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This article contains major spoilers for the recently released book, The Elders' Quest. Please proceed at your own discretion. |
"I haven't joined ThunderClan just for Nightheart. I love him, and he was the reason I chose ThunderClan, but there's more to my decision than love. In the time I've spent living with ThunderClan, in hunting and patrolling with them, and in taking the trials, I've realized it's where I belong. They have been kind to me and welcoming and fair. ShadowClan was good to me, and I'm grateful for everything my Clanmates did for me. But I wanted to follow my own path, and it led me to ThunderClan. I have friends here now, and cats who are more like kin than my own kin. I'm proud to be a ThunderClan warrior." |
— Sunbeam about joining ThunderClan in Thunder, pages 316-317 |
Sunbeam is a medium-furred[15] brown tabby she-cat[16] with white patches,[17] yellow eyes,[18] soft,[19] glossy fur,[20] and a fluffy tail.[15]
Sunbeam is a ThunderClan warrior under Squirrelstar's leadership, previously a ShadowClan warrior under Tigerstar's leadership, in the lake territories. Sunkit and her brothers, Spirekit and Hollowkit, were born to Sparrowtail and Berryheart on their trek back to ShadowClan, their parents having fled the Clans during the reign of the Kin. She eventually became an apprentice named Sunpaw under the mentorship of Snaketooth and earned her Warrior name, Sunbeam. Sunbeam formed a close relationship with Blazefire since they knew each other as kits and had plans to become mates one day. However, Blazefire realized he loved Lightleap instead, breaking Sunbeam's heart.
After the Clan leaders accepted changes to the warrior code, including cats switching Clans to be with their mates, Sunbeam came into conflict with her mother's staunch beliefs. Nightheart of ThunderClan left his Clan to be with Sunbeam after they bonded during a mission to fetch catmint, and Sunbeam later joined him in ThunderClan after he returned to his birth Clan, under Squirrelstar's new leadership. After the death of her mother and Splashtail's defeat, Sunbeam and Nightheart had two kits, Goldenkit and Shinekit. She also mentored Moonpaw.
Quick Answers
What led to Sunbeam's transition from a ShadowClan warrior to a ThunderClan warrior?
Who were Sunbeam's parents and siblings?
How did Sunbeam's journey begin as Sunkit in the series?
History
Looking for a longer overview? Find one here!
A Starless Clan
- "Your Clan is the one you protect. And from now on, I will protect ThunderClan."
- ―Sunbeam to Graykit, Bristlekit, and Stemkit Thunder, page 72
- Nightheart's devotion and earnest eventually win Sunbeam over as she helps him practice for his three trials conspired by Berryheart. As ShadowClan grows more divided and Nightheart realizes his Clan needs him, Sunbeam leaves ShadowClan to follow Nightheart in ThunderClan. With Nightheart gone with Frostpaw on a mission from StarClan, Sunbeam successfully completes her three trials to become a ThunderClan warrior. However, she grows increasingly concerned when Berryheart, Sparrowtail, and Hollowspring are exiled and join RiverClan under Splashtail's leadership. She, Nightheart, and Frostpaw help Mothwing, Duskfur, and Icewing escape to ShadowClan, where they are tricked and attacked by RiverClan. Berryheart's attempts to use subterfuge against Splashtail fail, and Berryheart sacrifices herself to save Sunbeam. Sunbeam grows conflicted about her mother's sacrifice. Two moons later, she and Nightheart are expecting a litter of kits.
Super Editions
This section summarizes Sunbeam's significant Super Editions appearances. If you're looking for a full list, find one here!
- «Can I wait while Berryheart's kits find their traveling paws? I'll have to.»
- —Tigerheart's thoughts about returning to ShadowClan Tigerheart's Shadow, page 373
Character pixels
The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation. |
Official art
Please do not edit this gallery. Sunbeam on the cover of River Sunbeam on the cover of Sky Sunbeam on the cover of Thunder Sunbeam in A Starless Clan Sunbeam's Warriors website fact sheet Sunbeam's Warriors website fact sheet for A Starless Clan Sunbeam's silhouette on the Warriors website Sunbeam's icon on the Warriors family tree |
Personality and traits
- "Sunbeam, ever since you were a kit, you've been obsessed with following the rules, but you're old enough now to understand that life isn't always neat and orderly. Sometimes you have to accept that things are messy."
