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The Unicorn's Secret #1
Moonsilver
Heart has no family. She lives a hard and lonely life in the dusty village of Ash Grove - until she finds a scarred, skinny mare in the forest. Against the wishes of her guardian, mean-spirited Simon Pratt, Heart adopts the mare and names her Avamir. Heart is thrilled when she realized Avamir is in foal. But when the colt is born wear and disfigured, Simon decides to sell Heart's beloved horses to be slaughtered by the town's soapmaker. Can Hear find a way to protect them - and the only love she has ever known?
78 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
10 people are currently reading
986 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen Duey
157 books362 followersKathleen Duey grew up in Colorado. She loved riding her horses, hiking, being in the mountains. Reading was always important to her. Writing became a fascination early in her life. In the fourth grade, Kathleen began writing stories and told everyone who would listen that she was going to be an author. Then she did nothing about it until she was 35 years old. Writing was her passion and her dream-come-true.
from: fantasticfiction.co.uk
Kathleen died of cardiac arrest at her home in Fallbrook, California. She was 69. She had struggled with dementia in her latter years which prevented her from completing her Skin Hunger trilogy.
https://web.archive.org/web/202101052...
from: fantasticfiction.co.uk
Kathleen died of cardiac arrest at her home in Fallbrook, California. She was 69. She had struggled with dementia in her latter years which prevented her from completing her Skin Hunger trilogy.
https://web.archive.org/web/202101052...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
November 1, 2011
If you are looking for a well written and interesting introductory fantasy series (especially for girls) then needs ye look no further!
What a great start to what seems to be promising series. Mrs. Duey is a very good writer, managing to convey a lot of world building and characterization within the constraints of a book targeted for a young audience. In fact, how she manages to paint such an elaborate picture with so few words is a lesson in writing all in itself. My daughter learned a lot of new vocabulary words and was enthralled and excited by the story. Also, it generated a lot of discussion about feudal society and how the lower classes lived in the Middle Ages.
The story is rather abbreviated, centering around the heroine (a young peasant orphan named Heart Avamir) and her discovery of a wounded white mare in the woods. The plot of the book boils down to saving the mysterious mare, and her new foal, from the looming fate of slaughter at the hands of the knacker. It's clearly only the first installment in a longer work, but it resolves nicely and lays the groundwork for several mysteries to be unravelled as we follow our heroine along in future adventures. This is a good thing. From the first chapter to the last the pacing was perfect, especially for a child's mindset, and right up until the end I heard pleas of "just one more chapter, Daddy!"
Now I'm hearing: "when can we read the next one?"
Highly recommended.
What a great start to what seems to be promising series. Mrs. Duey is a very good writer, managing to convey a lot of world building and characterization within the constraints of a book targeted for a young audience. In fact, how she manages to paint such an elaborate picture with so few words is a lesson in writing all in itself. My daughter learned a lot of new vocabulary words and was enthralled and excited by the story. Also, it generated a lot of discussion about feudal society and how the lower classes lived in the Middle Ages.
The story is rather abbreviated, centering around the heroine (a young peasant orphan named Heart Avamir) and her discovery of a wounded white mare in the woods. The plot of the book boils down to saving the mysterious mare, and her new foal, from the looming fate of slaughter at the hands of the knacker. It's clearly only the first installment in a longer work, but it resolves nicely and lays the groundwork for several mysteries to be unravelled as we follow our heroine along in future adventures. This is a good thing. From the first chapter to the last the pacing was perfect, especially for a child's mindset, and right up until the end I heard pleas of "just one more chapter, Daddy!"
Now I'm hearing: "when can we read the next one?"
Highly recommended.
January 22, 2024
Rating: 5 / 5
I believe the word I'm looking for is 'charming'. I love this book now and I would have loved it even more as a child. At its heart is caring, simplicity, and innocence--the three things that make up a peaceful, happy life.
Our heroine is a hardworking little girl named Heart, who was taken in by a bully of a man, Simon. Like all medieval peasants, they have to work hard, and the strong take advantage of the weak--as Simon does with Heart. Still, she works hard and tries to keep up her spirits, which is easier to do when she finds a beautiful white mare one night. Simon wants to sell the mare, but Heart reasons him into keeping it (at least for a little while), and so the story begins!
