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Skandar #1
Ο Σκάνταρ και ο Κλέφτης του Μονόκερου
ΤΟ ΝΗΣΙ ΠΕΡΙΜΕΝΕΙ…
Το μόνο που ήθελε στη ζωή του ο Σκάνταρ Σμιθ ήταν να γίνει αναβάτης μονόκερου. Να γίνει ένας από τους λίγους και εκλεκτούς που έχουν την τύχη να εκκολάψουν μονόκερο και να δεθούν μαζί του για πάντα· ονειρευόταν να εκπαιδευτούν μαζί, να δοξαστούν στους αγώνες. Να γίνει ήρωας.
Αλλά ενώ το όνειρο του Σκάνταρ μοιάζει να γίνεται πραγματικότητα, όλα παίρνουν μια απίστευτα επικίνδυνη τροπή. Ένας εχθρός, μυστηριώδης και απρόβλεπτος, έχει κλέψει τον πιο ισχυρό μονόκερο του Νησιού. Και καθώς η απειλή ολοένα μεγαλώνει, ο Σκάνταρ ανακαλύπτει ένα μυστικό ικανό να διαλύσει τον κόσμο του για πάντα.
Απρόσμενοι ήρωες, στοιχειακή μαγεία, εναέριες μάχες, αρχαία μυστικά, συναρπαστικοί αγώνες και άγριοι μονόκεροι: ετοιμαστείτε για τη νέα επική σειρά περιπέτειας που ξεκινά και θα σας απογειώσει.
Το μόνο που ήθελε στη ζωή του ο Σκάνταρ Σμιθ ήταν να γίνει αναβάτης μονόκερου. Να γίνει ένας από τους λίγους και εκλεκτούς που έχουν την τύχη να εκκολάψουν μονόκερο και να δεθούν μαζί του για πάντα· ονειρευόταν να εκπαιδευτούν μαζί, να δοξαστούν στους αγώνες. Να γίνει ήρωας.
Αλλά ενώ το όνειρο του Σκάνταρ μοιάζει να γίνεται πραγματικότητα, όλα παίρνουν μια απίστευτα επικίνδυνη τροπή. Ένας εχθρός, μυστηριώδης και απρόβλεπτος, έχει κλέψει τον πιο ισχυρό μονόκερο του Νησιού. Και καθώς η απειλή ολοένα μεγαλώνει, ο Σκάνταρ ανακαλύπτει ένα μυστικό ικανό να διαλύσει τον κόσμο του για πάντα.
Απρόσμενοι ήρωες, στοιχειακή μαγεία, εναέριες μάχες, αρχαία μυστικά, συναρπαστικοί αγώνες και άγριοι μονόκεροι: ετοιμαστείτε για τη νέα επική σειρά περιπέτειας που ξεκινά και θα σας απογειώσει.
464 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2022
911 people are currently reading
10438 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,600 reviews
February 19, 2023
In one line : My Little Pony with a Temper (sometimes)
I wanted to find out about this new series, wanted to know why the publishing industry would spend a six zero sum on this series and organised a worldwide-dozens-of-translations reveal. I wanted to find a new little gem, like Harry Potter was in its time.
And it is bad. It is really really bad. I tried to find a reason to give it 2 stars, and I couldn't. The first reason being : I was BORED TO DEATH. I cannot pinpoint one specific reason why it was so so boring, so I'm guessing it is a combination of all that is not working.
First thing you need to know is that the authour took Harry Potter, checked all the plotpoints that are making it work, and put them in her book.
Starting from her pseudonym, with initials, like J.K Rowling. BTW, let me remind you why Johann Great Supporter of Women took an initials pseudonym : because she thought boys wouldn't read a book written by a woman. Just like they wouldn't read a book that didn't have a boy hero. So you're getting absolutely the same thing here : an author that could pass for a man, a boy hero for a story that is basically a horse story, a genre that appeals mostly to girls. So they needed to "bring the boy readers".
Then you have the (half) horphan here, with no friends, who's being bullied, who discovers he is the Chosen One, who go to a remote school, where he dicovers magic that didn't exist in his previous life, he suddenly make friends at schools, and they are his BBF, the school has a similar system of separate homes (by type of magic, but it is terribly done. The HP House system is highly problematic but is so well done, you want to be part of it, even if it is problematic), you have the breaking into a high security place (my gosh, HS prisons are so overratted, aren't they ?), you have the vilain who has a special link to the hero, etc, etc.
It could work. Those elements form a very classical children books plot. Rowling invented nothing there. The difference is in the world building. Rowling's is spotless. I hate the woman, but still love the books. Steadman's world building is shallow. It is fragile (the unicorns, even the bonded one, are supposed to be wild, dangerous, bloodthisty, human-eaters. They are constantly dangerous : it is the main appeal of the book. It is entirely forgotten after, well,... 30% into the book ? There is even a moment where one of the unicorns, which are supposed to be ravenous carnivores, starts eating the grass like any boring horse. What you have instead are grumpy horses that can do magic. My Little Pony with a Temper).
And above all it is distasteful world. Ridiculous at best, but mostly distasful. Imagine a society entirely turned toward one goal, and the goal is... soccer. Not a side powerful entertainment, but the entire central point of your society.
The idea behind the book is that you have a society that has to keep in check a species of magical beings that eat human, cannot die, are zombies for eternity, and are the only thing in the world that can produce magic, making this society the only one in the world that can handle that super dangerous power, but every institution, every job created, everything you learn at school, has only one purpose : the dazzling World Cup of Unicorn Racing. To use another non-sporty analogy : imagine the medical world where the most revered surgeons would be cosmetics surgeons, because dang ! they are making the best boobs for Hollywood actresses. Heart surgeons, brain surgeons ? Nah : BOOBS for Hollywood. Shinny !
It's stupid, yeah. It also create a super-elitist society. You have the unicorn-bonded racers on one hand, and the plebe on the other. Which you would have also in a world of magic wielders against non-magic people. But here the goal of those elite, instead of power, or knowledge, or anything meaningful, is just the dazzling and shallow glamour of racing. Bleh. Since the vilain is dealing with real power and magic-hungry plebeian, it doesn't feel like they are in the same story at all.
Then it gets really sour. Because you have to have tension ! Traumatise children characters, and children readers (and create more school-phobia). You can get expel from the school of magic from not being good enough. Anf if you get expelled, you become a Nomad. Yeah. You don't become a none-racer but still useful magic member of society. Like you would in any other world. Noooo, you become a nobody, a wanderer, doing "things that are still interesting" (but you're basically told that no, that's a lie, Nomads are just ruined), marked forever as a Failure. Fuck that. I wouldn't want any kid of 9+ I know to read a story explaining to them that you have only two choices in life : the Top, or Utter Misery.
Last point : the characters are terribly written. Because she want's to make 5 books, one for evey scool year until here heroes are 18 (yeah, another HP checked box), the author chose to make her characters 13. Does she know that thirteen year old are angsty teenagers ? Has she ever met a teenager ? Her characters are childish and they weep for real all the time (writers : don't do that. Emotions in fiction are only powerful when used with parcimony : if your character weeps every time he is frustrated, the tears he will shed for the really painful situation at the end of the book -- no spoiler here, but you will guess it long before the end -- those tears will have NO IMPACT. He's already a cry-baby.). The characters will appeal to 9 years old. Maybe. But they will definitely annoy kids older than that.
6 zero advance contrat. Think about that. And it is not a so-so book. It is really bad. But it got a 6 zero advance. Because the publishing industry is 1) hungry for a new Harry Potter, 2) can't recognise a good writer anymore, 3) doesn't care to give children real good books, but formulatic ones that are "made to work".
I wanted to find out about this new series, wanted to know why the publishing industry would spend a six zero sum on this series and organised a worldwide-dozens-of-translations reveal. I wanted to find a new little gem, like Harry Potter was in its time.
And it is bad. It is really really bad. I tried to find a reason to give it 2 stars, and I couldn't. The first reason being : I was BORED TO DEATH. I cannot pinpoint one specific reason why it was so so boring, so I'm guessing it is a combination of all that is not working.
First thing you need to know is that the authour took Harry Potter, checked all the plotpoints that are making it work, and put them in her book.
Starting from her pseudonym, with initials, like J.K Rowling. BTW, let me remind you why Johann Great Supporter of Women took an initials pseudonym : because she thought boys wouldn't read a book written by a woman. Just like they wouldn't read a book that didn't have a boy hero. So you're getting absolutely the same thing here : an author that could pass for a man, a boy hero for a story that is basically a horse story, a genre that appeals mostly to girls. So they needed to "bring the boy readers".
Then you have the (half) horphan here, with no friends, who's being bullied, who discovers he is the Chosen One, who go to a remote school, where he dicovers magic that didn't exist in his previous life, he suddenly make friends at schools, and they are his BBF, the school has a similar system of separate homes (by type of magic, but it is terribly done. The HP House system is highly problematic but is so well done, you want to be part of it, even if it is problematic), you have the breaking into a high security place (my gosh, HS prisons are so overratted, aren't they ?), you have the vilain who has a special link to the hero, etc, etc.
It could work. Those elements form a very classical children books plot. Rowling invented nothing there. The difference is in the world building. Rowling's is spotless. I hate the woman, but still love the books. Steadman's world building is shallow. It is fragile (the unicorns, even the bonded one, are supposed to be wild, dangerous, bloodthisty, human-eaters. They are constantly dangerous : it is the main appeal of the book. It is entirely forgotten after, well,... 30% into the book ? There is even a moment where one of the unicorns, which are supposed to be ravenous carnivores, starts eating the grass like any boring horse. What you have instead are grumpy horses that can do magic. My Little Pony with a Temper).
And above all it is distasteful world. Ridiculous at best, but mostly distasful. Imagine a society entirely turned toward one goal, and the goal is... soccer. Not a side powerful entertainment, but the entire central point of your society.
The idea behind the book is that you have a society that has to keep in check a species of magical beings that eat human, cannot die, are zombies for eternity, and are the only thing in the world that can produce magic, making this society the only one in the world that can handle that super dangerous power, but every institution, every job created, everything you learn at school, has only one purpose : the dazzling World Cup of Unicorn Racing. To use another non-sporty analogy : imagine the medical world where the most revered surgeons would be cosmetics surgeons, because dang ! they are making the best boobs for Hollywood actresses. Heart surgeons, brain surgeons ? Nah : BOOBS for Hollywood. Shinny !
It's stupid, yeah. It also create a super-elitist society. You have the unicorn-bonded racers on one hand, and the plebe on the other. Which you would have also in a world of magic wielders against non-magic people. But here the goal of those elite, instead of power, or knowledge, or anything meaningful, is just the dazzling and shallow glamour of racing. Bleh. Since the vilain is dealing with real power and magic-hungry plebeian, it doesn't feel like they are in the same story at all.
Then it gets really sour. Because you have to have tension ! Traumatise children characters, and children readers (and create more school-phobia). You can get expel from the school of magic from not being good enough. Anf if you get expelled, you become a Nomad. Yeah. You don't become a none-racer but still useful magic member of society. Like you would in any other world. Noooo, you become a nobody, a wanderer, doing "things that are still interesting" (but you're basically told that no, that's a lie, Nomads are just ruined), marked forever as a Failure. Fuck that. I wouldn't want any kid of 9+ I know to read a story explaining to them that you have only two choices in life : the Top, or Utter Misery.
Last point : the characters are terribly written. Because she want's to make 5 books, one for evey scool year until here heroes are 18 (yeah, another HP checked box), the author chose to make her characters 13. Does she know that thirteen year old are angsty teenagers ? Has she ever met a teenager ? Her characters are childish and they weep for real all the time (writers : don't do that. Emotions in fiction are only powerful when used with parcimony : if your character weeps every time he is frustrated, the tears he will shed for the really painful situation at the end of the book -- no spoiler here, but you will guess it long before the end -- those tears will have NO IMPACT. He's already a cry-baby.). The characters will appeal to 9 years old. Maybe. But they will definitely annoy kids older than that.
6 zero advance contrat. Think about that. And it is not a so-so book. It is really bad. But it got a 6 zero advance. Because the publishing industry is 1) hungry for a new Harry Potter, 2) can't recognise a good writer anymore, 3) doesn't care to give children real good books, but formulatic ones that are "made to work".
September 13, 2025
SKANDAR AND THE UNICORN THIEF's fast-paced, action-packed world of unicorns is a fun read and ideal for fans of middle grade fantasy adventure, but its generic storyline may leave readers wanting.
Once in a blue moon a book comes along that completely blows the water in terms of hype. It gets all the marketing, all the publicity, all the shouty social media posts and flashy promotional campaigns. SKANDAR hit the ground running with just about a bajillion foreign market deals, Waterstones and Barnes and Noble salivating at its feet, a film deal, and the promise that this will be the next It book. But very rarely is a book worthy of this hype. Is SKANDAR worth it?
Well. Kind of.
In an alternate modern world, unicorns exist on the Island. Skandar Smith has always dreamed of being a unicorn rider, but when a mysterious villain by the name of the Weaver appears to steal the unicorns of bonded riders, it's up to Skandar to save the day.
SKANDAR has all the ingredients of a bestselling middle grade adventure. A out-of-his-element but unyielding hero in Skandar Smith, an outcast at his school in Margate that harbours a special something about him. A magical world not-so-separate from our own; the unicorns are not a trade secret to the world, born on an island presumably off the coast of England somewhere, that compete annually in a race called the Chaos Cup. Animal familiars, in the uniquely bloodthirsty unicorns that will not hesitate to rip you apart. A classic elemental magic system, with water, fire, earth and air, and an additional fifth, spirit. An adventure of friendship and fun and discovering yourself.
In this case, however, it's the rife clichés that let this book down. I love magic schools and Chosen Ones; they're my favourite tropes in books. But SKANDAR doesn't do anything new with them.
The aspect that unicorns aren't all happy-go-lucky, fart-rainbows thing, and that they are actually fearsome creatures, is a brilliant twist on unicorns, but it doesn't really go far enough. We don't get much in the way of unicorns' bloodthirsty-ness. We're told from the very beginning that unicorns are beasts of nature, terrifying, chaotic and volatile, but they mostly act as rather flat familiar creatures to the human characters.
Nothing about Scoundrel's Luck, Skandar's unicorn, would make me rethink my entire stance on unicorns. If you swapped the story with dragons nothing would change. I get it, it's a kid's book, but if there's nothing that makes me fear any of these supposedly violent creatures then you've lost a lot of the oomph that made them unique in the first place. Show us their power! Show us how scary they can be! The other unicorn characters also only had one-note personalities that made it difficult to distinguish one from another. Even the wild unicorns, unicorns that have not bonded to humans, didn't seem all that scary to me.
Skandar and Scoundrel bond, but it's entirely designed by fate, so you don't get that Hiccup and Toothless moment of understanding between them; Skandar and Scoundrel are suddenly one being, and that's it. It isn't earnt nor satisfying. Meanwhile the elemental magic system is about as standard as you can get, with characters wielding The Last Airbender-like elements to defeat their enemies. Even the shunned fifth element of spirit is by-the-numbers soul or heart or whatever you'd like to call it. If you've seen W.I.T.C.H., you know how magic here works.
The writing, as well, marks this as obviously a debut. Not the worst I've ever read, but there are plenty of instances of needlessly convoluted descriptions and cringey dialogue. Even aspects of the plot was incredibly convenient.
[IMG caption: Justin Timberlake SNL meme, AKA you're not slick lol.]
Like, come on. At least try to make it subtle???
It's a series, so there's plenty of time to explore the finer nuances, improve storytelling techniques and subvert my expectations, which I hope it does. Aside from these things I loved the world-building. Steadman does an amazing job drawing you into this world separate from our own, and yet wholly familiar. The Island, where the unicorns reside, has its own customs and rules and traditions, and unicorn culture is so fully integrated into life that it feels as real as if it were just down the road to me. The side characters are also sweet and have their own storylines, including a girl who has to deal with panic attacks.
SKANDAR on the whole is a lot of fun and I had a positive reading experience. It'll be interesting to see where Steadman takes Skandar and his friends next. This is the sort of world you can totally immerse yourself in and never think to look back, and that in itself is more magical than any unicorn.
Is it deserving of the hype?
No.
But kids are going to lap up SKANDAR AND THE UNICORN THIEF anyway.
WILL I READ ON? Yes.
ARC received from Simon and Schuster Children's Books in exchange for an honest review. This title releases on the 28th April 2022.
EDIT 11th JANUARY 2022: Included more elaboration.
LAST REVIEW
2: SKANDAR AND THE PHANTOM RIDER ★★★☆☆
3: SKANDAR AND THE CHAOS TRIALS ★★★☆☆
4: SKANDAR AND THE SKELETON CURSE ★★★☆☆
5: SKANDAR AND THE SPIRIT WAR ★★★★★
Once in a blue moon a book comes along that completely blows the water in terms of hype. It gets all the marketing, all the publicity, all the shouty social media posts and flashy promotional campaigns. SKANDAR hit the ground running with just about a bajillion foreign market deals, Waterstones and Barnes and Noble salivating at its feet, a film deal, and the promise that this will be the next It book. But very rarely is a book worthy of this hype. Is SKANDAR worth it?
Well. Kind of.
In an alternate modern world, unicorns exist on the Island. Skandar Smith has always dreamed of being a unicorn rider, but when a mysterious villain by the name of the Weaver appears to steal the unicorns of bonded riders, it's up to Skandar to save the day.
SKANDAR has all the ingredients of a bestselling middle grade adventure. A out-of-his-element but unyielding hero in Skandar Smith, an outcast at his school in Margate that harbours a special something about him. A magical world not-so-separate from our own; the unicorns are not a trade secret to the world, born on an island presumably off the coast of England somewhere, that compete annually in a race called the Chaos Cup. Animal familiars, in the uniquely bloodthirsty unicorns that will not hesitate to rip you apart. A classic elemental magic system, with water, fire, earth and air, and an additional fifth, spirit. An adventure of friendship and fun and discovering yourself.
In this case, however, it's the rife clichés that let this book down. I love magic schools and Chosen Ones; they're my favourite tropes in books. But SKANDAR doesn't do anything new with them.
The aspect that unicorns aren't all happy-go-lucky, fart-rainbows thing, and that they are actually fearsome creatures, is a brilliant twist on unicorns, but it doesn't really go far enough. We don't get much in the way of unicorns' bloodthirsty-ness. We're told from the very beginning that unicorns are beasts of nature, terrifying, chaotic and volatile, but they mostly act as rather flat familiar creatures to the human characters.
Nothing about Scoundrel's Luck, Skandar's unicorn, would make me rethink my entire stance on unicorns. If you swapped the story with dragons nothing would change. I get it, it's a kid's book, but if there's nothing that makes me fear any of these supposedly violent creatures then you've lost a lot of the oomph that made them unique in the first place. Show us their power! Show us how scary they can be! The other unicorn characters also only had one-note personalities that made it difficult to distinguish one from another. Even the wild unicorns, unicorns that have not bonded to humans, didn't seem all that scary to me.
Skandar and Scoundrel bond, but it's entirely designed by fate, so you don't get that Hiccup and Toothless moment of understanding between them; Skandar and Scoundrel are suddenly one being, and that's it. It isn't earnt nor satisfying. Meanwhile the elemental magic system is about as standard as you can get, with characters wielding The Last Airbender-like elements to defeat their enemies. Even the shunned fifth element of spirit is by-the-numbers soul or heart or whatever you'd like to call it. If you've seen W.I.T.C.H., you know how magic here works.
The writing, as well, marks this as obviously a debut. Not the worst I've ever read, but there are plenty of instances of needlessly convoluted descriptions and cringey dialogue. Even aspects of the plot was incredibly convenient.
Skandar: Please, sir! We need to find this magical place no one has known about for years!
Instructor: No! I forbid you from going to this exact location on the Island, where there is this magical place no one has known about for years!
[IMG caption: Justin Timberlake SNL meme, AKA you're not slick lol.]
Like, come on. At least try to make it subtle???
It's a series, so there's plenty of time to explore the finer nuances, improve storytelling techniques and subvert my expectations, which I hope it does. Aside from these things I loved the world-building. Steadman does an amazing job drawing you into this world separate from our own, and yet wholly familiar. The Island, where the unicorns reside, has its own customs and rules and traditions, and unicorn culture is so fully integrated into life that it feels as real as if it were just down the road to me. The side characters are also sweet and have their own storylines, including a girl who has to deal with panic attacks.
SKANDAR on the whole is a lot of fun and I had a positive reading experience. It'll be interesting to see where Steadman takes Skandar and his friends next. This is the sort of world you can totally immerse yourself in and never think to look back, and that in itself is more magical than any unicorn.
Is it deserving of the hype?
