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Unicorns of the Mist #2
The Unicorn Thief
Danger lurks in the mist.
Twig and Ben are unicorn riders--guardians whose job it is to keep the last free unicorn herd safe. But a new danger is threatening the beautiful, mysterious creatures of Lonehorn Island. A thief from Terracornus has snuck onto the misty island and stolen Ben's loyal unicorn, Indy. There's only one path for Ben and Twig--straight into the secret, shadowy heart of the island and through the passage to Terracornus.
But their rescue mission is unexpectedly complicated by a secret Ben has been hiding. A secret about the Queen of Terracornus who has enslaved all the unicorns of Ben's homeland. A secret that could save them all--or start a war.
Twig and Ben are unicorn riders--guardians whose job it is to keep the last free unicorn herd safe. But a new danger is threatening the beautiful, mysterious creatures of Lonehorn Island. A thief from Terracornus has snuck onto the misty island and stolen Ben's loyal unicorn, Indy. There's only one path for Ben and Twig--straight into the secret, shadowy heart of the island and through the passage to Terracornus.
But their rescue mission is unexpectedly complicated by a secret Ben has been hiding. A secret about the Queen of Terracornus who has enslaved all the unicorns of Ben's homeland. A secret that could save them all--or start a war.
270 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
8 people are currently reading
318 people want to read
About the author
R.R. Russell
2 books31 followersR.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.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 2, 2021
The story goes after the war with the wild unicorn eating unicorn that cost Ben his father, Darian. The twist is, Ben is a royal. Darian used to be King of Westland. And Ben has a brother, the future King of Westland, Griffin. Griffin was introduced to be hating Ben because Mother loves Ben. The Unicorn Thief is revolve around this family feud with the addition of potential war between Eastland and Westland. I bet Reynald was not pleased at all to be caught in the middle of this family feud. But, he was just grateful that he was fine.
January 31, 2018
This is a fun middle grade novel. It starts on Lonehorn Island but most of the story takes place in Terracornus (a magical land Ben and the unicorns come from). Secrets about Ben and his family are revealed. I did not care for the Boy King Reynold. He was too arrogant and bratty. Griffin I did not like at first but as I got to know him that changed. I hope there will be more to this series. Like the first book, it does end but I want to know what happens with the family and honestly would love to see Twig grow up more. She really matured from the first book, I was very please with her character. Casey was adorable!
May 7, 2014
R.R. Russell’s first book in her Unicorns of the Mist series, Wonder Light, charmed me and captured my heart completely, so I was super excited to read book two, The Unicorn Thief...and I’m so happy to report that The Unicorn Thief is just as magical, fun, and imaginative as book one!
After helping “wild boy” Ben defeat Dagger, a deadly unicorn, Twig is more sure than ever that she’s meant to be a rider. Ben, and his unicorn Indy, and Twig, and her unicorn Wonder, are determined to round up the remaining unicorns on Lonehorn Island and keep them safe, but there’s a unicorn thief on the loose! When the unthinkable happens, Ben and Twig must travel to Ben’s homeland, Terracornus...something he is not happy about. Secrets and unexpected revelations come to light, dangerous duels are fought, and Twig must face her future.
Everything I loved about Wonder Light -the exciting, enchanting premise; sparkling storytelling; endearing characters; and fresh, pitch-perfect middle-grade voice- is seamlessly carried over to The Unicorn Thief and R.R. Russell has spun a spectacular sequel!
The Unicorn Thief picks up right where Wonder Light ends and the adventure, mystery, and excitement bursts off every page. I absolutely love Russell’s darkly whimsical take on unicorns and riders. Russell’s world of unicorns isn’t full of your cliched prancing, shimmery, rainbow colored unicorns...no, this world is full of fierce, majestic, beautiful and captivating, yet dangerous creatures. Fresh and crafted with a great deal of imagination, this world is easy to fall into and hard to leave. In book one, Twig and readers, got to explore and fall in love with Lonehorn Island, and in The Unicorn Thief we get to visit the intriguing world of Terracornus. Ruled by an evil queen who has enslaved the unicorns, this world is both bleak and bewitching.
