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Unicorn Keep
Jiline of Ainsley is dismayed when her best friend is selected by the mages to become a unicorn keeper at the Keep, an isolated mountain fortress. Especially since Madelen is in love and engaged to the richest boy in the village. Jiline on the other hand has no prospects of marriage or a trade in their small village. So, she comes up with a plan to take Madelen's place at the Keep and hopefully flunk out of unicorn keeper training before the mages can discover the deception. Unfortunately, the unicorns have their own plans for her.
Mage Herrick, son of the Keep Mage, returns home to the Keep as the trainee keepers arrive. A chance encounter with Jiline, who he believes is Madelen, on the trail sparks a magical connection between the two. Knowing he can't feel a magical draw to someone who has no magic, he tries to prove Madelen (Jiline) has magic within her. His attention brings unforeseen complications for both of them.
Mage Herrick, son of the Keep Mage, returns home to the Keep as the trainee keepers arrive. A chance encounter with Jiline, who he believes is Madelen, on the trail sparks a magical connection between the two. Knowing he can't feel a magical draw to someone who has no magic, he tries to prove Madelen (Jiline) has magic within her. His attention brings unforeseen complications for both of them.
178 pages, Paperback
First published April 26, 2012
52 people are currently reading
787 people want to read
About the author
Angelia Almos
17 books66 followersWriting Young Adult, Space Opera, and Horsey Nonfiction as Angelia Almos. Writing Steamy Paranormal Romance and Romantic Suspense as Angie Derek.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 10, 2012
Unicorn Keep by Angelia Almos is a gem in young adult literature. How many times do you read young adult books featuring unicorns as one of the primary creatures of interest? Probably not all that often. I personally have trouble finding unicorn-related books, although they’re a species that intrigue me thoroughly. So imagine my happiness when not only I found a book featuring unicorns and unicorn lore, but it was also written in an enjoyable prose and with characters that I could actually root for.
The book starts out with Jiline and her best friend Madalen as they’re waiting for the mages, who have taken this exact moment to drop by their town, to test them using a crystal. If the crystal glows, it means they’re fit to be unicorn keepers. If it doesn’t, they aren’t. For Madalen the crystal starts to glow, much to her own sadness. Madalen is happily in love with the mayor’s son, Wilm, and last thing she wants to do is leave the village to go take care of some mythical creatures. Jiline, who by some strange coincedence looks so much like Madalen that they could be sisters, isn’t chosen. Once she arrives home, she realizes her parents actually wanted her to get chosen. With no good prospects for either of her older sisters when it comes to marriage and hardly any money to provide for all of them, they would’ve liked nothing more than Jiline to leave and become a unicorn keeper.
Jiline and Madalen quickly come up with a plan. Madalen will leave with Wilm to the city, where they will start a life together, and Jiline will go to the Unicorn Keep in her best friend’s place. While Jiline expects to get send back almost immediately, strangely enough the unicorns accept her as a keeper. Even more, they request her help for a special mission, one the mages living in the Unicorn Keep can’t know about.
Life at the Unicorn Keep isn’t easy though. Not only does Jiline have to keep her friendship to the unicorns a secret, but she also has trouble knowing how to behave around Herrick, a mage who she met earlier while traveling to the keep and who seemingly can’t take his eyes off her. When nasty rumors flourish, Jiline learns that she may even have an enemy or two at the keep…
Can she keep her promise to the Unicorns and, when the time is right, save them from their imprisoned existence? Does she actually have feelings for Herrick, or not? And most importantly, can she survive long enough to figure out what it all means?
I liked the main character, Jiline. She’s brave and sometimes a little stupid in the sense that she doesn’t stop to think about the consequences of her actions – a typical sign of youth, and something that made me like her even more. She’s also pretty oblivious to Herrick’s true feelings for her, but since all he does is look at her, that’s not too surprising. I liked how there are a lot of surprises around this character that I didn’t see coming. For starters, she only vaguely wonders why she wasn’t chosen by the crystal, and it’s only later revealed how the crystal really works. The author doesn’t spill out all the secrets at once, which is great and keeps the tension high.
I also liked Herrick. As the main love interest, he’s very intriguing. He gets jealous of Eli, another keeper, when he spends time with Jiline, but he doesn’t go over the top when being jealous. He also knows when to keep his distance, something which adds to his personality. As a mage, he’s very much confined to the ways mages have thought for centuries, like for instance a mage can only be drawn to another mage, but he’s also not too singleminded to let that stand in the way of his true thoughts. He honours the traditions but isn’t afraid to break them when needed. On the possible boyfriend ladder in literature, he scores quite high.
Unicorn Keep is a fast read and ideal for fans of young adult fantasy who are sick and tired of vampires, werewolves and faeries and want to see something different for a change. There’s not a lot of description, but that makes it possible for the reader to imagine themselves how everything would like, like the Keep and the Unicorn forest, and I actually didn’t mind.
The book starts out with Jiline and her best friend Madalen as they’re waiting for the mages, who have taken this exact moment to drop by their town, to test them using a crystal. If the crystal glows, it means they’re fit to be unicorn keepers. If it doesn’t, they aren’t. For Madalen the crystal starts to glow, much to her own sadness. Madalen is happily in love with the mayor’s son, Wilm, and last thing she wants to do is leave the village to go take care of some mythical creatures. Jiline, who by some strange coincedence looks so much like Madalen that they could be sisters, isn’t chosen. Once she arrives home, she realizes her parents actually wanted her to get chosen. With no good prospects for either of her older sisters when it comes to marriage and hardly any money to provide for all of them, they would’ve liked nothing more than Jiline to leave and become a unicorn keeper.
Jiline and Madalen quickly come up with a plan. Madalen will leave with Wilm to the city, where they will start a life together, and Jiline will go to the Unicorn Keep in her best friend’s place. While Jiline expects to get send back almost immediately, strangely enough the unicorns accept her as a keeper. Even more, they request her help for a special mission, one the mages living in the Unicorn Keep can’t know about.