No.
But kids are going to lap up SKANDAR AND THE UNICORN THIEF anyway.
WILL I READ ON? Yes.
ARC received from Simon and Schuster Children's Books in exchange for an honest review. This title releases on the 28th April 2022.
EDIT 11th JANUARY 2022: Included more elaboration.
LAST REVIEW
2: SKANDAR AND THE PHANTOM RIDER ★★★☆☆
3: SKANDAR AND THE CHAOS TRIALS ★★★☆☆
4: SKANDAR AND THE SKELETON CURSE ★★★☆☆
5: SKANDAR AND THE SPIRIT WAR ★★★★★
November 13, 2021
Read this book twice in an attempt to see what everyone else could see.
It's another "Chosen one" story.
It's a boarding school - ok on an island with deadly unicorns, but massively lacking in pace changes and humour that other boarding school stories have.
The characterisation seemed poor, and so I couldn't get a grip on the main character. His sister was much more interesting.
And the unicorns "skittered" all the time. I didn't find them convincing either.
Sorry, but it just left me cold.
It's another "Chosen one" story.
It's a boarding school - ok on an island with deadly unicorns, but massively lacking in pace changes and humour that other boarding school stories have.
The characterisation seemed poor, and so I couldn't get a grip on the main character. His sister was much more interesting.
And the unicorns "skittered" all the time. I didn't find them convincing either.
Sorry, but it just left me cold.
June 16, 2022
It’s 2022 and how you gonna go around describing Black people like this??
Our skin is ‘black’???? News to me, girl. You see pitch BLACK when you look at me? Someone really after them diversity brownie points but couldn’t be arsed to do basic research. No excuse for this level of ignorance. And our hair? AFRO OF COURSE. When it’s not a CLOUD. No lie:
‘Her black cloud of hair was shot through’
‘A girl with a cloud-like black afro’
‘Flickered playfully against the black skin of his bald head’
Either take a seat and learn or get out of here and take your ignorance with you, girl. The whole thing is a goddam mess and belongs in the garbage. And that’s not even touching on the story and all the tropes you lifted from other books, but others have said that better. The racist descriptions hurt me most. Why you gotta do us dirty like this?
Our skin is ‘black’???? News to me, girl. You see pitch BLACK when you look at me? Someone really after them diversity brownie points but couldn’t be arsed to do basic research. No excuse for this level of ignorance. And our hair? AFRO OF COURSE. When it’s not a CLOUD. No lie:
‘Her black cloud of hair was shot through’
‘A girl with a cloud-like black afro’
‘Flickered playfully against the black skin of his bald head’
Either take a seat and learn or get out of here and take your ignorance with you, girl. The whole thing is a goddam mess and belongs in the garbage. And that’s not even touching on the story and all the tropes you lifted from other books, but others have said that better. The racist descriptions hurt me most. Why you gotta do us dirty like this?
December 26, 2021
disappointing. all this hype and the book turns out mediocre and a mashup of better reads. Not cool, publishing - not cool at all.
April 14, 2022
ARC copy
2.5 stars rounded down.
I had some high hopes for SKANDAR, excited at the prospect of reading a middle grade book about carnivorous unicorns (more accurately “alicorns” because they can fly) that had elemental powers. it was a little bit of a let down, and most of my disappointment came from the handling of the storytelling.
light spoilers
first, there is much too much going on at once with this book. there are several holes in key moments of the story that conveniently go unexplained... to save pages, i guess? (which is ironic, because this novel could be at least 30 pages shorter. debut novels just sometimes have way too many words.) over 20 people and unicorns die (recounted and in the BG) and its just okay! nothing to worry about. a powerful protective force is being picked apart at the seams by a single known enemy and everything is fine! go back to training, you have homework due this weekend. bah.
second, there are many high-stakes moments present throughout the story but there are NO consequences at all. as mentioned above, LOTS of people are dying. unicorns are being stolen. wild unicorns are a constant worry. not to mention theres the ever-present threat of being kicked out and becoming a “nomad” from their Unicorn Rider Training School, but its never a real threat to the main character or his companions. and its heavily emphasized.
im having trouble articulating this next thought, so bear with me, but my third gripe is the visualization. there is, simultaneously, a strong and weak emphasis on elemental segregation that relies on visual representation (element pins, color relevance, element.... libraries? etc. ) but none of it is really delved into and explored more. the 30 pages mentioned previously could have probably been better utilized to world building i guess.
lastly, it seems that this novel was written after a long analysis on popular books. it is unique in its concept, but old-hat in its execution. seems to me that Steadman studied what makes titles like Harry Potter, Hunger Games, and Avatar the Last Airbender so popular and decided to mash them all together in an ink and paper sandwich. the saying “if it aint broke, dont fix it” does not really apply to literature. you can always fix it. PLEASE fix it.
something i did like was Skandar’s friend group, and wish there was a little more of them and more details about the bonds between rider and unicorn.
2.5 stars rounded down.
I had some high hopes for SKANDAR, excited at the prospect of reading a middle grade book about carnivorous unicorns (more accurately “alicorns” because they can fly) that had elemental powers. it was a little bit of a let down, and most of my disappointment came from the handling of the storytelling.
light spoilers
first, there is much too much going on at once with this book. there are several holes in key moments of the story that conveniently go unexplained... to save pages, i guess? (which is ironic, because this novel could be at least 30 pages shorter. debut novels just sometimes have way too many words.) over 20 people and unicorns die (recounted and in the BG) and its just okay! nothing to worry about. a powerful protective force is being picked apart at the seams by a single known enemy and everything is fine! go back to training, you have homework due this weekend. bah.
second, there are many high-stakes moments present throughout the story but there are NO consequences at all. as mentioned above, LOTS of people are dying. unicorns are being stolen. wild unicorns are a constant worry. not to mention theres the ever-present threat of being kicked out and becoming a “nomad” from their Unicorn Rider Training School, but its never a real threat to the main character or his companions. and its heavily emphasized.
im having trouble articulating this next thought, so bear with me, but my third gripe is the visualization. there is, simultaneously, a strong and weak emphasis on elemental segregation that relies on visual representation (element pins, color relevance, element.... libraries? etc. ) but none of it is really delved into and explored more. the 30 pages mentioned previously could have probably been better utilized to world building i guess.
lastly, it seems that this novel was written after a long analysis on popular books. it is unique in its concept, but old-hat in its execution. seems to me that Steadman studied what makes titles like Harry Potter, Hunger Games, and Avatar the Last Airbender so popular and decided to mash them all together in an ink and paper sandwich. the saying “if it aint broke, dont fix it” does not really apply to literature. you can always fix it. PLEASE fix it.
something i did like was Skandar’s friend group, and wish there was a little more of them and more details about the bonds between rider and unicorn.
May 5, 2022
I don't remember a book that was as overhyped as this one. The result is mediocre at best. It uses the common template for success so it should work, right? The chosen one trope, forbidden magic, plot twists with long lost relatives... Yet it lacks the heart that bonds everything together and a stamp of individuality and uniqueness bound to a particular author. Writing very basic, world and character building flat and not very believable. Gives an impression of a Harry Potter or Percy Jackson wannabe, but without the charm, humour and wit.
If this book manages to make a kid happy, I say good for the kid and the author. But it left me... what is the word... disillusioned? It made me question what is the standard we have for books nowadays, and how we push manufactured hype rather than genuinely good and valuable book without a bat of an eye.
One more thing. I seem to be in a minority on this one, but I did not like the dark, twisted and bloodthirsty spin on unicorns. These archetypes of purity and goodness deserve better. Why do we have a need to tear down everything beautiful (rather than understand it) in order to make it "interesting"? Also the main character's unicorn is called "Scoundrel", short for "Scoundrel's luck". Imagine having a companion unicorn, bonded-for-life best friend whom you lovingly call "Scoundrel". No, just no.
If this book manages to make a kid happy, I say good for the kid and the author. But it left me... what is the word... disillusioned? It made me question what is the standard we have for books nowadays, and how we push manufactured hype rather than genuinely good and valuable book without a bat of an eye.
One more thing. I seem to be in a minority on this one, but I did not like the dark, twisted and bloodthirsty spin on unicorns. These archetypes of purity and goodness deserve better. Why do we have a need to tear down everything beautiful (rather than understand it) in order to make it "interesting"? Also the main character's unicorn is called "Scoundrel", short for "Scoundrel's luck". Imagine having a companion unicorn, bonded-for-life best friend whom you lovingly call "Scoundrel". No, just no.
April 14, 2022
Others have already said it better. SKANDAR is simultaneously buckets of fun and a stack of overhyped tropes in a trench coat.
Is it going to be a success? Totally. Because that's what happens when you throw millions of dollars + film deal at a book, then add a sprinkle of farting, bloodthirsty unicorns for good measure. And it does have that easy, classic MG voice that 100% feels evocative of JKR; Steadman definitely deserves those Percy Jackson/Potter comparisons.
The problem is that SKANDAR brings absolutely nothing new to the game. It's going to work because books like this always work. But below the super shiny veneer of unicorns (awesome) and secret schools (awesome), SKANDAR is also built on far flimsier worldbuilding than its predecessors. It's hard to call anything out without spoilers, but oh, man ... the CONVENIENCE of so many plot points. If you start to unpick, the whole thing unravels.
But I shan't unpick, because I have to keep the cynic chained up, and you know what? The kids will love it anyway.
Is it going to be a success? Totally. Because that's what happens when you throw millions of dollars + film deal at a book, then add a sprinkle of farting, bloodthirsty unicorns for good measure. And it does have that easy, classic MG voice that 100% feels evocative of JKR; Steadman definitely deserves those Percy Jackson/Potter comparisons.
The problem is that SKANDAR brings absolutely nothing new to the game. It's going to work because books like this always work. But below the super shiny veneer of unicorns (awesome) and secret schools (awesome), SKANDAR is also built on far flimsier worldbuilding than its predecessors. It's hard to call anything out without spoilers, but oh, man ... the CONVENIENCE of so many plot points. If you start to unpick, the whole thing unravels.
But I shan't unpick, because I have to keep the cynic chained up, and you know what? The kids will love it anyway.
April 21, 2022
ouch.
with the way this has been hyped i wanted to like it, but i honestly could not force myself. it was fine, but it was just full of poorly used tropes, underexplained or lazy lore and an overdone plot.
i will say i thought the friendships were well done.
overall, i just felt like there are better examples of the same thing.
2.5
with the way this has been hyped i wanted to like it, but i honestly could not force myself. it was fine, but it was just full of poorly used tropes, underexplained or lazy lore and an overdone plot.
i will say i thought the friendships were well done.
overall, i just felt like there are better examples of the same thing.
2.5
May 2, 2022
Oof this is so bad, DNF
May 23, 2022
When a book offers immortal, blood thirsty unicorns you really expect more.
April 25, 2022
DNF @75% mark
I was given this book by Simon and Schuster in exchange for an honest review.
Skandar and the Unicorn Thief is a mediocre middle grade book. It felt like it was trying to hard to compete with other books such as The Lighting Thief and HP and many others. The plot moved at such a snail's pace that I just could not pay attention to what was happening. It could have been 100 pages shorter and I would have been happy. The chosen one trope is something that is so overused in fiction and I'm sad that it's coming back so hard recently.
Skandar wasn't that interesting of a main character and every other character seemed very one dimensional. The best thing about this was the unicorns. They were horrifying and blood thirsty. There were moments that it was actually kind of gory for a middle school book. But overall I just never really jived with the book unfortunately. Now I know I'm not the audience that this book is geared towards and who knows? Maybe there will be a kid out there that absolutely loves this book!
I was given this book by Simon and Schuster in exchange for an honest review.
Skandar and the Unicorn Thief is a mediocre middle grade book. It felt like it was trying to hard to compete with other books such as The Lighting Thief and HP and many others. The plot moved at such a snail's pace that I just could not pay attention to what was happening. It could have been 100 pages shorter and I would have been happy. The chosen one trope is something that is so overused in fiction and I'm sad that it's coming back so hard recently.
Skandar wasn't that interesting of a main character and every other character seemed very one dimensional. The best thing about this was the unicorns. They were horrifying and blood thirsty. There were moments that it was actually kind of gory for a middle school book. But overall I just never really jived with the book unfortunately. Now I know I'm not the audience that this book is geared towards and who knows? Maybe there will be a kid out there that absolutely loves this book!
May 9, 2022
Magnifique produit marketing sans aucune âme. Tout est prévisible dès le premier chapitre et les personnages ont une personnalité calquée sur celles d'autres sagas... Bref, c'est totalement dispensable. Je n'aurais jamais dû prendre le stop-pile !!!
December 2, 2022
Edit: Honestly, it baffles me that this has gotten the Waterstones Children’s Book of the Year, when it is nothing but garbage. What does that have to say about the standards in modern YA/Children’s literature?
I picked this up on the promise of vicious, man-eating unicorns.
And?
Well, where are they?
It’s a shame because this book had a lot of promise but just didn’t deliver. Skandar felt like Steadman had gathered all the tropes from YA and Children’s books and mashed them up into this poorly paced, underdeveloped and overrated crap.
There was actually a scene that involved flatulence that made me put the book down and do something else for a little while. It was so… bizarre. I’ve never had to do that before - talk about ruining the immersion.
Skandar & the Unicorn Thief could do with putting aside the fart fetishes and make room for more world-building and a villain who has some remote form of dimension to them.
I picked this up on the promise of vicious, man-eating unicorns.
And?
Well, where are they?
It’s a shame because this book had a lot of promise but just didn’t deliver. Skandar felt like Steadman had gathered all the tropes from YA and Children’s books and mashed them up into this poorly paced, underdeveloped and overrated crap.
There was actually a scene that involved flatulence that made me put the book down and do something else for a little while. It was so… bizarre. I’ve never had to do that before - talk about ruining the immersion.
Skandar & the Unicorn Thief could do with putting aside the fart fetishes and make room for more world-building and a villain who has some remote form of dimension to them.
