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The Magical Unicorn Society: The Dark Heart Unicorns
128 pages, Hardcover
Published October 22, 2024
24 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Reynard
3 books13 followersMelanie Reynard is a Lancashire-born writer of science fiction and fantasy. By day, she dabbles in the arts of planting design and social media for a landscaping company; by night, she conjures fantastical realms with words. She lives in Greater London with her young family and a neurotic cat.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 27, 2024
Some things didn't line up, but besides that really fun
March 10, 2025
A review from my 6 year old daughter:
I loved this book so much! I love unicorns. I loved this book because it’s such a great book and I love the unicorns and I love the quizzes that I get to do. We get to pick the unicorns that we are drawn to and that we are a partner to. The stories in this book, the unicorns helped the people and animals around them and I love how many unicorns there is.
I loved this book so much! I love unicorns. I loved this book because it’s such a great book and I love the unicorns and I love the quizzes that I get to do. We get to pick the unicorns that we are drawn to and that we are a partner to. The stories in this book, the unicorns helped the people and animals around them and I love how many unicorns there is.
October 20, 2024
Step into the fantastic, magical world of Unicorns, specifically the Dark Hearts who initially were full of foreboding but began to emerge over centuries as powerful and the saviour of many in need.
Then there is the Demon King, threatening the existence of all. Who will prevail?
Included in the stories are also fairies, imps, trolls, lizards, bears and other creatures.
I loved the individual characters of the Dark Hearts, the stories of their adventures and the historical references.
Then there is the Demon King, threatening the existence of all. Who will prevail?
Included in the stories are also fairies, imps, trolls, lizards, bears and other creatures.
I loved the individual characters of the Dark Hearts, the stories of their adventures and the historical references.
October 1, 2024
So, the appeal of this book is definitely the artwork. It's worth buying for that alone. The story is just a bunch of "field reports," which are short and only loosely tied together. There's no real resolution to the overall plot arc, and characters are introduced somewhat randomly.
September 23, 2024
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC for early review.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
I was super pleased to be given the chance to review another book from the Magical Unicorn Society Series, and this one is just as good, if not better than the previous. This volume follows the rediscovery of a lost blessing of unicorns known as Dark Hearts, who have dark manes and onyx horns and were specifically created to help defeat dark magic and the Demon King.
I think framing this as a rediscovery thanks to archeological finds is a really fun way to get kids interested in the uncovering of history and culture. Trust and believe, if I found evidence of unicorns on an archaeological expedition, my bucket list would be complete.
The Dark Heart unicorns being a specific blessing created by the Gold and Silver unicorns to defeat evil, but then being shunned as too wild or dangerous, gives us the chance to root for these creatures in a way not many historical field guides do. Between Broken Horn and Blue Lagoon and the others learning to harness their powers or make nice with the eight other blessings, all the way to gaining control of their magic and summoning the other blessings to aid them in their final battle against the demon king, each of the eight Dark Heart unicorns gets a chance to shine in small accounts from human witnesses.
I especially loved the aspect of the Dark Hearts having onyx horns, as the text itself notes that onyx is a symbol of strength and perseverance.
What a wonderful continuation of this children's series, I look forward to more in the future.
I was super pleased to be given the chance to review another book from the Magical Unicorn Society Series, and this one is just as good, if not better than the previous. This volume follows the rediscovery of a lost blessing of unicorns known as Dark Hearts, who have dark manes and onyx horns and were specifically created to help defeat dark magic and the Demon King.
I think framing this as a rediscovery thanks to archeological finds is a really fun way to get kids interested in the uncovering of history and culture. Trust and believe, if I found evidence of unicorns on an archaeological expedition, my bucket list would be complete.
The Dark Heart unicorns being a specific blessing created by the Gold and Silver unicorns to defeat evil, but then being shunned as too wild or dangerous, gives us the chance to root for these creatures in a way not many historical field guides do. Between Broken Horn and Blue Lagoon and the others learning to harness their powers or make nice with the eight other blessings, all the way to gaining control of their magic and summoning the other blessings to aid them in their final battle against the demon king, each of the eight Dark Heart unicorns gets a chance to shine in small accounts from human witnesses.
I especially loved the aspect of the Dark Hearts having onyx horns, as the text itself notes that onyx is a symbol of strength and perseverance.
What a wonderful continuation of this children's series, I look forward to more in the future.
March 15, 2025
The Magical Unicorn Society: The Dark Heart Unicorns: Official Handbook sold out of the Book Fair at my kids' school--it seems that the target audience loves it. The illustrations, poems, and personality quiz are delightful. There's something so appealing about the profiles of the individual unicorns and the descriptions of the different "blessings" (species) of unicorns. It's a winning concept that will appeal to fans of Wings of Fire, Pokemon, or other fantasy franchises about classifying types of magical creatures and researching their lore.
Everything I just listed--illustrations, poems, etc--is peppered in between short stories. To be honest, the stories themselves are not my cup of tea. They feel strange and disjointed to me, perhaps because I haven't read any other books in the series.
1. The Day of the Eclipse
Unicorns vs. Five-Headed Dragon
2. The Shadow Realm and the Demon King
Dark Heart origins
3. Typhoon of Terror
In 1755 Scotland, unicorns save fishermen from merpeople.
4. The Dressmaker's Doll
In 1867 France, unicorns rescue a girl who has been cursed by a dressmaker to become a mannequin.
5. Ghosts of the Tundra
In 2010 Alaska, unicorns save mushers and dogs from ghost wolves.
6. The Unicorns and the Spider
In 1395 England, unicorns save the land from a cursed giant spider that's causing a blight on the crops.
7. Adventure in the Atlas Mountains
In present day Morocco, unicorns save macaque monkeys and humans from a bear-shaped "beast of shadows."
8. The Battle for the Shadow Realm
Unicorns vs. the Demon King
But, ultimately, the kids loved it and it was a good read!
Everything I just listed--illustrations, poems, etc--is peppered in between short stories. To be honest, the stories themselves are not my cup of tea. They feel strange and disjointed to me, perhaps because I haven't read any other books in the series.
1. The Day of the Eclipse
Unicorns vs. Five-Headed Dragon
2. The Shadow Realm and the Demon King
Dark Heart origins
3. Typhoon of Terror
In 1755 Scotland, unicorns save fishermen from merpeople.
4. The Dressmaker's Doll
In 1867 France, unicorns rescue a girl who has been cursed by a dressmaker to become a mannequin.
5. Ghosts of the Tundra
In 2010 Alaska, unicorns save mushers and dogs from ghost wolves.
6. The Unicorns and the Spider
In 1395 England, unicorns save the land from a cursed giant spider that's causing a blight on the crops.
7. Adventure in the Atlas Mountains
In present day Morocco, unicorns save macaque monkeys and humans from a bear-shaped "beast of shadows."
8. The Battle for the Shadow Realm
Unicorns vs. the Demon King
But, ultimately, the kids loved it and it was a good read!
November 30, 2024
This gorgeous series gains a brand new piece of lore at this late stage – a section of the unicorn kingdom given over to shadowy, dark ones, previously unknown to the scientist and explorer characters that allegedly present all this stuff as factual notebooks. What we see is supposedly a guide to these critters, which breaks away from data and information to enter the world of longer-form narrative, with more detailed short stories, conveying the critters' descent into the Shadow Realm and their fight back against what they find there.
These short stories show the ability to combine into one narrative, of how the naive unicorns, with a kind of tempestuous use of their magic powers, slowly gain more control and acceptance from the other kinds. You could say a diversion to the Paris Opera is more for the female reader, but this is definitely suitable for both genders, and the book once again serves them very well. The pages of the stories are decorated with a kind of mood-bringing wash, a backdrop, as opposed to full illustration – but the tales are vivid enough as they are.
It all makes for yet one more lush-looking section of this lore, and a nice balance of high drama with more gentle nature notes. It is so easy to see how this franchise could be a most cherished one for the right reader. I did lose track of the family relationships in one story, and I seem to recall the art being even more finely crafted last time round, but this is still a shoe-in for a strong four stars, if not more.
These short stories show the ability to combine into one narrative, of how the naive unicorns, with a kind of tempestuous use of their magic powers, slowly gain more control and acceptance from the other kinds. You could say a diversion to the Paris Opera is more for the female reader, but this is definitely suitable for both genders, and the book once again serves them very well. The pages of the stories are decorated with a kind of mood-bringing wash, a backdrop, as opposed to full illustration – but the tales are vivid enough as they are.
It all makes for yet one more lush-looking section of this lore, and a nice balance of high drama with more gentle nature notes. It is so easy to see how this franchise could be a most cherished one for the right reader. I did lose track of the family relationships in one story, and I seem to recall the art being even more finely crafted last time round, but this is still a shoe-in for a strong four stars, if not more.
February 3, 2025
This book reads like a field book where you get to learn more about The Dark Heart Unicorns, a misunderstood type of unicorns that are finally presented in a positive light. My niece enjoyed it a lot.
The artwork is stunning and it's part of a very complex magical world that can keep a child captivated for some time. I think it's a great book and a great addition to a child's library.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-book copy in exchange for my honest review.
The artwork is stunning and it's part of a very complex magical world that can keep a child captivated for some time. I think it's a great book and a great addition to a child's library.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-book copy in exchange for my honest review.
October 18, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley for the Ebook!
This is a beautiful book written like a field guide on the Dark Hearts Unicorns. The imagery and layout of the book is aesthetically pleasing and will delight unicorn lover's everywhere. This book also offers small amounts of details on other creatures such as fairies and dragons.
This is a beautiful book written like a field guide on the Dark Hearts Unicorns. The imagery and layout of the book is aesthetically pleasing and will delight unicorn lover's everywhere. This book also offers small amounts of details on other creatures such as fairies and dragons.
October 21, 2024
If you like Unicorns then this is a book for you. The book tells the history of a group of unicorns called Dark Hearts. It goes over the members of the group, their powers, and characteristics. For some extra fun the book is written like a field guide of someone who is studying this newly discovered unicron group.
October 27, 2024
ARC Copy...Other then that was alot more wordier then I expected a "magical field guide" picture book to be but interesting see misunderstood "dark coated" unicorns in a positive light. Feel this will get added to Unicorn libraries.
August 12, 2025
Sprite and I very much enjoyed these documentary-esque insights into unicorn society. If you're looking for a novel type plot, this may not be the book for you, but if you enjoy a 'factual' set of observations and short tales about unicorns then it's a lot of fun. Also, the artwork is gorgeous.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews