Skandar and the Unicorn Thief product reviews

There was enough hype for this book, before it was even published, with the bookshop I work in being given FOUR readers copies to share among the staff. I like a good fantasy story and was interested to see where the author would take us in a world where unicorns aren't all sunshine, glitter and rainbows. Skandar has grown up in a world where unicorns used to be seen as previously described, until a secretive island revealed to them that unicorns are, in fact, carnivorous, blood-thirsty, rotting creatures who, once you know they are coming, it's too late... The people on the mainland get to watch a yearly race between the unicorns that have been bonded and it is this achievement that Skandar hopes to make.

Of course, things go awry and Skandar isn't allowed to take the test to become a trainer, yet soon enough ends up snuck onto the island where he must now bluff his way, as though he passed the exam like everyone else. There's plenty of action as Skandar tries to master his skills, figure out who the Weaver is and what their plan for the unicorns they're stealing are, and (as often happens) try to keep the fact that he is more like the Weaver than anyone would like. Whilst the plot itself has many similar tropes to other book - mysterious baddie, missing parent, most powerful of their generation and the last one was evil etc. - I liked the different take on the unicorns and how that all plays out.

Whilst the ending was no surprise, the book is well written and well paced. There should be a 2nd book being released next year and I'm sure this book will be a hit with any fan of fantasy.