July 15, 2022
Honestly, I expected so much more from a book touted as the next Percy Jackson. Skandar isn’t bad, it’s just very bland. It has elements of pretty much every big series from there past decade (for me, the best comp title is Divergent, maybe with some Amari sprinkled in), but doesn’t really make any of it its own. Add to that an obvious twist—I correctly guessed the end before Skandar had even made it to the Island—and a thematically uncomfortable final showdown and you get a decidedly mediocre fantasy novel. Admittedly I’m beyond the age group of the intended audience, but I don’t see this being the next big thing that its publishers so obviously hope it is.
March 31, 2022
I wanted to love this more than I did but, unfortunately, it offers nothing new to the genre, instead recycling stale tropes and plot. Having said that, it was an enjoyable read for what it was.
June 7, 2022
Every year Skandar and his family tune in to watch the chase cup, where the fastest unicorn racers compete for absolute elemental supremacy. That is until the winner and most powerful unicorn, New Age Forest, is captured by a mysterious dark force. Horrified and intrigued, Skandar affirms his mission to become a rider and win the chase cup. But the weavers menacing grip on all competitors remains strong and Skandar must gain the confidence to speed past all obstacles If he is to win.
****************************🔥****************************
I really like the aesthetic look of the book, especially the foiled flames on the hardcover. However, although I found the concept of racing magical unicorns to be a very interesting and creative concept. “Skandar and the unicorn thief” follows a tirelessly generic premise which entails confusing concepts, little action, and boring training sequences. Steadman does a great job of providing details and there is a lot of imaginative ideas utilised such as the bonding ritual and the hatching door. I enjoyed the speedy introduction of the weaver as it injected some early action and interest. However, the idea of a poor, unknown protagonist who later realises they have a special gift which gives them the edge is an overused storyline. I would have much rather preferred that Skandar worked for the talents of his unicorn rather than having been gifted a “spirit element.”
The storyline has many unmistakable similarities with the plot of “Amari and the night brothers” including Skandar and Amari being bullied and growing up in poor neighbourhoods. Amari and Skandar both have a special gift that is noted as being evil and wicked in their respective fantasy worlds. Skandar and Amari both had a missing family member in the beginning of their stories. Skandar and Amari were both tricked by someone close to them in the finale. Skandar and Amari both had a bully in within their fantasy worlds putting them down. The villains in Skandar and Amari both stole a powerful item from their fantasy worlds!
The similarities were too many for it to be pure coincidence, and although I don’t mind writers taking inspiration from other stories. I just felt that in this case, there wasn’t a lot of originality regarding the storyline and characters. This was especially disappointing as despite this, “Amari and the night brothers” was still significantly more interesting and engaging.
Mitchell’s personality was incredibly obnoxious and confusing. He’s constant wailing and complaining about Skanadar being a sprit wielder makes him immediately unlikable and monotonous. However, he does become more bearable as the novel continues and Steadman gives reasons to his constant accusations. Despite this, his relationship with his father is concluded as cold and distant and I really didn’t understand his father’s purpose in the story.
The storyline becomes lethargic and confusing once Skandar hatches scoundrel, and his training commences. There are no races until close to the finale, no rules being explained about the game for the new riders. And the training sessions mostly all involve Skandar struggling to hide his spirit element. It would have been a lot better had there actually been structured trials and games that had to be carried out that would have tested the cadets as opposed to boring lessons. For example, Skandar and his friends must find their way out of a labyrinth or defeat a mythical monster using their powers to advance.
I also found it underwhelming that none of the “actual” chase cup riders have any major interactions with Skandar and his friends. It would have been better had they been assigned a mentor based on their elemental types to help them train. As the training continues, Skandar realises that his mentor is a spirit wielder, but not before he is captured and imprisoned. He then hatches a plan to release him alongside his friends.
The mysterious identity of the weaver was one of the only intrigues that kept me reading. However, finding out that it was Skandars mother was a random and unimpressive revelation. Especially, since her name is only mentioned in the finale and there was no possibility of guessing her as a prospect. Also, the element of surprise is removed completely when Mitchell accurately guesses Erika as the weaver. Also, her former positive family life with his sister and dad in the mainland is not entirely explained. Why did she leave Skandar and his family if she was happy at the mainland? And why try to destroy the chase cup instead of making your own race? Would have been better had she bonded to a wild unicorn after her own unicorn was killed. However, it takes over her mind and she transforms into the weaver. Skandar breaks the bond after defeating her and she ends up free.
Joby’s betrayal was an interesting occurrence, but he fails to cause any real problems for Skandar and his friends in the finale. Also, Joby and Amber’s dads’ fate is left undecided in the ending. Would have been better if Joby was working as a secret agent, pretending to be with the weaver and in the end, he sacrifices himself to defeat her. This could have included some heartfelt moments which the story lacked.
It would have been a good idea had there actually been an undercover training regime for spirit weavers happening at the in the circle unbeknownst to the professors. Skandar continues to attend secretly until he learns that they were planning a revolt, with the weaver as their leader. He then must make the difficult choice between choosing a side.
To conclude, Skandar and the unicorn thief doesn’t live up to the hype. Currently, there are too many publishers and agents trying to desperately cash in on the next Harry Potter. However, the result of this conundrum is a host of new middle-grade releases that are festered with predictable stories, repetitive personalities, and imitated tropes. There’s only a limited number of times you can rehash a good story before it loses its magic and intrigue.
All of which reduces the chance of books with creative and original stories being endorsed. And it would seem this would be the case with “Skandar and the unicorn thief”.
The story initially soars with potential and adventure but quickly crashes woefully through repetitive narrations, lacklustre moments and actionless antics. After some interesting first few chapters, Skandar and scoundrels’ journey as hatchlings stays sluggish as the narrative stays stuck in first gear. A stark contrast to the high octave and adrenaline fuelled races exhibited in the chase cup.
****************************🔥****************************
I really like the aesthetic look of the book, especially the foiled flames on the hardcover. However, although I found the concept of racing magical unicorns to be a very interesting and creative concept. “Skandar and the unicorn thief” follows a tirelessly generic premise which entails confusing concepts, little action, and boring training sequences. Steadman does a great job of providing details and there is a lot of imaginative ideas utilised such as the bonding ritual and the hatching door. I enjoyed the speedy introduction of the weaver as it injected some early action and interest. However, the idea of a poor, unknown protagonist who later realises they have a special gift which gives them the edge is an overused storyline. I would have much rather preferred that Skandar worked for the talents of his unicorn rather than having been gifted a “spirit element.”
The storyline has many unmistakable similarities with the plot of “Amari and the night brothers” including Skandar and Amari being bullied and growing up in poor neighbourhoods. Amari and Skandar both have a special gift that is noted as being evil and wicked in their respective fantasy worlds. Skandar and Amari both had a missing family member in the beginning of their stories. Skandar and Amari were both tricked by someone close to them in the finale. Skandar and Amari both had a bully in within their fantasy worlds putting them down. The villains in Skandar and Amari both stole a powerful item from their fantasy worlds!
