Silver Thread

The Unicorn's Secret #2

by Kathleen Duey

When her beloved Moonsilver, the unicorn, is nearly killed by a hunter's arrow, Heart sneaks back into her village to get help froth the healer, Ruth Oakes. But even greater danger awaits Heart and Moonsilver in Ash Grove. Rumors of Moonsilver's secret have reached the ears of the cruel Lord Dunraven. Once again Heart must flee, with Ruth's mysterious gift -- a silver thread -- to protect her and Moonsilver.

Genres: Fantasy, Unicorns, Childrens, Chapter Books, Horses, Fiction, Middle Grade

80 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2001

About the author

Kathleen Duey grew up in Colorado. She loved riding her horses, hiking, being in the mountains. Reading was always important to her. Writing became a fascination early in her life. In the fourth grade, Kathleen began writing stories and told everyone who would listen that she was going to be an author. Then she did nothing about it until she was 35 years old. Writing was her passion and her dream-come-true.

from: fantasticfiction.co.uk

Kathleen died of cardiac arrest at her home in Fallbrook, California. She was 69. She had struggled with dementia in her latter years which prevented her from completing her Skin Hunger trilogy.

https://web.archive.org/web/202101052...

Reviews

[Lady Tea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.6 / 5

Um...right. Well, I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I was a bit disappointed by this, in that I was expecting more. Like, if the first book was a set up for everything, all about poor Heart's peasant life and the workaday happenings of the town that made her life difficult, then surely this book's focus on running away with two unicorns should have more elements of fantasy in it, right?

Erm...wrong.

As it turns out, this book could well have been just an extension of book 1, and...not as much really happens here. For part of it, Heart is alone with the unicorns in the forest, and just avoiding being seen seems to be her primary objective. I was expecting, both by the title and by virtue of this being the second book in the series, that Heart would discover a pathway to a secret fantasy palace or something--surely more than just taking care of the unicorns!

Therefore, overall, while I did still find it sweet and very relaxing to get through (and it DID have a pretty good climax at the end, though not fantasy-level), because for a second book I felt like there should have been more to it, I'd classify this as overly simple, and am a bit confused about where the series intends to progress moving forward.

Only one way to find out, I suppose. Onward to book 3 to read!

[Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little bit of a stretch in some cases. Some of the events seem to be a stretch of luck (both good and bad) that are somewhat improbable.

Overall, still a enjoyable read, and now there is an antagonist to some degree. Thus the second book in The Unicorn Secret series is a worth-while read.

[Книжни Криле · Rating 5 out of 5]

„Тайната на еднорога“ е поредица от 8 илюстровани детски романа, които се четат на един дъх. Сюжетът разказва за малката Харт Авамир, сираче, отгледано от Саймън Прат – груб селянин, който я е открил преди години край реката. Харт няма никакви спомени преди този ден. При все, че е дал подслон на момичето, Саймън съвсем не е обичлива бащинска фигура. Харт е помощник, полезна работна ръка, но не и дъщеря. Отначало Саймън дори не е дал име на детето. Нарича я просто „момиче“, докато местната лечителка, Рут Оукс, не й дава име. Харт мечтае за семейство, да разбере кои са родителите й… Единственото, което знае за тях е, че преди да я оставят край реката те са я повили в красиво одеяло със избродирани сребърни еднорози. Уви, Саймън отдавна го е продал… Прочетете повече на "Книжни Криле": https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/202...

[Cathie Maud · Rating 4 out of 5]

I pegged this to be another one of those cheesy fantasy unicorn books written in a twee, saccharine manner; with the heroine's name being Heart, I was certain my assumptions were on the right path. I gave it a shot anyway because the cover pulled me in (yes, I know what you're thinking); thanks to that, I was surprised and pleased to discover a very simple yet thrilling and readable story. I plan to read all eight books in the series sometime... to myself and to my kiddies.

P.S. While we're on the subject of unicorn stories, this may be blasphemy to some, but I prefer this over the apparently famed (although *I'd* never heard of it...) Unicorns of Balinor series... I tried, and just couldn't with that.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review: These books are meant for a much younger audience but I am finding this series to be a fun, light and quick read. I picked this book up right after finishing with the first book in the series. I enjoyed the developments made in this story, we are set up with a more definite enemy but some mystery still surrounds Heart and the unicorns. While the idea of a girl living in a forest in a cave with winter coming isn't very believable it is still a great adventure that young unicorn fans will enjoy.

[Colleen Villasenor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book written especially for little girls who love unicorns and dream of one day finding one. That's what happens to the foundling Heart Avamir. In this book, her kindness both helps her and puts her and her unicorns in jeopardy. This series is a nice introduction to fantasy for beginning readers

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite part was when Heart get's to see Ruth Oaks again and Ruth gets to heal Moonsilver. Moonsilver got shot by a poison arrow, that's why it was hard for him to walk and that's why he needed to see Ruth. - 6 year old

[Josh Bizeau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read aloud with my daughter. Prose remains pleasant. Our young protagonist strikes out on her first bit of rising action-- an early test of her cunning, resolve and limitations in protecting Avamir and Moonsilver.

[Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Way under my reading level but nice for reading challenge numbers! There really is a lot of story in sparse number of words. I guess I'll keep reading little bites.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. Easy to read but so sweet!

[Lizzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nostalgic reread. Ah to live in a cave and forage for food and frolic with unicorns and a smart dog.

[Amy M · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Conan Tigard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Silver Thread is another fun and exciting chapter in the life of Heart Avamir and her two unicorns, Avamir and Moonsilver. With Moonsilver injured by a hunter's arrow, she must somehow transport him to Ruth Oakes to be healed. But with hunters look for the unicorn, and enemies around, Heart must make sure they are unseen.

The second book in the Unicorn's Secret Series is a great addition to the story set up in the first book, Moonsilver. The pace of the book is very fast and early chapter readers will zip through the book as they find themselves worrying about the welfare of Heart and the unicorns. The artwork by Omar Rayyan is wonderful and really adds to the story. I found this to be a really nice fantasy tale that can be enjoyed by all ages. Overall, The Silver Thread is a great story and I look forward to reading the next book in this series, The Silver Bracelet.

I rated this book an 8½ out of 10.

[Traci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, I read this one with my daughter and it made us pick up the next book immediately! The story line is intruiging enough to keep my interest and make my daughter talk about it all day at school! Read this one WITH your kids, you will both love the experience!

[Twyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moonsilver got hurt so Heart and the unicorns went to get help from Ruth.Ruth gave them a silver thread and said it would protect her and the unicorns.and she has a dog named Kip
Auryn 7yo

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

We had to wait a long time for this one to be available at the library. The girls read about half to me and I read about half to them. They didn't like this one as much because they just wanted me to read it all to them so there was a bit of complaining

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful for children fascinated by unicorns with an original plot that is not repetitive as are some series of children's early chapter books.

[Bonnijean Marley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short chapter book is the second in an interesting series.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book a long time ago. Heart`s unicorn almost gets killed by hunters so Heart gets help from her friend Ruth. Moonsilver finds a silver thread and then........

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book in the whole world of worlds!!!

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The middle was a little sad, but it was a really good book. This was a good unicorn book.
(9 year old book geek)

[kassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magical and entertaining story.

[R1 Ireland · Rating 5 out of 5]

my favorite book in this series is this one. :) though I'm not very fond of books with humans as the main characters, this one was intense.

[Nevaeh · Rating 4 out of 5]

intresting and a bit tence near the end