Life at the Unicorn Keep isn’t easy though. Not only does Jiline have to keep her friendship to the unicorns a secret, but she also has trouble knowing how to behave around Herrick, a mage who she met earlier while traveling to the keep and who seemingly can’t take his eyes off her. When nasty rumors flourish, Jiline learns that she may even have an enemy or two at the keep…
Can she keep her promise to the Unicorns and, when the time is right, save them from their imprisoned existence? Does she actually have feelings for Herrick, or not? And most importantly, can she survive long enough to figure out what it all means?
I liked the main character, Jiline. She’s brave and sometimes a little stupid in the sense that she doesn’t stop to think about the consequences of her actions – a typical sign of youth, and something that made me like her even more. She’s also pretty oblivious to Herrick’s true feelings for her, but since all he does is look at her, that’s not too surprising. I liked how there are a lot of surprises around this character that I didn’t see coming. For starters, she only vaguely wonders why she wasn’t chosen by the crystal, and it’s only later revealed how the crystal really works. The author doesn’t spill out all the secrets at once, which is great and keeps the tension high.
I also liked Herrick. As the main love interest, he’s very intriguing. He gets jealous of Eli, another keeper, when he spends time with Jiline, but he doesn’t go over the top when being jealous. He also knows when to keep his distance, something which adds to his personality. As a mage, he’s very much confined to the ways mages have thought for centuries, like for instance a mage can only be drawn to another mage, but he’s also not too singleminded to let that stand in the way of his true thoughts. He honours the traditions but isn’t afraid to break them when needed. On the possible boyfriend ladder in literature, he scores quite high.
Unicorn Keep is a fast read and ideal for fans of young adult fantasy who are sick and tired of vampires, werewolves and faeries and want to see something different for a change. There’s not a lot of description, but that makes it possible for the reader to imagine themselves how everything would like, like the Keep and the Unicorn forest, and I actually didn’t mind.
May 8, 2012
I hope the book will have a sequel. I don't know if the author is planning to have one soon, but I do hope so. The truth is, it's been so long since I've read about unicorns! That maybe the only reason why I'm dying to read this, despite of whatever the outcome. But hey, the book turned out great! It's totally genius! The read was quick like you reading in a glance, but I think she did great plotting the story because even though the book is quite short, it was condense and nothing would be an excuse to hate the book.
Jiline is very cute and I love the love sparkling between Jiline and Herrick. It's like there's nothing impossible even if you are powerless, when you love someone, the power will come to you. And that is what I felt when I was reading the book. You could feel hope, love, magical powers, and endless effort to thrive for the best. And I love misunderstanding, only when it turns out beautiful.
It was a quick read and it worth killing time, with having magical feelings, magical creatures, and I promise you that you will want to be a unicorn keeper yourself. Read it and feel magical.
Jiline is very cute and I love the love sparkling between Jiline and Herrick. It's like there's nothing impossible even if you are powerless, when you love someone, the power will come to you. And that is what I felt when I was reading the book. You could feel hope, love, magical powers, and endless effort to thrive for the best. And I love misunderstanding, only when it turns out beautiful.
It was a quick read and it worth killing time, with having magical feelings, magical creatures, and I promise you that you will want to be a unicorn keeper yourself. Read it and feel magical.
May 18, 2022
Well, THAT was disappointing! I’m not surprised this book fell out of my head after the first reading, the story’s not very well told, the characters are flat, and the book ends with a wet plop. Like, there’s something that COULD be good here…but not with this weaksauce execution.
I don’t hate Jiline’s choice to take her friend’s place at the Keep…in fact, it honestly seems weird that she’s as reluctant as she is, given what little she knows of what she’s getting into and the story’s emphasis on her lack of prospects for her future, and really her family’s increasingly difficult situation as a result. If Jiline WANTED to go, if it all looked like a perfect solution to both her and Madelen’s problems, if maybe the prospect’s families received money or support in exchange for their chosen kids, or if the honor of being chosen were more emphasized, that might make the currently slow and emotionally stolid beginning more interesting. ESPECIALLY if the reality of Keep life and its endless labor and training were then a let down for Jiline. Then her experience of being drawn in by pretty lies only to be trapped and used would more directly echo the unicorns’ exploitation.
But as it is, we don’t really experience any emotions with the characters, and their own experiences feel flat as a result. How was Herrick experiencing his panic attacks? What was he going through? Were his emotions roiling and churning within him? Did he feel the cold crush of dread and impending doom? Was it in his body? Did his throat seize up, or his lungs refuse to admit a new breath? Did acid roil in his gut and bile threaten to rise? Because honestly, the detached “he had a panic attack” of the prose doesn’t really sell it. Like, yeah, sometimes you dissociate and give yourself a running play-by-play you aren’t engaged in while having a panic attack…but that’s still NOT what was being conveyed. And I’m always gonna be left cold on a romance like this built entirely on, “IDK, magic or something,” where the characters involved in it barely interact, and what little they do until the last few chapters is super guarded as Jiline’s working to not be found out.
At least the unicorns were as much characters as anyone else. In that they were bland, had no distinct personalities, and blended together. But again, every character was that level of wet tissue paper, so at least it wasn’t a case where it was just the unicorns who were super bland this time.
The ending, again, was a wet fart. The fallout of the unicorns’ escape was barely resolved, and you would be forgiven for thinking that their ploy to get the head mage off their tails was meant to be poorly thought through and inadequate. It feels like another third of the book is missing at this point, but that the author was so bored of her own setting and characters she found the nearest adequate stopping point and called it early. I’m not surprised a lot of the reviews of this book long for a sequel, nothing feels actually resolved, Jiline’s family and Madeline and her family are still in direct line of threat from the mages, the unicorns haven’t demonstrated that they aren’t under threat, and we’ve speed-run Jiline and Herrick’s romance. Plus Eli and the other Keepers are still basically enslaved. There’s pretty much no sign that Jiline and Herrick have any plans but to try and live their own happily ever after…SOMEHOW. Like, Herrick’s gonna train Jiline to be a mage, and that’s good, but they still don’t necessarily have a way to support themselves? Unless they’re just allowed to start a farm in the meadow between the fishing village and the unicorns’ new forest?