Many secrets are revealed and many hard choices are made in The Unicorn Thief, and through it all, Russell’s characters remain relatable, likable, and interesting. Young readers will continue to find a kindred spirit in Twig, want be be best friends with all the girls at the home, find the Murleys warm, lovable guardians, and be enamored with “wild boy” Ben...and in book two, we learn some very unexpected and exciting things about Ben! And of course, the breathtaking and fierce unicorns simply shine with their almost tangible spirits.
The mystery of just who the unicorn thief is, is a twisty and surprising one that will keep young readers guessing and turning pages. And book two concludes in such a heartwarming way.
My Final Thoughts: The Unicorn Thief is a wildly charming and fun sequel in a wonderfully imagined must read series!
After helping “wild boy” Ben defeat Dagger, a deadly unicorn, Twig is more sure than ever that she’s meant to be a rider. Ben, and his unicorn Indy, and Twig, and her unicorn Wonder, are determined to round up the remaining unicorns on Lonehorn Island and keep them safe, but there’s a unicorn thief on the loose! When the unthinkable happens, Ben and Twig must travel to Ben’s homeland, Terracornus...something he is not happy about. Secrets and unexpected revelations come to light, dangerous duels are fought, and Twig must face her future.
Everything I loved about Wonder Light -the exciting, enchanting premise; sparkling storytelling; endearing characters; and fresh, pitch-perfect middle-grade voice- is seamlessly carried over to The Unicorn Thief and R.R. Russell has spun a spectacular sequel!
The Unicorn Thief picks up right where Wonder Light ends and the adventure, mystery, and excitement bursts off every page. I absolutely love Russell’s darkly whimsical take on unicorns and riders. Russell’s world of unicorns isn’t full of your cliched prancing, shimmery, rainbow colored unicorns...no, this world is full of fierce, majestic, beautiful and captivating, yet dangerous creatures. Fresh and crafted with a great deal of imagination, this world is easy to fall into and hard to leave. In book one, Twig and readers, got to explore and fall in love with Lonehorn Island, and in The Unicorn Thief we get to visit the intriguing world of Terracornus. Ruled by an evil queen who has enslaved the unicorns, this world is both bleak and bewitching.
Many secrets are revealed and many hard choices are made in The Unicorn Thief, and through it all, Russell’s characters remain relatable, likable, and interesting. Young readers will continue to find a kindred spirit in Twig, want be be best friends with all the girls at the home, find the Murleys warm, lovable guardians, and be enamored with “wild boy” Ben...and in book two, we learn some very unexpected and exciting things about Ben! And of course, the breathtaking and fierce unicorns simply shine with their almost tangible spirits.
The mystery of just who the unicorn thief is, is a twisty and surprising one that will keep young readers guessing and turning pages. And book two concludes in such a heartwarming way.
My Final Thoughts: The Unicorn Thief is a wildly charming and fun sequel in a wonderfully imagined must read series!
June 27, 2014
This review and many others can be found on my blog - Best Kids' Reads
4.5/5 Stars
The Unicorn Thief is a really fun and adventurous follow-up to Wonderlight! My 10-year-old daughter and I have both really enjoyed this series, and we can't wait to read more!
What I loved:
Unicorn Riders.
I love the concept of these books. Ben is a unicorn rider, and Twig discovers that she's one as well. The unicorns in this series are not really magical creatures - they're simply incredibly intelligent creatures that have a bond with their riders. In this book, Twig struggles with what it means to be a unicorn rider, and how she can live up to her responsibilities as a rider while still living with the rules that are set for her by her "family" on Lonehorn Island (where she was sent in the first book when her family thought that she had tried to hurt her step-sister - that was all resolved in book #1, but Twig has stayed on the island for the time being).
Ben's secret.
Ben has a secret that he works hard to keep from Twig. There is something about his past that he doesn't want to face. Now, as an adult, I figured out pretty quickly what the secret was, but it definitely added an interesting dynamic to the book. Once Ben's secret is revealed, Twig and Ben's journey to rescue Ben's unicorn becomes much more complicated!
The mystery of the unicorn thief.
The mystery of who the unicorn thief was and why he was stealing unicorns (especially Ben's!) was really well done. I was surprised by the outcome!
The swamp.
I think that the very best thing about this book was the swamp and the competition of sorts that took place there. The swamp is full of strange and dangerous creatures, not to mention the swamp fire. The trip through the swamp was exciting and full of peril!
The negatives:
Permissive adults.
