Halli Sveinsson, a mischievous young man who does not fit in with his peers and siblings, plays a trick on Ragnor that goes too far, forcing him to embark on a hero's quest in which he will face highway robbers, monsters, an intriguing girl, and truths about his family and the legends he grew up with.

Firestar, the legendary leader of ThunderClan, has discovered that StarClan, the warrior ancestors who guide him, have lied to him; and now he is faced with the hardest decision of his life.

Graystripe and Millie finally locate the ThunderClan's old territory only to discover the forest devastated by Twolegs, but they continue searching for remaining Clan members, following a path pointed out to them by an old friend, even though Graystripe worries their quest is hopeless.