- ―Berryheart to Sunbeam Shadow, page 181
Relationships
Berryheart
- «Sunbeam could hardly believe her ears. Was this the cat who had raised her? What had happened to the cat who had given her badger rides after a long day's patrolling, and sat beside her through the night when she'd had whitecough, and taught her to share prey with her littermates?»
- —Sunbeam's thoughts about her mother Sky, page 266
- More Coming Soon
Sparrowtail, Spireclaw, and Hollowspring
- "I am, but not for myself, or for any cat in ThunderClan. We all have one another, and we'll see each other through. But my kin are out there somewhere, and they don't have a Clan to protect them. I can't help fearing the worst."
- ―Sunbeam worrying about her family Wind, page 213
Nightheart
- "I want to be here. With Nightheart. I've made my choice. I'm going to be a ThunderClan warrior, and I'm going to be loyal one."
- ―Sunbeam to her mother Thunder, page 33

Sunbeam joined ThunderClan to become Nightheart's mate, and the two were always willing to listen to each other
- Sunbeam first met Flamepaw at a Gathering when she admonished other apprentices for teasing him.[44] At another Gathering, the two found comfort in listening to each other's worries, with Sunbeam upset about Blazefire's rejection and her mother's outspoken disapproval for Spireclaw's relationship with Fringewhisker.[30] The two befriended each other during the journey to find more catmint, and the two bonded over their shared quarrels.[45] Together, they stole Twoleg prey from the night carnival.[46] Sunbeam was shocked when Nightheart abruptly joined ShadowClan to be her mate. Nightheart promised his devotion to her and vowed that it would be her decision if they became mates or stayed as friends; Sunbeam found his earnest behavior and devotion charming.[34][24] She sometimes felt slightly unsure about his devotion towards her,[24] but Sunbeam felt relieved to have someone to speak freely to about her worries about Berryheart.[22] Sunbeam's heart broke when Nightheart purposefully failed his final trial when he realized his Clan needed him,[35] but Sunbeam decided to join ThunderClan to be with him.[47] While ThunderClan warmly welcomed her,[34] Sunbeam began to briefly doubt Nightheart's loyalty when he suddenly vanished, though Squirrelstar reassured that he was on a mission from StarClan.[40] Upon Nightheart's return to ThunderClan, the pair became mates and planned to have kits eventually in the future.[48] Sunbeam and Nightheart are perceptive of each other's feelings, always willing to listen and help each other despite their own worries.[37][48][49]
Lightleap
- "I'm so happy you've found some cat. I'm sorry that I came between you and Blazefire. I hope you know I didn't intend to—well, I didn't mean to hurt you."
- ―Lightleap to Sunbeam Shadow, page 108
Blazefire
- "I did love Blazefire when I was a kit. I had a crush on him, and maybe there was some hero worship. He wasn't much more than a kit himself. I assumed we would be mates, and I never realized that we had both grown up into very different cats. I still love him, but as a Clanmate, not as a mate. He and Lightleap are much better suited to each other."
- ―Sunbeam about her relationship with Blazefire Shadow, page 142
Kin
Members
Mate:
- Nightheart:[57] Living (As of The Elders' Quest)
Son:
Daughter:
Mother:
- Berryheart:[2] Deceased, verified the Place of No Stars member
Father:
- Sparrowtail:[59] Living (As of The Elders' Quest)
Sister:
- Needletail:[60] Deceased, verified StarClan member
Brothers:
- Hollowspring:[2] Living (As of The Elders' Quest)
- Spireclaw:[2] Living (As of The Elders' Quest)
- Cloverfoot:[61] Living (As of The Elders' Quest)
- Beenose:[61] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Yarrowleaf:[61] Living (As of The Elders' Quest)
- Bluebellkit:[blog 1] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Frondwhisker:[62] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Gullswoop:[62] Living (As of The Elders' Quest)
- Dewkit:[63] Deceased, residence unknown
- Mistcloud:[63] Deceased, verified StarClan member
Uncles:
Grandmothers:
Grandfather:
Great-uncle:
First cousins:
- Flaxfoot:[66] Living (As of The Elders' Quest)
- Hopwhisker:[66] Living (As of The Elders' Quest)
Tree
Unknown | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kinkfur ♀ | Scorchfur ♂ | Snowbird ♀ | Ratscar ♂ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dewkit ♀ | Mistcloud ♀ | Sparrowtail ♂ | Berryheart ♀ | Cloverfoot ♀ | Beenose ♀ | Yarrowleaf ♀ | Nettle ♂ | Buster ♂ | Gullswoop ♀ | Frondwhisker ♀ | Conefoot ♂ | Bluebellkit ♀ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See more | Fringewhisker ♀ | Spireclaw ♂ | Hollowspring ♂ | Needletail ♀ | Hopwhisker ♀ | Flaxfoot ♂ | Pouncestep ♀ | See more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sunbeam ♀ | Nightheart ♂ | Sprucepaw ♀ | Redpaw ♂ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
= Tom
= She-cat
= Gender unknown
Appearances
- Tigerheart's Shadow (First appearance)
- River of Fire
- Tawnypelt's Clan
- The Raging Storm (Mentioned only)
- Squirrelflight's Hope (Allegiances only)
- Lost Stars (Allegiances only)
- The Silent Thaw (Allegiances only)
- Veil of Shadows (Allegiances only)
- Darkness Within (Allegiances only)
- Graystripe's Vow (Allegiances only)
- Daisy's Kin (Allegiances only)
- The Place of No Stars (Allegiances only)
- A Light in the Mist (Allegiances only)
- River
- Sky
- Shadow
- Thunder
- Wind
- Star
- Ivypool's Heart (Allegiances appearance; mentioned in text)
- The Elders' Quest
- The Ultimate Guide: Updated and Expanded Edition (Indirect mention only)
Trivia
Interesting facts
Author statements
- In earlier drafts of the A Starless Clan arc, Nightheart and Sunbeam were originally supposed to break up, though the Story Team was touched by their connection and faith in each other.[68]
Mistakes
Quotes
- Sunbeam: "I'm sure I'll get an apprentice soon. Then I'll have to run around after them all the time. It's still a ways off, but in a few moons, Dovewing and Tigerstar's kits will need mentors. And Cinnamontail will have her kits with Slatefur any day now."
- Blazefire: "Well, I hope it's a good long time before I get an apprentice. I like being able to do what I want, when I want."
- River, page 34
- «Oh, Blazefire, I know that something is really, really wrong! And what in StarClan's name am I going to do about it?»
- —Sunbeam's thoughts about trouble in RiverClan River, page 106
- Sunbeam: "It's okay. I mean, you should have known better than to go into that tunnel! But you'll recover, and then everything will be fine, and we..."
- Blazefire: "I wanted to tell you...I was planning to tell you...I do love you, I think I always will, but I don't think we're a good match to be mates. We're just too different. And it wouldn't be fair to make you wait while I recover—if I ever do—and then not have it work out. Are you okay?"
- River, pages 165-166
- "I'll never believe you're right. Not over this. Not ever. From now on, leave me out of your meetings. Keep your opinions to yourself. I don't want to hear them."
- ―Sunbeam to Berryheart Sky, page 268
- Nightheart: "Are you happy I came to see you?"
- Sunbeam: "Sure. But why are you here? It's dangerous."
- Sky, pages 282-283
- Nightheart: "And you think inter-Clan relationships are fine?"
- Sunbeam: "I think they make the Clans stronger. Berryheart is stuck in the past, that's all. She thinks that all cats from outside ShadowClan must be rogues, even if they're warriors. But the Clans have changed since she was young. We're all closer now, and it makes sense for cats to choose who to love and where to raise their kits."
- Sky, page 284
- Sunbeam: "Nightheart, what in the name of StarClan are you doing? We barely know each other—how can we be mates? I don't know if I want a mate!"
- Nightheart: "I'm sorry..."
- Shadow, pages 18-20
- Nightheart: "I'm sorry...so sorry. I wish I could have told you. I wanted to, but there was no time—I only realized this morning. And I knew I had to fail this task. If I'd just left, every cat would have said it was because I didn't want to be with you anymore. And I do, Sunbeam, oh, I do. I care about you so much. This is the hardest thing I've ever had to face. But...I need to be in ThunderClan right now. I've had trouble with my kin and my former Clanmates, it's true. But they need me. And I think I've grown enough to finally be the warrior I've always wanted to be. When Dovewing took me to ThunderClan to say good-bye, she said that after a while, going to ThunderClan felt like just visiting any other place, because ShadowClan was home. I've tried hard to get there, but...I can't. Each time I go back, I feel it a little more strongly. ThunderClan is my home. I just wish...I wish I didn't have to leave you to get there."
- Sunbeam: "'So you were just playing with me. You came to my Clan and made me care about you, Nightheart. I didn't ask you to do that!"
- Shadow, pages 255-257
External links
Sunbeam on Warriors official website (backup link)
Kits and queens on Warriors official website (backup link)
Sunbeam and Nightheart: an unlikely Warrior Cats love story on Warriors official website (backup link)
The cats of A Starless Clan on Warriors official website (backup link)
A Starless Clan characters - a visual guide on Warriors official website (backup link)
Nightheart and Sunbeam: our favorite moments on Warriors official website (backup link)
Our Favorite Sunbeam Artwork on Warriors official website (backup link)
A Starless Clan trio artwork on Warriors official website (backup link)
Nightheart and Sunbeam artwork on Warriors official website (backup link)
More of our favorite Sunbeam artwork on Warriors official website (backup link)
Exclusive! Veil of Shadows: Excerpt on Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
Exclusive! Graystripe's Vow: Excerpt on Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiances only)
Exclusive! Darkness Within: Excerpt on Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiances only)
Exclusive! The Place of No Stars Excerpt on Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiances only)
Exclusive! A Warrior's Choice Excerpt on Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiances only)
Exclusive Title and Cover Reveal: A Starless Clan #1 on Warriors official website (backup link)
Exclusive! A Light in the Mist: Excerpt on Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiances only)
Exclusive Title and Cover Reveal: A Starless Clan #2 on Warriors official website (backup link)
Exclusive! River: Excerpt on Warriors official website (backup link)
The journey so far: A Light in the Mist on Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
New Release: River on Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
Exclusive! Sky: Excerpt on Warriors official website (backup link)
The journey so far: River on Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
New Release: Sky on Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
Exclusive Title and Cover Reveal: A Starless Clan #4 on Warriors official website (backup link)
Exclusive! Shadow: Excerpt on Warriors official website (backup link)
The journey so far: Sky on Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
New Release: Shadow on Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
New release: A Thief in ThunderClan on Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
Revealed: Official details from Wind, A Starless Clan #5 on Warriors official website (backup link)
Exclusive! Thunder: Excerpt on Warriors official website (backup link)
The journey so far: Shadow on Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
New release: Thunder on Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
Exclusive: Wind chapters on Warriors official website (backup link)
New Year's resolutions from the Story Team on Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
Thunder recap: the story so far on Warriors official website (backup link)
New Release: Wind on Warriors official website (backup link)
Best Warrior Cats romance books on Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
Exclusive! Ivypool's Heart chapters on Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
Grief and hope in Ivypool's Heart on Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
Exclusive! Star chapters on Warriors official website (backup link)
Wind recap: the story so far on Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
Exclusive! The Elders' Quest chapters on Warriors official website (backup link)
Character spotlight: Whistlepaw - an ally and a friend on Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
Top five leaders of ShadowClan on Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)


















