I could request this new title. As much as I loved the Warriors series, I think I like this concept even more.

Firstly: toad POV. As absurd as that sounds, a mixture of different animals was one of the draws of this book. Along with their different magical skills.

And, as a middle-grade/YA title, this book works perfectly. The sentence structure is simple enough to teach kids how to read and imagine what they're consuming. I also think that the subject matter works well. The two cats have different personalities and goals, and they need to figure out how to navigate their lives individually. The heavier topics surrounding tradition, fealty, compassion, and deceit are also perfect for this age group.

Time for a Warriors re-read!

[Christine Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two cat sisters bound for destiny or destruction.

A world where some animals have magic powers, two sisters search for a new place to call home but is it home for both of them or only fit for one?

Well it's not Warriors but it's pretty dang good! The toads really threw me off in the beginning there. I honestly love willow and violet LOL

I will definitely be reading the next book

[Nashia Darling · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great start to a new series! I am very sad the next book isn't out until next November 🙃

This story carries the same world building, and characterization as Warriors, but it is still a completely fresh world with a unique premise.

Willow and Luna have always had each other. You watch them go from normal cats to those with magical abilities. They embark on a journey through a world full of all types of animals with all types of powers. But slowly they drift apart, and must choose their own paths.

Thus begins a story about fate and freedom.

I am very excited to see where this story goes. The complex politics in and out of the animal world really show a powerful story ahead.

My love for Warriors has been reignited, so I will be devouring those books now that I have finished this.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

[Rah · Rating 4 out of 5]

i’d be lying if i said i didn’t enjoy myself

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to audiobook, narrated by Caitlin Kelly.

Reading The Magic Awakens took me back to that feeling of discovering an exciting new book as a kid. There's a delightfully genuine sense of adventure and intrigue here: seeing the world through the eyes of two little sister cats made every risk and opportunity seem bigger.

If there were kids in my life, I'd absolutely pick up copies for them; I think this would be a great series to foster a young reader's love of books. That said, there are some references to and depictions of darker themes like animal cruelty and animal death, which, while not graphic, could be upsetting to young or sensitive readers (or cat-loving adults like me!), so I would suggest this for older kids or teens.

Caitlin Kelly's narration was a perfect fit for the audiobook. I adored her voices for all of the little animal characters and thought she did a great job conveying emotion to bring Willow's and Luna's inner worlds to life.

Truly a joy to read. I'll be keeping an eye out for the next entry in the series!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio Children's for providing an arc.

[Kat in Stacks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley, Erin Hunter and HarperCollins for giving me the opportunity to read and write a review prior to publishing.

**Slight minor Spoilers ahead***



As a lover of the series " Warriors" ever since I was a child, getting older and actually reviewing a novel of theirs feels like a dream come true. From the way they are able to weave a tale that feels like it transcends any age group. This latest series is a wonderful addition to their catalog of books written.

The story follows two cat sisters- Luna and Willow- as they traverse life after their lives were upturned after their home burned down. Not long into their journey they meet the Alliance, a coven of animals who are attuned and perform magic, along with other covens vying for the claim of having Luna due to her ability to due Fire Magic and Willow becoming friends with a witch - who the covens say are inherently evil humans wanting the attuned animals magic all to themselves to channel.

Filled with twists and wonderful turns, I cannot wait for additional novels to continue to see what happens.
I did however; forget how dark these stories can become which feels like the author views children as people and not something that cannot process or think when grappled with issues. Especially when their parents grew up with Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, Sesame Street and other broadcasting companies that helped explain topics that were deemed more mature.

I will forewarn everyone who reads this that while Warriors dealt with animal death, this series deals with more animal cruelty ( offscreen and hinted when they describe humans draining the anima- magic- from animals), animal death ( hinted at and briefly described after a battle), how animals are stuck in cages along with animal fighting ( Willow fights some raccoons).

However; as a lover of animals and a person who shies away and is uncomfortable with such things. It is not overly described like Tail chasers Song by Tad Willaims nor The Wild Road by Gabriel King.

For lovers of Warriors, this is a must for to read. For people who always wanted to read Erin Hunter and their work, this is a wonderful stepping stone into the fore ray of their wonderful worlds they have come to create.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - The Magic Awakens follows sisters Luna and Willow as they navigate the loss of their home, and reckon with newfound magical powers. Somehow, Erin Hunter has delivered a story that is quite dark, even by Warrior Cat standards, but that still deals delicately with issues of identity, fitting in, and following the status quo. I felt that the pacing was a little off, but seeing as this will (likely) be a 6-book series I'm expecting that to right itself over time. The absence of Star Clan in a Hunter book about cats was a bit hard to get used to, but the inclusion of a spiritual group such as the Conclave was so fascinating and I'm excited to see the role those characters play in later books. All in all, I would avoid if animal cruelty is a hard NO for you in fiction, but if you already enjoy the Warrior Cat books this is a new series to get excited about. Thank you HarperCollins and NetGalley for the arc!!

[Kim Coenen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Na de dood van hun moeder lijken Luna en Wilg alles kwijt te zijn. Tot ze ontdekken dat er achter de drukke straten van de stad een verborgen wereld schuilgaat. Een wereld waarin dieren magie gebruiken. Waar geheime genootschappen strijden om macht. En waar heksen jagen op iedereen die de kracht van ziel bezit. Terwijl Luna wordt aangetrokken door de beloften van deze nieuwe wereld, begint Wilg te twijfelen aan alles wat ze ooit geloofde. Hun keuzes brengen hen op gevaarlijke paden die steeds verder uit elkaar lopen. Maar wanneer een oude dreiging ontwaakt, beseffen de zusjes dat hun grootste vijand misschien niet de heksen zijn ... maar de kloof die tussen hen groeit.

Mijn ervaring:
Wat een toffe, sterke en indrukwekkende nieuwe serie! In deze serie draait het om een stedelijke fantasywereld vol magie, geheime genootschappen en morele conflicten. Het resultaat is een avontuurlijke en veelbelovende start van een nieuwe reeks die spanning, emotie en mysterie op een sterke manier weet te combineren.

Erin Hunter heeft een beeldende, toegankelijke en vlotte schrijfstijl. Ze weet lezers moeiteloos haar wereld in te trekken en voegt daarbij voldoende diepgang toe om het verhaal te laten boeien. De verborgen stad, verscholen tussen steegjes, parken en daken, voelt levendig aan en ook de magische kracht 'ziel' wordt helder uitgewerkt zonder dat het ingewikkeld wordt. Juist doordat de magie geleidelijk wordt onthuld, blijft je nieuwsgierigheid voortdurend geprikkeld.

Luna en Wilg vormen het hart van het verhaal. Hun zussenband voelt oprecht en liefdevol, waardoor het extra pijnlijk is wanneer hun overtuigingen steeds verder uit elkaar groeien. Erin Hunter laat overtuigend zien hoe verlies, angst en verlangen invloed hebben op keuzes. Luna wordt aangetrokken door de magie en de mogelijkheden die deze biedt, terwijl Wilg juist voorzichtiger en wantrouwender blijft. Die tegenstelling zorgt voor psychologische gelaagdheid en maakt beide personages begrijpelijk, zelfs wanneer hun keuzes botsen.

Het verhaal heeft een dynamische opbouw en een hoog tempo, waardoor je moeiteloos door de pagina's vliegt. Tegelijkertijd blijft de spanning voortdurend aanwezig door de dreiging van de heksen, de strijd tussen de verschillende facties en de mysteries rondom de magie. Daarnaast verweeft Erin Hunter thema's als vrijheid, loyaliteit, identiteit en verbondenheid op een sterke manier in het verhaal. Vooral de vraag hoe ver je bereid bent te gaan voor degenen van wie je houdt, komt mooi naar voren. Goed en kwaad zijn daarbij niet altijd zwart-wit, wat het verhaal extra diepgang geeft.

De combinatie van pratende dieren, geheimzinnige magie en een voortdurende dreiging werkte voor mij enorm verslavend. Ik leefde moeiteloos mee met Luna en Wilg en hoopte gedurende het hele verhaal dat ze elkaar weer zouden vinden. Door de gebeurtenissen aan het einde ben ik bovendien ontzettend nieuwsgierig geworden naar het vervolg. Deze serie belooft absoluut veel goeds!

Renegades: De magie ontwaakt is een sterke, verslavende en heerlijk spannende start van een nieuwe fantasyserie. Het verhaal is beeldend, toegankelijk en meeslepend geschreven. De overtuigende personages, de magische maar gevaarlijke wereld en de sterke thema's komen allemaal prachtig tot leven. Erin Hunter zet hiermee een indrukwekkend eerste deel neer dat smaakt naar meer... veel meer.

[Alex T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I AM NOT OKAY

Yeah no surprise but I loved this one, I really think this is what the Erin Hunter brand needed; A fresh series that isn't too derivative of any of the previous ones. Yes, it stars cats like Warriors, but aside from that it's a pretty fresh take on magical animal xenofiction.

The two main characters and their relationship was the hightlight of this book for me. I LOVE Willow. And Luna, too, tbh. The side characters were diverse (species-wise) and memorable.

My main complaint would be the large time jump and the fact that the human stuff doesn't seem all that fleshed out. Violet as a character especially suffers under this, she just feels like the "generic nice kid"-type of character without a distinct personality or flaws.

But other than that I loved this one. It gave me the feels ;n;

[Nymphie (Cynthia) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A grittier, darker story than typical from Erin Hunter, but extremely engaging and fascinating. I absolutely love what they are doing with this new world and I can’t wait to learn more. Is it too early to ask for 9 series and dozens of spin-offs? I was so excited to see not only animals other than cats as supporting characters, but also the odd human or two. As an avid Warriors fan, this new series is a wonderful breath of fresh air with the same energy and world-building behind it.

[Isabelle Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

The blurb reads:

The launch of a brand-new series from blockbuster Warriors author Erin Hunter about two orphaned cat sisters who discover a secret world of magical creatures . . . and the humans who are out to control them.

Willow and Luna have been on their own since they were kittens. After their mother’s death, they settled into a scrappy life in the heart of the city. But when a mysterious fire rips through their makeshift shelter, they’re left searching for a new home.

Luna is immediately drawn in by the strange, secretive animals they meet in the park—animals they can somehow talk to . . . and who unlock her ability to perform magic. Willow is less sure about these so-called “attuned” animals and has no interest in joining their world—or their fight against the human witches who seek to “bind” the animals to them.

As Luna and Willow come to realize their own unique magic, they find themselves at odds, separated by destiny, with the fate of the whole city in their paws.

I... honestly don't know what to think of this book yet. I was thoroughly obsessed with the Warriors series when I was ten years old (It was the book series that got me into reading!!! And so, for that, it shall always have a special place in my heart. <3), and so I quite excited to be able to read Erin Hunter's new book!! Again, I don't know what to think of it quite yet.

It ends on a terribly heart wrenching cliffhanger and all the twists and the turns and betrayal and heartbreak and all the suffering the characters are put through... (Then again, tis Erin Hunter! I've read Warriors and from that series alone, this is usually to be expected from her.)

The book starts with a terribly ominous prologue that hooked me in almost immediately!! I adored the ominous visions that the characters were having in the prologue and also the way it is connected to the main characters... *blinks* Alas, I cannot give spoilers, but I must admit, I am looking forward to the rest of the books to see how this all unfolds!! (I want answers to this prophecy!!!!!!!)

Luna and Willow are wonderful main characters as well!! The two of them are siblings who have been through so much together and yet are so very different at the same time. And the way their relationship developed and they slowly... well, I don't know if 'grew apart' is the right word, but they certainly find themselves separated and it is just so very heartbreaking!! I always hate it whenever siblings (and best friends) are ripped apart in books because it is just so very painful to read.

There were a great deal of characters throughout the novel, but I must admit that I did not really connect to many of them all that much. Willow, however, I really felt for. The poor cat and all she's been through and how she really struggles with everyone seeing Luna as this brilliant cat who wields fire magic while really just turning their noses up at Willow. She needs a hug. And Violet!!! She only appears in the last few parts of the book, but I already love her so much. (And yes, she is indeed a human. Which... might be why I connect to her more? I don't know. I don't typically struggle to connect with non-human characters, but I did in this book, so... *shrug*)

And there was another one of my favorite characters, and I just loved him so much!!! The way he talked and thought and such... He was a brilliant leader.

And of course, it is just my luck that one of my favorite characters in this whole book, the one who was actually truthful and nice to poor Luna, DIED.

...

The curse of falling in love with the side character doomed to die.

However, I must also confess, I did find the setting and the social system a bit too similar to Warriors. While it has its differences (being set in the city and with animals having magic), I still felt like the overall vibe and structure of things was just so very similar to Warriors, especially with the clans and the meetings every moon. (Instead of the clans, you have the three different groups, the Wild Alliance, the Truthtellers, and the Renegades, all of whom, yes, do indeed have some form of rivalry). I feel like I would've liked to see something more unique from Erin Hunter.

I did, however, love Erin Hunter's writing style!! Now, Erin Hunter is technically six (give or take a few. I've no clue if anyone's left or if they've added anyone) writers writing under the same pen name. And so sometimes -- not always, but sometimes -- when I was reading the Warriors series, I felt like the writing style was sometimes a bit clunky/inconsistent.

I personally felt the same way with Renegades. But I still do love her writing style and especially the way she describes setting!! The detailed metaphors and the way she spins words to really craft this picture in your head and really give you that feeling of whatever it is you're meant to feel (doom, despair, hope) is just so very impressive and immerses you right into the setting. And I loved the way she managed to show you how the city would feel through a cat's perspective!! As a city gal myself, they are... pretty spot-on.

This book also feels a bit darker than Warriors, in my opinion. Warriors is pretty dark, but this one just feels a tad darker just because it is more realistic than Warriors. There are mentions of animal cruelty and such, and it all feels very gritty and dark, I suppose. It didn't bother me, but if you're looking for a more whimsical, lighthearted read, you may wish to keep this in mind.

And also, the cover is gorgeous. It is so very well drawn and I absolutely love the fire and the font!

Overall, this was an intriguing beginning to what I am sure shall be an action-packed series!! :)) A great middle-grade book for those who are looking for action and gritty adventures with animals and magic!! I personally feel like nowadays, I'm looking more for books that have more whimsy and magic and hope in them -- which I wouldn't say Renegades necessarily fits. But it was an enjoyable read, and I think younger me would've adored this book. Three out of five stars from me.

[Cyrus · Rating 1 out of 5]

This one really disappointed me. I've never really been able to get into the Erins' other series aside from WC, and this is also the newest Erins book I've read since... wow. The Fourth Apprentice in 2009. But we got it as a physical ARC at the bookstore I work at, and I still have a lot of affection for WC, so I figured I'd try it.