The adults in these books sometimes surprise me with how okay they are with letting Twig face danger. They do put up the occasional argument, but it's not much. When Twig's dad comes back from his military deployment, he doesn't seem at all alarmed at everything Twig has been through. This part feels just a little bit unrealistic, but I know it's kind of necessary for the story to happen.
I highly recommend this series to kids who love adventurous books. My daughter and I are looking forward to reading more! I give this 4.5/5 stars.
***Disclosure: This book was provided to me by the publisher (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky) in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given. All opinions are my own***
4.5/5 Stars
The Unicorn Thief is a really fun and adventurous follow-up to Wonderlight! My 10-year-old daughter and I have both really enjoyed this series, and we can't wait to read more!
What I loved:
Unicorn Riders.
I love the concept of these books. Ben is a unicorn rider, and Twig discovers that she's one as well. The unicorns in this series are not really magical creatures - they're simply incredibly intelligent creatures that have a bond with their riders. In this book, Twig struggles with what it means to be a unicorn rider, and how she can live up to her responsibilities as a rider while still living with the rules that are set for her by her "family" on Lonehorn Island (where she was sent in the first book when her family thought that she had tried to hurt her step-sister - that was all resolved in book #1, but Twig has stayed on the island for the time being).
Ben's secret.
Ben has a secret that he works hard to keep from Twig. There is something about his past that he doesn't want to face. Now, as an adult, I figured out pretty quickly what the secret was, but it definitely added an interesting dynamic to the book. Once Ben's secret is revealed, Twig and Ben's journey to rescue Ben's unicorn becomes much more complicated!
The mystery of the unicorn thief.
The mystery of who the unicorn thief was and why he was stealing unicorns (especially Ben's!) was really well done. I was surprised by the outcome!
The swamp.
I think that the very best thing about this book was the swamp and the competition of sorts that took place there. The swamp is full of strange and dangerous creatures, not to mention the swamp fire. The trip through the swamp was exciting and full of peril!
The negatives:
Permissive adults.
The adults in these books sometimes surprise me with how okay they are with letting Twig face danger. They do put up the occasional argument, but it's not much. When Twig's dad comes back from his military deployment, he doesn't seem at all alarmed at everything Twig has been through. This part feels just a little bit unrealistic, but I know it's kind of necessary for the story to happen.
I highly recommend this series to kids who love adventurous books. My daughter and I are looking forward to reading more! I give this 4.5/5 stars.
***Disclosure: This book was provided to me by the publisher (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky) in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given. All opinions are my own***
May 16, 2014
“Oh, what tangled webs we weave when first we practice to deceive.” That old saying explains why I enjoyed the second book in the Wonder Light series even more than the first. It helped that about half was in Ben’s point of view. This is not a standalone. Most of the characters are already established. The newest is a unicorn thief who set up the book’s theme, unicorn robberies. The first target is the Queen. Soon, the thief also takes Ben’s unicorn. Twig and Wonder Light go with Ben to track Indy. The unicorn thief and Ben both have secrets, and you might guess that Twig’s going to discover Ben’s when they end up on Terracornus, in danger.
Oh, there’s going to be war if the Lonehorn Island team can’t find a way to prevent it. In fact, they might end up starting it. No spoilers there because it’s in the blurb. How it all happens makes for a very twisty and interesting read. I suspected who the thief might be. I was right, but it’s not obvious. Russell does an excellent job mixing internal conflicts, doubts about personal abilities and family relationships in particular, with external events such as tracking through hostile territory to keep a fast pace. However, there were still a couple of places I had a hard time believing adult reactions, especially when the Murleys let Twig go camping with Ben without a chaperone. Uh, no. And because of my mothering mindset, I had a hard time believing the Queen’s reactions even with the motivations explained.
There was plenty of mystery mixed in the action. The pages flew by, and I was happy to see the other girls and the Murleys participate more in unicorn care and represent the island’s interests. By the end, at least one relationship was restored, and I was happy with the messages of forgiveness and a person’s ability to change for the better. Finally, I liked the complete plot arc with a teaser for book three. References to prayer and the bible were a plus for me but might bother non-Christians. Four and a half stars for tweens and adults on the Goodreads scale. I was provided a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Oh, there’s going to be war if the Lonehorn Island team can’t find a way to prevent it. In fact, they might end up starting it. No spoilers there because it’s in the blurb. How it all happens makes for a very twisty and interesting read. I suspected who the thief might be. I was right, but it’s not obvious. Russell does an excellent job mixing internal conflicts, doubts about personal abilities and family relationships in particular, with external events such as tracking through hostile territory to keep a fast pace. However, there were still a couple of places I had a hard time believing adult reactions, especially when the Murleys let Twig go camping with Ben without a chaperone. Uh, no. And because of my mothering mindset, I had a hard time believing the Queen’s reactions even with the motivations explained.