As a shorter book, there's not really a lot that happens, but for what does happen, and as the beginning of a story, I really liked it. There's a lot of heart to...well, to Heart, and seeing her interact with both the mare and the kindly healer woman, Ruth, my heart was touched and my spirit relaxed.
I have this as a "4-in-1" physical book, but I'd rather review each book individually, and so take them one at a time. On to book 2, if you please!
I believe the word I'm looking for is 'charming'. I love this book now and I would have loved it even more as a child. At its heart is caring, simplicity, and innocence--the three things that make up a peaceful, happy life.
Our heroine is a hardworking little girl named Heart, who was taken in by a bully of a man, Simon. Like all medieval peasants, they have to work hard, and the strong take advantage of the weak--as Simon does with Heart. Still, she works hard and tries to keep up her spirits, which is easier to do when she finds a beautiful white mare one night. Simon wants to sell the mare, but Heart reasons him into keeping it (at least for a little while), and so the story begins!
As a shorter book, there's not really a lot that happens, but for what does happen, and as the beginning of a story, I really liked it. There's a lot of heart to...well, to Heart, and seeing her interact with both the mare and the kindly healer woman, Ruth, my heart was touched and my spirit relaxed.
I have this as a "4-in-1" physical book, but I'd rather review each book individually, and so take them one at a time. On to book 2, if you please!
January 21, 2022
I had never read this series as a kid but I was feeling nostalgic for early-2000s horsegirl books so I picked this up and found it delightful! It kept me engaged and I loved the characters Heart and Ruth.
February 16, 2018
In under 80 pages, including several wonderful illustration pages, the author sets the stage for what promises to be an engaging series for early readers starring unicorns!
The story is told by Heart, a foundling taken in by a penny-pinching, crusty, unlikable bachelor. Their close neighbor is a well respected herbalist who takes Heart under her wing. One day Heart happens upon a white mare that is scarred on her forehead and lame. She is begrudgingly granted permission to keep her, just until she is fat enough to bring a small price.
The middle-ages setting introduces readers to some new words, such as "gleaner" and "knacker".
Through Heart's many observations, the story is replete with elements of smell, sight, taste, and touch. Several potential villains with ill motives are introduced as well as a bully who may or may not experience some character growth as the series evolves.
The story is told by Heart, a foundling taken in by a penny-pinching, crusty, unlikable bachelor. Their close neighbor is a well respected herbalist who takes Heart under her wing. One day Heart happens upon a white mare that is scarred on her forehead and lame. She is begrudgingly granted permission to keep her, just until she is fat enough to bring a small price.
The middle-ages setting introduces readers to some new words, such as "gleaner" and "knacker".
Through Heart's many observations, the story is replete with elements of smell, sight, taste, and touch. Several potential villains with ill motives are introduced as well as a bully who may or may not experience some character growth as the series evolves.
May 26, 2020
Lovely story! I've always loved unicorns and stories about them 🦄 💖!
October 18, 2020
Nice book
August 24, 2020
Tried to read this one to honey bucket. She gave it 3 chapters and was ready to quit. She was having a hard time with the setting and characters. I'm hoping she'll be up for a return visit in a year or so. I think this just wasn't all glitter and rainbows the way many contemporary unicorn books seem to be, which for her (not me!) was a disappointment.
I, however, went ahead and finished this one on my own. I may just read the whole series I enjoyed it so much. Definitely not for the Munchkin though, too dark - at least for her at 5.
I, however, went ahead and finished this one on my own. I may just read the whole series I enjoyed it so much. Definitely not for the Munchkin though, too dark - at least for her at 5.
February 24, 2025
Reading this set again for the first time in 21 years. This is one of my absolute favorite sets. Well worth the read at any age.
May 9, 2023
This is the first book of a YA series.
Beginning with a young girl, Heart Avamir, who was abandoned and found by a man who takes her in and basically uses her for labor, she and the man who took her in find a horse one day. Pure white and with numerous scars, including a huge gash on her head, Heart convinces the man to take the horse in and rehabilitate her. She wants to keep the horse; he wants to fatten it up and sell it to the knacker.
