The Dark River is a river of trials through which the children of Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw, the grandchildren of the great leader Firestar - Jaypaw, Hollypaw and Lionpaw - have to go through. Lionpaw strikes up dangerous friendships - and more than one! - and must keep it strictly secret; Jaypaw explores the limits of her power and her magical connection to the StarClan cats; Hollypaw learns something that can prevent the impending war, and acts at his own peril and risk. Growing contradictions threaten to upset the fragile balance and wash the world of warrior cats into the abyss.