There was plenty of mystery mixed in the action. The pages flew by, and I was happy to see the other girls and the Murleys participate more in unicorn care and represent the island’s interests. By the end, at least one relationship was restored, and I was happy with the messages of forgiveness and a person’s ability to change for the better. Finally, I liked the complete plot arc with a teaser for book three. References to prayer and the bible were a plus for me but might bother non-Christians. Four and a half stars for tweens and adults on the Goodreads scale. I was provided a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 24, 2015
Originally posted at Escape Through the Pages with a 3.5 star rating.
Book two in the Unicorns in the Mist series by R.R. Russell, The Unicorn Thief picks up where Wonder Light left off and brings the reader immediately into the current conflict – a thief is stealing unicorns from the castle in Westland in Terracornus.
I quite enjoyed The Unicorn Thief and feel it’s a strong second book. While it continues and expands the main plot line found in book one – Twig becoming a unicorn rider and the need for her and Ben to start taming the free herd on Lonehorn Island – it also introduces us to new characters in Westland and a larger story-arc involving Ben and his former home. Unicorns are being stolen, war is coming to Terracornus and Lonehorn Island and the herd is being affected despite being a world away. When Ben’s unicorn Indy goes missing, Ben and Twig venture to Terracornus where they encounter a dungeon, a thief, a Boy King and a secret that Ben has been hiding. There are some wonderful action sequences, some soft family scenes and heartwarming moments between the unicorns and their riders.
The Unicorn Thief by R.R. Russell builds nicely upon its proceeding book Wonder Light and sets up some great potential plot for future books. It’s a shorter book, sitting at only 200 and some-odd pages, and though I did enjoy it I found some parts felt a bit rushed. At one point, Ben receives a letter stating that something he needs to do will take place in six weeks. Those six weeks are covered in about two pages. Yes, we can’t see the entire time (that would be boring), but it would have been nice to get a few small moments highlighted. I also couldn’t help but have intense visions of the Fire Swamp from The Princess Bride when reading the parts taking place in The Death Swamp (just instead of ROUSs there are giant lizards). If you’ve never read or seen The Princess Bride, this won’t bug you!
Despite these few quibbles, The Unicorn Thief and its series will definitely find a home in my classroom – I can see the students really enjoying it!
Book two in the Unicorns in the Mist series by R.R. Russell, The Unicorn Thief picks up where Wonder Light left off and brings the reader immediately into the current conflict – a thief is stealing unicorns from the castle in Westland in Terracornus.
I quite enjoyed The Unicorn Thief and feel it’s a strong second book. While it continues and expands the main plot line found in book one – Twig becoming a unicorn rider and the need for her and Ben to start taming the free herd on Lonehorn Island – it also introduces us to new characters in Westland and a larger story-arc involving Ben and his former home. Unicorns are being stolen, war is coming to Terracornus and Lonehorn Island and the herd is being affected despite being a world away. When Ben’s unicorn Indy goes missing, Ben and Twig venture to Terracornus where they encounter a dungeon, a thief, a Boy King and a secret that Ben has been hiding. There are some wonderful action sequences, some soft family scenes and heartwarming moments between the unicorns and their riders.
The Unicorn Thief by R.R. Russell builds nicely upon its proceeding book Wonder Light and sets up some great potential plot for future books. It’s a shorter book, sitting at only 200 and some-odd pages, and though I did enjoy it I found some parts felt a bit rushed. At one point, Ben receives a letter stating that something he needs to do will take place in six weeks. Those six weeks are covered in about two pages. Yes, we can’t see the entire time (that would be boring), but it would have been nice to get a few small moments highlighted. I also couldn’t help but have intense visions of the Fire Swamp from The Princess Bride when reading the parts taking place in The Death Swamp (just instead of ROUSs there are giant lizards). If you’ve never read or seen The Princess Bride, this won’t bug you!
