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The Unicorn Hunters
Signed Edition with sprayed edge and foil on board
Anne of Brittany was a child when her land was invaded, her castle besieged, and her royal father driven to his death.
Now Brittany is occupied by her enemies, her treasury empty, and only one thing is lacking to complete her realm’s subjugation: she is required, on pain of the sword, to marry the King of France.
But Anne cannot. She has promised her dead father that Brittany would never be conquered.
Defiantly, she betroths herself in secret to France’s greatest enemy. But in a world where courts may spy on each other by magic, there is only one way to solemnize this illicit union.
Under the guise of a hunting party, Anne takes her court deep into a deep forest, a strange place dogged with rumours of ancient enchantments; a place where diviners cannot see. She tells the French that she had gone there to hunt unicorns.
It’s a ruse, a lie, a feint.
But when, against all expectations, a unicorn does appear and a wounded stranger stumbles from the trees and falls at her feet, Anne is plunged into a world of enchantment where a doomed sovereign might find the power to change the destiny of her nation - or be lost in the mist for ever.
Anne of Brittany was a child when her land was invaded, her castle besieged, and her royal father driven to his death.
Now Brittany is occupied by her enemies, her treasury empty, and only one thing is lacking to complete her realm’s subjugation: she is required, on pain of the sword, to marry the King of France.
But Anne cannot. She has promised her dead father that Brittany would never be conquered.
Defiantly, she betroths herself in secret to France’s greatest enemy. But in a world where courts may spy on each other by magic, there is only one way to solemnize this illicit union.
Under the guise of a hunting party, Anne takes her court deep into a deep forest, a strange place dogged with rumours of ancient enchantments; a place where diviners cannot see. She tells the French that she had gone there to hunt unicorns.
It’s a ruse, a lie, a feint.
But when, against all expectations, a unicorn does appear and a wounded stranger stumbles from the trees and falls at her feet, Anne is plunged into a world of enchantment where a doomed sovereign might find the power to change the destiny of her nation - or be lost in the mist for ever.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published June 2, 2026
About the author
Katherine Arden
19 books19.4k followersA note to everyone who trips and falls upon my Goodreads page. First, welcome. Let us read and discuss all the books together. I review books I've read, everything gets five stars, if I didn't like it I don't put it up.
Second, Goodreads is wondrous, but contacting me through my Goodreads DMs is a good way to ensure a long wait for a reply. Your best bet is Twitter or Instagram (arden_katherine) on both.
Happy reading.
Born in Texas, Katherine studied French and Russian at Middlebury College. She has lived abroad in France and in Moscow, among other places. She has also lived in Hawaii, where she wrote much of The Bear and the Nightingale. She currently lives in Vermont.
Second, Goodreads is wondrous, but contacting me through my Goodreads DMs is a good way to ensure a long wait for a reply. Your best bet is Twitter or Instagram (arden_katherine) on both.
Happy reading.
Born in Texas, Katherine studied French and Russian at Middlebury College. She has lived abroad in France and in Moscow, among other places. She has also lived in Hawaii, where she wrote much of The Bear and the Nightingale. She currently lives in Vermont.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,091 reviews
September 23, 2025
I once saw a book described as "Fantasy for people who don't like Fantasy," and I think something similar could be said about The Unicorn Hunters. This is Historical Fantasy for people who don't like History.
Or rather, this will appeal more to those who don't know the real history.
Full review at my website.
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Or rather, this will appeal more to those who don't know the real history.
Full review at my website.
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 3, 2026
When I first heard about this book I was in awe, because Katherine Arden and medieval unicorns are the absolute most perfect match of author and story that I can think of. That's also why I'm a bit bummed out that this didn't end up being the flawless 5-star read that I was hoping for. It's undoubtedly a well-written and well-researched novel that does stand out from the masses of new fantasy releases this year. By that I mean that I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to your everyday fantasy reader. It's also a deeply historical novel, reimagining the past and adding an otherworldly spin to it. This, of course, turned a bit into Katherine Arden's trademark over the years, but I still wished that this book was more magical. The titular unicorn hunt, for instance, is over very quickly; the legendary forest of Broceliande remains a mystery. Katherine Arden is exploring the time period through a different approach instead. She relies on a courtly setting and makes duchess Anne of Brittany the main character of this book. The story is set around 1490 when the situation between France and Brittany is tense and the future unclear. The Bretons already lost to the French, and Anne is meant to seal this defeat by marrying the French King and giving up her land. But she already has an intricate plan to save her country and her people. It begins by spreading rumors of a unicorn and planning its hunt and everyone knows that only a virginal and virtuous woman can lure such a creature, so Anne better stay unmarried until it is captured. But as I said, the unicorn hunt is only a small portion of this book. It's really only the beginning of a long string of events that shall lead to Brittany's safety, but there are multiple other parties working for or against this goal too. There are political maneuverings, manipulations and distractions, and also plenty of supernatural interferences. Strange powers from inside the forest follow Anne into her courtly life and make yet another problem that she has to face. She was truly a great main character to me. Anne is viewed as a pawn, a childish girl, supposed to be married for greater political goals and never questioning the decisions that others make over her head. But in reality she isn't a passive character at all and has so much agency, even in the most hopeless situations. She is clever and cunning and never stops fighting for her country. I just loved to follow Anne around. I didn't really get where her romantic feelings for a certain person came from at one point in the book, but I was happy to see her happy. The chapters from the POV of other characters weren't as memorable to me and I had the feeling that they were always over too quickly to really making an impact on the story. These characters also didn't get the closure that Anne got in the end and while the ending definitely was of the good-for-her kind, it also came rather abruptly for me. Which was strange, because the whole book is a relatively slow and long built-up. But while the pacing was not my favorite in the end, I did really like how the story got more and more ghostly and otherworldly. As I mentioned already, I would have loved it if the book really leaned into these fantastical elements instead of the historical side of things, but maybe that wouldn't be true to Katherine Arden's style. Overall, I'm pleased with this story, even if it went in a different direction than I thought it would. The Winternight Trilogy remains my unchallenged favorite by the author, but I will, of course, always pick up her new releases and hope for more such greatness.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As a devoted fan of the Winternight Trilogy, I went into this book with sky-high expectations… and somehow, impossibly, Katherine Arden still managed to soar far beyond them. This wasn’t just a reading experience. This was a full-body immersion into a world of danger, enchantment, heartbreak, and fierce, breathtaking courage. And yes—without hesitation, without doubt—this is a glowing, enthusiastic five-star read for me. One of her absolute best works.
From the very first pages, I felt that familiar, magical pull Arden creates so effortlessly—the kind that wraps around you like mist and refuses to let go. She doesn’t simply tell a story. She builds an entire living, breathing realm where history and myth hold hands and whisper secrets to each other. Medieval courts simmer with tension, loyalties are fragile as glass, and the air itself feels charged with ancient, watchful magic.
At the heart of it all is Anne—a young queen forced to grow up far too quickly in a brutal world where her crown is both her power and her greatest vulnerability. She is surrounded by enemies who see her not as a person, but as a prize to be claimed, controlled, and used. But underestimating her is their greatest mistake.
Oh, how I loved her.
Anne is not reckless. She is not naïve. She is sharp, observant, and quietly defiant. She understands the rules of the game—and more importantly, she understands how to bend them. Watching her maneuver through political traps, secret alliances, betrayals, and impossible choices was utterly mesmerizing. Every decision she makes carries weight. Every risk could cost her everything.
And then there is the forest.
The mysterious Brocéliande is not just a setting—it’s a presence. It breathes. It watches. It remembers. It holds secrets older than kingdoms and magic that refuses to die quietly. The deeper the story goes, the more the atmosphere shifts from beautiful to unsettling to outright chilling. There were moments that gave me goosebumps, moments that made my heart race, and moments that filled me with that aching, bittersweet wonder that only Arden can create.
The magic itself feels ancient and unpredictable—wild, dangerous, and impossible to fully understand. And that makes it feel real.
But what truly elevated this novel for me was the emotional core.
This is a story about power—but also about sacrifice.
It’s about what it costs to protect what you love.
It’s about loneliness, responsibility, and the terrifying weight of knowing an entire land depends on your strength.
It’s about choosing courage when fear would be easier.
And yes… there is romance. And it is absolutely beautiful. Tender, emotional, and filled with longing. Not overwhelming the story, but enhancing it in the most perfect way. Every moment felt earned. Every glance, every word, every sacrifice mattered.
I was completely consumed.
There are unicorns. There are haunted places. There are spies, traitors, impossible gambles, and moments of pure triumph that made me want to cheer. There are also quiet, intimate scenes that broke my heart in the best possible way.
And when I reached the final pages, I just sat there for a while… stunned, emotional, and deeply grateful.
This book reminded me exactly why I fell in love with Katherine Arden’s writing in the first place.
She writes stories that feel timeless.
Stories that feel like legends.
Stories that stay with you.
This is not just historical fantasy. This is storytelling magic at its finest.
If you loved The Bear and the Nightingale… if you love fierce heroines… enchanted forests… dangerous courts… impossible choices… and stories that make you feel everything…
You absolutely cannot miss this one.
It’s unforgettable.
My endless, heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for generously sharing this epic, adventurous, magical fantasy novel by my auto-approved author Katherine Arden. This was truly one of her finest works, and I am beyond grateful and honored to experience it early and share my honest thoughts. This unforgettable journey is deeply, sincerely appreciated.
