Wonder Light (Unicorns of the Mist) by Russell, R. R. (2014) Paperback

Unicorns of the Mist #1

by R.R. Russell

Deep in the heart of a mist-shrouded island, an impossible secret is about to be discovered.Twig is used to feeling unwanted. Sent to live on a pony ranch for "troubled" girls on a misty, haunted island, Twig is about to discover the impossible — someone who needs her.Jolted awake from a bad dream, Twig follows the desperate whinny of a terrified horse out to the stables. There in the straw is a bleating little scrap of moonbeam. A silver-white filly with cloven hooves and a tiny, spiraling horn.A baby unicorn.Now Twig knows what secret is hiding in the island's the last free unicorn herd. And a mysterious boy named Ben who insists that this impossible creature is now Twig's to care for. That she needs Twig's love and protection. Because there's something out there in the deep, dense shadows that's hunting for them...

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Young Adult, Horses, Magic, Unicorns, Fiction

Paperback

First published May 7, 2013

About the author

R.R. Russell lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest. She grew up traveling the world as an army brat and now travels the country as a coach with a non-profit judo club. She loves to read and draw, and like Twig, once spent a lot of time sketching unicorns. Visit her at rrrussellauthor.com.

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute, often compelling youth novel. A unique blend of a girl coming into her own and fantasy. Easy to follow and great for all ages. Overall rating 3.5

We get to tag along with twelve year old Twig as she is brought to a type of "foster care/youth home by her stepmother. This home is on an island that Twig read was haunted. There are other girls there as well and each girl is given a pony to care for as their own. Twig's thoughts quickly bounce around on if she likes it there or hates it through the first several chapters. Until she meets a mysterious "Wild" boy named Ben and a few unicorns.

While not a fan of the ponies and work they entail, she quickly comes to care for a young unicorn filly, Wild Light. She is soon caught up in a tale of wonder in that there are other unicorns on the island that have turned overly wild and are now bloodthirsty carnivores. What?! Carnivorous unicorns? You heard right. I really do not care for that concept but I otherwise liked the difference between the unicorn factions.

The other thing that bothered me was that Twig's past is given to using muddled bits and pieces. I kept wanting to know why she was there, why she is so hard on herself, and what happened to her mother, etc. We get some of the answers but how and when they are given just seemed off and didn't get the attention they deserved. her past plays such a heavy part of her psyche in the first half then just is brushed off almost.

I really liked how her drawing Wild Light begins to break her out of her shell. She is fiercely protective of her new home and those that live there. I also, oddly enough, thought her name was cute and aptly named in a way.

The story is written is such a way older children will love it but has enough depth that older readers can enjoy it as well. Simple, short chapters make reading breaks easy for younger readers. There are also some great discussion questions at the end of the book which I thought are great for classroom reading or parent/child reads. Overall, quite a delightful read for up and coming readers. Especially 9-14 year old girls!

[R.R. Russell]

Hi, this is the author, R.R. Russell.

Thanks for checking out Wonder Light, the first book in the Unicorns of the Mist series. The sequel, The Unicorn Thief, is coming in May 2014! Information and fun artsy stuff is now up on http://www.unicornsofthemist.com. Or visit my author website, http://www.rrrussellauthor.com.

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

There were so many things that bothered me about this book that I don't really know where I can begin. I guess my first problem is with the main character's name. I don't remember them ever explaining why she was called "Twig". They did explain that her mom was a homeless druggie, so perhaps this originated from there. The book starts off promising, I'll give it that. When a girl is sent to a ranch for troubled girls and there's the potential for a good unicorn story, how can you go wrong? Well, I guess you could read this book to find out. One thing that bothered me was that the reader doesn't find out what Twig allegedly did to get booted out of her home and sent to this random island until near the end of the book, but by the time we find out, and in the circumstances in which we find out, the information isn't shocking. There's too much other drama going on for the reader to even care what happened to get Twig to that ranch.

Twig is given charge of a pony for therapeutic purposes and although she is super scared to deal with it at first, we are supposed to believe that she has no fear dealing with a full grown unicorn when it shows up a mere few days later.

Also, did you know that unicorn horns are hollow and fully retractable? Yup, all you have to do is give the horn a little push and it softly retreats into the unicorns skull like an antenna wire on a fancy car when it's turned off. All I could think about when the characters would do this to their unicorns was someone clicking a pen, tip out, tip in, tip out, tip in...Other amazing facts about unicorns that made me want to throw this book at the wall (a desire I would have given into had it not been on my e-reader):

Unicorns are omnivores, but once they start hunting meat, they just can't stop and they develop violent tendencies. Once they reach a certain point in their violent development, they will start hunting people, other horses, and even other unicorns. So not only are they omnivorous, they are also implied cannibals.

Unicorns are not magical creatures. Nothing about them is magical, nothing about them ever was magical. Anyone who thinks otherwise has been hopelessly deluded into believing human myth.

Unicorns are extremely territorial and prone to making rivals over certain territory (a problem if you happen to be a unicorn living on an island). The evil unicorn running the evil herd will be able to smell its rival's offspring a year after it has been born with no prior sight or even close proximity. The evil unicorn, naturally, wants to do away with said rival's offspring.

Other things wrong with this book: There is some kind of war going on in another world that we can get to from a tree in this world. There is no back story on why the queen of the west wants to fight the ruler in the east. The only important thing we need to know is the queen is forcing the unicorns to fight for her.

There is very little character development. Twig goes from shy, I-hate-myself- tween to strong, independent, bow shooting, sword wielding, unicorn riding girl in less than a year without any real build-up and without dealing with her issues. The other girls in the story also have issues, none of which are discussed at any length. Their presence in this book, with the exception of one, is completely unnecessary. Also, when Twig finally tells the truth to her stepmom about what happened to her stepsister, her stepmom phones stepbrother who immediately fesses up and everyone is hunky dory in one nice, little chapter. And when everyone, including the adults, is confronted with an in the flesh unicorn, they all accept it with a "dat gum" kind of attitude. Please.

If you want a good unicorn book, read The Last Unicorn or Into the Land of Unicorns. This book is like a horrible B-movie. Read it if you like that kind of stuff, but if not, then totally pass.

[Kat Heckenbach · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was so hard to review. I wanted to like it. I mean, middle grade story about a troubled girl who finds a herd of unicorns on an island she thought was haunted...

The writing itself is okay--neat and clean. And I did like Twig.

But there were so many issues with pacing and presentation of information, like the transformation of Twig and the way things resolved far too quickly and easily when she finally tells the truth to her step-mom about the "incident." (BTW--the fact that that info was held in check for so long, then sprung at the weirdest of moments also bothered me.) Much of the book is like that--unrealistic reactions to situations by all characters.

Mainly, though, I felt the book just tackled too many things and it got jumbled. Twig has a druggie mom, and dad deployed to Afganistan, and a step-mom she can't stand, with (step?)siblings she apparently doesn't get along with either. Yet, none of those things are explore in any depth AT ALL. The unicorn/island stuff is also too large conceptually for the story itself. There is a whole other dimension that is barely addressed even though it's technically the center of the conflict of the story plot.

Finally, the unicorns themselves.

****SPOILER*******


Read this book only if you are okay with evil, cannibalistic unicorns with retractable horns.

[Aeicha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unicorns + spooky, misty island + wild boy + home for “troubled” girls= an instant read for this girl! I went into R.R. Russell’s Wonder Light already loving the premise and am so happy to report that the book lived up to and surpassed my expectations!

Twelve year old Twig is sent to live on a pony ranch for “troubled” girls, after a dangerous incident at home involving her new step-family. The misty, mysterious island spooks Twig at first, but then she discovers something magical, miraculous, and marvelous: a pure white, baby unicorn! Ben, a wild boy from the woods, tells Twig that she must keep the baby unicorn safe from the otherworldly dangers that lurk in the woods. Twig must overcome her own fears and past to protect her new home, friends, and Wonder Light (the unicorn).

Wonder Light is one of those magical, enchanting books that had me tingling with anticipation before I even read a word, and left me completely charmed and dazzled! With a spectacularly spooky setting, wonderful storytelling, and irresistible characters, this is one fantastically fun fantasy.

With a pitch-perfect middle-grade voice, mesmerizing atmosphere, and palpable emotion, Russell weaves a captivating and unique fantasy tale. The mist shrouded island, which is equal parts eerie; inviting; and intriguing, provides the perfect backdrop to such a fantastical story. Unicorns, magic, other worlds- the lovely fantasy elements are both familiar and refreshingly spun, dark and whimsical, beautiful and frightening. Part fantasy adventure and part coming of age story, Wonder Light is a grand mix of thrills, mystery, humor, heart, and wonder. I loved getting swept away into and falling in love with this world with Twig!

Twig is such an awesome, relatable heroine! I just love her wit, compassion, spunk, and spirit. Twig’s new home is filled with wonderful characters, from the loving Murleys to the other lovable girls and the sweet ponies. And Ben, the mysterious “wild” boy of the woods, is such a fun, endearing character to get to know. But Wonder Light, the breathtaking unicorn, really shines and stole my heart! The relationship and bond between Twig and Wonder is just so gorgeous and special and heartwarming.

The last couple of chapters had me turning pages especially fast, desperate to know what happens. The ending of book one totally thrilled and satisfied me, but definitely has me excited for book two!

My Final Thoughts: There’s so much about Wonder Light that I love: the sparkling storytelling, beautiful fantasy elements, lovable characters, and so much more! R.R. Russell has crafted a truly special and unforgettable middle-grade tale, that will have readers of all ages believing in wonders and miracles!

[Kristen Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonder Light is the first book in a new series that has unicorns in it. Much more than that, Wonder Light is the story of Twig, who is going to an island because of something that happened at home. A whole circle of events has led to Twig feeling unlike herself and she keeps herself enclosed in her shell. She's not sure she'll even like it on this island, where she'll learn to ride and take care of a pony and live with the Murleys, a couple that takes in troubled girls. All of that changes after she sees the Wild Boy on the day she arrives on the island and who one night she sees sneaking into the stable with two white horses, leaving one and taking off into the night.

What Twig finds out is that they are unicorns and after giving birth, the white horse takes off, never to be seen again. More than that is that the new unicorn is in danger and only Twig must know she is what she is. They bond and soon Twig finds out there is more to the Wild Boy and to the island than meets the eye. She must face her own fears and problems to help save her new friends and family from danger.

Wonder Light really pulled me in once the unicorn plot started. One of my favorite books growing up was Into the Land of Unicorns by Bruce Coville, and I felt reminiscent of that when reading Wonder Light. I love the Russell blended so much realism into her fantasy world. Twig has had a hard time in life for only being twelve and wants to get back to her old self. I remember going through a stage in high school where I felt the same way. The fantasy elements give Twig a purpose and reason to overcome her problems and to find her inner strength.

I'm really looking forward to seeing where Twig's next adventure takes her and don't have to wait long, because the sequel comes out in May. I highly recommend Wonder Light, even if you don't love fantasy or unicorns because it tells such a great story of healing.

[Katharine Ott · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Wonder Light: Unicorns of the Mist" - written by R R Russell and published in 2013 by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky. Russell does her best to combine three middle-grade favorite subjects into one story - unicorns, a dysfunctional family and fantasy. Twig is sent to a sort of reform farm on an island and pouts her way through things until a unicorn is born in the farm's stables. It seems there are also bad guy unicorns after her new friend and, with a very slight fantasy connection, a battle ensues. "They disappeared into the mist and the shadows, where, in the distance, wild things whinny-howled." This book would have benefited from stronger scene setting at the beginning instead of the piecemeal reveals throughout. Her family situation is especially murky - "She hadn't been enough for Daddy to stay or enough to make Mom happy." I'm sorry not to have enjoyed this book more.

[Celeste_pewter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two-second recap: With Wonder Light, R.R. Russell completely reinvents the traditional image of the unicorn. The results are rewarding, and a beautiful addition to the new middle grade genre!

***

Full review:

When people say unicorn, I typically think of one thing: the neon, psychedelic, primped unicorns from Lisa Frank. Or, this.