I’d have liked to see some revolutionary action. Like, they decide to help protect the unicorns and deconstruct the power of the mage’s guild by spreading the truth that most people have magic, and teaching everyone they can, maybe starting with the little fishing village since it’s nearby, how to access their own magic. I legit don’t know how you weave the unicorns as written into that, maybe have Bai split off from the herd to help teach the humans too, or something.
And maybe, if you REALLY want to go up my particular alley, have Bai’s jealousy over Jiline amount to something by having him have romantic feelings for her too, and then the time he spends with both of them softens him to Herrick, too, and they form a polycule together, preferably with Jiline and Herrick being transformed into unicorns too. Hell, at that rate, cut Herrick and focus the story on Eli, who’s been there for years and built up a relationship with Bai, and HE can Awaken and bust out my unicorn boy and they can all be together. But first let’s give Jiline a personality.
I don’t hate Jiline’s choice to take her friend’s place at the Keep…in fact, it honestly seems weird that she’s as reluctant as she is, given what little she knows of what she’s getting into and the story’s emphasis on her lack of prospects for her future, and really her family’s increasingly difficult situation as a result. If Jiline WANTED to go, if it all looked like a perfect solution to both her and Madelen’s problems, if maybe the prospect’s families received money or support in exchange for their chosen kids, or if the honor of being chosen were more emphasized, that might make the currently slow and emotionally stolid beginning more interesting. ESPECIALLY if the reality of Keep life and its endless labor and training were then a let down for Jiline. Then her experience of being drawn in by pretty lies only to be trapped and used would more directly echo the unicorns’ exploitation.
But as it is, we don’t really experience any emotions with the characters, and their own experiences feel flat as a result. How was Herrick experiencing his panic attacks? What was he going through? Were his emotions roiling and churning within him? Did he feel the cold crush of dread and impending doom? Was it in his body? Did his throat seize up, or his lungs refuse to admit a new breath? Did acid roil in his gut and bile threaten to rise? Because honestly, the detached “he had a panic attack” of the prose doesn’t really sell it. Like, yeah, sometimes you dissociate and give yourself a running play-by-play you aren’t engaged in while having a panic attack…but that’s still NOT what was being conveyed. And I’m always gonna be left cold on a romance like this built entirely on, “IDK, magic or something,” where the characters involved in it barely interact, and what little they do until the last few chapters is super guarded as Jiline’s working to not be found out.
At least the unicorns were as much characters as anyone else. In that they were bland, had no distinct personalities, and blended together. But again, every character was that level of wet tissue paper, so at least it wasn’t a case where it was just the unicorns who were super bland this time.
The ending, again, was a wet fart. The fallout of the unicorns’ escape was barely resolved, and you would be forgiven for thinking that their ploy to get the head mage off their tails was meant to be poorly thought through and inadequate. It feels like another third of the book is missing at this point, but that the author was so bored of her own setting and characters she found the nearest adequate stopping point and called it early. I’m not surprised a lot of the reviews of this book long for a sequel, nothing feels actually resolved, Jiline’s family and Madeline and her family are still in direct line of threat from the mages, the unicorns haven’t demonstrated that they aren’t under threat, and we’ve speed-run Jiline and Herrick’s romance. Plus Eli and the other Keepers are still basically enslaved. There’s pretty much no sign that Jiline and Herrick have any plans but to try and live their own happily ever after…SOMEHOW. Like, Herrick’s gonna train Jiline to be a mage, and that’s good, but they still don’t necessarily have a way to support themselves? Unless they’re just allowed to start a farm in the meadow between the fishing village and the unicorns’ new forest?
I’d have liked to see some revolutionary action. Like, they decide to help protect the unicorns and deconstruct the power of the mage’s guild by spreading the truth that most people have magic, and teaching everyone they can, maybe starting with the little fishing village since it’s nearby, how to access their own magic. I legit don’t know how you weave the unicorns as written into that, maybe have Bai split off from the herd to help teach the humans too, or something.
And maybe, if you REALLY want to go up my particular alley, have Bai’s jealousy over Jiline amount to something by having him have romantic feelings for her too, and then the time he spends with both of them softens him to Herrick, too, and they form a polycule together, preferably with Jiline and Herrick being transformed into unicorns too. Hell, at that rate, cut Herrick and focus the story on Eli, who’s been there for years and built up a relationship with Bai, and HE can Awaken and bust out my unicorn boy and they can all be together. But first let’s give Jiline a personality.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2019
This was unexpected but in a wonderful way. I wish there were more books like this one.
January 9, 2015
When the mages come rinding into her town looking for young people to potentially work at their keep, Jiline has no idea what to expect. However, what she doesn't expect is to have her best friend be chosen as a trainee, while she herself gets passed over. Her friend is promised to marry the mayors son, but with her new life soon to start at the Keep, that future will no longer happen. So Jiline devises a plan, she will go to the keep in place of her friend, flunk out of the program and no one will be the wiser. Only, there's a mage who is suspicious with her, and the unicorns have requested her help.
This is a short entertaining story. A lot of time passes in this book without realizing it. The author doesn't go into a lot of day to day details. Instead a lot of stuff is glossed over and mentioned in passing. I both liked and disliked this. With doing such, there isn't a lot of character development. You are told about the characters but you don't really connect fully with them. There were times where we are told that Jiline has a talk with one of the other keepers, Eli, but you're not privy to all the details. It's only mentioned that they spoke. I wish the author went more into the story because like Eli, there were characters, even the main ones, who play a big part in this story who don't really come past the text on the page. I guess what I'm trying to say is that the story was 2 dimensional. It wasn't solely words on page, but the characters were not brought to life either.
I just wish the story was fleshed out a bit more because I personally like to have a connection with the characters, and I didn't have that here. There were also a lot of blank spots in the story. You go on this magical journey but you don't really know what caused this to happen in the first place. How were the unicorns captured in the first place? Are there others out there or just them? What does it mean to be a mage? Is it a taught trait or hereditary? Not to mention there is this creature that attacks them on their journey and Jiline recognizes it from her studies, but because the author didn't make us privy to that scene, I had no idea what the creature looked like. There were a lot of things like that that were looked over. The story ended on a note that made me feel like that was it. Like the characters were riding off into the sunset. So I don't know if anything will be hashed out of if the author is just leaving it up to the readers to figure out.
I still enjoyed the story though. I can't say that I've read many books that had unicorns and certainly not ones where unicorns were a predominant character. Not only are there a lot of scenes with them in it but Jiline is able to telepathically communicate with them. So instead of just being, Horse 1 and Horse 2... they have names and personalities. It was definitely interesting to have so much interaction with a creature who rarely makes it's way in the spotlight of novels.
Favorite quote...
"She was riding a unicorn. The preposterousness of it hit him deep in his stomach. Madelen was riding a unicorn. Not only was she riding one, but from what he had been able to gather the unicorn had commanded it."
This is a short entertaining story. A lot of time passes in this book without realizing it. The author doesn't go into a lot of day to day details. Instead a lot of stuff is glossed over and mentioned in passing. I both liked and disliked this. With doing such, there isn't a lot of character development. You are told about the characters but you don't really connect fully with them. There were times where we are told that Jiline has a talk with one of the other keepers, Eli, but you're not privy to all the details. It's only mentioned that they spoke. I wish the author went more into the story because like Eli, there were characters, even the main ones, who play a big part in this story who don't really come past the text on the page. I guess what I'm trying to say is that the story was 2 dimensional. It wasn't solely words on page, but the characters were not brought to life either.
I just wish the story was fleshed out a bit more because I personally like to have a connection with the characters, and I didn't have that here. There were also a lot of blank spots in the story. You go on this magical journey but you don't really know what caused this to happen in the first place. How were the unicorns captured in the first place? Are there others out there or just them? What does it mean to be a mage? Is it a taught trait or hereditary? Not to mention there is this creature that attacks them on their journey and Jiline recognizes it from her studies, but because the author didn't make us privy to that scene, I had no idea what the creature looked like. There were a lot of things like that that were looked over. The story ended on a note that made me feel like that was it. Like the characters were riding off into the sunset. So I don't know if anything will be hashed out of if the author is just leaving it up to the readers to figure out.
I still enjoyed the story though. I can't say that I've read many books that had unicorns and certainly not ones where unicorns were a predominant character. Not only are there a lot of scenes with them in it but Jiline is able to telepathically communicate with them. So instead of just being, Horse 1 and Horse 2... they have names and personalities. It was definitely interesting to have so much interaction with a creature who rarely makes it's way in the spotlight of novels.
Favorite quote...
"She was riding a unicorn. The preposterousness of it hit him deep in his stomach. Madelen was riding a unicorn. Not only was she riding one, but from what he had been able to gather the unicorn had commanded it."
May 10, 2012
It's the first time I read a book that had Unicorns in it. I also don't usually read books with magic in it, so this was all so new to me. That being said, I loved every moment of this book.
Jiline is brave and a kind person who wanted to help her friend who was chosen to go to the keep. Many people had always confused her and Madelen for being sisters or even twins, that's how much they look alive. So with that knowledge she and Madelen change places while on the road. Even with the risk of getting caught and repermended she still wanted to help her friend. The reason she took her friends place was because for one Madelen was in love with a boy name Will. Will is the mayor's son Wilm and was going to marry Madelen. In addition., Jiline's family didn't want her around anymore because they couldn't afford a full house of children. Her sisters are still stuck at home because no one has married them or taken them on as an apprentice. This has left the family too poor to be able to take them all. The book takes place in an era where the horse and buggy is still the main way to travel. This also means they have old fashion clothing and work areas. Jiline is 15, old enough to get married or find a job or apprenticeship. Since she can't find work or marriage, she decided it would be easier for her family if she left them. She goes to the Keep where she pretends to be her friend Madelen. Everyone believes it true, except for Herrick. Herrick is a full fledge young mage. He's only a couple years older then Madelen (Juline) when he meets her on the trail to the keep. He feels drawn to her and the need to protect her and be around her over takes him. He's not the only one who feels the drawn, though a bit slower Jiline also feels a drawn to the young mage. Your going to have to read to find out the real reason.
The romance in this book is small, with most of the plot line focus on the unicorns and Jilian helping them. There isn't a time to focus on the relationship between Herrick and Jilian. There is a few romantic moments, and the ending that is lovely and sweet. You will have to read it to learn what becomes of the two of them.
The plotline is lovely and it will draw you in from start to finish. It all centers around Jilian and the Unicorns who tell her she is the only one who can free them from them being captives near the mages keep. Jilian didn't think they were captives, based on how the mages act, but soon realizes she trusted the wrong people and she started to help the unicorns. In the story there is two different sets of people at the keep. Mages are people with magic and can cast spells, while keepers are just normal humans with no magic at all. The Unicorns need to be protected from the mages and from the ordinary humans who are unaware of magic.
Overall
I highly suggest you pick this book up and read it because you will love it as much as I do. I recommend it for people who love magic and unicorns. Not to mention some romance and adventure!
Jiline is brave and a kind person who wanted to help her friend who was chosen to go to the keep. Many people had always confused her and Madelen for being sisters or even twins, that's how much they look alive. So with that knowledge she and Madelen change places while on the road. Even with the risk of getting caught and repermended she still wanted to help her friend. The reason she took her friends place was because for one Madelen was in love with a boy name Will. Will is the mayor's son Wilm and was going to marry Madelen. In addition., Jiline's family didn't want her around anymore because they couldn't afford a full house of children. Her sisters are still stuck at home because no one has married them or taken them on as an apprentice. This has left the family too poor to be able to take them all. The book takes place in an era where the horse and buggy is still the main way to travel. This also means they have old fashion clothing and work areas. Jiline is 15, old enough to get married or find a job or apprenticeship. Since she can't find work or marriage, she decided it would be easier for her family if she left them. She goes to the Keep where she pretends to be her friend Madelen. Everyone believes it true, except for Herrick. Herrick is a full fledge young mage. He's only a couple years older then Madelen (Juline) when he meets her on the trail to the keep. He feels drawn to her and the need to protect her and be around her over takes him. He's not the only one who feels the drawn, though a bit slower Jiline also feels a drawn to the young mage. Your going to have to read to find out the real reason.
The romance in this book is small, with most of the plot line focus on the unicorns and Jilian helping them. There isn't a time to focus on the relationship between Herrick and Jilian. There is a few romantic moments, and the ending that is lovely and sweet. You will have to read it to learn what becomes of the two of them.
The plotline is lovely and it will draw you in from start to finish. It all centers around Jilian and the Unicorns who tell her she is the only one who can free them from them being captives near the mages keep. Jilian didn't think they were captives, based on how the mages act, but soon realizes she trusted the wrong people and she started to help the unicorns. In the story there is two different sets of people at the keep. Mages are people with magic and can cast spells, while keepers are just normal humans with no magic at all. The Unicorns need to be protected from the mages and from the ordinary humans who are unaware of magic.
Overall
I highly suggest you pick this book up and read it because you will love it as much as I do. I recommend it for people who love magic and unicorns. Not to mention some romance and adventure!
May 4, 2012
What a magical story, I honestly can't think of any other word to describe this book. I enjoyed the budding romance between Jiline and Herrick, but I think it was the magic that occurred between the Unicorns and Jiline that had me turning the pages.
The storyline was amazing and I was mesmerized by what actually went into becoming a Unicorn Keeper. I was cheering for Jiline throughout the whole book. I wanted her to find her magic and believe that she held more power than even she believed she did. With the help of Herrick, I think she will eventually find it...hummm...Can't wait for that sequel!!
The way Angelia created a whole different world within the four walls of the keep was such an amazing concept. I think being a Unicorn keeper would be awesome, harder work than it might seem, but still awesome.
The character who stole my heart was definitely Herrick. His draw to Madelen/Jiline was heartbreaking, since he didn't know if she felt the same for him. The part of the book when Jiline was working with Eli we got to see Herrick knocked down a bit, almost as if he never had felt jealous before. So cute!! He was just a wonderful hero, and I am in his cheering corner all the way.
If you are looking to fall away into another world for a little while, pick up a copy of Unicorn Keep, and then share it with the young adult in your life. You will both fall in love!!
The storyline was amazing and I was mesmerized by what actually went into becoming a Unicorn Keeper. I was cheering for Jiline throughout the whole book. I wanted her to find her magic and believe that she held more power than even she believed she did. With the help of Herrick, I think she will eventually find it...hummm...Can't wait for that sequel!!
The way Angelia created a whole different world within the four walls of the keep was such an amazing concept. I think being a Unicorn keeper would be awesome, harder work than it might seem, but still awesome.
The character who stole my heart was definitely Herrick. His draw to Madelen/Jiline was heartbreaking, since he didn't know if she felt the same for him. The part of the book when Jiline was working with Eli we got to see Herrick knocked down a bit, almost as if he never had felt jealous before. So cute!! He was just a wonderful hero, and I am in his cheering corner all the way.
If you are looking to fall away into another world for a little while, pick up a copy of Unicorn Keep, and then share it with the young adult in your life. You will both fall in love!!
April 5, 2013
Unicorn Keep, by A. Amos was one of those books that I had been wanting to read for a while, but I kept putting it off for other things. I wish I had read it right away. it was such a good book get into.
The main character, Jiline, at fifteen years old is stronger and more loyal than most people I know. She is befriended by the unicorns and learns that they are being held captive by the Mages of the world, under the guise of protecting them. The unicorns talk Jiline into helping them to escape from the valley that they are prisoners of. That is when all the real fun begins.
Enter, Herrick. A Seventeen-year-old hot mage who also just happens to be Jiline’s soul mate even though she doesn't yet know it. Quite the tension going on between these two.
I really enjoyed this young adult fantasy book. It has a bit of romance, but the action of the story is what really carries it through. The author did a fantastic job of keeping the story pace moving and my interest firm. Unicorns, mages, evil creatures, and unicorns, there is such a wide array of fun within the pages of this book. I so enjoyed this read.
The main character, Jiline, at fifteen years old is stronger and more loyal than most people I know. She is befriended by the unicorns and learns that they are being held captive by the Mages of the world, under the guise of protecting them. The unicorns talk Jiline into helping them to escape from the valley that they are prisoners of. That is when all the real fun begins.
Enter, Herrick. A Seventeen-year-old hot mage who also just happens to be Jiline’s soul mate even though she doesn't yet know it. Quite the tension going on between these two.
I really enjoyed this young adult fantasy book. It has a bit of romance, but the action of the story is what really carries it through. The author did a fantastic job of keeping the story pace moving and my interest firm. Unicorns, mages, evil creatures, and unicorns, there is such a wide array of fun within the pages of this book. I so enjoyed this read.
November 18, 2014
I really liked it. I was a tad bit sad to find out it's not the first in a series. :(
November 26, 2014
Enjoyable story of magic and unicorns, and young love. Nice characters. Good adventure.
January 20, 2015
Unicorns magic and young love
I was pulled into the drama and touched by the kindness and caring of the characters. Very sweet book. Perfect blend of conflict and story
I was pulled into the drama and touched by the kindness and caring of the characters. Very sweet book. Perfect blend of conflict and story
July 4, 2020
Unicorns!!! 🦄🦄🦄 It's the thing that drew me to this book. Who doesn't love unicorns? Heathens I tell you.
Now in all seriousness...this was a fun, fluffy read. It all starts when the mages come into town and select a few of the children (between 10-15) to train as unicorn keepers. This is not a voluntary position. Madelen is selected but she's in love with a boy in the village. There seems to be no hope until our MC Jilline steps in and takes the place of her friend. On the road to the keep she meets Herrick who turns out to be a mage. He is drawn to her and doesn't understand why since mages don't feel the draw to those without magic like unicorn keepers. Then Jilline finds out the truth about the unicorns....no more spoilers read the rest for yourself. 😉
I liked the fact that while romance was part of the story it didn't take over. It was all about the unicorns and Jilline. Sure some plotpoints could have been better developed, like Sabine the bully or Eli the Keeper, but still a very pleasant read.
Would recommend!
Now in all seriousness...this was a fun, fluffy read. It all starts when the mages come into town and select a few of the children (between 10-15) to train as unicorn keepers. This is not a voluntary position. Madelen is selected but she's in love with a boy in the village. There seems to be no hope until our MC Jilline steps in and takes the place of her friend. On the road to the keep she meets Herrick who turns out to be a mage. He is drawn to her and doesn't understand why since mages don't feel the draw to those without magic like unicorn keepers. Then Jilline finds out the truth about the unicorns....no more spoilers read the rest for yourself. 😉
I liked the fact that while romance was part of the story it didn't take over. It was all about the unicorns and Jilline. Sure some plotpoints could have been better developed, like Sabine the bully or Eli the Keeper, but still a very pleasant read.
Would recommend!
April 23, 2018
Cover/Title: I don't see a whole lot of books with unicorns so this drew my attention.
Characters: I like Jiline. She just throws herself into everything head first without a thought to the consequences. Herrick is quite the opposite of her. He thinks things thru so they make a pretty good pair. I do wish there was more character building. The characters are pretty one dimensional and most only play a small role. I would think that Jiline should have a bit more interaction with people than she does in the book.
Plot: Jiline's best friend is chosen to be a keeper and desperately wants a way out of it. Jiline looks enough like her that she suggests switching places. Then Jiline meets the unicorns and learns of their situation.
Overall: This was an ok book. It has a lot of potential and would make a great series if it was fleshed out a bit more.
Characters: I like Jiline. She just throws herself into everything head first without a thought to the consequences. Herrick is quite the opposite of her. He thinks things thru so they make a pretty good pair. I do wish there was more character building. The characters are pretty one dimensional and most only play a small role. I would think that Jiline should have a bit more interaction with people than she does in the book.
Plot: Jiline's best friend is chosen to be a keeper and desperately wants a way out of it. Jiline looks enough like her that she suggests switching places. Then Jiline meets the unicorns and learns of their situation.
Overall: This was an ok book. It has a lot of potential and would make a great series if it was fleshed out a bit more.
May 7, 2020
Unicorn Keep
Beautifully written for the young adult reader. Imagine being able to hear a unicorn speak to your mind, helping your best friend and your family by taking the place of your friend and heading into an unknown place. You learn you are the one to help the caged unicorns and free them. You have magic inside of you. This plus a lot of adventure and some romance waits for you in this story. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Beautifully written for the young adult reader. Imagine being able to hear a unicorn speak to your mind, helping your best friend and your family by taking the place of your friend and heading into an unknown place. You learn you are the one to help the caged unicorns and free them. You have magic inside of you. This plus a lot of adventure and some romance waits for you in this story. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
February 24, 2019
This was a delightful young adult fantasy that treats unicorns in an original way. There are plots and romances and some thrilling action sequences, which together with engaging characters make this well worth reading.
May 23, 2017
Great Book
I Love 💘 the book and I know you will find that out for your self
Thank You for letting me read this book I love 💘💘💘💘💘💘💘
It
I Love 💘 the book and I know you will find that out for your self
Thank You for letting me read this book I love 💘💘💘💘💘💘💘
It
October 16, 2018
Enjoyable paranormal YA.
January 18, 2019
Surprisingly good!
I thought this would be more of a kids book, but the story was very well written and fast moving! Holds your attention , I couldn't put it down! Great read!
I thought this would be more of a kids book, but the story was very well written and fast moving! Holds your attention , I couldn't put it down! Great read!
February 11, 2019
Fresh
New and fun. If you like adventure, unicorns, magic, mystery and romance, this is for you! I look forward to more.
New and fun. If you like adventure, unicorns, magic, mystery and romance, this is for you! I look forward to more.
July 22, 2019
Was simple writing, fantasy, and great imagination....
July 11, 2020
Absolutely delightful and unexpected. A magical journey I did not want to end. Would love to see it continued in another book.
August 6, 2023
Happy
The author Almost has created a magical place by creating a special cast and plot for us to follow. The characters draw you in and they are great.
The author Almost has created a magical place by creating a special cast and plot for us to follow. The characters draw you in and they are great.
July 23, 2017
This Review was first published on my blog Lecture toute une Aventure
My opinion:
I’m really delighted to have discovered Angelia’s books this year because even if there are some I loved more than other I liked all of them and I’ve not been disappointed so far. I was really happy she wrote a book about unicorn for me to try once again the magic operated.
This title is a YA, fantasy one and Angelia’s talent really works well for this genre but what marked me the moist is how well the horses and unicorns habit’s and description are fitting. We really see she loves them and know a lot about the subject which made the unicorns so lively and believable that you are immersed in the story and could wish for horse of your own after reading about sweet Ginger the Pony, about Bai the prideful unicorn and all the others.
I liked the story a lot and enjoyed the universe where magic isn’t hidden and at the same time not told all about. Jiline is a really interesting heroine; I loved how she thought before taking a decision, not wanting to be rash about it and not taking all she was told for truths that can’t be put into question. She wanted to help and save her friends, then the unicorn but not until the end and still with difficulty did she think about herself. I really love that.
Herrick was a loyal and thoughtful suitor, he doesn’t mean to bring attention to the girl he knows as Madelen but he is draw to her. He needs to be near, to see her and to get her approval. When the need arrives he does his best to protect her even if it means putting himself in danger for someone so young it was cute and definitively the kind of boyfriend I would love to have. His magic is his own and he is stronger than a lot of other mage, reason, aside from who is mother is, he is put under surveillance. He is also able to rethink what he was told.
Ginger is loyal and so courageous as well as too friendly^^;; , bait is a unicorn who seems a little too attached to Jilene, protector aside he is an excellent fighter and doesn’t like Herrick at all. His mother Gwyn is the leading mare and she is really cute to read about. I love how commanding she can be as well as patient with Jilene letting her come to her own conclusion not rushing but giving a nudge in the good direction if needed. She knows what is best for her but let Jilene decide when the moment is right.
Now there were 2 things that bothered me… first one detail that perhaps it’s only my fault but at the beginning perhaps there were one or 2 typos a negation not present or a name missing but I can’t be sure in the state I’m in I could I have missed and really you read the story in one so that don’t impede your enjoyment of the story at all.
What bothered me more was Eli… I don’t know why but I would have liked to see more of him…. I don’t know if he did what he did only because he was compelled to that’s not really précised just hinted at. However since his link to the unicorn I was hoping they would take him along one way or another so I was always hoping to see him appearing but we simply don’t know what happen to him exactly. He was the one in the keeper really close to the unicorn but it’s like their bond just disappear. Same for Madelen, we don’t know how things work for her not even for the little Cris and I would have liked more closure.
The ending I sweet and really well written even if part of me would have wished something different I don’t regret it. It’s really cute story with a sweet romance in a fabulous fantasy world. I recommend it with pleasure!
My opinion:
I’m really delighted to have discovered Angelia’s books this year because even if there are some I loved more than other I liked all of them and I’ve not been disappointed so far. I was really happy she wrote a book about unicorn for me to try once again the magic operated.
This title is a YA, fantasy one and Angelia’s talent really works well for this genre but what marked me the moist is how well the horses and unicorns habit’s and description are fitting. We really see she loves them and know a lot about the subject which made the unicorns so lively and believable that you are immersed in the story and could wish for horse of your own after reading about sweet Ginger the Pony, about Bai the prideful unicorn and all the others.
I liked the story a lot and enjoyed the universe where magic isn’t hidden and at the same time not told all about. Jiline is a really interesting heroine; I loved how she thought before taking a decision, not wanting to be rash about it and not taking all she was told for truths that can’t be put into question. She wanted to help and save her friends, then the unicorn but not until the end and still with difficulty did she think about herself. I really love that.
Herrick was a loyal and thoughtful suitor, he doesn’t mean to bring attention to the girl he knows as Madelen but he is draw to her. He needs to be near, to see her and to get her approval. When the need arrives he does his best to protect her even if it means putting himself in danger for someone so young it was cute and definitively the kind of boyfriend I would love to have. His magic is his own and he is stronger than a lot of other mage, reason, aside from who is mother is, he is put under surveillance. He is also able to rethink what he was told.
Ginger is loyal and so courageous as well as too friendly^^;; , bait is a unicorn who seems a little too attached to Jilene, protector aside he is an excellent fighter and doesn’t like Herrick at all. His mother Gwyn is the leading mare and she is really cute to read about. I love how commanding she can be as well as patient with Jilene letting her come to her own conclusion not rushing but giving a nudge in the good direction if needed. She knows what is best for her but let Jilene decide when the moment is right.
Now there were 2 things that bothered me… first one detail that perhaps it’s only my fault but at the beginning perhaps there were one or 2 typos a negation not present or a name missing but I can’t be sure in the state I’m in I could I have missed and really you read the story in one so that don’t impede your enjoyment of the story at all.
What bothered me more was Eli… I don’t know why but I would have liked to see more of him…. I don’t know if he did what he did only because he was compelled to that’s not really précised just hinted at. However since his link to the unicorn I was hoping they would take him along one way or another so I was always hoping to see him appearing but we simply don’t know what happen to him exactly. He was the one in the keeper really close to the unicorn but it’s like their bond just disappear. Same for Madelen, we don’t know how things work for her not even for the little Cris and I would have liked more closure.
The ending I sweet and really well written even if part of me would have wished something different I don’t regret it. It’s really cute story with a sweet romance in a fabulous fantasy world. I recommend it with pleasure!
March 29, 2015
Ho vinto questo libro ad un giveaway qui su goodreads.
E' stata davvero una lettura piacevole e che mi ha preso tanto..l'ho infatti divorato in pochi giorni! :P
Da come potrete facilmente capire dal titolo, i protagonisti sono degli unicorni, e se questa cosa da un lato mi attirava perché non ho mai trovato unicorni in un libro, dall'altro mi ha un po' frenato perché non avendo mai letto nullla di simile non sapevo cosa aspettarmi.
Il libro comincia con Jiline, la nostra protagonista, e la sua migliore amica Madelen che si recano in paese, dove sono appena arrivati dei maghi che recluteranno attraverso un cristallo magico dei bambini di età compresa tra i 10 e i 15 anni.
Questi ragazzi scelti dovranno poi recarsi ad una fortezza per allenarsi a diventare custodi degli unicorni.
Non tutti però diventeranno custodi di unicorni, soltanto quelli che verranno scelti dagli unicorni stessi potranno diventarlo, mentre gli altri potranno ritornare dopo un po' di tempo a casa.
Madelen viene scelta, ma non vuole partire per non abbandonare il suo ragazzo; Jiline invece non viene scelta.
Visto che Jiline e Madelen si assomigliano fisicamente, la prima pensa bene di sostituire l'amica e di andare alla fortezza al suo posto.
