Fire and Ice

As the second book in the Warriors series, Fire and Ice picks up plot threads from Into the Wild, the first book in the series. In Into the Wild, Fireheart (initially known as Rusty) abandoned his predictable life as a kittypet to live in the woods as a feral cat. After proving his loyalty and bravery, he gradually won ThunderClan’s acceptance and became an apprentice warrior. He became friends with another apprentice, Graystripe (initially known as Graypaw), and this friendship endured and played an important role in the novel. Many of the conflicts that play out in Fire and Ice have their origins in the first novel. Into the Wild describes how Brokenstar (at that time ShadowClan’s leader) instituted a repressive regime and drove WindClan out of their territory; when Brokenstar’s true nature was revealed, an alliance of other cats drove him out, and a new leader replaced him. Fireheart and Graystripe’s bravery during this conflict earned them their status as warriors.

Likewise, the previous novel established suspicions about Tigerclaw. When Fireheart first joined ThunderClan, Tigerclaw wasn’t yet deputy and mentored an apprentice named Ravenpaw.