The similarities were too many for it to be pure coincidence, and although I don’t mind writers taking inspiration from other stories. I just felt that in this case, there wasn’t a lot of originality regarding the storyline and characters. This was especially disappointing as despite this, “Amari and the night brothers” was still significantly more interesting and engaging.
Mitchell’s personality was incredibly obnoxious and confusing. He’s constant wailing and complaining about Skanadar being a sprit wielder makes him immediately unlikable and monotonous. However, he does become more bearable as the novel continues and Steadman gives reasons to his constant accusations. Despite this, his relationship with his father is concluded as cold and distant and I really didn’t understand his father’s purpose in the story.
The storyline becomes lethargic and confusing once Skandar hatches scoundrel, and his training commences. There are no races until close to the finale, no rules being explained about the game for the new riders. And the training sessions mostly all involve Skandar struggling to hide his spirit element. It would have been a lot better had there actually been structured trials and games that had to be carried out that would have tested the cadets as opposed to boring lessons. For example, Skandar and his friends must find their way out of a labyrinth or defeat a mythical monster using their powers to advance.
I also found it underwhelming that none of the “actual” chase cup riders have any major interactions with Skandar and his friends. It would have been better had they been assigned a mentor based on their elemental types to help them train. As the training continues, Skandar realises that his mentor is a spirit wielder, but not before he is captured and imprisoned. He then hatches a plan to release him alongside his friends.
The mysterious identity of the weaver was one of the only intrigues that kept me reading. However, finding out that it was Skandars mother was a random and unimpressive revelation. Especially, since her name is only mentioned in the finale and there was no possibility of guessing her as a prospect. Also, the element of surprise is removed completely when Mitchell accurately guesses Erika as the weaver. Also, her former positive family life with his sister and dad in the mainland is not entirely explained. Why did she leave Skandar and his family if she was happy at the mainland? And why try to destroy the chase cup instead of making your own race? Would have been better had she bonded to a wild unicorn after her own unicorn was killed. However, it takes over her mind and she transforms into the weaver. Skandar breaks the bond after defeating her and she ends up free.
Joby’s betrayal was an interesting occurrence, but he fails to cause any real problems for Skandar and his friends in the finale. Also, Joby and Amber’s dads’ fate is left undecided in the ending. Would have been better if Joby was working as a secret agent, pretending to be with the weaver and in the end, he sacrifices himself to defeat her. This could have included some heartfelt moments which the story lacked.
It would have been a good idea had there actually been an undercover training regime for spirit weavers happening at the in the circle unbeknownst to the professors. Skandar continues to attend secretly until he learns that they were planning a revolt, with the weaver as their leader. He then must make the difficult choice between choosing a side.
To conclude, Skandar and the unicorn thief doesn’t live up to the hype. Currently, there are too many publishers and agents trying to desperately cash in on the next Harry Potter. However, the result of this conundrum is a host of new middle-grade releases that are festered with predictable stories, repetitive personalities, and imitated tropes. There’s only a limited number of times you can rehash a good story before it loses its magic and intrigue.
All of which reduces the chance of books with creative and original stories being endorsed. And it would seem this would be the case with “Skandar and the unicorn thief”.
The story initially soars with potential and adventure but quickly crashes woefully through repetitive narrations, lacklustre moments and actionless antics. After some interesting first few chapters, Skandar and scoundrels’ journey as hatchlings stays sluggish as the narrative stays stuck in first gear. A stark contrast to the high octave and adrenaline fuelled races exhibited in the chase cup.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2022
This book had a lot of promise but it didn't quite deliver. It was like an adventure story that never went anywhere. It's also a very familiar premise and it felt like I'd read it before. The characters were solid, I enjoyed getting to know them. I'm glad I read it but I probably won't read more by this author.
April 19, 2022
I received an ARC of this and read it because magic + vicious unicorns = yes, please. The rest of the review is kinda spoilery, but the TLDR is that I had fun (despite plot holes and stuff that the target audience probably wouldn't notice or care about), and I think middle school kids will find things they can really explore and enjoy in the series.
April 20, 2022
Sadly i did not enjoy this as much as i would:(
May 28, 2022
DNF @ 51%
Wannabe next Harry Potter but without any of the charm or originality
Wannabe next Harry Potter but without any of the charm or originality
June 3, 2022
If you're going to entice me by comparing it to Percy Jackson, you better be ready for me to compare it to Percy Jackson. This is no where near as compelling, sadly. What was with the adults in this book? The complete lack of regard for human life? I kept waiting for the actual plot to pick up, and the conflict picks up in chapter 20, and there's 22 chapters. I also had some problems with the setting. I feel like this novel would have set itself apart by having its own world with its own rules. Really hard to believe modern day UK would totally come to accept a secretive island that poses a huge threat to the mainland as a whole, and would be super okay, seeing it as an honor even, with sending children to that island to bond with bloodthirsty beasts, or die trying.
Others have said it before me, but the recycled tropes are littered all throughout the book and nothing new is done with them. I was directed towards this book by a Barns and Noble employee who I'm now assuming had been told to try and sell as many copies of the book as possible. Saw him again after I finished it, and he asked how I liked it, and when I said it was okay but I kept picking things out I'd read before, but done better, he didn't seem surprised that was my opinion.
And my own nitpick- just because people in-universe address how strange his name is, doesn't mean it's not VERY distracting that among kids named Mitchell, Amber, and Bobby, there's a boy named Skandar. Who isn't brave, except when he is. Who isn't special, except when he is.
Like others I really wanted to like this book. I love unicorns, and seeing them as riding companions like many books do with dragons sounded right up my alley. But I wasn't impressed.
Others have said it before me, but the recycled tropes are littered all throughout the book and nothing new is done with them. I was directed towards this book by a Barns and Noble employee who I'm now assuming had been told to try and sell as many copies of the book as possible. Saw him again after I finished it, and he asked how I liked it, and when I said it was okay but I kept picking things out I'd read before, but done better, he didn't seem surprised that was my opinion.
And my own nitpick- just because people in-universe address how strange his name is, doesn't mean it's not VERY distracting that among kids named Mitchell, Amber, and Bobby, there's a boy named Skandar. Who isn't brave, except when he is. Who isn't special, except when he is.
Like others I really wanted to like this book. I love unicorns, and seeing them as riding companions like many books do with dragons sounded right up my alley. But I wasn't impressed.
May 17, 2022
quand tu veux lire un middle grade juste pour retourner en enfance lis skandar fr thats all you need
May 5, 2022
Skandar Smith vive in un mondo in cui l'esistenza degli unicorni (creature terribili, puzzolenti, cattive e aggressive) è stata svelata agli esseri umani, per questo il suo sogno è avere un unicorno tutto suo per competere nel Trofeo del Caos: una gara di corsa (anche aerea), in cui l'importante non è solo essere molto veloci ma anche manipolare gli elementi per mandare al tappeto gli avversari.