(I blame the fact I'm essentially a child of the late '80s, early '90s).

So when I read a synopsis describing Wonder Light as the story of a young heroine's discovery of wild, unicorns, I was intrigued. I politely requested a copy from Sourcebooks, and was delighted when my request was granted.

***

Plot overview:

Twig is used to feeling out-of-place and unwanted.

When circumstances land her on a mysterious island that is home to a pony ranch, and a home for troubled girls, Twig struggles to fit in.

However, it's not long before Twig wakes up one night, and stumbles upon the one thing she never expected: a baby unicorn.

What follows, is a thrilling, mysterious adventure, as Twig learns that she alone can help save the last unicorn herd, and protect them from the dangers lurking in the mist.

***

Things that worked:

* The characterizations

First and foremost, I would say that one of the greatest strengths of Wonder Light were the characterizations. R.R. Russell's characters are rich, well-rounded, and display a complexity that I honestly never thought I'd find in a MG novel.

Even though Twig was a lot younger than I was, I related to her struggles, both physical and emotional, in a very universal sort of way. I understood her feeling of abandonment, loss and grief. And I also understood (and was overjoyed) when she began overcoming her emotional obstacles, to find unconditional love and acceptance for the first time. I was absolutely charmed by her, and can't wait to read more about her in the sequel.

As for the secondary characters, they were all written with the types of details - both large and small - which really brought them to life for me. I especially loved the Murleys - they're not portrayed as idealized adoptive parents. Instead, Russell considerately shows their strengths and vulnerabilities, beautifully portraying their earnest desire to just love each of the girls on the ranch, as they are.

I actually couldn't help but think what a wonderful companion this book could be for younger readers who are in similar situations, and how this book could encourage them.

* The setting

One of my favorite parts of Wonder Light, was the world-building. R.R. Russell is extremely adept at building up the world of Lonehorn Island, and immersing her readers into the spooky, mist-filled environment that Twig move into, and encounters.

Let me put it another way: I was reading Wonder Light while sitting in at a laundromat in 110 degree weather, and I actually felt a chill at certain points. That's how rich and detailed Russell's writing is.

(I was also frequently hungry, after reading about Mrs. Murley's meals, but that's a whole other story!)


* The mythology

As someone who has previous thought of unicorns as bright, fluffy creatures, I loved R.R. Russell's take on their mythology. They became more noble, more majestic, and in many ways, even more human.

Without giving any spoilers away, I think Carl Olson on Goodreads said it best: "As J.R.R. Tolkien strove to free the elves from the Victorian nursery, Ms. Russell succeeds in freeing unicorns from the toy store shelves."

R.R. Russell's unicorns will have you viewing their mythology in a completely different way, and in a very unique way.


* The plotting/action

Russell plots with the practiced hand of a veteran novelist. The obstacles, discoveries and action in Wonder Light flows smoothly, and sets up the book perfectly for the second installment.


***

Things that didn't work:

Honestly? Nothing.

R.R. Russell's book had everything that I could want in a fantastically plotted MG book - it's detailed, rich, clever, beautifully written and most importantly, it's also written in a way that's wholly accessible not only to an older reader like myself, but to a younger reader who's just getting into book for the first time. THAT's talent right there.


***

Final verdict:

I never thought I'd lose my heart to a mysterious MG novel about unicorns, but Wonder Light: Unicorns of the Mist has proven me wrong.

R.R. Russell's hardcover debut is one of those books where you'll want to recommend it to everyone, whether it's the young reader who's discovering MG books for the first time, or an older relative who loves the mysterious. I think this is a book that will end up on the shelves of generations of readers, for years to come!


***

Disclaimer: I received an e-ARC of Wonder Light: Unicorns of the Mist from Sourcebooks via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by WONDER LIGHT: UNICORNS OF THE MIST (hereby shortened to WONDER LIGHT). Having been a big fan of The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle, I was excited to see how R.R. Russell would handle the portrayal of unicorns in a children's book. These are not the unicorns of old, innocent and pure and for virginal maidens only. Oh, sure, the archetype is there, but from the mists of Lonehorn Island, a new breed of unicorn has risen: blood-thirsty and murderous. Such a refreshing twist! (Rest assured, parents, this isn't a book that will induce nightmares.)