As the story progresses, Heart begins to work with the local healer, Ruth, peddling healing herbs. She is paid for this labor, and at first turns it all over to Simon, the man who took her in. She then, at Ruth's urging, starts to keep some of the money she herself earns, which will factor later in the series I'm sure. Ruth helps Heart rehabilitate the horse, who they later discover is with foal. This pleases Simon to no end as now he believes not only will he have a horse to sell to the knacker, but another to sell to someone else—until he sees the foal's misshapen head.
Give you a spoiler? I think not, but the ending of the story gets more interesting. My only objection is the abrupt cliff-hanger-style ending. But then, it is the first of a series, and reads well enough to keep a young person interested until the end.
Beginning with a young girl, Heart Avamir, who was abandoned and found by a man who takes her in and basically uses her for labor, she and the man who took her in find a horse one day. Pure white and with numerous scars, including a huge gash on her head, Heart convinces the man to take the horse in and rehabilitate her. She wants to keep the horse; he wants to fatten it up and sell it to the knacker.
As the story progresses, Heart begins to work with the local healer, Ruth, peddling healing herbs. She is paid for this labor, and at first turns it all over to Simon, the man who took her in. She then, at Ruth's urging, starts to keep some of the money she herself earns, which will factor later in the series I'm sure. Ruth helps Heart rehabilitate the horse, who they later discover is with foal. This pleases Simon to no end as now he believes not only will he have a horse to sell to the knacker, but another to sell to someone else—until he sees the foal's misshapen head.
Give you a spoiler? I think not, but the ending of the story gets more interesting. My only objection is the abrupt cliff-hanger-style ending. But then, it is the first of a series, and reads well enough to keep a young person interested until the end.
June 10, 2021
„Тайната на еднорога“ е поредица от 8 илюстровани детски романа, които се четат на един дъх. Сюжетът разказва за малката Харт Авамир, сираче, отгледано от Саймън Прат – груб селянин, който я е открил преди години край реката. Харт няма никакви спомени преди този ден. При все, че е дал подслон на момичето, Саймън съвсем не е обичлива бащинска фигура. Харт е помощник, полезна работна ръка, но не и дъщеря. Отначало Саймън дори не е дал име на детето. Нарича я просто „момиче“, докато местната лечителка, Рут Оукс, не й дава име. Харт мечтае за семейство, да разбере кои са родителите й… Единственото, което знае за тях е, че преди да я оставят край реката те са я повили в красиво одеяло със избродирани сребърни еднорози. Уви, Саймън отдавна го е продал… Прочетете повече на "Книжни Криле": https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/202...
January 29, 2018
My Review: I picked this book up on a whim, because who doesn't want to read a book with unicorns?! I can tell you that I would have loved this book as a young girl, and I rather enjoyed it now too. It is definitely geared towards an audience of girls who are just starting chapter books. The story is simple with interesting characters and story line but not overly complex world or plot. It is does revolve around a lot of classic fantasy tropes, a secret, a quest, good versus evil, right and wrong etc. but it is a great introduction to the genre. I must say thought that the character's name, Heart, was rather irritating to me, I have a dislike for names after objects but that is just a personal quirk. This book does end on a bit of a cliffhanger that will have readers reaching for the next book.
July 8, 2022
The first in a series, this is a sweet story of an orphaned girl raised by a man who found her but has no love for her. She finds a wounded white mare that she nurses to health although her guardian wants nothing more than to sell her for tallow. She determines to do everything possible to keep her and the foal she produces safe from the tallow factory and anyone else that might threaten them. This is a beginning chapter book. I bought this series for my granddaughter and I think she will really enjoy it.
June 1, 2023
Well, it's not much of a secret, if I'm being honest. It's RIGHT THERE in the cover! They's unicorns!
The story's fine, I guess, but it doesn't stand out that much as far as stories I've read. True, it's "only" the first book, but I don't know if I'm interested enough to find the rest. I might simply consider the "happy ending" to be Heart sets off on her journey, and that's that. (As someone pointed out, "Sometimes the difference between a happy ending and a sad ending is when you stop reading.")
Would recommend to young readers, nothing terribly exciting for older readers.
The story's fine, I guess, but it doesn't stand out that much as far as stories I've read. True, it's "only" the first book, but I don't know if I'm interested enough to find the rest. I might simply consider the "happy ending" to be Heart sets off on her journey, and that's that. (As someone pointed out, "Sometimes the difference between a happy ending and a sad ending is when you stop reading.")
Would recommend to young readers, nothing terribly exciting for older readers.
August 31, 2025
I love the writing style of these books. It's so simple, short, and clean. You get a great deal of story per word. She has a couple of idiosyncracies: she often breaks paragraphs that shouldn't be broken, and has her main character speak aloud to herself, to the sky, to inanimate objects, as a lazy way of telling us what she's thinking.
The story so far is not remarkable, but enjoyable, and less distressing to read than most fantasy nowadays, which seems determined to traumatize even young readers.
The story so far is not remarkable, but enjoyable, and less distressing to read than most fantasy nowadays, which seems determined to traumatize even young readers.
June 13, 2017
I shouldn't downgrade a book just because it's a lower reading level than expected! The author actually did a great job of creating a world, characters and plot in so few pages. I'm interested enough to read the next one!
September 11, 2021
A simple book from a simple perspective. One that shows the type of caring that can only come from innocence.
Overall, A unicorn book, and one for a younger child. Enjoyable though and worth checking out, especially if you have a young girl to read to.
Overall, A unicorn book, and one for a younger child. Enjoyable though and worth checking out, especially if you have a young girl to read to.
March 23, 2023
This book series was what made me finally like reading in 3rd grade after hating it for 1st and 2nd. So happy to be reading these again, even in my mid-twenties I'm enjoying this story that little me loved so much ❤️🦄
February 29, 2024
This series was one of the first I read in elementary school, and honestly, it still resonates with me today. I feel like its content was somewhat mature for the age group, dealing with abanoment and found family. I kind of want to reread it as an adult...
May 18, 2018
My favorite part is when Avamir has her colt and Heart names Avamir's colt Moonsilver. Moonsilver is not a horse colt, but he is actually a unicorn colt!! - 6 year old
May 18, 2018
A quick read. Easy to follow, sets up the plot for future books well and doesn't shy away from some very real problems for the people living in this world.
October 2, 2018
This is a charming story. I am looking forward to reading the series.
August 28, 2019
It was okay. But wasn't interesting that much. But I think it's because it's a children's book I think.
December 22, 2020
My 8 year old enjoyed reading this together. The story was easy to follow and she enjoyed the pictures throughout.
Read
May 28, 2022i can never reread this it'll ruin the magic
August 18, 2022
I read this book when it was first released as a child and it was a favorite series of mine. It is a great introductory for children interested in fantasy books.
January 19, 2023
A nice pallet cleanser
February 8, 2023
Precious story.
July 22, 2024
Read aloud with my daughter. Pleasant prose. Interesting-enough start to the tale.
September 5, 2025
Don’t judge this book by its cutesy soft focus cover. This series is exciting, emotional, sometimes brutal, and very well written!
November 16, 2015
Moonsilver is an entertaining book about an outcast girl of six years finding a unicorn. When the young unicorn is born, Heart realizes that she must save them both at any cost. Kathleen Duey has created a wonderful little story for Early Chapter readers to enjoy. The story is simple, yet highly enjoyable.
The readers will fall in love with Heart. At first they will feel sorry for her because she is in a bad situation, you know, being left behind by her parents. Later, they will wish to be her when she realizes that she has two unicorns. After all, who wouldn't want a unicorn or two?
The pencil artwork by Omar Rayyan is very detailed and adds a great deal to the telling of the story. Moonsilver is a wonderful start to a series that promises to transport a young reader to a world of simpler times. Overall, I was thoroughly entertained by the story about Heart and Avamir and cannot wait to find out what happens next in book two in this series, The Silver Thread.
I rated this book an 8 out of 10.
The readers will fall in love with Heart. At first they will feel sorry for her because she is in a bad situation, you know, being left behind by her parents. Later, they will wish to be her when she realizes that she has two unicorns. After all, who wouldn't want a unicorn or two?
The pencil artwork by Omar Rayyan is very detailed and adds a great deal to the telling of the story. Moonsilver is a wonderful start to a series that promises to transport a young reader to a world of simpler times. Overall, I was thoroughly entertained by the story about Heart and Avamir and cannot wait to find out what happens next in book two in this series, The Silver Thread.
I rated this book an 8 out of 10.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews