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Unicorns #2

by Vicki Blum

In our world Arica is a pretty normal girl, but in Bundelag she is half-fairy and friend to the magical unicorns. When she answers the unicorns' call for help, she finds that an angry young unicorn is helping the evil Raden take over the whole land... and is turning all the unicorns into stone! Can Arica save her friends? The sequel to Wish Upon a Unicorn, The Shadow Unicorn is Arica's second adventure in the magical realm of fairies, elves, trolls, and unicorns. With eleven gorgeous illustrations by David Bordeleau, this book is sure to enchant readers who love fantasy adventures.

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Middle Grade, Unicorns, Canada, Juvenile

124 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Vicki Blum lives in Calgary, Alberta, where she enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren.
As an elementary-school librarian, she loves working with books and doing workshops with young writers.
Her best-selling fantasy books about unicorns, are originally published by Scholastic Canada.

Reviews

[Christine Meunier · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the second book in the Unicorns series, the Shadow Unicorn finds young Arica once again travelling to the magical world of Bundelag. Haunted by the same dream she’s been having about a trapped grey horse, Arica just knows that the unicorns need her help. With a little bit of magical help from her grandmother, Arica is able to leave her normal life on earth and travel once again to Bundelag.

Read more at http://equus-blog.com/the-shadow-unic...

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shadow was apparently ominously named and is working with Raden to destroy the power of the unicorns. Turns out that the cycle of abuse affects unicorns too.

The Shadow Unicorn continues to flesh out the world-building of Bundelag by delving into the unicorn and fairy populations. We also learn more about the long-term effects of the war between North and South Bundelag, which helps to up the stakes of the plot.

Arica gets more agency in this installment and gets to show her courage as she sets out to save her beloved unicorns. The evils of capitalism get a cameo.

The concept of an "evil" unicorn is an interesting one and I would have liked to get more detail about Shadow and his perspective of the world.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[C. (Comment, never msg). · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm pleased to rejoin the heart-lifting unicorns and girl who loves them. Oddly, these read like hardship disproportionately featuring a kid, whose personality doesn't match a ten year-old’s. Except rudeness to a kindly elf, I liked this novel but Arica’s assistance was poorly planned. She felt it was time-sensitive but Grandma wasn't home when she set out. Why didn’t she phone ahead? Didn't they establish a contact mode in either realm? Instead of walking across country - again: bring pfiper repellent and plan a joint mission with Grandma! Arica and queen have the advantage of being child and Grandma on Earth. Consult her first.

Another matter is her Dad. Why create a situation in which no one remembers Bundelag after leaving except Arica; even born natives? Arica could obtain advice from her Dad before rushing into perilous scenarios. Better: bring him on a decently-organized mission! He should know the country! Why hinge on a disoriented, largely unprotected ten year-old? I was relieved that these events didn’t conclude in the predictably convenient manner I feared: Grandma finding out about the plight and suddenly setting everything to rights. We are treated to an infinitely more satisfying resolution than: 'Grandma would have solved everything if she'd known about the problem in the first place'. To the contrary, a twist had Grandma busy in battle, causing a reasonable situation in which she needed Arica to handle a separate dilemma.

I admire Vicki’s world construction best. Bundelag is memorable. The concept of a unicorn temporarily mistaken and mistreated as a horse on Earth, was a subject of vast emotional proportions. “The Shadow Unicorn” handled them sensitively, triumphantly, with a thunderous battle and magical eye. We reached the exciting fantasy heights I had hoped to find. I’m eager to see Arica’s Dad enter the next story.

[Twyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite part was when the unicorns got Shadow to join them again.The worst part was when Raden the evil one had Shadow on his side.my favorite character was Wish another unicorn.the worst character was Raden.Auryn 9yo

[epizkey]

Read this when I was 9 and just found it again. I vaguely remembered reading an awesome book about unicorns and it took me a week to figure out what one it was. TAH DAH. This is the first in a series I read, and recommend it to young readers!

[Dani Cree · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good starter fantasy novel for young kids. :)

[Liana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice! This unicorn series really starts to grow on you once you keep reading it. I absolutely love the faerie world.~