Keras

by Simon Rae

All his life, Jack Henley has felt at home in the woods - more at home than when he's actually at home with his parents. He loves watching the badgers play-fighting in the summer evenings, and pretending to be outlaws or cannibals with his two best friends. When Jack discovers that the woods hide an incredible secret - a beautiful, extraordinary, unicorn - he cannot believe his eyes. He and the owner of the woods, the eccentric Mr Finistaire, embark on a journey to save the unicorn from extinction. But as they continue in secrecy, Jack begins to wonder whether Mr Finistaire is quite what he seems.. Will the bond between Keras and Jack be enough to withstand the danger that awaits them both?

Genres: Middle Grade

354 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2013

About the author

Simon Rae is a British poet, broadcaster, biographer and playwright who runs the Top Edge Productions theatre company. He won the Poetry Society's National Poetry Competition in 1999 and has also been awarded an Eric Gregory Award and a Southern Arts Literature Bursary and held Royal Literary Fund fellowships at Oxford Brookes and Warwick Universities. His play Grass won a Fringe Highlight award in 2002.

Reviews

[Kirsti · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of a boy and his unicorn! and those who might seek it for their own end. It was charming in a way, although Jack wasn't a very nice character, in both actions and thoughts. I can't really see why Keras would choose him, unless he had depths that were never revealed in the book. Harriet I could understand better; she was like Hermione and therefore slightly like me at school.

Still, the idea of it was magical enough for me. The world needs unicorns. Four stars.

[cockatiel forger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. A short but sweet read.

Harriet was a great character, and I was glad that Jack got to know her. Mr Finistaire was an interesting character - morally grey, which I prefer in novels. His assistant, the cricket player (suddenly blanking on his name) was also interesting, mostly due to his backstory.
I loved Keras's and Jack's bond, and how Keras turned Jack into a better person. The ending was alos bitterweet - so many emotions!

Overall a great read. 4 stars.