Da questo punto in poi seguiranno diversi incontri e avventure che non voglio svelarvi per non rovinarvi la lettura.
E' un libro che mi é piaciuto davvero molto e che sono contenta di aver potuto leggere.
Il finale mi ha dato molto l'impressione di poter trovare un seguito a questo libro, soltanto che girovagando sulla pagina goodreads dell'autrice non ho trovato nulla.
Mi trovò tenere aggiornata per vedere se il seguito uscirà o no ^^
E' stata davvero una lettura piacevole e che mi ha preso tanto..l'ho infatti divorato in pochi giorni! :P
Da come potrete facilmente capire dal titolo, i protagonisti sono degli unicorni, e se questa cosa da un lato mi attirava perché non ho mai trovato unicorni in un libro, dall'altro mi ha un po' frenato perché non avendo mai letto nullla di simile non sapevo cosa aspettarmi.
Il libro comincia con Jiline, la nostra protagonista, e la sua migliore amica Madelen che si recano in paese, dove sono appena arrivati dei maghi che recluteranno attraverso un cristallo magico dei bambini di età compresa tra i 10 e i 15 anni.
Questi ragazzi scelti dovranno poi recarsi ad una fortezza per allenarsi a diventare custodi degli unicorni.
Non tutti però diventeranno custodi di unicorni, soltanto quelli che verranno scelti dagli unicorni stessi potranno diventarlo, mentre gli altri potranno ritornare dopo un po' di tempo a casa.
Madelen viene scelta, ma non vuole partire per non abbandonare il suo ragazzo; Jiline invece non viene scelta.
Visto che Jiline e Madelen si assomigliano fisicamente, la prima pensa bene di sostituire l'amica e di andare alla fortezza al suo posto.
Da questo punto in poi seguiranno diversi incontri e avventure che non voglio svelarvi per non rovinarvi la lettura.
E' un libro che mi é piaciuto davvero molto e che sono contenta di aver potuto leggere.
Il finale mi ha dato molto l'impressione di poter trovare un seguito a questo libro, soltanto che girovagando sulla pagina goodreads dell'autrice non ho trovato nulla.
Mi trovò tenere aggiornata per vedere se il seguito uscirà o no ^^
June 16, 2017
Well written
Much more complex storyline than I was expecting. I am very happy I read this book. I look forward to more books in this series.
Much more complex storyline than I was expecting. I am very happy I read this book. I look forward to more books in this series.
November 20, 2014
Do not judge this book by the cover! Well developed plot and characters.
Jiline and her friend Madelen look like twins and are both chosen to stand through a trail that will determine the next Unicorn Keeper. Her friend Madelen was chosen and her parents not rich enough to buy off her freedom she is determined to seek another way out of servitude already betrothed to the Mayor's son she pleads to Jiline for help, Jiline in a position being one of many in a large family forms a plan.
As Jiline arrives she realizes that there are many lies surrounding the truth about the unicorns and about herself.
Never once did she become the perfect heroine like she instantly learns and achieves everything and she is never the weakest or the most powerful, she doesn't become weak and whiny nor if she stupidly lacking any sense of fear. She also doesnt just rashly jump into the adventure she took her time deciding and studied what she needed. I feel the story could have been longer, I also like the romance it wasn't corny, just cause there was attraction she didn't just jump into his arms and even at the end she decides to learn more about him.
MY ONLY PROBLEM is the orfeos I have NO IDEA what they look like, at first I guessed like a creature but then one was wielding an ax sooo I guess not.
Jiline and her friend Madelen look like twins and are both chosen to stand through a trail that will determine the next Unicorn Keeper. Her friend Madelen was chosen and her parents not rich enough to buy off her freedom she is determined to seek another way out of servitude already betrothed to the Mayor's son she pleads to Jiline for help, Jiline in a position being one of many in a large family forms a plan.
As Jiline arrives she realizes that there are many lies surrounding the truth about the unicorns and about herself.
Never once did she become the perfect heroine like she instantly learns and achieves everything and she is never the weakest or the most powerful, she doesn't become weak and whiny nor if she stupidly lacking any sense of fear. She also doesnt just rashly jump into the adventure she took her time deciding and studied what she needed. I feel the story could have been longer, I also like the romance it wasn't corny, just cause there was attraction she didn't just jump into his arms and even at the end she decides to learn more about him.
MY ONLY PROBLEM is the orfeos I have NO IDEA what they look like, at first I guessed like a creature but then one was wielding an ax sooo I guess not.
November 30, 2014
Keepers
I must say I was impressed with this book However, the story although it fascinated me just didn't quite work force. If you are a fan of romances or unicorns this is a must read. I like mythical creatures and paranormal, but it was just a story for me. I did not feel at all compelled to continue reading nor will I be adding it to my collection of books I re-read.
I must say I was impressed with this book However, the story although it fascinated me just didn't quite work force. If you are a fan of romances or unicorns this is a must read. I like mythical creatures and paranormal, but it was just a story for me. I did not feel at all compelled to continue reading nor will I be adding it to my collection of books I re-read.
July 23, 2017
I liked the concept of this book and it held me fairly well engaged, but the structure felt a bit off. The beginning and middle were rushed through without much development, leaving the end feeling stretched out. The final pages ended quietly without any real impact.
The story was a bit on the short side, but with a bit more development it could be really interesting.
The story was a bit on the short side, but with a bit more development it could be really interesting.
June 3, 2020
So this read is engaging from 0-80% then it starts to slow way down. I don't know if it was because I knew that there wasn't a sequel or if it was because the resolution was equal to that of slow hockey stop spraying plot everywhere and tying up nearly no ends and only asking more questions. I am recommending this to read for the mere love of unicorns and magic in my romantic adventure stories.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2015
The well known mages travel from village to village, seeking out those pure of heart between the age of 10 and 15. Jiline and Madelen fear being chosen, but for differing reasons... read the rest at http://equus-blog.com/unicorn-keep/
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