I didn't think the premise sounded very good on the tin, but it's a bit better than what I expected. However, the actual execution is pretty dire. This is a very badly written book, even by children's standards. The book almost feels contemptuous of the children that would read it in terms of its writing.

I know that the same women are not writing The Magic Awakens as were writing Into the Wild 23 years ago, so obviously the style is going to be a bit different. But whatever is going on, it feels as though the writing has really degenerated over time. The prose is so simple and so obsessed with spelling out the obvious to the most minute detail that it feels like this is probably written for 5 year olds--which is fine, but I wonder who this book really is for because, in typical Erins fashion, the book is violent and has pretty graphic depictions of death. Nothing an older child can't handle (since I read WC at 8 and loved it unflinchingly), and nothing unexpected from the Warriors authors, but when the prose is so simple, I just wonder what kids get out of this.

The plot is unbelievably rushed as well. This book feels like the outline of a book not yet written because there is so much missing. Development? Natural story progression? Never heard of it. This is a book that checks off the boxes of what the outline said, and nothing more. So every plot development feels undeserved, random, and unconvincing because we aren't seeing enough character, world, and lore development to make it make sense.

The renegades that Luna joins, the very title of the series, you don't even see on screen till Luna is actually joining them. Shortly after, almost every single one of them dies, and it's hard to care because I don't know any of these characters AT ALL. You don't even know who most of the dead are because they never even bothered to introduce them before killing them off. It's done strictly for shock value when this should've been saved for later down the line when you care more about Luna's new coven.

Her joining the Renegades doesn't even really make sense since she's never even met any of them, and it feels like they had to make a bunch of contrivances to steer Luna away from the Wild Alliance in the first place. It's also contrived, the way Luna and Willow are separated. If there was more time dedicated to their slow falling out, it wouldn't feel this way, but everything is zero to a hundred in this book with no time for development in between.

Willow's story is also rushed. She meets the witch Violet and the very next scene together they're already best friends who know everything about each other and are almost forced to be bound together. Why do I care about any of this? I don't know Violet. She is a nice kid since she saves Willow, but I don't know her, so I don't really care about any of this. Like, it feels like the book forgot to find a reason for you to care about any of these characters at all before putting them in danger.

So much happens and yet so little at the same time. This book covers the ground of a novel that I think probably would require 500-600 pages to get a proper story and set of characters out of it in 230 pages. I think the base of the story is there. Even though I think the premise sounded pretty stupid, I can see the vision after finishing the book. I see what could be there if there was more love and time put in, and I am certain that the Erins probably had a time crunch from Harper Collins, considering how many books they put out a year.

That's not fair to the Erins either if that's true, because it is very clearly affecting the quality of the books at this point. This book is terrible, and it didn't have to be. There's something promising with the urban fantasy setting (though very little is done with it in reality), I like the inclusion of humans in this story, and although I think the lore of the magic and world is very poorly laid out, there's something interesting to it at least.

I'm an adult now, and I know adults have different tastes than children, but the first arc of Warrior Cats still holds up. The writing is simple enough for kids while still respecting their intelligence. The story was laid out sensibly, the world makes sense, and the characters had room to breathe and grow. This book has none of these things.

Stick with Warrior Cats. It's a much better series than this. People always insist that things made for children are bad because they're for children, but they really, truly don't have to be. I think kids deserve well-told and interesting stories. This is far from the most offensive outing a kid can have with a book, but again, I really struggle to figure out who this is for. I don't think it's for anyone at all.

[Nicole Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

If you grew up reading the Warriors books and loved animal adventures, “Renegades: The Magic Awakens” by Erin Hunter will probably feel both familiar and totally new at the same time. It still has animal main characters (yes, cats again), but this time the story leans much more into urban fantasy with magic, witches, and a whole variety of animal species involved.

The story follows two cat sisters, Luna and Willow, whose lives are turned upside down after a fire destroys their home. As they wander the city looking for somewhere safe, they discover that the world is secretly filled with magical animals called the “Attuned.” These animals can channel a type of magic called anima, and they organize themselves into different groups or covens with their own territories and rules.

Right away, the sisters start discovering their own powers, especially Luna, who can control fire. Of course, that immediately makes her important to the different covens, some of which want her on their side. Meanwhile, there’s also a prophecy involving the sisters that hints they might have to go separate ways.

One of the best parts of the book is the relationship between Luna and Willow. They love each other deeply, but they’re very different. Luna is bold, energetic, and always ready to jump into danger, while Willow is more cautious and prefers stability and safety. Watching them slowly grow apart as they figure out their own paths is honestly kind of heartbreaking but realistic; some readers may be able to relate to their changing sisterly bond.

The worldbuilding is pretty fun too. Instead of just cats, the story includes all kinds of animals with different magical abilities like teleporting creatures, mind readers, telekinetic rats, and even a toad POV at one point. It makes the magical ecosystem feel bigger and more interesting than a typical animal fantasy.

Humans also play a major role here, especially witches. In this world, human witches can only use magic by bonding with magical animals, sometimes against their will. Because of that, many animals see humans as villains. One group called the Renegades even dedicates itself to rescuing animals that have been forcibly bound to witches.

Despite being a middle-grade/YA story, the book can get surprisingly dark. There are scenes involving animal cruelty, violent deaths, and the general danger animals face from humans. It’s not super graphic, but it definitely gives the story a grittier tone than you might expect.

The pacing is pretty fast throughout, with lots of action and new discoveries happening quickly. The downside is that many side characters don’t get a ton of development yet. The focus stays mostly on Luna and Willow, which makes sense since the story is really about their bond and how it changes.

By the end of the book, the prophecy starts pushing the sisters in very different directions. Luna joins the Renegades, determined to fight against the humans exploiting magical animals. Meanwhile, Willow makes the surprising decision to willingly bond with a human witch. Suddenly the sisters are technically on opposite sides, which sets up a really interesting (and emotional) conflict for the next books.

The story ends on a pretty intense cliffhanger with another prophecy hinting that things are going to get even more complicated.

Overall, “Renegades: The Magic Awakens” is a fast-paced, magical animal adventure with lots of action, cool powers, and a strong emotional core about sisterhood and choosing your own path. If you liked Warriors but want something with more magic, more species, and a bit of an urban fantasy twist, this is a really fun start to a new series.

[Anious · Rating 5 out of 5]

The publisher, HarperCollins, has granted me access to an advance copy for the purposes of the review.

Another Erin Hunter series, another animal... Wait, we're back at cats again?

Our protagonists, the feline sisters Luna (showcasing her fiery personality on the gorgeous cover) and Willow (more shy and reserved, avoiding reader's gaze on the cover) find themselves jumping from one danger to another. Following the death of their mother, the book opens with an action scene right away, with the sisters escaping a burning building. While searching the city for the new place to call home, they meet a colourful variety of fascinating creatures of different species. They discover, that their world is inhabited by 'Attuned' beings, wielding powerful magic. The attuned organize themselves in elusive groups, called covens, which each of has their own rules and values. They also learn about witches, humans with magical powers who require attuned beings to channel their own magic. Many of the attuned are scared of them, though not all.

Despite the cover showcasing a cat, and our PoVs also being cats, the world of attuned is populated by a wide variety of animals, and not only those of species which would be popular as familiar choices, so it's not strictly-speaking, a cat book.

Our main characters have pretty strong and distinctive personalities and I adore their bond. It's a very heartfelt portrayal of a sibling bond, even when the sisters argue and don't agree with each other, you can still tell that they mean the world to each other. So when they inevitably end up separated, the pain behind it feels real. When one of the sisters ends up joining a coven, while the other one becomes a familiar for a witch, their relationship is on a crash course when the two groups are about to start a war. But the drama is fun and exciting and I'm all here for it!

The urban setting is pretty unique for an Erin Hunter book and it's really cool seeing what would be an ordinary place that I walk past every day without as much of a thought, serve as a secret base to magical beings. It adds the vibe of mystery and exploration. There is implied to be a lot more to the story than it is at first sight and I can't wait for the next book to unravel some of its secrets.

Fantasy elements are also far more pronounced here, with each of the attuned magical beings having their own unique powers. Luna has fire powers, someone else can teleport, there's a rat with telekinesis, we have our mind readers... The book isn't afraid of just letting all the fun stuff out and try to come up with cool ideas of what would happen with all that.

And it definitely helps make the book more alive. The focus here is definitely on action. The book opens with the sisters escaping from fire and whenever it slows down, it's only for a brief moment. There's a lot of exciting scenes, including fights. The author doesn't hold any punches here and the characters do get maimed or die. A lot of them die and it only seems like a prelude of what is to come.

I didn't mind the book's fast pace in general, though I did wish it slowed down in certain moments to explore some locations or relationship in a bit more detail. But oh well, you can't have everything.

I ended up enjoying it a lot and I can't wait for the next book. Very action-packed, fast-paced book set in a setting full of mystery left to be uncovered.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books | Harper Collins, as well as the author, for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

#NetGalley #HarperCollinsChildrensBooksHarperCollins #ErinHunter #Renegades1TheMagicAwakens #Childrensfiction #Animalfiction #Warriorcats #Reading #BookReviews

Title: Renegades #1: The Magic Awakens

Author: Erin Hunter

Format: eBook

Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books | HarperCollins

Publication Date: May 19, 2026

Rating: 5 Stars

Themes: Magical creatures, coming of age, animal fiction, politics

Trigger Warnings: Animal cruelty, animal death, magic, talking animals, light political themes

I discovered and fell in love with Erin Hunter’s most famous and prolific series, Warrior Cats, as an adult. While I may not make up the prime demographic for these books, it’s undeniable that the authors who write these books write stories that are compelling, charming, and emotional. This book is the start of a new series that seems like it’s going to follow in the paw steps of the Warrior Cats. This series starts with Luna and Willow, who lose their home suddenly, and meet some strange new animals. Luna is fascinated by them and, when the two cat sisters find out that they share the magic os these strange animals, they join them against the human witches that are trying to capture animals as familiars.