I'll admit, even though I am a grown woman, I was swept away by the impending doom of the wild unicorns and Twig's desperate attempts to keep the Murleys, the other girls, and the rest of the inhabitants of Lonehorn Island safe. R.R. Russell knows how to build suspense!

Twig Tupper is an excellent character and, I believe, a great role model for young girls. She's not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but she's smart, fiercely loyal, and compassionate. The story of how she came to be at the pony ranch unfolds slowly but with perfect pacing. I couldn't help but ache for her as she struggled with feelings of abandonment, loss, grief, and inadequacy, yet my heart soared when she came into her own and discovered unconditional love and acceptance, and most of all, an unshakable confidence in herself and a sense of purpose.

The other characters, big and small, were also well-written and I felt like I connected with most of them, especially Mr. and Mrs. Murley, the owners of Lonehorn Island Pony Ranch, and the guardians of the six "throw-away" girls. WONDER LIGHT doesn't glorify their roles as pseudo-parents, and instead shows them as flawed but compassionate individuals doing their best to love and care for children who are not their own. I loved the depth that R.R. Russell gave to each character within the book, especially the "Wild Boy", Ben, whose mysteriously-worded letter toward the end of the story makes me eager to read the sequel.

Another notable aspect of WONDER LIGHT is the incredibly detailed setting and atmosphere. I could picture Lonehorn Island and the yellow house on the pony ranch in my head just as clearly as if I were there. Even the descriptions of the meals that Mrs. Murley made had my mouth watering and my stomach grumbling in hungry protest! I was incredibly impressed by this, as I feel that, far too often, these types of details are glossed over in children's books. Kudos to R.R. Russell for writing such a brilliant novel in a genre that is often lacking in substance!

Overall, WONDER LIGHT is a suspenseful, exciting read especially for children who yearn for adventure and "something more" from their fairy tales. For families who like to read aloud, this is perfectly written for bedtime story time. I hope there is an audiobook of WONDER LIGHT in the future!

*An advance copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
----------------------------------
This review was originally posted on BlookGirl.com on May 1st, 2013, as part of the Sourcebooks Jabberwocky Blog Tour!

[Bonnie (A Backwards Story)]

Most children love unicorns. I know I did (I blame My Little Pony). I loved reading horse-themed books growing up, and would have loved a book for older kids centered around unicorns. There's certainly an audience for WONDER LIGHT: Unicorns of the Mist. There are unicorns, but not quite like any you've encountered before. There's also mystery and intrigue, since the island may or may not be haunted. Certainly something for everyone!

Twig arrives on Lonehorn Island feeling alone and miserable. She's to live out the next year with the Murley family and other troubled girls after an incident that occurred back home. At first, she's scared of the horse she's assigned and not thrilled with the prospect of doing chores such as mucking out his stall. She's also scared by the surrounding woods. On the way onto the island, she saw a ghost boy lurking in the mist. One night, she can't sleep, and she sees him again. And he's dropped off a horse about to go into labor. Twig later finds out the truth about the boy, the unicorn masquerading as a horse, and so much more. Her life will never be the same again, especially when she finds out that the fate of the island and its mysterious unicorns may be in her hands.

Russell builds a great environment as a safe haven for troubled girls. The island and its inhabitants are just what Twig needs to come out of her shell and start blossoming in a way she couldn't in the past. Twig's home life was far from perfect, and it's easy to sympathize with her. The unicorn lore found in WONDER LIGHT is intriguing and unique. They aren't the magical beings everyone thinks them to be, and they're also more wild and vicious than they appear. This is definitely a fantasy novel for older children who want more than the traditional unicorns they grew up with, but still covet the whimsy of fantasy they bring to a story. Readers will want to be in Twig's shoes, experiencing much of her adventure first-hand.

[Dena McMurdie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some really amazing middle grade books being published, and this is definitely one of them. I loved all the characters, but Twig captured my heart and I rooted for her throughout the entire book.

When Twig arrives on Lonehorn Island at a home for troubled girls, she is quiet, antagonistic, and refuses to trust anyone. She feels like nobody wants her and she has a difficult time adjusting to life on the ranch. This gradually changes as she gets to know her pony, her roommate Casey, and her guardians, Mr. and Mrs. Murley. She grows over the course of the book and learns to open herself up a little bit. Of course, the birth and responsibility of caring for a new unicorn filly also helps the process along.

Twig is a great character. She is a good friend to those around her and she works really hard at learning the skills she needs to help save the ranch. Skills such as sword fighting, and shooting a bow and arrow from the back of a leaping unicorn! Ben is another great character. He is mysterious and kind of spooky in the beginning, but he proves to be brave and stalwart in his loyalties and friendship.

I started reading this book to my girls, thinking that they would like it. It is about unicorns, after all. However, I quickly realized that this is not a typical unicorn story, and was way over the comprehension of my five year old. So I finished reading it myself. I loved it! My girls would have loved it if they were older.

This book is not just for girls. It is for everyone, of any age, as long as that age is 9 or older. You've never read about unicorns like this! They are smart and moody and quite dangerous, and if you aren't careful, they just might eat you.

My blog: Books for Kids

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonder Light is the first book in the middle grade series, Unicorns of the Mist, by R.R. Russell. Twig is resigned to living on a pony farm for troubled girls, despite the spooky stories she has read about the island. Soon Twig discovers someone that needs her, mysterious filly that has claimed her as her own. Then there is the mysterious of the wild boy in the misty woods and the terrifying screams from something that is not quite a horse. Twig discovers that the island's secret is the last free unicorn herd, but not all unicorns are good.

Wonder Light is a fantastic series starter. The world and character building are very well done, with little bits of Twig slowly being revealed to the reader. I found her personality and trials to be touching and something most middle grade and even older readers can relate to. I particularly liked that even with the fantastic elements, the real life troubles of Twig are not simply swept under the carpet- instead the two come together in order to help her come to terms with her life and the world in general. Ben is a complicated character, with many mysteries that still need to be revealed but still makes the reader feel for him and root for him. The other characters were less developed, but they did not feel neglected, rather I felt like I knew what I needed to in order to keep the story and personal connections intact but without a massive information dump that might overwhelm the heart of the story.

I highly recommend Wonder Light to readers that enjoy coming of age stories, mystery, adventure, and fantasy. There is a good balance of emotional and physical struggles to keep most readers turning pages and eager to see what happens next. I am looking for

[Liviania · Rating 4 out of 5]

WONDER LIGHT caught my attention from the opening chapters. Twig is going to Lonehorn Island because it has a ranch for delinquent girls. She's not happy about it, but at the same time doesn't want to stay with her stepmother. But it's quickly clear that Twig isn't an entirely reliable narrator.

R.R. Russell does a wonderful job of combining Twig's family drama with a tale about unicorns. Twig begins the book feeling unwanted, unloved, and unworthy. But after she takes responsibility for Wild Light, an orphaned baby unicorn, she begins to find her footing. As a bonus, these aren't treacly, fluffy unicorns. They're wild animals, and when they go bad they hunger for flesh. Fans of this series are going to grow up to read Diana Peterfreund's RAMPANT.

I wish there had been a bit more development of the other girls on the island. But since this is the beginning of a series, there's time for that. And really, Twig's characterization and growth is given quite a bit of depth. Don't worry that this is too girlish; there is a boy on the island, known initially as the "wild boy." He's a good companion to Twig, and I liked seeing their friendship and mutual respect grow.

There's enough depth to the plot and protagonist of WONDER LIGHT that older readers might find themselves pleasantly surprised. But it's definitely a great choice for the elementary or middle school kid who likes fantasy and being a little creeped out. Pick it up if you're hooked by the words "killer unicorns."

The ebook is on sale through August 4 for $1.99.

[LaQuita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was thrilled to be a part of the book tour for Wonder Light: Unicorns of the Mist. The first book in the Wonder Light series did not disappoint. This was a quick read and it was really good. It's recommended for kids nine and up, but my seven year old is reading this right now and she's loving every bit of it. I love that she has a passion for reading. I also love that we get to share our opinions and have a great story to talk about with each other.

I love how the story explores unicorns which makes us readers see them in a whole new way, definitely a great read for a variety of different readers. Not only do we have a story that explores the world of unicorns/ponies, but we also have some drama going on too. Don't worry, this story was written very smooth and with ease so even though there's a few different plots going on, it's very easy to follow and to understand. The beginning shares Twigs past and how she got to the ranch in the first place.

I absolutely love the main character, Twig, her courage and will power to help save the unicorns along with the other girls and trying to keep the entire island safe just amazes me. She's exactly what a lead female character needs to be, loyal, brave and kind-hearted. I'm excited to see what book two has in store for us.
http://www.justusgirlsblog.com/2013/0...

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of my reviews to be found at my blog Take Me Away...

This middle grade is one for the upper level MG readers. It features a very cool unicorn tale and a thrilling ghost story. Now that doesn't mean that it will be too scary, its still a very cute read.
In the story, Twig is sent to an all girls camp on an island run by a Mr. and Mrs. Murley. They help the girls looks after ponies to help them learn responsibility and to stay out of trouble. One day a mysterious horse shows up and with it comes yet another mystery. It ends up being a unicorn and not a horse! Twig is told by a ghostly boy that dangerous things are happening to the unicorn herd and she is the only one that can help them. This new responsibility scares her, but she knows she must do what she can to help them.
What I loved most about this book was the emotion in it. Twig was going through a rough time and I was able to feel everything she went through. From the happiness she felt when she first discovered the unicorns, to how scared she was when she first arrived at the island.
This book of adventure sets the perfect stage for the next installment in the series. I can't wait to see what will happen next in Twig's world.

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh! I won this book off of the giveaways and I'm so glad I did. This book was wonderful. I'm hoping there are going to be more of them. I have always loved unicorns and the twist of children being sent to an island for bad things they did or that happened to them taking care of ponies was just wonderful! I loved that there was another world involved although it didn't go too much into that which hopefully will come later. I just loved Twig, Wonder, Ben and Indy so much. Well I loved everything in the book for the most part. I loved Mr. and Mrs. M who took them all in and were so wonderful to the girls. This was an amazing twist on unicorns, ordinary life and the not so ordinary. I highly recommend for anyone that loves unicorns and a little adventure!

[༺Kiki༻ · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you liked this book, you might also enjoy:

✱ The Last Unicorn
✱ A Hundred Horses
✱ Season of Ponies
✱ A Dog Called Homeless

[Robin Hobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the Pacific Northwest setting for this fantasy tale. I also enjoyed that it's a book in which the protagonist becomes stronger by accepting the person she already is. A good middle grade read, I'd say.

[Valerie McEnroe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twig is on her way to an isolated island with a home for troubled teens. She's anything but excited, but adapts rather quickly. She gets along well with the other girls, loves Mr. and Mrs. Murley, and likes caring for the horses. What she doesn't like are the strange howls at night and the ghost boy she has seen sneaking around. One night she sees him bring a strange horse into the stable, which is about to give birth. The mare dies soon after the birth and Twig becomes the caregiver for the foal. The ghost boy, Ben, informs Twig that the foal is actually a unicorn in danger. A murderous unicorn faction is trying to wipe out all of her lineage. Before Twig fully understands all there is to know, she is caught up in the mission to save Wonder Light.

This is a must read for girls who love unicorns. They will truly enjoy it. I am a little more critical. I wish the story had included the other girls more in the plot. The beginning of the story was actually my favorite part. It had a realistic feel. Once the unicorn came into the story, it turned into high fantasy with a portal to another civilization where the unicorns came from. The story became a little too muddled and far-fetched. I do believe you can have a unicorn story that's obviously fantasy, but stays closer to the realistic end of the spectrum. That's the story I would have liked more.

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave this an extra star for creativity but basically I did not like it and will not be reading any more in the Unicorns of the Mist series. My problems were:

* the worlds of both Lonehorn Island and Terracornis are so vaguely defined that it was hard to figure out just what the threat was.
* the antagonist -- a unicorn named Dagger -- turned out to be more of a dud than a Monster That Must Be Slain. Why there had to be such a long delay in battling him is never adequately explained. The unicorns just were not that scary.