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From the very first pages, I felt that familiar, magical pull Arden creates so effortlessly—the kind that wraps around you like mist and refuses to let go. She doesn’t simply tell a story. She builds an entire living, breathing realm where history and myth hold hands and whisper secrets to each other. Medieval courts simmer with tension, loyalties are fragile as glass, and the air itself feels charged with ancient, watchful magic.
At the heart of it all is Anne—a young queen forced to grow up far too quickly in a brutal world where her crown is both her power and her greatest vulnerability. She is surrounded by enemies who see her not as a person, but as a prize to be claimed, controlled, and used. But underestimating her is their greatest mistake.
Oh, how I loved her.
Anne is not reckless. She is not naïve. She is sharp, observant, and quietly defiant. She understands the rules of the game—and more importantly, she understands how to bend them. Watching her maneuver through political traps, secret alliances, betrayals, and impossible choices was utterly mesmerizing. Every decision she makes carries weight. Every risk could cost her everything.
And then there is the forest.
The mysterious Brocéliande is not just a setting—it’s a presence. It breathes. It watches. It remembers. It holds secrets older than kingdoms and magic that refuses to die quietly. The deeper the story goes, the more the atmosphere shifts from beautiful to unsettling to outright chilling. There were moments that gave me goosebumps, moments that made my heart race, and moments that filled me with that aching, bittersweet wonder that only Arden can create.
The magic itself feels ancient and unpredictable—wild, dangerous, and impossible to fully understand. And that makes it feel real.
But what truly elevated this novel for me was the emotional core.
This is a story about power—but also about sacrifice.
It’s about what it costs to protect what you love.
It’s about loneliness, responsibility, and the terrifying weight of knowing an entire land depends on your strength.
It’s about choosing courage when fear would be easier.
And yes… there is romance. And it is absolutely beautiful. Tender, emotional, and filled with longing. Not overwhelming the story, but enhancing it in the most perfect way. Every moment felt earned. Every glance, every word, every sacrifice mattered.
I was completely consumed.
There are unicorns. There are haunted places. There are spies, traitors, impossible gambles, and moments of pure triumph that made me want to cheer. There are also quiet, intimate scenes that broke my heart in the best possible way.
And when I reached the final pages, I just sat there for a while… stunned, emotional, and deeply grateful.
This book reminded me exactly why I fell in love with Katherine Arden’s writing in the first place.
She writes stories that feel timeless.
Stories that feel like legends.
Stories that stay with you.
This is not just historical fantasy. This is storytelling magic at its finest.
If you loved The Bear and the Nightingale… if you love fierce heroines… enchanted forests… dangerous courts… impossible choices… and stories that make you feel everything…
You absolutely cannot miss this one.
It’s unforgettable.
My endless, heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for generously sharing this epic, adventurous, magical fantasy novel by my auto-approved author Katherine Arden. This was truly one of her finest works, and I am beyond grateful and honored to experience it early and share my honest thoughts. This unforgettable journey is deeply, sincerely appreciated.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
June 14, 2026
I've been eagerly anticipating reading this book ever since I learned that it is a blend of historical fiction and fantasy. The idea of combining two of my favorite genres is incredibly appealing, and I was certain I would enjoy the story.
And I was right.
I must admit, I initially knew very little about Anne of Brittany or of Brittany itself. To deepen my understanding, I did some research before diving into the book, eager to learn about the Queen who inspired the author. What I discovered painted her as a remarkably strong and courageous woman, someone who fought tirelessly throughout her life to keep Brittany independent from France. She did everything in her power to prevent her people from suffering under foreign domination. However, despite her relentless efforts, her plans were ultimately undone after her death by her second husband, who reversed her work. From everything I read, it became clear to me that her love for Brittany was profound, and she dedicated her life to its well-being.
Now, shifting to the story itself, since I’ve finished discussing my favorite subject, historical queens. The book begins as a historical fiction, with the author subtly weaving in hints of magic within this alternate world. The narrative takes a dramatic turn during the unicorn hunt, which is where the fantasy elements become prominent and intensely immersive. I do want to caution other readers that the pacing is quite slow in parts. If you’re not a fan of historical fiction, you might find it less engaging. Personally, I would say that the story comprises about 70% historical fiction and 30% fantasy, and this balance is what made it so compelling for me.
One aspect I especially appreciated was how the author structured the story using multiple POVs. This approach allowed us to see various sides of the conflict, revealing how each faction formulated its strategies, made plans, and negotiated with allies. It also provided a richer, more nuanced understanding of Anne of Brittany by presenting her through different perspectives. That said, not all the POVs resonated equally with me. I found the children’s characters and POVs particularly irritating; every time one of them opened their mouth, I felt an urge to slap them. The annoyance was so intense that I'm deducting a star from my rating simply because I couldn’t stand them.
Regarding the portrayal of Anne of Brittany, I thought it was quite faithful to what we know historically. She is depicted as intelligent, compassionate, and possessing a fighting spirit that surpasses many men. Her love for Brittany and her willingness to sacrifice everything to prevent its subjugation by France are vividly expressed. As the story progresses, she begins to realize that, with her newfound power, she no longer has to be a sacrificial figure. She can choose to rise as a leader and a person who does not need to surrender her body or her identity for Brittany's freedom. I found her character especially inspiring.
All the other characters in the novel were well-developed and intriguing, each exhibiting traits consistent with their real-life historical counterparts. Nevertheless, Anne of Brittany remained the heart of the story and the most captivating character. She drove the narrative forward, building the story brick by brick through her actions and decisions.
In conclusion, the book delivered precisely what I was looking for. I sincerely commend the author for blending history and fantasy so skillfully, perhaps not perfectly, but very effectively.
I also want to thank the author for beautifully depicting Brittany as a place full of magic, which really sparked my curiosity to learn more about it.
And I was right.
I must admit, I initially knew very little about Anne of Brittany or of Brittany itself. To deepen my understanding, I did some research before diving into the book, eager to learn about the Queen who inspired the author. What I discovered painted her as a remarkably strong and courageous woman, someone who fought tirelessly throughout her life to keep Brittany independent from France. She did everything in her power to prevent her people from suffering under foreign domination. However, despite her relentless efforts, her plans were ultimately undone after her death by her second husband, who reversed her work. From everything I read, it became clear to me that her love for Brittany was profound, and she dedicated her life to its well-being.
Now, shifting to the story itself, since I’ve finished discussing my favorite subject, historical queens. The book begins as a historical fiction, with the author subtly weaving in hints of magic within this alternate world. The narrative takes a dramatic turn during the unicorn hunt, which is where the fantasy elements become prominent and intensely immersive. I do want to caution other readers that the pacing is quite slow in parts. If you’re not a fan of historical fiction, you might find it less engaging. Personally, I would say that the story comprises about 70% historical fiction and 30% fantasy, and this balance is what made it so compelling for me.
One aspect I especially appreciated was how the author structured the story using multiple POVs. This approach allowed us to see various sides of the conflict, revealing how each faction formulated its strategies, made plans, and negotiated with allies. It also provided a richer, more nuanced understanding of Anne of Brittany by presenting her through different perspectives. That said, not all the POVs resonated equally with me. I found the children’s characters and POVs particularly irritating; every time one of them opened their mouth, I felt an urge to slap them. The annoyance was so intense that I'm deducting a star from my rating simply because I couldn’t stand them.
Regarding the portrayal of Anne of Brittany, I thought it was quite faithful to what we know historically. She is depicted as intelligent, compassionate, and possessing a fighting spirit that surpasses many men. Her love for Brittany and her willingness to sacrifice everything to prevent its subjugation by France are vividly expressed. As the story progresses, she begins to realize that, with her newfound power, she no longer has to be a sacrificial figure. She can choose to rise as a leader and a person who does not need to surrender her body or her identity for Brittany's freedom. I found her character especially inspiring.
All the other characters in the novel were well-developed and intriguing, each exhibiting traits consistent with their real-life historical counterparts. Nevertheless, Anne of Brittany remained the heart of the story and the most captivating character. She drove the narrative forward, building the story brick by brick through her actions and decisions.
In conclusion, the book delivered precisely what I was looking for. I sincerely commend the author for blending history and fantasy so skillfully, perhaps not perfectly, but very effectively.
I also want to thank the author for beautifully depicting Brittany as a place full of magic, which really sparked my curiosity to learn more about it.
December 14, 2025
ARC provided by Del Rey - thank you so much !!
before i get into this review, i just want to let you all know that i was so lucky, once again, to be able to read an early copy of this book alongside katherine arden herself! i truly believe i'd love this story regardless, but i am very aware that i am privileged with being able to experience it in a different capacity that may have allowed me to connect with it even more than if i read it solo! so please be aware of that! but i highly recommend this one and if you, too, have loved her previous historical fantasies, i think you will love this as well!
anne is the duchess of brittany, ruling with a promise close to her heart, after her father was killed because the bretons lost to france. but our story quickly starts on easter mass, with an envoy from france, coming to her castle, because she is promised to be married to the crown prince of france. you can probably guess why this would be extra heavy on anne, and extra difficult to have any agency when you’re a woman, living in 1490, with a disability, and a crown that silences you even more. but she already has a secret plan in the works. and with the help of a proxy, a monastery, her sister, an orphan and her cat, her brother, a duke, and maybe even a unicorn in an enchanted forest, she can forge her own path of her very own choosing.
to me, this is a story all about women being silenced and the power that is taken for them. and maybe even what could happen if they were able to claim some of that power back, in whatever way they so desire. and how much lighter that path can be, if you’re on it with people who love you, and support you, and hear you and your story. and how much darker than path can be, when you’re forced to do whatever it takes to claim some semblance of control of your own. there are so many different doors in life, some passed down generationally, and they all can seem daunting when you’re trapped in a castle because of someone else.
ah, i know i am being whimsically vague, but i really did love this. my one and only complaint is that i just feel like it wrapped up too quickly, after such an amazing build up, but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment, it just made me hesitant to give this five stars. but the brocéliande forest was such an amazing setting that is truly six stars, if i’m being honest. And the characters were all seven stars, elsebed and isebeau (and butter) extra. i feel like katherine always writes about some sort of strong sibling bond at the heart of all of her stories, and this was no different.
i truly believe no one is writing historically inspired fantasy the way that katherine arden is. every tale she creates impresses me so very much, with atmosphere that honestly feels palpable on every page, and characters that end up feeling so beloved by me. and anne of brittany, and this reimagined fantasy story, just felt extra special, and felt so much more impactful, knowing what actually did become of her life, and how much i wish it could have been like this magical one. but yeah, katherine is just so smart, and she weaves so many layers into her stories to make this magical, yet real, realm of perfection every time. i just can’t wait to read her words forever, and not to tease you guys, but i am extra excited for what she is going to publish next!
trigger + content warnings: illness of parent in past, loss of father in past, grief, talk of war in past, fire, captivity, kidnapping, implied sa (not mc), violence, gore, battle, talk of abandonment
blog | instagram | youtube | wishlist | spotify | amazon
♡.) The Warm Hands of Ghosts ★★★★
1.) The Bear and the Nightingale ★★★★★
2.) The Girl in the Tower ★★★★★
3.) The Winter of the Witch ★★★★★
1.) Small Spaces ★★★★★
2.) Dead Voices ★★★★
before i get into this review, i just want to let you all know that i was so lucky, once again, to be able to read an early copy of this book alongside katherine arden herself! i truly believe i'd love this story regardless, but i am very aware that i am privileged with being able to experience it in a different capacity that may have allowed me to connect with it even more than if i read it solo! so please be aware of that! but i highly recommend this one and if you, too, have loved her previous historical fantasies, i think you will love this as well!
anne is the duchess of brittany, ruling with a promise close to her heart, after her father was killed because the bretons lost to france. but our story quickly starts on easter mass, with an envoy from france, coming to her castle, because she is promised to be married to the crown prince of france. you can probably guess why this would be extra heavy on anne, and extra difficult to have any agency when you’re a woman, living in 1490, with a disability, and a crown that silences you even more. but she already has a secret plan in the works. and with the help of a proxy, a monastery, her sister, an orphan and her cat, her brother, a duke, and maybe even a unicorn in an enchanted forest, she can forge her own path of her very own choosing.
to me, this is a story all about women being silenced and the power that is taken for them. and maybe even what could happen if they were able to claim some of that power back, in whatever way they so desire. and how much lighter that path can be, if you’re on it with people who love you, and support you, and hear you and your story. and how much darker than path can be, when you’re forced to do whatever it takes to claim some semblance of control of your own. there are so many different doors in life, some passed down generationally, and they all can seem daunting when you’re trapped in a castle because of someone else.
ah, i know i am being whimsically vague, but i really did love this. my one and only complaint is that i just feel like it wrapped up too quickly, after such an amazing build up, but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment, it just made me hesitant to give this five stars. but the brocéliande forest was such an amazing setting that is truly six stars, if i’m being honest. And the characters were all seven stars, elsebed and isebeau (and butter) extra. i feel like katherine always writes about some sort of strong sibling bond at the heart of all of her stories, and this was no different.
i truly believe no one is writing historically inspired fantasy the way that katherine arden is. every tale she creates impresses me so very much, with atmosphere that honestly feels palpable on every page, and characters that end up feeling so beloved by me. and anne of brittany, and this reimagined fantasy story, just felt extra special, and felt so much more impactful, knowing what actually did become of her life, and how much i wish it could have been like this magical one. but yeah, katherine is just so smart, and she weaves so many layers into her stories to make this magical, yet real, realm of perfection every time. i just can’t wait to read her words forever, and not to tease you guys, but i am extra excited for what she is going to publish next!
trigger + content warnings: illness of parent in past, loss of father in past, grief, talk of war in past, fire, captivity, kidnapping, implied sa (not mc), violence, gore, battle, talk of abandonment
blog | instagram | youtube | wishlist | spotify | amazon
♡.) The Warm Hands of Ghosts ★★★★
1.) The Bear and the Nightingale ★★★★★
2.) The Girl in the Tower ★★★★★
3.) The Winter of the Witch ★★★★★
1.) Small Spaces ★★★★★
2.) Dead Voices ★★★★
October 23, 2025
Anne wanted to be married so little she came up with this elaborate unicorn scheme (and I love her for it)
Here for louis throwing himself across the room to come to her aid and for more men just being super devoted in the name of love tbh
In The Unicorn Hunters, historical meets the fantastical with France on the edge of obtaining Brittany and the magical forest of Brocéliande bringing magic and memory to the verge. Katherine Arden goes beyond the expected in her latest novel to show how the best parts of fantasy include history retold. Through her focus on Anne of Brittany, a woman placed into a singular narrative, Arden recontextualizes the life of the duchess, one where her cleverness finds resonance in the magic of a lost city and a forest of secrets. Most importantly, unicorns. There are unicorns. An elaborate lie built to retain control of Brittany leads to magic taking root within its borders, where portents, diviners, and courtly intrigue are at their height and vying for dominance. Swept away in a hunt for a unicorn and a lost world impressing itself upon a duchess, The Unicorn Hunters appeals to a magic just out of reach, but one that can be shaken out of sheer tenacity. Cunning women, delightful animal companions, and a strange otherworld all find a place within the confines of this audacious historical legend. The Unicorn Hunters is proof that Katherine Arden can do no wrong with her penchant for sweeping historical fantasy. That we need to have her spin on every kind of fairytale—and history for that matter.
Read my review
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Here for louis throwing himself across the room to come to her aid and for more men just being super devoted in the name of love tbh
In The Unicorn Hunters, historical meets the fantastical with France on the edge of obtaining Brittany and the magical forest of Brocéliande bringing magic and memory to the verge. Katherine Arden goes beyond the expected in her latest novel to show how the best parts of fantasy include history retold. Through her focus on Anne of Brittany, a woman placed into a singular narrative, Arden recontextualizes the life of the duchess, one where her cleverness finds resonance in the magic of a lost city and a forest of secrets. Most importantly, unicorns. There are unicorns. An elaborate lie built to retain control of Brittany leads to magic taking root within its borders, where portents, diviners, and courtly intrigue are at their height and vying for dominance. Swept away in a hunt for a unicorn and a lost world impressing itself upon a duchess, The Unicorn Hunters appeals to a magic just out of reach, but one that can be shaken out of sheer tenacity. Cunning women, delightful animal companions, and a strange otherworld all find a place within the confines of this audacious historical legend. The Unicorn Hunters is proof that Katherine Arden can do no wrong with her penchant for sweeping historical fantasy. That we need to have her spin on every kind of fairytale—and history for that matter.
Read my review
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arc-netgelley
February 26, 2026EDIT: GOT AN ARC LETS GOOOOO its getting devoured tonightttt
Gonna throw up from excitement, sounds like the perfect book omg
Gonna throw up from excitement, sounds like the perfect book omg
February 24, 2026
*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an E-Arc in exchange for an honest review!
Still not sure if I’ll round this up to 5, I need to re-read it to be 100% sure. But, the book was very good indeed.
_________________-
I'd been wanting to read Katherine Arden's books for the longest time. The Bear and the Nightingale trilogy has been sitting on my TBR for years, and then The Warm Hands of Ghosts joined it. Somehow I never found the right moment to pick either of them up, so when I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of The Unicorn Hunters, it felt like the perfect opportunity to finally experience her writing—and I'm so glad I did!!
This book completely swept me away. It has that rare, enchanting quality that makes the world feel just a little more magical while you're reading. The atmosphere is rich and immersive, filled with mystery, wonder, and a quiet kind of magic that lingers long after you've turned the final page.
Katherine Arden's writing is absolutely beautiful—lyrical without ever feeling heavy, vivid enough that every setting comes to life, and filled with the kind of storytelling that makes you want to stay in its pages just a little longer. There was a sense of adventure woven through the story, but also an emotional heart that made the journey feel meaningful.
This is the kind of book that reminds you why mythical creatures have captivated readers for generations. It's whimsical, enchanting, and full of the wonder that makes fantasy so special.
I'm incredibly grateful to have received an early copy of this beautiful story. If this is any indication of Katherine Arden's writing, then my excitement to finally pick up The Bear and the Nightingale and The Warm Hands of Ghosts has only grown. I definitely won't be waiting much longer. Im also going to pick up this book again in the near future!
____________
I received an arc of Katherine Arden’s newest book!!!
I don’t know why, but lately my feed has been full of edits of The Last Unicorn, and every single time I see one, my mind immediately goes to this book. At this point, I feel like I have to watch the movie first (shocking, I know, I’ve never seen it) before diving into The Unicorn Hunters.
I’m so excited that I have a vaild (and inescapable) reason to finally read a KA book. ☺️
Still not sure if I’ll round this up to 5, I need to re-read it to be 100% sure. But, the book was very good indeed.
_________________-
I'd been wanting to read Katherine Arden's books for the longest time. The Bear and the Nightingale trilogy has been sitting on my TBR for years, and then The Warm Hands of Ghosts joined it. Somehow I never found the right moment to pick either of them up, so when I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of The Unicorn Hunters, it felt like the perfect opportunity to finally experience her writing—and I'm so glad I did!!
This book completely swept me away. It has that rare, enchanting quality that makes the world feel just a little more magical while you're reading. The atmosphere is rich and immersive, filled with mystery, wonder, and a quiet kind of magic that lingers long after you've turned the final page.
Katherine Arden's writing is absolutely beautiful—lyrical without ever feeling heavy, vivid enough that every setting comes to life, and filled with the kind of storytelling that makes you want to stay in its pages just a little longer. There was a sense of adventure woven through the story, but also an emotional heart that made the journey feel meaningful.
This is the kind of book that reminds you why mythical creatures have captivated readers for generations. It's whimsical, enchanting, and full of the wonder that makes fantasy so special.
I'm incredibly grateful to have received an early copy of this beautiful story. If this is any indication of Katherine Arden's writing, then my excitement to finally pick up The Bear and the Nightingale and The Warm Hands of Ghosts has only grown. I definitely won't be waiting much longer. Im also going to pick up this book again in the near future!
____________
I received an arc of Katherine Arden’s newest book!!!
I don’t know why, but lately my feed has been full of edits of The Last Unicorn, and every single time I see one, my mind immediately goes to this book. At this point, I feel like I have to watch the movie first (shocking, I know, I’ve never seen it) before diving into The Unicorn Hunters.
I’m so excited that I have a vaild (and inescapable) reason to finally read a KA book. ☺️
July 16, 2026
firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!
3.5 stars — i was super excited to dive into the unicorn hunters, especially because i absolutely adore katherine arden's writing; i especially loved the beautiful and gothic atmosphere of the warm hands of ghosts, so i had very high expectations for the unicorn hunters!! unfortunately, i was not as enthralled in this novel as i was the warm hands of ghosts; i wonder if the unicorn hunters just had too much going on for me to truly be fully immersed in the story. of course, her writing and world building is beautifully crafted and atmospheric.
the unicorn hunters follows a young monarch desperate to save her throne by concealing a secret marriage in an enchanted forest, and ultimately alters the fate of her world...
i also listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a great job!
not to mention my fairyloot edition is absolutely stunning... very rare fairyloot W omg
3.5 stars — i was super excited to dive into the unicorn hunters, especially because i absolutely adore katherine arden's writing; i especially loved the beautiful and gothic atmosphere of the warm hands of ghosts, so i had very high expectations for the unicorn hunters!! unfortunately, i was not as enthralled in this novel as i was the warm hands of ghosts; i wonder if the unicorn hunters just had too much going on for me to truly be fully immersed in the story. of course, her writing and world building is beautifully crafted and atmospheric.
the unicorn hunters follows a young monarch desperate to save her throne by concealing a secret marriage in an enchanted forest, and ultimately alters the fate of her world...
i also listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a great job!
not to mention my fairyloot edition is absolutely stunning... very rare fairyloot W omg
June 15, 2026
I may come back to write a longer review, but until then, here's the unfiltered gist:
Whether Katherine Arden chose Fantasy to make Historical Fiction cooler or Historical Fiction to make Fantasy feel more real, she failed on both accounts spectacularly. In her hands these two genres just acted as bad excuses and, sadly, amplified the worst traits of both.
The writing was juvenile, crude and disconnected, the storytelling was inconsistent with huge plotholes, cartoonish goodies and baddies and don't even get me started on the let's-give-medieval-characters-21st century sensibilities-because-readers-can't-handle-reality-and-neither-can-I.
It felt like it came from an inexperienced, first-time author with a draft for a book, definitely not like it had been written by the author of the Winternight trilogy.
Buddy-read with the awesome Dunetteers. 🥰
Whether Katherine Arden chose Fantasy to make Historical Fiction cooler or Historical Fiction to make Fantasy feel more real, she failed on both accounts spectacularly. In her hands these two genres just acted as bad excuses and, sadly, amplified the worst traits of both.
The writing was juvenile, crude and disconnected, the storytelling was inconsistent with huge plotholes, cartoonish goodies and baddies and don't even get me started on the let's-give-medieval-characters-21st century sensibilities-because-readers-can't-handle-reality-and-neither-can-I.
It felt like it came from an inexperienced, first-time author with a draft for a book, definitely not like it had been written by the author of the Winternight trilogy.
Buddy-read with the awesome Dunetteers. 🥰
June 14, 2026
I've been dithering between 2-3 stars and have rounded up because of the gorgeous cover. Just a shame that there's so little unicorn in the actual story.
This is my first Arden and perhaps not the best place to start as seasoned readers who I buddy-read this with have been disappointed. As others have said, the merging of real medieval French history and something more fantastical doesn't really work here. Anne of Brittany is a real person whose factual history is known: to turn her and Anne of France - here renamed Marguerite since, according to the author's afterword, there was a fear that readers wouldn't be able to keep two Annes apart! - into Disney princess and Disney villainess is quite a move. Add in Louis d'Orleans as a perfect knight, whose wife is conveniently disposed of (in history, he went on to take the French throne as Louis XII, and did marry Anne as one of both of their multiple dynastic marriages) and the history might have well been dispensed with. Given that this is all about an Anne as proto-feminist with no real engagement with medieval culture, I couldn't help wondering why the book didn't just go with completely fictional characters.
Some of the faerie stuff is fun to read: the magic and sorcery, the (severely underused) unicorn, the drowned city of Keris, the Castle of Never-Was - but it jars with the medieval history that brings it all down with a bump. In this world of the book, two aristocratic sisters ruling the duchy of Brittany can basically just wander around by themselves with no ladies maids, castle guards etc. and enjoy privacy at a time when that concept didn't really exist. They also pick up and rescue an abandoned orphan who becomes their new best friend as if class distinctions that were such an important part of medieval social hierarchies have just been wiped away.
I guess I could have gone with the trampling over French history if I'd been enthralled by the story: while I did like it as a light read, the characters are one-dimensional and the writing is serviceable but without flair. Anne is beautiful, brilliant, sexy, charismatic and everyone falls over themselves in adoration of her - except the villains, especially Marguerite, who is cartoonish in her wickedness and wrong-doing - boo shucks that all her iniquitous plans are foiled by good Anne!
In the end, I *did* have some fun reading this though I had to switch off all my critical faculties and just go with some of the silliness. There's never a sense of urgency or anything really being at stake here: the goodies are clearly going to win out against the sorcerer and 'bad' Marguerite, while Anne tames a unicorn in a page and learns to wield magic and walk through shadows with a snap of her fingers.
In the end, I liked this enough as a lightweight, slightly silly holiday read but I'd expected something more substantial than that.
Many thanks to Random House, Cornerstone for an ARC via NetGalley - and to the Dunnetteers buddy readers for all your usual erudition, snark and humour!
This is my first Arden and perhaps not the best place to start as seasoned readers who I buddy-read this with have been disappointed. As others have said, the merging of real medieval French history and something more fantastical doesn't really work here. Anne of Brittany is a real person whose factual history is known: to turn her and Anne of France - here renamed Marguerite since, according to the author's afterword, there was a fear that readers wouldn't be able to keep two Annes apart! - into Disney princess and Disney villainess is quite a move. Add in Louis d'Orleans as a perfect knight, whose wife is conveniently disposed of (in history, he went on to take the French throne as Louis XII, and did marry Anne as one of both of their multiple dynastic marriages) and the history might have well been dispensed with. Given that this is all about an Anne as proto-feminist with no real engagement with medieval culture, I couldn't help wondering why the book didn't just go with completely fictional characters.
Some of the faerie stuff is fun to read: the magic and sorcery, the (severely underused) unicorn, the drowned city of Keris, the Castle of Never-Was - but it jars with the medieval history that brings it all down with a bump. In this world of the book, two aristocratic sisters ruling the duchy of Brittany can basically just wander around by themselves with no ladies maids, castle guards etc. and enjoy privacy at a time when that concept didn't really exist. They also pick up and rescue an abandoned orphan who becomes their new best friend as if class distinctions that were such an important part of medieval social hierarchies have just been wiped away.
I guess I could have gone with the trampling over French history if I'd been enthralled by the story: while I did like it as a light read, the characters are one-dimensional and the writing is serviceable but without flair. Anne is beautiful, brilliant, sexy, charismatic and everyone falls over themselves in adoration of her - except the villains, especially Marguerite, who is cartoonish in her wickedness and wrong-doing - boo shucks that all her iniquitous plans are foiled by good Anne!
In the end, I *did* have some fun reading this though I had to switch off all my critical faculties and just go with some of the silliness. There's never a sense of urgency or anything really being at stake here: the goodies are clearly going to win out against the sorcerer and 'bad' Marguerite, while Anne tames a unicorn in a page and learns to wield magic and walk through shadows with a snap of her fingers.
In the end, I liked this enough as a lightweight, slightly silly holiday read but I'd expected something more substantial than that.
Many thanks to Random House, Cornerstone for an ARC via NetGalley - and to the Dunnetteers buddy readers for all your usual erudition, snark and humour!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC!
🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
Katherine Arden's intricately crafted, atmospheric novel 'The Unicorn Hunters' examines the life of Anne of Brittany through the lens of fantasy...and isn't really about a unicorn or a unicorn hunt. I read this because Katherine Arden is one of my favourite fantasy authors, and loved it for many reasons. However, if you're planning on reading this specifically for the unicorn, you'll probably end up disappointed.
I love how the blurb gives away almost nothing about what the book is really about. It's not about the unicorn. In fact, the titular unicorn hunt concluded at around the 20% mark, and it was the aftermath of the hunt that really kicked off the story. The only spoiler I'll give is that no harm comes to the unicorn in the story. She plays an important role in Anne's story, but doesn't have a lot of screen time (page time?). The fantasy aspect of the book focuses on...a certain other element of Breton folklore. At its heart, 'The Unicorn Hunters' is about Anne's desire to protect Brittany from the French, and the lengths to which she'll go to achieve that.
Anne is yet another addition to Katherine Arden's strong-willed and incredibly compelling female protagonists. Her willingness to save her people at the cost of entering a loveless marriage for the rest of her life was quite moving. She was never the damsel in distress. There was a lot of scheming and political maneuvering involved, which is something I always love to see. The side characters were also well-written. I loved Anne's relationship with her sister Isabeau and half-brother Henri. This is yet another book where cats have the ability to travel between worlds, and honestly, I can't complain about that! The way Arden embellished the story with historical details, atmosphere, and customs and traditions of the time period was another highlight for me. The characters didn't talk like 21st century Americans; the dialogue and the prose suited the setting. As much as I'd love to rave about the fantasy elements of this book, I'd recommend that you go in blind. Not knowing what turns the story would take after the unicorn hunt really made my experience better. I appreciate how beautifully balanced the fantasy and historical elements were. The plot in historical fantasy novels often tends to favor one genre over the other, which I didn't feel was the case here. The ending was entirely unexpected and deeply satisfying.
My only two (minor) complaints would be that the pacing dragged in some parts, and the two sex scenes were a bit too long. They read like something straight out of a romantasy when the rest of the book is absolutely not that.
Overall, I'd say that Katherine Arden's newest was worth the wait. Reading it felt like reading an old folktale, something nostalgic and refreshingly new at once. I'd highly recommend this to both fantasy and historical fiction lovers!
🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
Katherine Arden's intricately crafted, atmospheric novel 'The Unicorn Hunters' examines the life of Anne of Brittany through the lens of fantasy...and isn't really about a unicorn or a unicorn hunt. I read this because Katherine Arden is one of my favourite fantasy authors, and loved it for many reasons. However, if you're planning on reading this specifically for the unicorn, you'll probably end up disappointed.
I love how the blurb gives away almost nothing about what the book is really about. It's not about the unicorn. In fact, the titular unicorn hunt concluded at around the 20% mark, and it was the aftermath of the hunt that really kicked off the story. The only spoiler I'll give is that no harm comes to the unicorn in the story. She plays an important role in Anne's story, but doesn't have a lot of screen time (page time?). The fantasy aspect of the book focuses on...a certain other element of Breton folklore. At its heart, 'The Unicorn Hunters' is about Anne's desire to protect Brittany from the French, and the lengths to which she'll go to achieve that.
Anne is yet another addition to Katherine Arden's strong-willed and incredibly compelling female protagonists. Her willingness to save her people at the cost of entering a loveless marriage for the rest of her life was quite moving. She was never the damsel in distress. There was a lot of scheming and political maneuvering involved, which is something I always love to see. The side characters were also well-written. I loved Anne's relationship with her sister Isabeau and half-brother Henri. This is yet another book where cats have the ability to travel between worlds, and honestly, I can't complain about that! The way Arden embellished the story with historical details, atmosphere, and customs and traditions of the time period was another highlight for me. The characters didn't talk like 21st century Americans; the dialogue and the prose suited the setting. As much as I'd love to rave about the fantasy elements of this book, I'd recommend that you go in blind. Not knowing what turns the story would take after the unicorn hunt really made my experience better. I appreciate how beautifully balanced the fantasy and historical elements were. The plot in historical fantasy novels often tends to favor one genre over the other, which I didn't feel was the case here. The ending was entirely unexpected and deeply satisfying.
My only two (minor) complaints would be that the pacing dragged in some parts, and the two sex scenes were a bit too long. They read like something straight out of a romantasy when the rest of the book is absolutely not that.
Overall, I'd say that Katherine Arden's newest was worth the wait. Reading it felt like reading an old folktale, something nostalgic and refreshingly new at once. I'd highly recommend this to both fantasy and historical fiction lovers!
June 11, 2026
There's no question, Arden's latest novel The Unicorn Hunters (TUH) is beautifully written--her prose is always stellar. And Anne, our protagonist, is a well developed, strong, clever character whom I think most readers will enjoy. I loved her. But readers should be warned not to expect anything like the Winternight Trilogy. I wish someone had warned me. TUH is more like historical fiction, only the history has been reimagined nearly completely. The fantastical bits are few and far between. Yes, there is a unicorn hunt, but I almost feel like the title was manipulative as it is over nearly as soon as it starts. The most interesting fantastical element is a deep, dark forest known for its odd, paranormal, supernatural vibe. All of that said, if I had expected historical fiction reimagined, I probably would not be feeling let down. If this were the first book I had ever read by Ms. Arden, I may even have loved it. This is the sort of book you can give to all of your friends and relatives who have proclaimed that they don't read fantasy. It might serve as a gateway into the genre.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Me : I have many arcs to read… I will wait closer to release date.
Also me : I CANNOT WAIT ANY LONGER
Huge thanks to NetGalley & Del Rey for this arc 😭 you have made me soooo happy 💗
Katherine Arden has done it again!
She has woven Historical Fiction into a dark fairytale - and even if I didn’t expect the story to be like that (nothing in the blurb made me believe the story would happen that way) I absolutely got swooped in and couldn’t put it down.
I’ve read almost every Katherine Arden’s novels so far (the only one left is the last book of her first trilogy) - and there’s one thing for certain… this woman can write strong female characters and I simply cannot get enough.
We follow Anne, the Duchess of Brittany in her many quests and ideas as to not be married & annexed to Charles of France. She is smart, witty & always sees the light… no matter how dark it gets.
Anne also has a little sister, Isabeau - who was as smart, but maybe more bold than her older sister (if that is to be believed!).
And then we follow my little diamond - Elesbed & her cat Butter. Oh they were everything to me! How many times did they save the day? Those quiet secondary characters really had all my heart. I wish we had more of her backstory and I would 100000% read a novel about her (also Butter!!).
The only tiny thing that hindered my reading experience had to do with the pacing. It sometimes moved very fast - while some other instances were unearthly slow. I could’ve done without the sex scenes but that is 100% a personal preference.
Now if you’re reading this for the unicorns - you might be disappointed ; because the journey was about more than the unicorn (even if I absolutely loved every chapters with the animal in it). I absolutely loved the ending & cannot wait to see what Katherine Arden comes up with next!
« She recognized this ferocity. She possessed it too. The fierceness of a woman protecting something. »
Also me : I CANNOT WAIT ANY LONGER
Huge thanks to NetGalley & Del Rey for this arc 😭 you have made me soooo happy 💗
Katherine Arden has done it again!
She has woven Historical Fiction into a dark fairytale - and even if I didn’t expect the story to be like that (nothing in the blurb made me believe the story would happen that way) I absolutely got swooped in and couldn’t put it down.
I’ve read almost every Katherine Arden’s novels so far (the only one left is the last book of her first trilogy) - and there’s one thing for certain… this woman can write strong female characters and I simply cannot get enough.
We follow Anne, the Duchess of Brittany in her many quests and ideas as to not be married & annexed to Charles of France. She is smart, witty & always sees the light… no matter how dark it gets.
Anne also has a little sister, Isabeau - who was as smart, but maybe more bold than her older sister (if that is to be believed!).
And then we follow my little diamond - Elesbed & her cat Butter. Oh they were everything to me! How many times did they save the day? Those quiet secondary characters really had all my heart. I wish we had more of her backstory and I would 100000% read a novel about her (also Butter!!).
The only tiny thing that hindered my reading experience had to do with the pacing. It sometimes moved very fast - while some other instances were unearthly slow. I could’ve done without the sex scenes but that is 100% a personal preference.
Now if you’re reading this for the unicorns - you might be disappointed ; because the journey was about more than the unicorn (even if I absolutely loved every chapters with the animal in it). I absolutely loved the ending & cannot wait to see what Katherine Arden comes up with next!
« She recognized this ferocity. She possessed it too. The fierceness of a woman protecting something. »
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Immersive with gorgeous prose and reminiscent of The Last Unicorn.
This takes the real history of Anne of Brittany, and takes it into the realm of fantasy during the vibrant time period between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
Anne, the duchess regnant of Brittany, is caught between marrying two Kings - one to take over her realm, the other to save her realm.
When a ploy to hunt a unicorn bears fruit, Anne must navigate court politics, sorcery, and shadows from the Lost Lands.
I adored how shrewd, clever, and practical Anne was. She clearly cares for her people, her land, and her younger sister (who was a delight).
Love was the same as trust for her; it was reserved for Isabeau and Hawiz and De Rieux and Calyx, for the people of her innermost circle. And passion? Passion was for ordinary flesh, not for a body that could be bartered and conquered and offered like territory.
There was spice! I was taken aback, agog, my sensibilities askew!
In all seriousness, I took my time with this book because the language was delectable and requires you to slow down.
Don’t expect unicorns to make many appearances. This is not a creature tale, but a reimagined story of resilience and stubbornness featuring a young woman undermined.
The story gets more and more magical and I actually think it is to its detriment. That is just a personal preference in terms of convenience, plotting, and pacing.
Arc gifted by Del Rey.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
This takes the real history of Anne of Brittany, and takes it into the realm of fantasy during the vibrant time period between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
Anne, the duchess regnant of Brittany, is caught between marrying two Kings - one to take over her realm, the other to save her realm.
When a ploy to hunt a unicorn bears fruit, Anne must navigate court politics, sorcery, and shadows from the Lost Lands.
I adored how shrewd, clever, and practical Anne was. She clearly cares for her people, her land, and her younger sister (who was a delight).
Love was the same as trust for her; it was reserved for Isabeau and Hawiz and De Rieux and Calyx, for the people of her innermost circle. And passion? Passion was for ordinary flesh, not for a body that could be bartered and conquered and offered like territory.
There was spice! I was taken aback, agog, my sensibilities askew!
In all seriousness, I took my time with this book because the language was delectable and requires you to slow down.
Don’t expect unicorns to make many appearances. This is not a creature tale, but a reimagined story of resilience and stubbornness featuring a young woman undermined.
The story gets more and more magical and I actually think it is to its detriment. That is just a personal preference in terms of convenience, plotting, and pacing.
Arc gifted by Del Rey.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
Currently Reading
October 21, 2025couldn't resist starting this last night... will any unicorns actually be hurt in this? please no 🙁
_________________
Thank you to Del Rey for the ARC.
_________________
Thank you to Del Rey for the ARC.
Read
April 11, 2026This novel is historical fantasy done well. I should say up front that many readers want their historical fantasy or historical romance to be modern Americans (I use that term deliberately) stuck in the past, with their 21st Century language and outlook held up as the epitome of qool. Which is fine! But it doesn't happen to be where my interests lie.
Here, Arden gives us a semblance of the medieval outlook excellently blended with magic, to create a stunning alternate history, focusing on Anne of Brittany. The story posits what her life would have been like if she had been able to avoid marrying King Charles of France.
Anne is a teenager raised to the idea that women in her postion must sacrifice themselves through their marriages to the benefit of their land. Anne does not want her lands to be absorbed by France, so she looks for another husband who might save Brittany. Using every skill and wit she has, within the limitations possible for women, and some magic from beyond the world we know, Anne finds a way to true power. And yep, the unicorn is absolutely necessary.
I really loved this book, reading it slowly to make it last. The women in it are strong individuals with passion and complexity (and delights, such as the fierce little maid with a cat named Butter) the men interesting, but do not overwhelm the story. I really appreciated the balance here--and look forward to rereading it. As well as eagerly anticipating her next!
July 24, 2026
It’s clear to see the early renaissance inspirations seeping into this story as it held a whimsy reminiscent of the Elizabethan faerie obsession (though technically set in a crossover period just before) - faerie courts, mysterious woodlands, political manoeuvrings, the kind of imagery you’d find on tapestries. At its core, this reads as a historical fiction tale; Arden’s writing style mimics a formal tone that reminds readers of older language, and you can tell the writing process was a careful crafting.
On the one hand, I loved the fantastical themes (wished for them to have started earlier, honestly), and alongside the political machinations it should have been an easy sell for me. But I think this ultimately felt a little too black-and-white for me. In Arden’s attempt to write a Duchess who is intelligent, bold, and kind, for me it read a straightforward tale where every other character either adored or underestimated her. Every scene was a chance to show how awfully clever she was. She could do no wrong. And so with that, every other character fell a bit flat, only there to serve the purpose of making Anne the jewel of the story. Which is fair, given Anne’s spotlight a clear intention. But as a reader relying heavily on an interest in characters, it lost some of its hook after a while.
Still, The Unicorn Hunters remains a story that pulls off the renaissance aesthetic wonderfully, and is a brilliant balance between historical court politics and whimsical fantasy. It’s a niche vibe, not for everyone, but could very well be a new favourite of many.
On the one hand, I loved the fantastical themes (wished for them to have started earlier, honestly), and alongside the political machinations it should have been an easy sell for me. But I think this ultimately felt a little too black-and-white for me. In Arden’s attempt to write a Duchess who is intelligent, bold, and kind, for me it read a straightforward tale where every other character either adored or underestimated her. Every scene was a chance to show how awfully clever she was. She could do no wrong. And so with that, every other character fell a bit flat, only there to serve the purpose of making Anne the jewel of the story. Which is fair, given Anne’s spotlight a clear intention. But as a reader relying heavily on an interest in characters, it lost some of its hook after a while.
Still, The Unicorn Hunters remains a story that pulls off the renaissance aesthetic wonderfully, and is a brilliant balance between historical court politics and whimsical fantasy. It’s a niche vibe, not for everyone, but could very well be a new favourite of many.
February 27, 2026
°˖➴
post-read : NO ONE WERE COUSINS.
pre-read : ANOTHER ARC ACCEPTED FOR AN ANTICIPATED RELEASE. I AM SPOILED ʚ₍ᐢ ›̥̥̥ ༝ ‹̥̥̥ ᐢ₎ɞ
post-read : NO ONE WERE COUSINS.
pre-read : ANOTHER ARC ACCEPTED FOR AN ANTICIPATED RELEASE. I AM SPOILED ʚ₍ᐢ ›̥̥̥ ༝ ‹̥̥̥ ᐢ₎ɞ
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I love that Arden looked at the heartbreakingly short life of the real Anne of Brittany and said : let's try that again but give the girl a unicorn.
There is something gentle and almost wondering about this story. Despite being set around real historical events with their respective real historical figures, which should have lent the story weight, instead this felt.. light. Gossamer. Almost like the old-timey fairytales that sprinkled it's pages. However, unlike, say, The Winternight Trilogy, I never felt there as much depth to this to sink into or immerse myself in — but nonetheless it left an impression. And it was still a delight to wander through the sun-dappled shallows.
The cast of THE UNICORN HUNTERS is (mostly!) filled with charming and likeable characters and top billing goes, of course, to Anne. She's quick-witted and clever and capable of mentally outmaneuvering almost anyone, and everyone, she faces. She's also incredibly self-sacrificing and honestly if I had to call someone to get me out of a jam, particularly one that was politically charged, she'd be my number one. But there are devils at work, too. Both those of the world of men — the King of France, his conniving sister — and those of the world beyond. And the latter? Woof. Arden does a great job of crafting her villain because each time they popped onto the page I wished increasingly worse horrors upon them.
In addition to the general wonderment and charm, we also had a lovely slowburn romance to balance out some of the evils. And spoiler alert : you might find yourself adding a new book boyfriend to ye ol' collection.
I do feel there was some issue with the pacing and occasionally abrupt scene switches but that aside I had a really good time in this new world by a much beloved author.
This story is an alt-historical fantasy complete with politics, magic and quests, lands lost to time and shadow, a host of strong women, and a cat named Butter. If any of that sounds appealing, I would definitely recommend.
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
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This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
There is something gentle and almost wondering about this story. Despite being set around real historical events with their respective real historical figures, which should have lent the story weight, instead this felt.. light. Gossamer. Almost like the old-timey fairytales that sprinkled it's pages. However, unlike, say, The Winternight Trilogy, I never felt there as much depth to this to sink into or immerse myself in — but nonetheless it left an impression. And it was still a delight to wander through the sun-dappled shallows.
The cast of THE UNICORN HUNTERS is (mostly!) filled with charming and likeable characters and top billing goes, of course, to Anne. She's quick-witted and clever and capable of mentally outmaneuvering almost anyone, and everyone, she faces. She's also incredibly self-sacrificing and honestly if I had to call someone to get me out of a jam, particularly one that was politically charged, she'd be my number one. But there are devils at work, too. Both those of the world of men — the King of France, his conniving sister — and those of the world beyond. And the latter? Woof. Arden does a great job of crafting her villain because each time they popped onto the page I wished increasingly worse horrors upon them.
In addition to the general wonderment and charm, we also had a lovely slowburn romance to balance out some of the evils. And spoiler alert : you might find yourself adding a new book boyfriend to ye ol' collection.
I do feel there was some issue with the pacing and occasionally abrupt scene switches but that aside I had a really good time in this new world by a much beloved author.
This story is an alt-historical fantasy complete with politics, magic and quests, lands lost to time and shadow, a host of strong women, and a cat named Butter. If any of that sounds appealing, I would definitely recommend.
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
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This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
you're in her DMs marrying her by proxy, I'm wandering through the Lost Lands for her.
This book was absolutely everything my medieval romance (little r, not to be confused with the modern Romance genre) loving heart ever wanted. Katherine Arden has written a beautifully imagined historical fantasy novel that leans heavily on fairytales and myths, but even moreso on the courtly politics of the era.
First things first I adore Katherine Arden and her rich writing, and I have since I first cracked open The Bear and the Nightingale. But I will note, this wouldn't be the Arden book I recommend to a new fantasy reader. That honor goes to The Bear and The Nightingale, which feels much more of a coming of age fantasy tale, though it leans on the same historical fantasy mixed with myth trademarks.
But I got something different from this story...something that is so hard to describe but...that I've rarely felt. I haven't read many books that made me feel like I did here. Like I had actually stepped back in time, into an older world that - frankly - doesn't exist. It somehow felt like a combination of Under the Starlit Tide and Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell somehow? And yet the feeling that I'm most captivated by is of looking at those medieval figures so flat and alien in a tapestry and seeing them as something fully rounded and real. I'm obsessed.