This was delightful. It is every bit as fun as the other series by these talented ladies. I love the Warrior Cat series, and I really enjoyed this new book too. The animals' various personalities and adventures are charming and emotional. The emotions range from tears to laughter and back again in smooth and often nuanced ways. Just like the other series, this one contains plenty of twists and compelling stories that make the reader anxious for the next book. The descriptions and characters don’t shy away from dark subjects and painful situations, but don’t overly describe scary or sad things, as all perfect kids’ books should. I’ll always be grateful to these authors for helping me teach my resistant daughter to love books. This series promises to continue that for my girl and many other readers, both young and old.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

When cat sisters Luna and Willow are forced out of their home in an abandoned diner when it catches on fire, they find themselves in the company of a group of "Attuned" animals who are able to channel the magic of anima. They meet Skitter, a rat, and Thorn, a dog, and are encouraged to join their group, the Wild Alliance, since Luna seems to have particularly strong magic. The animals live in an abandoned mall and are somewhat at odds with other Attuned animals, but are not allowed to hunt them. Most animals who come across the groups are allowed to pick their own Covens, especially when they are Bound animals that have left their humans. Human witches can bind with animals and steal their magic, which does not appeal to the Wild Alliance. Luna is able to set things on fire, and probably had something to do with the diner burning down, but doesn't know how to harness her magic. Willow just wants to go home, and the two sisters are separated. Willow is eventually found by a kind human named Violet, but her parents, the Rousseaus, are the most powerful witches in the city and are eager to bind Willow to their daughter. Violet only wants to do this if Willow agrees. When Luna tries to free her sister, one of the Rousseaus familiars, a rat named Fidget, is killed. There is clearly a series in the works, as the book ends on a cliff hanger, and we aren't quite sure what Willow and Luna will do.

This is a bit of a departure from Erin Hunter's usual style of books, and involves humans and magic a bit more than series like Bravelands or the various iterations of the Warriors books. This seems a little darker, although Warriors books are plenty dark. The bloody death of Willow and Luna's mother is mentioned several times, and there are some animal deaths. I have so many Warriors books in my library that I many pass on purchasing this one, but die hard fans will definitely want this one, especially if they have also started to read fantasy books with magic.

[The Void Vibes · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️ | 📱 E-book

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🪝 The Hook:
Were you obsessed with the Warrior Cats series as a kid? Do you like the idea of talking animals doing MAGIC?

Okay, great, me too. This is definitely a series I would have died for as a kid. But if you’re a kid at heart like me, then you should give this one a shot! 🔥🐈‍⬛

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💙 What I Liked:
Talk about nostalgia! I was definitely the kid that read all of Erin Hunter’s “Warriors” books, and I still look back on them super fondly. This book has all of the charm of the Warriors with the extra fun of the animals having magic powers.

Two cat sisters discover that they have magic, and that there are clans of magic animals living in the forest outside the city. Unlike the Warriors series, where humans almost never make an appearance, this story includes the idea of human “witches” who also have magic, but need to channel that magic through an animal “familiar”.

This was such a fun, easy read for anyone who is a fan of kid’s books with a cast of talking animals.

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💔 What Could’ve Been Better:
There’s not much to critique here because I think this book nailed what it was going for. If I was still a kid, this would have been an easy 5 ⭐ and the start of a new favorite series.

Alas, I am not a kid any longer, and there wasn’t much that was original in this book. Definitely a fun read, but it’s basically just “Warrior cats with magic”.

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🧐 Overall Thoughts:
A quick, fun, nostalgic, and easy read that I would recommend to kids or anyone who loves children’s literature!

I mean honestly, one of the cats can control fire. What more could you ask for?? 🔥

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~ Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review! 📚 ~

✨If you liked this review, check out my blog! /ᐠ. .ᐟ\✨

[Madelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

15 years ago I met my best friend on a warrior cats forum... Fast forward to today and we've traveled 2,000+ miles to see each other in person multiple times, including at our college graduations. So, it is safe to say that the Erin Hunter's books hold a special place in my heart. I've reread some of the old books with my nieces and nephew, but it has been years since I've read one of the newer books. However, I have two pets named Willow and Luna, so when I saw the premise of this new series I knew I had to read it lol.

I am truly so impressed! I was scared this many series and premises in that this new series would feel stale/uninspired. If you liked Warriors, this still has an interesting prophecy/higher power system, clan like groups, and fun fights/drama. I really liked that this series has multiple types of talking animals, including prophetic toads lol. What sets this series apart though is the animals are basically little wizards that can channel magic.

The story revolves around two cat sisters, Willow and Luna, who are brand new to a world of magic and covens. We watch them grapple with issues such as jealousy, confusion, loyalty, and purpose. Overall, the characters in this story were dynamic and kept me turning the page to find out what happened to everyone next. I'm particularly interested to see how Willow and Violet's connection develops.

I plan to keep up with this series and will brag to my nieces and nephew about my advanced copy. :P Thank you to Netgalley, HarperCollins Children's Books, and Starclan for this advanced copy.

[The Roguish Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Magic Awakens by Erin Hunter kicks off the new Renegades series with a fresh take that still carries the heart longtime fans will recognize. As someone who loved the Warriors books, I went in with high expectations, and for the most part, it delivered.

The story follows two sisters, Luna and Willow, whose alternating perspectives shape the narrative. In this world, some animals possess magic while others remain ordinary, and instead of StarClan, there is the Conclave, a unique gathering of toads that adds an interesting twist to the lore. The setting leans more into city life and interactions with humans, which gives it a very different feel from the forest-centered world of *Warriors*. It is a noticeable shift, but one that helps this series stand on its own.

What stood out most to me was the relationship between Luna and Willow. They begin with a strong bond, but as their powers emerge, you can feel the tension and distance growing between them. Watching that change unfold adds emotional weight to the story, and I am especially interested to see how their separate paths continue to develop.

The writing is engaging and easy to move through, making this a quick read that still holds your attention. Overall, it is a strong start to a new series, and I am looking forward to seeing where Erin Hunter takes the story next.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for providing the arc for me to give an honest review.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came here fresh from reading the Warriors series with my son and have been thrilled to read this one. I will say, it took a moment for me to acclimatize to this strange new world (primarily because I kept waiting for Willow and Luna to find their clan and this is not that kind of a story), but once I understood this series will be wholly unconnected with the Warrior cat series, I loved it and cannot wait for more. This is a world where animals can be attuned (they can talk and do magic) and it is SO fun,

Willow and Luna are orphan cats fighting to survive in the city when in trying to make a meal of a rat, he fusses them out and puts a levitation spell on Luna. They then discover that they are attuned cats. Cats that can both talk and do magic. They are then ushered into the world of attuned animals and invited to choose a coven to join (a collection or clan of magical animals- not necessarily just cats). But when a prophetic vision insists the covens only have room enough for one of the sisters to join, the sisters are faced with a tough choice- survive alone just the two of them, or split up so that one of them can join a coven alone.

This book has all the fun of a warrior cat book plus a tall pour of magic and intrigue. I can’t wait to read the next one!!

I would like to thank Harper Collins and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Rachel G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I imagine I am not the target demographic for this book (23 y/o queer female), but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The plot has better writing than over half of the books I’ve read recently, that of which mostly being romantasy. So what made me pick this book up?

Well, where I work I help put out the new releases and this one caught my eye. I did not read Warrior Cats growing up, but I did read (and love) the Guardians of Ga’Hoole, which this reminded me of and gave me lots of nostalgia. Willow and Luna remind me a lot of me and my sister, and I think this first novel is a splendid introduction for a turbulent and action-packed series.

The only reason why this book isn’t at a five star rating for me (I don’t give those out liberally) is because I found that sometimes, the amount of characters in the scene was a bit confusing (specifically, when all the covens met up for the first time to introduce themselves to Luna and Willow.) I loved the names that were given to each animal, but when there’s so many names being introduced and a lot “he said this, she said that”, sometimes I got lost and had to go back and reread to imagine the scene playing out properly.

Overall, I was very pleasantly surprised, and can’t wait the next installment!

[Nicole Micolta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very excited when i heard about this new series by the Erins. I thought it would be about magical cats, and knowing they were sisters especially got me excited. As I read it, it wasn't exacrly what I had been hyped about. I know the Erins already warriors so I should have known they wouldn't make another series just about cats. There are a lot of other animals in this book than cats. I find that I dont get much enjoyment in the books the erins write that isnt warriors. I have tried a couple of the erins' other series and didn't like them very much.
I would say this one is okay. Paced well, the action is good. In my head I thought the sisters would be using their magical abilities together, but of course they are pitted against each other near the very beginning. In true Erin Hunter angst fashion, the siblings come to resent each other and end up on opposite sides of this conflict they had nothing to do with in the first place. It was heart breaking. I think I would have rather read something where they were kicking ass together but the split makes for good drama instead .
I identified with willow so much. Being the "lesser" sister that no one seemed to want. I hope she will show all of them how great she is.
Im not 100% if I will continue this series.

[Tess (Book_Voyage) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Edelweiss, Erin Hunter, & HarperCollins for the opportunity of a lifetime to read an Erin Hunter book before it is officially published. As an avid Warriors fan (which was my favorite series while growing up), this story did not disappoint! I truly loved the story between the cat sisters Luna, and Willow. The world building was excellent and easy to understand and follow as always. I found the premise of animals having anima fascinating. I am so excited to read the next book in this series! I was so hooked on this book that as soon as I started reading, I could not put it down. I finished reading this book in a day.I truly hope I get selected for an ARC for the next book in this series. I will be highly recommending this series to all my students at my school library (especially my many Warriors fans and cat lovers). As soon as Renegades is released I’ll purchase two copies for my library and one for myself! Thank you so much again for the chance to read this book early! I know all who read this book will also be on the edge of their seat reading about the delicate balance between anima, animals, and humans. I’m excited to read the next book in this series already!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Renegades aloud with my fourth-grade class. Several of my students had previously read books in the Warriors series and were excited to dive into another story by Erin Hunter. As someone who has also enjoyed many of the Warriors books, I was looking forward to this one.