* there was a considerable backstory that was only set out in drips and drabs, making the book hard to follow at times. It would have been better if the backstory was presented first and then went on with the main story. For example, there apparently was a "long lost" member of the Murley family. I couldn't help but think "WHAT long lost Murley? Why weren't we told this before?"
* no details given about this Pony Ranch for Troubled Girls (which sounds like the name of a brothel.)



*How long do these girls stay at the pony ranch? How much is it costing the parents? How is the state involved? Now, admittedly, this is a problem I have with many kids' books since I've become an adult -- I see so little of the real world in them.
* The not-so-subtle pro-Christian massages (prayer, Bible reading, praising God in the Acknowledgements) made me wince. Religion ruins a fantasy for me. Well -- not unless the gods and goddesses are duking it out in Person. Otherwise, it's like having both pineapple and bubble gum on Dr. Pepper-flavored ice cream. Yuck.

[Shazza Maddog · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would've been all over this book when I was a kid. Welsh ponies, unicorns, swords...yes, very much up my alley, thank you very much.

Twig is sent to Island Ranch, a home for troubled girls on an island in the Pacific Northwest. There Twig is paired with Casey, a younger girl with whom she'll share a room, and Rain Cloud, the gelding Welsh pony, to take care of and learn to ride. But Twig has done some research on the island and knows that people have vanished here, and that strange things happen on this island. And on her arrival, she spies a boy and a weird white animal.

Thus begins Twig's adventure on the island - a place where she knows something is wrong...and she might be the only one who can fix it - with the help of Ben, the island boy, and a family of unicorns...

[Madison · Rating 3 out of 5]

First book I've completed for Believathon and it wasn't supposed to take me this long so... oops.

But I chose this book because I've owned it for 5+ years and I wanted to finally see whether or not it was good. And I now have an answer...

It is! I'm glad I finally read this book because I ended up enjoying it. The characters were cool, and so was the world. The reason I'm not giving this a four or five star rating is because I skim read the last 70 or so pages; I kind of just wanted it to be done.

I don't think I'll be picking up the sequel but I guess time will tell.

*review typed on phone, please excuse any spelling errors*

[Tara Ethridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tried this book for all my unicorn lovers out there in my elementary school, and this is intense! Definitely for upper elementary or middle school, it tells of Twig, a girl who has made some bad decisions and is sent to a remote island to work with ponies as rehabilitation. She winds up finding out that there is more going on the island than meets the eye, like unicorns that travel between worlds and one that is violent and territorial. I could see kids really digging this book bc of the intensity.

[Joey O. Seann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book for all ages

I don’t typically read children’s or young adult books. Even when I was younger, they weren’t my genre of choice.

However, through a happy fateful turn of events in my life I became aware of this book. I had never read anything about unicorns before, and my curiosity got the best of me. From the very first page, I was hooked. This isn’t your typical magical unicorn story—it has teeth 😉. It’s a beautifully crafted world with well-developed characters, brought to life by a very talented writer.

I highly recommend to everyone.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Tween book. Pretty good story for 10-13 year olds who believe in magical imagination. I wish this book was around when I was 12. It’s indicative of transforming yourself into who you are meant to be despite what you OR others may have told you who you are And perhaps who you believe yourself to be.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a magical book! No spoilers here, but the juxtaposition of what we have all heard about unicorns and the “reality” of unicorns that Twig experiences is pretty epic. A coming of age, coming of bravery and autonomy story, this is one I couldn’t put down.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started out well. About midway, it turned into an other-worldly hunt for the evil leader of a herd of unicorns. And I'm glad that's done.

[Zaynah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a cute book. It had an interesting outlook on unicorns that I hadn't seen before but I enjoyed it.

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for anyone seeking adventure and mystery! It's a great book and it's so much fun to read!

[Amira Zaidat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story shows how Twig moved out from her comfort zone when she come to live with the Murleys and she began to grow. The struggle is so real keeping secrets and training. Trying something new and risked her life for another. This book is absolutely exciting.