Il Trofeo del Caos è l'unico evento capace di riscuotere dal torpore della depressione il padre di Skandar, che non riesce a superare il lutto per la perdita della moglie. Per questo quando la competizione viene bruscamente interrotta dal rapimento dell'unicorno più potente al mondo da parte del malvagio Tessitore la famiglia di Skandar cade in un terrore unico.
Il precario equilibrio di casa Smith precipita definitivamente quando Skandar, in maniera apparentemente immotivata, viene escluso dalla possibilità di sostenere l'esame per diventare un rider di unicorni.
Skandar e il ladro di unicorni, oltre a essere un ottimo libro d'esordio è anche una buonissima a apertura per una trilogia. L'autrice, non si è limitata a una buona costruzione del worldbuilding e dei personaggi, ma ha inserito tanti colpi di scena veramente interessanti che concorrono a rendere il libro molto coinvolgente.
Il finale mi ha lasciata veramente senza parole.
Spero di poter leggere presto il seguito.
Il Trofeo del Caos è l'unico evento capace di riscuotere dal torpore della depressione il padre di Skandar, che non riesce a superare il lutto per la perdita della moglie. Per questo quando la competizione viene bruscamente interrotta dal rapimento dell'unicorno più potente al mondo da parte del malvagio Tessitore la famiglia di Skandar cade in un terrore unico.
Il precario equilibrio di casa Smith precipita definitivamente quando Skandar, in maniera apparentemente immotivata, viene escluso dalla possibilità di sostenere l'esame per diventare un rider di unicorni.
Skandar e il ladro di unicorni, oltre a essere un ottimo libro d'esordio è anche una buonissima a apertura per una trilogia. L'autrice, non si è limitata a una buona costruzione del worldbuilding e dei personaggi, ma ha inserito tanti colpi di scena veramente interessanti che concorrono a rendere il libro molto coinvolgente.
Il finale mi ha lasciata veramente senza parole.
Spero di poter leggere presto il seguito.
April 2, 2022
Was this groundbreaking? Not exactly.
Did it kind of read like thinly veiled Harry Potter fan-fiction trying not to be Harry Potter fan fiction? Sure.
Was it a whole lot of fun? Absolutely.
This may not have been the world shattering story I'd been led to believe it would be based on the publisher hype surrounding it but nevertheless, it was easy to read, strangely addictive and a lot of fun. It featured some lovely anxiety rep, interesting (albeit somewhat under developed) characters and friendships and twists that were predictable enough for older readers to feel like they're one step ahead of the characters but not spoilt and exciting enough for newer readers to potentially have their minds blow. It was sheer entertainment and that made up for its occasional lack of originality and development of the characters and world building.
Overall, this was a fun and entertaining read and one I'd happily recommend to younger readers or those looking for an easy and highly enjoyable read.
Did it kind of read like thinly veiled Harry Potter fan-fiction trying not to be Harry Potter fan fiction? Sure.
Was it a whole lot of fun? Absolutely.
This may not have been the world shattering story I'd been led to believe it would be based on the publisher hype surrounding it but nevertheless, it was easy to read, strangely addictive and a lot of fun. It featured some lovely anxiety rep, interesting (albeit somewhat under developed) characters and friendships and twists that were predictable enough for older readers to feel like they're one step ahead of the characters but not spoilt and exciting enough for newer readers to potentially have their minds blow. It was sheer entertainment and that made up for its occasional lack of originality and development of the characters and world building.
Overall, this was a fun and entertaining read and one I'd happily recommend to younger readers or those looking for an easy and highly enjoyable read.
March 30, 2022
Skandar and the Unicorn thief is the perfect middle grade read. Adventurous, magical, mystical fantasy land.
Full of unicorns and magic it’s got a recipe for success.
But, the over done chosen one storyline may leave readers feeling like this is just another knock off of, Percy Jackson or Harry Potter.
The characters are likable though the MC is confused with his much more likable sister.
This book could use a few doses more humor and as I can see a series on the horizon I hope that is found along the way.
Overall I think younger middle grade readers will enjoy this book and it is mostly worth the time to read it.
Full of unicorns and magic it’s got a recipe for success.
But, the over done chosen one storyline may leave readers feeling like this is just another knock off of, Percy Jackson or Harry Potter.
The characters are likable though the MC is confused with his much more likable sister.
This book could use a few doses more humor and as I can see a series on the horizon I hope that is found along the way.
Overall I think younger middle grade readers will enjoy this book and it is mostly worth the time to read it.
April 10, 2022
eARC Provided by Edelweiss. This book I think could have been a bit better. I enjoyed the idea and the plot, but I thought it was a bit vague and there were inconsistencies in the plot. I can't say if I recommend this, it is just based on your preference.
May 8, 2022
უფრო მეტის მოლოდინი მქონდა ((((
May 31, 2022
Man merkt, dass das hier ein Debütroman ist. Zu oft wird hier auf Klischees (Owen und Roy sind z.B. klischeehafte Mobber), unnötige Aussehensbeschreibungen (in der Szene, in der George eingeführt wird, ist seine Haut- und Haarfarbe genauso wichtig wie der Angriff, dem er ausgesetzt wird) und repetetive Formulierungen (am Anfang wechselten sich Phrasen wie "Der Kameramann fühlte/hörte/spürte die Einhörner, bevor er sie sehen könnte" mit Erklärungen ab, wie dies sein kann ab) zurückgegriffen. Stellenweise gibt es auch unnötigen Infodump und manche Informationen, die längst klar sind, werden unnötig oft erwähnt- nein, für die Handlung ist es nicht nötig, alle paar Seiten zu erwähnen, dass Kenna ihre Prüfung zu erwähnen!
February 2, 2022
7 out of 10
ревью на русском/review in russian
This is a story about an outcast who becomes outcastier, but undercover, only to shine and be reborn as a hero.
It reminds me of Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, How To Train Your Dragon, and Shadowhunters at the same time. But in a good way. I mean, yeah, this is the same old story about The One, but the new dressing with bloodthirsty unicorns makes it tasty. Plus when I liked dystopias, I didn't mind that the authors simply changed the names of the heroines and sent them along the same old path of rebellion and love geometry. So fans of the tropes used here will be delighted.
The writing style is captivating, the author plays with styles, giving the characters different voices and nuances. No purple prose and metaphors for the sake of metaphors, everything's simple and clear, but at the same time not primitive. Good sense of humor. The only thing that bothered me is that some moments aren't developed well. The meeting of two relatives after years of separation is like "Hey man, bye man". Maybe the next books will get more depth. Like it was with Harry Potter.
Here's a good set of children's problems (cold parents, loss of loved ones, bullying with root causes and consequences, stereotypical thinking, choosing the wrong profession because the elders said so) with a reliable representation of feelings and thoughts.
The weak motivation of the antagonist upset me, perhaps in the future the author will reveal more details, the Silver conspiracy, and even a war with the mainland, but here and now everything the main conflict seems far-fetched.
Yet the overall impression is positive. If you won't dig deep, recognizable stuff will touch the strings of your fantasy-loving soul and make you fall in love with the story.
There will be a movie as I heard. I'm in!
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