While we enjoyed the story overall, we found it more challenging to follow than many of Hunter’s other books. The structure of the covens and the conclave required careful attention, and we often had to work hard to keep track of which characters belonged to each group. This was definitely not a passive read. It demanded strong inferencing skills and frequent monitoring of our understanding to make sense of the relationships, motivations, and shifting alliances throughout the story.

Although it wasn’t my favorite Erin Hunter book, it led to some great discussions with my students and provided valuable opportunities to practice deeper comprehension skills. Readers who enjoy complex fantasy worlds and don’t mind putting in the work to keep track of multiple characters and factions may find a lot to enjoy in Renegades.

[Bella · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars!
Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books/HarperCollins, Erin Hunter and Netgalley for the ARC!!
I love reliving my childhood series I was addicted to as an adult, highly reccommend doing that
As for the story - This was pretty on par with how a Erin Hunter story/series would go. This definitely has a more modern feel, but its the same formula almost.
I think having covens was an interesting touch, alongside seeing more human interaction and seeing a city view over remote forests. I do wish it wasn't called covens, since it mirrors what the humans have as witches, and it doesn't seem like they should match
I found Luna and Willow had an interesting dynamic together, but it does feel better with them a little separate. It was cool to see their different struggles
Didn't like Luna too much, felt special as intended, but I liked Willow a lot more
I felt the plot was simple enough for kids to understand, but it was dark. I know Erin Hunter's series are dark, but damn it still surprised me
Overall a cute read for Warrior cats fans new and old!

[motherknows.books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins Children's Books for providing an ARC. It was a dream come true from my 11 year old, Warrior's obsessed daughter.

This is a quick read with a fast paced, action packed plot. Perfect for fans of Erin Hunter's Warriors series, the world feels familiar yet fresh. Renegades introduces us to an urban fantasy setting and further departs from Warriors with the inclusion of other animals besides cats, as well as humans.

The book doesn't shy away from darker themes, which isn't new for Erin Hunter. But what stands out is inclusion of cruelty to animals, enacted by humans, so this may not be for everyone.

There is a lot packed into 150 pages, including some beautiful imagery, introducing young readers to literary writing in a really accessible way. My daughter claimed to prefer the original Warrior's series, but she read the book in one sitting and is looking forward to the next so, regardless, I'd say it's a hit.

[Kat Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect since we have a new 'Erin Hunter'. However, I'd say Michael Ford knocked it out of the park with this one!

While this book definitely feels more 'Middle Grade' than the Warriors series which I'd argue is for a general reading audience, its still really entertaining as an adult read, cat xenofiction fan or not. Its got everything you could want; cats, superpowers, stakes and telekinetic weasels and rats. The fanart is definitely going to be numerous with this series.
Also, if you are like me and don't like too many humans in their animal xenofiction, while there are human characters, they never take priority.
If I were to give a little bit of criticism, if this book was allowed to be a little bit longer, it would have been nice to have some more world building descriptions, but other than that, I read this in two hours because I was so hooked!
Fire cat, fire cat, bottom text.

[stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't an unkind three stars, because I did still enjoy reading. This is great for kids who liked Warrior Cats, or who didn't like Warrior Cats because they thought the series had too many cats, too much forest, and not enough magic. Personally I find some of the character motivations weak and wish the covens were defined a bit more before (spoiler) one of the main characters somehow inherits an entire coven when the leader, who we hardly know, is murdered -- some of the greatest narrative injustices of the book are that, after (more spoilers) Luna joins the renegades, we don't see her first three heists to free bound animals but instead tune into her *fourth* heist; plus, having the massive earth-changing plot-crystalizing massacre exist entirely off-page... So many missed opportunities.

[Laura Argenziano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been a huge fan of the Warrior cats, even as an adult and was very excited to see Erin Hunter has a new series, Renegades, also with cats! Renegades follow two sister cats, Willow and Luna, who are both "attuned", have the ability to summon magic. The sisters start close, but start to drift apart as Luna's powers seem celebrated, while other magically attuned animals seem to look down on Willow. I liked the dynamic between the two sisters, even if I found Luna to be pretty obnoxious at times, and the differences and struggles between the siblings is something that middle grade children could probably relate to. The magic system seemed well developed and was fun to read about all the different powers. I'm not sure I'm a fan of evil witches, but that's just a personal preference. I'm very excited to see where the Renegade series will go and I can't wait to read more

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, this is a pretty DRAMATIC and action-packed start to a new series from Erin Hunter.

It follows cat sisters Luna and Willow after they are displaced from their home by fire. While fleeing to the nearest city, they discover that they have magical powers—which attracts the attention of the many other magically attuned animals that call the city home. Quickly, they find themselves caught in several messy conflicts between these factions, which tests not only the sisters’ abilities but also their relationship.

Personally, I found this a bit melodramatic for my tastes. Also, I wish the sisters had more moments together. The rift between them occurred so quickly that we barely got any time to know them as sisters.

But, I suppose this is still a strong start for a new series. I’ll be interested to see where it goes~