This story is about Anne of Brittany, a duchess determined to maintain her independence from France. Of course, this is a reimagining of history, and it naturally affords Anne choices that perhaps she wouldn't have had. But I think that's the beauty of the story.
Arden perfectly captures the feelings that a good sovereign would have toward her people: the necessary sacrifices, the impossibility of personal happiness, the responsibility and privilege combined.
Anne is an exceptional character - truly one of Arden's best.
The impossibility of it shook her, but it was her whole life's work to take impossibilities and act to make them real. To decide. To rule.
Louis of Orleans...where do we start. The knight of my dreams. The girls want more devoted knights. The girls want Louis of Orleans. The girls need a man with a sword ready to do battle for his lady.
He was shaken by his heart's own triumphant beating as it overbore, at last and forever, his head
Anyway...off to...convince myself I can pick up any other book now.
This book was absolutely everything my medieval romance (little r, not to be confused with the modern Romance genre) loving heart ever wanted. Katherine Arden has written a beautifully imagined historical fantasy novel that leans heavily on fairytales and myths, but even moreso on the courtly politics of the era.
First things first I adore Katherine Arden and her rich writing, and I have since I first cracked open The Bear and the Nightingale. But I will note, this wouldn't be the Arden book I recommend to a new fantasy reader. That honor goes to The Bear and The Nightingale, which feels much more of a coming of age fantasy tale, though it leans on the same historical fantasy mixed with myth trademarks.
But I got something different from this story...something that is so hard to describe but...that I've rarely felt. I haven't read many books that made me feel like I did here. Like I had actually stepped back in time, into an older world that - frankly - doesn't exist. It somehow felt like a combination of Under the Starlit Tide and Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell somehow? And yet the feeling that I'm most captivated by is of looking at those medieval figures so flat and alien in a tapestry and seeing them as something fully rounded and real. I'm obsessed.
This story is about Anne of Brittany, a duchess determined to maintain her independence from France. Of course, this is a reimagining of history, and it naturally affords Anne choices that perhaps she wouldn't have had. But I think that's the beauty of the story.
Arden perfectly captures the feelings that a good sovereign would have toward her people: the necessary sacrifices, the impossibility of personal happiness, the responsibility and privilege combined.
Anne is an exceptional character - truly one of Arden's best.
The impossibility of it shook her, but it was her whole life's work to take impossibilities and act to make them real. To decide. To rule.
Louis of Orleans...where do we start. The knight of my dreams. The girls want more devoted knights. The girls want Louis of Orleans. The girls need a man with a sword ready to do battle for his lady.
He was shaken by his heart's own triumphant beating as it overbore, at last and forever, his head
Anyway...off to...convince myself I can pick up any other book now.
August 5, 2026
After loving The Bear and the Nightingale I knew I'll be reaching out for the next story published by this author. The Warm Hands of Ghosts received mixed reviews so I decided to skip it but when The Unicorn Hunters was announced I was instantly hooked. Even a negative review from Marquise couldn't stop me so when the book became available in my local library I've pounced on it and started reading it even before I returned home.
By the chapter 5 I knew I should have listened to Marquise.
What begins as a compelling political fantasy - Duchess Anne of Brittany trying to protect her realm from French annexation through a secret proxy marriage - quickly devolves into a structural mess. Once a unicorn and a mysterious forest stranger enter the equation, the political maneuvering is shoved aside amd suddenly we are stuck in a completely different book about exploring magic and fighting a surprise villain on top of resisting France influence. To make matters worse, that plotline wraps up abruptly with 50 pages left, switching to an unexpected side quest that neatly ties up loose ends and Anne's sudden lust for a man that is not her husband. Sprinkle it with completely jarring presence of an orphaned girl and her cat that was probably added to amp the cute factor but managed to look and feel forced the entire time and you get The Unicorn Hunters.
Don't expect a calculated, tactical heroine outwitting her enemies. Do expect a medieval protagonist packed with modern sensibilities who can simply will herself into mastering any skill instantly without an ounce of training.
HUGE disappointment.
By the chapter 5 I knew I should have listened to Marquise.
What begins as a compelling political fantasy - Duchess Anne of Brittany trying to protect her realm from French annexation through a secret proxy marriage - quickly devolves into a structural mess. Once a unicorn and a mysterious forest stranger enter the equation, the political maneuvering is shoved aside amd suddenly we are stuck in a completely different book about exploring magic and fighting a surprise villain on top of resisting France influence. To make matters worse, that plotline wraps up abruptly with 50 pages left, switching to an unexpected side quest that neatly ties up loose ends and Anne's sudden lust for a man that is not her husband. Sprinkle it with completely jarring presence of an orphaned girl and her cat that was probably added to amp the cute factor but managed to look and feel forced the entire time and you get The Unicorn Hunters.
Don't expect a calculated, tactical heroine outwitting her enemies. Do expect a medieval protagonist packed with modern sensibilities who can simply will herself into mastering any skill instantly without an ounce of training.
HUGE disappointment.
September 17, 2026
to read this book again for the first time would be a miracle i wished existed
June 2, 2026
‘the unicorn hunters’ was an incredible read from start to finish, full of well researched historical elements, an engaging plot, and a cast of complex characters.
the historical foundation clearly made this fantasy feel more believable rather than just using the historical setting as decoration. the level of detail and thought the author put into incorporating historical elements into this fantastical world truly made such a difference in my reading experience.
anne, our female protagonist, is a prime example of this. she’s not just some generic fantasy heroine, but someone rooted in real history. katherine arden’s afterword that explains how she created this character was so informative and made me love anne all the more. she’s resilient, thoughtful, kind, and brave!
the romance was yet another element I couldn’t get enough of. the tension and yearning between these two was electric and the amount of obstacles they overcame to be together speaks volumes to their level of commitment to each other. this wasn’t a case of “oh this person is attractive, let’s kiss, now we’re in love” but instead it was a love story that spanned years and many challenges.
katherine arden has proven yet again why she’s an auto-buy author for me, I can always count on her to write a well researched, compelling story.
thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey Publishing, and the author for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
the historical foundation clearly made this fantasy feel more believable rather than just using the historical setting as decoration. the level of detail and thought the author put into incorporating historical elements into this fantastical world truly made such a difference in my reading experience.
anne, our female protagonist, is a prime example of this. she’s not just some generic fantasy heroine, but someone rooted in real history. katherine arden’s afterword that explains how she created this character was so informative and made me love anne all the more. she’s resilient, thoughtful, kind, and brave!
the romance was yet another element I couldn’t get enough of. the tension and yearning between these two was electric and the amount of obstacles they overcame to be together speaks volumes to their level of commitment to each other. this wasn’t a case of “oh this person is attractive, let’s kiss, now we’re in love” but instead it was a love story that spanned years and many challenges.
katherine arden has proven yet again why she’s an auto-buy author for me, I can always count on her to write a well researched, compelling story.
thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey Publishing, and the author for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 11, 2026
Katherine Arden's Winternight trilogy remains my favourite fantasy series of all time. I fell in love with its atmospheric writing, immersive world-building, and the way it blended humour with genuine sorrow.
Many of those qualities can still be found in The Unicorn Hunters, but for me they lacked some of the depth and magic that made the Winternight books so special. The story felt more YA in tone, and while I enjoyed the journey and happily escaped into its historical fantasy setting, I couldn't help comparing it to Arden's earlier work. As a result, I finished the book wishing it had captivated me just a little more.
The Story: A clever young duchess fights to save Brittany from French conquest, only to find herself caught between history, magic, faerie legends, and the appearance of a real unicorn.
Many of those qualities can still be found in The Unicorn Hunters, but for me they lacked some of the depth and magic that made the Winternight books so special. The story felt more YA in tone, and while I enjoyed the journey and happily escaped into its historical fantasy setting, I couldn't help comparing it to Arden's earlier work. As a result, I finished the book wishing it had captivated me just a little more.
The Story: A clever young duchess fights to save Brittany from French conquest, only to find herself caught between history, magic, faerie legends, and the appearance of a real unicorn.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
5 stars. Oh my gosh I am SMITTEN with this book. Completely transportive, so rich in history and magic, and some of the loveliest storytelling I’ve ever read.
I’m trying to think of my favorite thing about this book and it’s just all of it. The political scheming, the atmosphere of 15th century France, the folklore tied into real historical events, the magic you can feel tinkling in the air, the found family, themes of sisterhood and loyalty, the dark sinister elements, and the ROMANTIC SUBPLOT THAT I WAS NOT EXPECTING?!?! Chef’s kiss. All of it.
I’m trying to think of my favorite thing about this book and it’s just all of it. The political scheming, the atmosphere of 15th century France, the folklore tied into real historical events, the magic you can feel tinkling in the air, the found family, themes of sisterhood and loyalty, the dark sinister elements, and the ROMANTIC SUBPLOT THAT I WAS NOT EXPECTING?!?! Chef’s kiss. All of it.
Want to Read
October 1, 2025I am beyond EXCITED for this one!!! NEED THIS ONE NEOWWWW!
July 15, 2026
Gosh, I love historical fantasy.
This was beautiful and whimsical and meaningful and exactly what I've come to expect from Katherine Arden. The most gorgeous, transportive prose that truly has the power to make you forget you're reading. This book particularly reminded me a bit of the Narnia books, with the unicorn hunt and the way the politics presented - something I'll always be cheerful about.