Despite these few quibbles, The Unicorn Thief and its series will definitely find a home in my classroom – I can see the students really enjoying it!
May 8, 2014
It saddens me to say that I didn't enjoy this book very much, but I don't think it's the book's fault really. When I requested it from Netgalley I didn't realise it was the second book in a series. I wanted to give it a go anyway...because UNICORNS...but I just couldn't get into it at all.
I was kind of confused about how Twig and Ben had ended up on The Earth Lands instead of Terracornus, and why they keep some unicorns with them but not others. But that being said, there were some things I did enjoy about The Unicorn Thief.
Once Twig and Ben move into the cave to be herders, (which I assume is like a birthright?) and then set out to find Indy the missing unicorn, the pace increases and I did eventually feel involved in the story. It's a story that's full of adventure and action, and a quick read to boot.
If I'd been up to speed with the first book, I'm pretty sure I would have loved that this book gets straight into the action, but as it was, I was just a bit lost.
I enjoyed the characterisation here too. Ben and Twig have a nice relationship which is tested throughout the book, and the bond between unicorn and rider was evident, making it realistic that Ben would go to such lengths to find Indy.
All in all, don't be put off by my rating, I just felt like I was coming into the middle of a story with no background, which I guess I was. I'd really like to go back and read the first book to see if that's all it was preventing me from loving it.
Disclosure?: Yep, I received a copy from the publisher/author in exchange for an HONEST review
Title: The Unicorn Thief (Unicorns of the Mist #2)
Author: R.R. Russell
Details: Hardcover, 288 pages
Published: May 6th 2014 by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
My Rating: 2/5
I was kind of confused about how Twig and Ben had ended up on The Earth Lands instead of Terracornus, and why they keep some unicorns with them but not others. But that being said, there were some things I did enjoy about The Unicorn Thief.
Once Twig and Ben move into the cave to be herders, (which I assume is like a birthright?) and then set out to find Indy the missing unicorn, the pace increases and I did eventually feel involved in the story. It's a story that's full of adventure and action, and a quick read to boot.
If I'd been up to speed with the first book, I'm pretty sure I would have loved that this book gets straight into the action, but as it was, I was just a bit lost.
I enjoyed the characterisation here too. Ben and Twig have a nice relationship which is tested throughout the book, and the bond between unicorn and rider was evident, making it realistic that Ben would go to such lengths to find Indy.
All in all, don't be put off by my rating, I just felt like I was coming into the middle of a story with no background, which I guess I was. I'd really like to go back and read the first book to see if that's all it was preventing me from loving it.
Disclosure?: Yep, I received a copy from the publisher/author in exchange for an HONEST review
Title: The Unicorn Thief (Unicorns of the Mist #2)
Author: R.R. Russell
Details: Hardcover, 288 pages
Published: May 6th 2014 by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
My Rating: 2/5
May 15, 2015
See full review @ The Indigo Quill
Special thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Jabberwocky for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Lonehorn Island is home to our two protagonists, Ben and Twig (I'm kind of digging this name). In the first novel, we adventured with them to save the unicorn race from danger. In this next installment, there is a thief who steals Ben's loyal unicorn companion, Indy. The duo must venture into the unknown of the island to save him. The plot thickens as Ben is holding a deep, dark secret regarding the Queen of Terracornus that could determine the fate of everyone.
In terms of middle-grade books, this is a fabulous choice for the young library, especially one that is lacking in books about unicorns. You will find several elements that will encourage even the reluctant reader to explore this new land and consume the story to their heart's content. It moves at just the right pace that will keep their attention. I think young readers who enjoy light fantasy will enjoy this series.
I didn't give this book 3 stars because it was bad. Honestly, it just wasn't to my taste. I'm sure children will enjoy it and find it interesting, but this was not a favorite of mine. For the most part, it was well written. The content was at times overly-detailed and a little too simple. I did enjoy the story itself and I'm sure I'll introduce this book to my kids one day.
If your child loves fantasy, adventure, and of course, unicorns, then The Unicorn Thief is a great choice. As for adults who enjoy children's literature, you may not like this as much as others. But really, it all comes down to personal opinion, so by all means, I urge you to see for yourself.
Honorable mentions go to the creators of the cover, Bert Farnslow and Ian Schoenherr. The illustration and design is soft and beautiful. Honestly, the cover illustrations are what drew me to this book!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Jabberwocky for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Lonehorn Island is home to our two protagonists, Ben and Twig (I'm kind of digging this name). In the first novel, we adventured with them to save the unicorn race from danger. In this next installment, there is a thief who steals Ben's loyal unicorn companion, Indy. The duo must venture into the unknown of the island to save him. The plot thickens as Ben is holding a deep, dark secret regarding the Queen of Terracornus that could determine the fate of everyone.
In terms of middle-grade books, this is a fabulous choice for the young library, especially one that is lacking in books about unicorns. You will find several elements that will encourage even the reluctant reader to explore this new land and consume the story to their heart's content. It moves at just the right pace that will keep their attention. I think young readers who enjoy light fantasy will enjoy this series.
I didn't give this book 3 stars because it was bad. Honestly, it just wasn't to my taste. I'm sure children will enjoy it and find it interesting, but this was not a favorite of mine. For the most part, it was well written. The content was at times overly-detailed and a little too simple. I did enjoy the story itself and I'm sure I'll introduce this book to my kids one day.
If your child loves fantasy, adventure, and of course, unicorns, then The Unicorn Thief is a great choice. As for adults who enjoy children's literature, you may not like this as much as others. But really, it all comes down to personal opinion, so by all means, I urge you to see for yourself.
Honorable mentions go to the creators of the cover, Bert Farnslow and Ian Schoenherr. The illustration and design is soft and beautiful. Honestly, the cover illustrations are what drew me to this book!
May 31, 2014
The Unicorn Thief is the second book in the Unicorns of the Mist series by R.R. Russell. I highly recommend reading the first book, Wonder Light, before reading. In this sequel Twig and Ben and working to tame the last unicorn herd on Lonehorn Island while dealing with their personal struggles about identity and family. However, a thief runs rampant in the land of unicorns and now no one is safe, not even Ben's loyal unicorn Indy. When their search leads them to the island’s secret passageway of Terracornus, the land of unicorns, they discover a bold thief at work. It is here that Twig learns the tangled truth about Ben and the evil queen who’s enslaved all of the unicorns. Now all of the captive unicorns are in danger and only Ben and Twig, the last unicorn riders, can save them.
The Unicorn Thief is a wonderful sequel to Wonder Light. The world was not made perfect with one victory for Ben and Twig, and there are still many difficulties ahead of them. Ben is keeping secrets, as are others, and Twig is trying to be the best version of herself while trying to let down any of the people that have come to trust in her. I love the fact that every character is well fleshed out and given both good and bad quality, which makes them much more real than any perfectly pure hero or simply evil big bad. There are equal parts of adventure, mystery, action, and the emotional trials involved of knowing yourself and being a honorable individual. There are lots of secrets to be uncovered, and telling too much might reveal the truth and spoil the surprise. I will admit that I saw one or two of the big twists coming, but the journey was still delightful.
I would very highly recommend The Unicorn Thief to everyone that read and enjoyed Wonder Light. If you like action, adventure, magic, or coming of age stories then this series has something you can get lost inside. I do recommend reading in order, but with the quality of the storytelling, that will be no chore.
The Unicorn Thief is a wonderful sequel to Wonder Light. The world was not made perfect with one victory for Ben and Twig, and there are still many difficulties ahead of them. Ben is keeping secrets, as are others, and Twig is trying to be the best version of herself while trying to let down any of the people that have come to trust in her. I love the fact that every character is well fleshed out and given both good and bad quality, which makes them much more real than any perfectly pure hero or simply evil big bad. There are equal parts of adventure, mystery, action, and the emotional trials involved of knowing yourself and being a honorable individual. There are lots of secrets to be uncovered, and telling too much might reveal the truth and spoil the surprise. I will admit that I saw one or two of the big twists coming, but the journey was still delightful.
I would very highly recommend The Unicorn Thief to everyone that read and enjoyed Wonder Light. If you like action, adventure, magic, or coming of age stories then this series has something you can get lost inside. I do recommend reading in order, but with the quality of the storytelling, that will be no chore.
May 12, 2014
The Unicorn Thief takes place almost directly after the first book in the Unicorns of the Mist series. When Ben's unicorn Indy goes missing, Twig and Ben must venture into Terracormus, where he doesn't want to face the queen. They track Indy to the Death Swamp, but Ben knows they cannot traverse it without help. He decides they must go to the castle and steal a map to help them. While Twig is unsettled by the thought of stealing, she goes with Ben and finds out the truth behind his past and why he hates the queen so.
I was anticipating a bit more of dread when meeting the queen, but she has her own reasons for not hurting the pair, although she says she will not allow them back to Lonehorn Island. With an impending treaty between Eastland and Westland, Ben finds himself agreeing to a duel of the Boy King so that war will not begin between the two. But he cannot fight if he cannot escape the queen. With outside help, the pair make it back to Lonehorn Island to prepare, but their plan is revealed to the Murleys who don't want to risk Twig and Ben's life.
I really enjoyed the second book and how it took the reader deeper into Terracormus, a land I was hoping we would get to explore as the series moved on. That being said, I felt like the transitions between the two lands were very startling. A chapter would end in one and then they would be back at the other. It threw me a couple of times when I was reading and realized that he pair was no longer where they were previously. Even with its flaws, I loved meeting the new characters in The Unicorn Thief and seeing Twig and Ben continue to grow as herders and friends.
Verdict:
An exciting adventure with dueling unicorns, a Death Swamp, and secrets revealed.
I was anticipating a bit more of dread when meeting the queen, but she has her own reasons for not hurting the pair, although she says she will not allow them back to Lonehorn Island. With an impending treaty between Eastland and Westland, Ben finds himself agreeing to a duel of the Boy King so that war will not begin between the two. But he cannot fight if he cannot escape the queen. With outside help, the pair make it back to Lonehorn Island to prepare, but their plan is revealed to the Murleys who don't want to risk Twig and Ben's life.
I really enjoyed the second book and how it took the reader deeper into Terracormus, a land I was hoping we would get to explore as the series moved on. That being said, I felt like the transitions between the two lands were very startling. A chapter would end in one and then they would be back at the other. It threw me a couple of times when I was reading and realized that he pair was no longer where they were previously. Even with its flaws, I loved meeting the new characters in The Unicorn Thief and seeing Twig and Ben continue to grow as herders and friends.
Verdict:
An exciting adventure with dueling unicorns, a Death Swamp, and secrets revealed.
August 3, 2016
At first I wasn't sure I was going to like this book as much as the first one, but the further I got into the story, the more I fell in love with it.
This is the second book in the Wonder Light series. In it, Twig and Ben venture into Terracornus (land of the unicorns) and the troubles in that kingdom. As with the first book, I loved the friendships that Twig developed. She showed her steadfast loyalty to the people and unicorns she loved. That doesn't mean that she didn't get into trouble—because she did—but she stood by Ben and his cause while she tried to do what was right. She continued on her path of healing and self discovery as she helped Ben through his own struggles, both internal and external.
R.R. Russell's unicorns make for an exciting adventure. They are intelligent, spirited, and dangerous. They form strong connections with their riders, but are never fully tame. They can change faster than the weather. I really love this take on the mythical beast.
One of the things I liked about this book was that the author introduced new settings and characters without letting go of the original ones. I still got to spend time with the Murleys and the ranch girls that I grew to love in the first book as well as go on a new adventure, meet some new characters, and solve a new problem.
Content: Some suspense and violence, but I consider it a clean book. It's not disturbing or dark, but it is suspenseful. Kids will be sitting on the edge of their seats!
Source: I received a digital galley of this book for the blog tour which did not affect my review in any way.
My blog: Batch of Books
This is the second book in the Wonder Light series. In it, Twig and Ben venture into Terracornus (land of the unicorns) and the troubles in that kingdom. As with the first book, I loved the friendships that Twig developed. She showed her steadfast loyalty to the people and unicorns she loved. That doesn't mean that she didn't get into trouble—because she did—but she stood by Ben and his cause while she tried to do what was right. She continued on her path of healing and self discovery as she helped Ben through his own struggles, both internal and external.
R.R. Russell's unicorns make for an exciting adventure. They are intelligent, spirited, and dangerous. They form strong connections with their riders, but are never fully tame. They can change faster than the weather. I really love this take on the mythical beast.
One of the things I liked about this book was that the author introduced new settings and characters without letting go of the original ones. I still got to spend time with the Murleys and the ranch girls that I grew to love in the first book as well as go on a new adventure, meet some new characters, and solve a new problem.
Content: Some suspense and violence, but I consider it a clean book. It's not disturbing or dark, but it is suspenseful. Kids will be sitting on the edge of their seats!
Source: I received a digital galley of this book for the blog tour which did not affect my review in any way.
My blog: Batch of Books
May 10, 2014
Book Review First: Unicorn Thief Thoughts: I enjoyed reading The Unicorn Thief – Series: Unicorns of the Mist #2 by R.R. Russell, can’t deny it, I’m a fantasy book reader, plus I just fall for books with unicorns, has not changed since I was a little one. When I agreed to read and review this book, I knew I’d be slightly frustrated since I was jumping in with book # 2 of the series but I accepted that and plowed ahead. Then I had those thoughts: what was going on in the first book?!… I think that was what went through my head multiple times throughout the beginning of this book read because I felt like I was missing bits of the characters and understandings over why they were at the part of their lives that they were experiencing and additionally there was much angst at the beginning of the book since it started with recovery from a war. (So I can’t wait to pick up book #1 soon, it is available in paperback!)
Lovely book of recovery for those who need one! I did become lost in the idea of this fantasy world that could be accessed through a special door/tree with a special keyholder. Additionally, I was quickly drawn in by the character’s dedication to commitment and caring for the unicorns. I enjoyed the dark plots, character twists, and adventure throughout this book. I do highly recommend reading the first book in the series first but I was able to get past my need for clarity and enjoy the book immensely.
I’d partner this book for readers who enjoyed Bruce Coville’s The Unicorn Chronicles, very different feel from both books but I know fans of one will appreciate the other.
Lovely book of recovery for those who need one! I did become lost in the idea of this fantasy world that could be accessed through a special door/tree with a special keyholder. Additionally, I was quickly drawn in by the character’s dedication to commitment and caring for the unicorns. I enjoyed the dark plots, character twists, and adventure throughout this book. I do highly recommend reading the first book in the series first but I was able to get past my need for clarity and enjoy the book immensely.
I’d partner this book for readers who enjoyed Bruce Coville’s The Unicorn Chronicles, very different feel from both books but I know fans of one will appreciate the other.
May 8, 2014
Another exciting adventure involving unicorns and the boy and girl who are trying to save them, The Unicorn Thief brings the reader right into the lives of Twig and Ben. One of the things that I like the best is how well Russell develops the setting. For me if the setting doesn't work, the book often doesn't work as well. The atmosphere that Russell creates is fabulous and intriguing. I also really like how thoroughly the history and biology of the unicorns is developed, it made the book that much more believable.
While Twig plays an important role in this story, it's more about Ben facing his past and his future, as well as the present. Ben is forced to deal with things that he would much rather not. The plot has enough twists and turns to satisfy most readers, with enough questions left unanswered to leave room for more sequels. Recommended for readers who enjoy unicorns and plenty of adventure.
While Twig plays an important role in this story, it's more about Ben facing his past and his future, as well as the present. Ben is forced to deal with things that he would much rather not. The plot has enough twists and turns to satisfy most readers, with enough questions left unanswered to leave room for more sequels. Recommended for readers who enjoy unicorns and plenty of adventure.
May 16, 2014
This book picked up where the first book ended. So many things for Ben and Twig to try to work out. They also have to deal with a Unicorn thief you takes Indy. Ben must duel the prince of Eastland in the Death Swamp. How is Ben's mother & brother involved in all of this. That's right, he has a mother & brother. Will Twig be able to stay at the ranch when her dad gets home? What will happen on the Island? This book did not let me down! Parents, look into this series. I will recommend this series to my great niece in a year or two.
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December 23, 2013Hi, this is the author, R.R. Russell. I'm so excited to have another book in the Unicorns of the Mist series coming out in May. There's lots of action, adventure, treachery, giant swamp lizards—and unicorns, of course!
You can find out more about my writing at http://www.rrrussellauthor.com or visit http://www.unicornsofthemist.com for all things Unicorns of the Mist!
You can find out more about my writing at http://www.rrrussellauthor.com or visit http://www.unicornsofthemist.com for all things Unicorns of the Mist!
August 12, 2016
This book may have been a little better than the first book in the series. I did feel like it was a bit predictable, but then I am an adult reading a children's book. The book does have some serious doom and gloom in it for a children's book, with the possibility of young people dying looming over several chapters. At any rate, I enjoyed the adventure.
July 12, 2014
Interesting read.
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