Notes and references
- ↑ Revealed in Thunder, page 270
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, page 371
- ↑ Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 150
- ↑ Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, page 410
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, chapter 33
- ↑ Revealed in River of Fire, chapter 6
- ↑ Revealed in River of Fire, chapter 19
- ↑ Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, chapter 29
- ↑ Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, chapter 35
- ↑ Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, chapter 19
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Revealed in Squirrelflight's Hope, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in Lost Stars, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in Star, page 328
- ↑ Revealed in The Elders' Quest, page 40
- ↑ 15.0 15.1
A Starless Clan characters - a visual guide on Warriors official website (backup link)
- ↑ Revealed in The Raging Storm, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in Thunder, page 14
- ↑ Revealed in Thunder, page 62
- ↑ Revealed in Sky, page 110
- ↑ Revealed in Sky, page 109
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 Revealed in River, chapter 3
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Revealed in Shadow, chapter 14
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 Revealed in Thunder, chapter 6
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 Revealed in Shadow, chapter 11
- ↑ Revealed in River, chapter 12
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 Revealed in River, chapter 18
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 Revealed in Thunder, chapter 3
- ↑ Revealed in Thunder, chapter 18
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, chapter 32
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 Revealed in River, chapter 19
- ↑ Revealed in River, chapter 21
- ↑ 32.0 32.1 Revealed in Sky, chapter 10
- ↑ Revealed in Sky, chapter 16
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 Revealed in Shadow, chapter 2
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 Revealed in Shadow, chapter 20
- ↑ 36.0 36.1 Revealed in Wind, chapter 1
- ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 Revealed in Wind, chapter 3
- ↑ Revealed in Wind, chapter 23
- ↑ Revealed in River of Fire, chapter 20
- ↑ 40.0 40.1 Revealed in Thunder, chapter 9
- ↑ Revealed in Thunder, chapter 12
- ↑ Revealed in Wind, chapter 6
- ↑ Revealed in Wind, chapter 22
- ↑ Revealed in River, chapter 4
- ↑ 45.0 45.1 Revealed in Sky, chapter 7
- ↑ 46.0 46.1 Revealed in Sky, chapter 8
- ↑ Revealed in Shadow, chapter 24
- ↑ 48.0 48.1 Revealed in Wind, chapter 5
- ↑ Revealed in Wind, chapter 11
- ↑ 50.0 50.1 Revealed in River, chapter 6
- ↑ 51.0 51.1 Revealed in River, chapter 9
- ↑ Revealed in Sky, chapter 1
- ↑ 53.0 53.1 Revealed in Sky, chapter 18
- ↑ 54.0 54.1 Revealed in Shadow, chapter 8
- ↑ Revealed in River, chapter 15
- ↑ Revealed in Sky, chapter 4
- ↑ Revealed in Thunder, page 268
- ↑ 58.0 58.1 Revealed in The Elders' Quest, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, page 337
- ↑ Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow Comic
- ↑ 61.0 61.1 61.2 61.3 61.4 61.5 Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, page 336
- ↑ 62.0 62.1 62.2 Revealed in Shattered Sky, allegiances
- ↑ 63.0 63.1 Revealed in Night Whispers, page 241
- ↑ Revealed in Night Whispers, page 246
- ↑ Revealed in The Last Hope, page 279
- ↑ 66.0 66.1 Revealed in River of Fire, chapter 17
- ↑ Revealed in Sky, page 376
- ↑
Sunbeam and Nightheart: an unlikely Warrior Cats love story on Warriors official website (backup link)
- ↑ Revealed in Thunder, page 32
- ↑ Revealed in The Elders' Quest, page 104
- ↑ Sunbeam and her brothers' ages are a bit tricky to calculate. River of Fire places their birth in leaf-fall since the entire book takes place during those moons.[6][7] However, Tigerheart's Shadow places their birth in leaf-bare.[8][9] In addition, Sunbeam and her brothers are two moons younger than Shadowsight and his littermates.[10][5]
Author references
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Leader | Squirrelstar |
Deputy | Ivypool |
Medicine cats | Jayfeather • Alderheart |
Warriors | Whitewing • Birchfall • Mousewhisker • Poppyfrost • Cinderheart • Lionblaze • Bumblestripe • Blossomfall • Cherryfall • Molewhisker • Lilyheart • Dewnose • Stormcloud • Fernsong • Sorrelstripe • Hollytuft • Sparkpelt • Honeyfur • Leafshade • Twigbranch • Finleap (Goldenpaw) • Eaglewing • Plumstone • Shellfur • Spotfur • Flipclaw (Shinepaw) • Thriftear • Bayshine • Nightheart • Finchlight • Fernstripe • Sunbeam (Moonpaw) • Wafflepelt • Bristleclaw • Stemtail • Graywhisker |
Apprentices | Goldenpaw • Shinepaw • Moonpaw |
Queens | Daisy • Myrtlebloom |
Kits | Sunkit • Oakkit • Hazelkit |
Elders | Brackenfur • Brightheart • Cloudtail • Thornclaw • Brambleclaw |