Anne was a lovely character, strong and intelligent, very easy to root for. Her relationship with her sister was definitely the strongest part of the book in my mind. I will admit to not knowing much about the original history this was based after, so I don't know how it holds up or what liberties were taken.
I will say... this was my least favorite Katherine Arden book I've read thus far. It was still four stars and I still really enjoyed it, but both The Bear and the Nightingale and The Warm Hands of Ghosts kind of rearranged my entire world and this just... didn't. Like I said, I enjoyed it but it felt more... derivative than the other books I've read from her.
This was also my most anticipated release of the year (kind of tied with The Knave and the Moon) so I'm willing to admit that's part of the let-down. I was hoping for a new favorite and that's not what happened.
So beautiful and whimsical and fascinating, but maybe not as much for me as Katherine Arden's other books.
This was beautiful and whimsical and meaningful and exactly what I've come to expect from Katherine Arden. The most gorgeous, transportive prose that truly has the power to make you forget you're reading. This book particularly reminded me a bit of the Narnia books, with the unicorn hunt and the way the politics presented - something I'll always be cheerful about.
Anne was a lovely character, strong and intelligent, very easy to root for. Her relationship with her sister was definitely the strongest part of the book in my mind. I will admit to not knowing much about the original history this was based after, so I don't know how it holds up or what liberties were taken.
I will say... this was my least favorite Katherine Arden book I've read thus far. It was still four stars and I still really enjoyed it, but both The Bear and the Nightingale and The Warm Hands of Ghosts kind of rearranged my entire world and this just... didn't. Like I said, I enjoyed it but it felt more... derivative than the other books I've read from her.
This was also my most anticipated release of the year (kind of tied with The Knave and the Moon) so I'm willing to admit that's part of the let-down. I was hoping for a new favorite and that's not what happened.
So beautiful and whimsical and fascinating, but maybe not as much for me as Katherine Arden's other books.
July 1, 2026
But the brave do not tolerate bondage forever. And it is the work of a whole nation to save itself.”
This historical fantasy has Anne of Brittany as its protagonist. It is 1490, and like most royal women of her time, Anne is promised in marriage. Not yet twenty, she is lively, has sparkling wit, and remarkable intelligence.
In 1488, when her father, Francis II, Duke of Brittany, was defeated by the French, a treaty was signed giving the French King the right to arrange the marriages of Francis’s heirs, thus paving the way for Anne’s pending marriage to Charles VIII. When Francis dies, Anne inherits the duchy. She wishes, as her father did, to maintain Brittany’s sovereignty. Plucky girl that she is, she contrives to arrange a proxy marriage to Maximilian I of Austria to get out of the prearranged marriage and save Brittany from annexation.
From here, Katherine Arden embroiders the historical details with imagination and fantastical elements. This is a book for anyone who likes strong female characters. It will help if you also enjoy fantasy, but it’s not required. Just the capacity for suspension of belief. After all, the tale is set in Brocéliande, a forest of legendary mystery (of Merlin and Morgan le Fay fame) and enchanted magic. In the time of this story, messages are sent through diviners. Some diviners interpret coded messages through cups of wine, others through various reflective surfaces. In Brocéliande, this magic doesn’t work at all. Anne uses the lure of a unicorn hunt to stall Charles’s emissary, all while completing the proxy marriage in Brocéliande, where it will remain secret from all diviners.
I enjoyed that Anne has a cooperative illegitimate half-brother, Henri, and a curious ten-year-old sister, Isabeau. Instead of conniving, back-stabbing siblings, these two are supportive, a breath of fresh air. There is court intrigue, however, in the form of Charles’s sister, Marguerite, who comes to rush up the marriage.
The unicorn is a symbol of purity and grace, which can only be captured by a maiden. In this story, the unicorn traverses the borders of the mortal world and the “Lost Lands,” a mystical place that has swallowed an entire city, and where korrigans (tricksters and shapeshifters) live. Anne has called for a unicorn hunt, not fully believing the creature still exists as it did in the old legends. Wearing a white gown and riding a white horse, Anne offers herself as bait, thinking only of what is necessary to save her kingdom. As a sign of status, the hunters want to kill the unicorn, show off its hide, and its horn.
For a breath, it was just they two, alone in that clearing, standing startled under the light of the same gray day. Anne knew in that moment that to kill the unicorn would be a monstrous and deadly sin, and that she had made a terrible mistake.
Equally plot and character-driven, the pacing is at times a little uneven. The plot was a little rambunctious for me, but this could be because I haven’t read fantasy in a while. I would have liked a little more development of secondary characters, particularly of Polhaim, Anne’s good-looking partner in the proxy marriage.
An arch villain increases suspense and raises the stakes. There are monsters and anaon (the unquiet dead). Those who have read Arden before will not be disappointed with her prose. It’s lush, and while not being overly descriptive, there are a few descriptive passages that I find particularly lovely. There is a love interest, which I will not spoil by naming.
I loved learning about the history and watching Arden turn it on its head. I enjoyed how Arden employed the idea that a community is needed to overthrow evil. I love how Anne of Brittany defies convention, and how her love interest doesn’t feel less manly by supporting her, by believing in her. Anne has a congenital deformity that affects her hip, giving her a limp, but she never lets the story of her disability become the predominant one. In this story, Anne embodies the strong feminine, for she is competent, strong-willed, and resilient, a well-loved leader.
3.75 stars rounded up
This historical fantasy has Anne of Brittany as its protagonist. It is 1490, and like most royal women of her time, Anne is promised in marriage. Not yet twenty, she is lively, has sparkling wit, and remarkable intelligence.
In 1488, when her father, Francis II, Duke of Brittany, was defeated by the French, a treaty was signed giving the French King the right to arrange the marriages of Francis’s heirs, thus paving the way for Anne’s pending marriage to Charles VIII. When Francis dies, Anne inherits the duchy. She wishes, as her father did, to maintain Brittany’s sovereignty. Plucky girl that she is, she contrives to arrange a proxy marriage to Maximilian I of Austria to get out of the prearranged marriage and save Brittany from annexation.
From here, Katherine Arden embroiders the historical details with imagination and fantastical elements. This is a book for anyone who likes strong female characters. It will help if you also enjoy fantasy, but it’s not required. Just the capacity for suspension of belief. After all, the tale is set in Brocéliande, a forest of legendary mystery (of Merlin and Morgan le Fay fame) and enchanted magic. In the time of this story, messages are sent through diviners. Some diviners interpret coded messages through cups of wine, others through various reflective surfaces. In Brocéliande, this magic doesn’t work at all. Anne uses the lure of a unicorn hunt to stall Charles’s emissary, all while completing the proxy marriage in Brocéliande, where it will remain secret from all diviners.
I enjoyed that Anne has a cooperative illegitimate half-brother, Henri, and a curious ten-year-old sister, Isabeau. Instead of conniving, back-stabbing siblings, these two are supportive, a breath of fresh air. There is court intrigue, however, in the form of Charles’s sister, Marguerite, who comes to rush up the marriage.
The unicorn is a symbol of purity and grace, which can only be captured by a maiden. In this story, the unicorn traverses the borders of the mortal world and the “Lost Lands,” a mystical place that has swallowed an entire city, and where korrigans (tricksters and shapeshifters) live. Anne has called for a unicorn hunt, not fully believing the creature still exists as it did in the old legends. Wearing a white gown and riding a white horse, Anne offers herself as bait, thinking only of what is necessary to save her kingdom. As a sign of status, the hunters want to kill the unicorn, show off its hide, and its horn.
For a breath, it was just they two, alone in that clearing, standing startled under the light of the same gray day. Anne knew in that moment that to kill the unicorn would be a monstrous and deadly sin, and that she had made a terrible mistake.
Equally plot and character-driven, the pacing is at times a little uneven. The plot was a little rambunctious for me, but this could be because I haven’t read fantasy in a while. I would have liked a little more development of secondary characters, particularly of Polhaim, Anne’s good-looking partner in the proxy marriage.
An arch villain increases suspense and raises the stakes. There are monsters and anaon (the unquiet dead). Those who have read Arden before will not be disappointed with her prose. It’s lush, and while not being overly descriptive, there are a few descriptive passages that I find particularly lovely. There is a love interest, which I will not spoil by naming.
I loved learning about the history and watching Arden turn it on its head. I enjoyed how Arden employed the idea that a community is needed to overthrow evil. I love how Anne of Brittany defies convention, and how her love interest doesn’t feel less manly by supporting her, by believing in her. Anne has a congenital deformity that affects her hip, giving her a limp, but she never lets the story of her disability become the predominant one. In this story, Anne embodies the strong feminine, for she is competent, strong-willed, and resilient, a well-loved leader.
3.75 stars rounded up
July 28, 2026
4.25. A staged unicorn hunt meant to distract from an arranged marriage leads to the discovery of a real unicorn and the magic that was long forgotten in this historical fantasy.
I love the concept of rewriting history and adding magic and whimsy to it. Anne was such a fun character, she was so tenacious and had such a positive attitude throughout the book. Arden’s writing is immersive and just beautiful making any story she writes an amazing experience to read. This was so fun!
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Katherine Arden, and Del Rey for providing this free E-ARC. This published on June 2nd. This is my honest review.
I love the concept of rewriting history and adding magic and whimsy to it. Anne was such a fun character, she was so tenacious and had such a positive attitude throughout the book. Arden’s writing is immersive and just beautiful making any story she writes an amazing experience to read. This was so fun!
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Katherine Arden, and Del Rey for providing this free E-ARC. This published on June 2nd. This is my honest review.
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