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kitsunesakura's review
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
aftanith's review
3.0
More mediocre fantasy from Stanton. In this one, Ari, Chase, and Lori have to deal with the consequences of taking the Scepter through the Gap. Because apparently that's a Thing That is Very Bad and upsets the balance of magic in the universe. And for some reason it means that Entia gets to issue Ari two challenges.
This is actually the last book in the series that I remember; as a matter of fact, I thought this was the last or second-to-last book in the series. I suppose that really goes to show how much I didn't enjoy the later books, since I've completely forgotten them over the past decade; though I won't be surprised if the memories come back to me as I read further.
Anyway, as I said, this is mediocre fantasy. So far the series is entirely episodic with no obvious plot goal. I'm halfway through the series, and I still have no idea what exactly Ari's goals are. Obviously, she's supposed to be overthrowing the Evil Sorcerer Entia, but there hasn't been a single hint toward how exactly she's supposed to be doing that. The series at the moment seems to be running on a sense of making things up as it goes along; each new book introduces some new, relatively unexplained thing for Ari to fetch, and it feels like the fantasy form of busy work. I'm really hoping a proper goal shows up within the next book or so, or else this is going to be incredibly boring as we get toward the end.
I can't say I recommend this, but nor do I strongly discourage anyone to read it. Young readers with a love of unicorns will likely enjoy it, and it's a good way to introduce the fantasy genre to children unfamiliar with it. Anyone over the age of ten or so, however, will likely find it juvenile and uninteresting.
This is actually the last book in the series that I remember; as a matter of fact, I thought this was the last or second-to-last book in the series. I suppose that really goes to show how much I didn't enjoy the later books, since I've completely forgotten them over the past decade; though I won't be surprised if the memories come back to me as I read further.
Anyway, as I said, this is mediocre fantasy. So far the series is entirely episodic with no obvious plot goal. I'm halfway through the series, and I still have no idea what exactly Ari's goals are. Obviously, she's supposed to be overthrowing the Evil Sorcerer Entia, but there hasn't been a single hint toward how exactly she's supposed to be doing that. The series at the moment seems to be running on a sense of making things up as it goes along; each new book introduces some new, relatively unexplained thing for Ari to fetch, and it feels like the fantasy form of busy work. I'm really hoping a proper goal shows up within the next book or so, or else this is going to be incredibly boring as we get toward the end.
I can't say I recommend this, but nor do I strongly discourage anyone to read it. Young readers with a love of unicorns will likely enjoy it, and it's a good way to introduce the fantasy genre to children unfamiliar with it. Anyone over the age of ten or so, however, will likely find it juvenile and uninteresting.
jljaina's review
4.0
*Review in Progress*
3 1/2 stars
Picks up immediately after book 3. With Dill, Basil and Lincoln having no idea what just happened to their Princess. Ari, Chase and Lori are back "home" at the farm and are trying to find a way back.
I found the scepter to be strange. It has personality but doesn't at other times it seems. We also get a new character intro! Lots of fire in this book (literally). I wish Toby was in this book more and there is a bit of a confusing timeline involving Lincoln that I still am a bit fuzzy on so I had to turn my logic side off and just enjoy.
3 1/2 stars
Picks up immediately after book 3. With Dill, Basil and Lincoln having no idea what just happened to their Princess. Ari, Chase and Lori are back "home" at the farm and are trying to find a way back.
I found the scepter to be strange. It has personality but doesn't at other times it seems. We also get a new character intro! Lots of fire in this book (literally). I wish Toby was in this book more and there is a bit of a confusing timeline involving Lincoln that I still am a bit fuzzy on so I had to turn my logic side off and just enjoy.
ktbergs's review
4.0
Bam. Four down, four to go, and this is definitely the best installment in the series so far. And now I'm going to take a short Unicorn intermission and read something for adults for a few days. Ari and Chase have to face the most thrilling leg of their journey up until this point - the trial by fire and the ordeal by moonlight - in order to restore the balance of magic. This book also brings in some new characters like Finn and the Scepter (who is hilarious and just so over everything). As always, there are lots of "well that was easy" moments but hey, when I was 9 I'm pretty sure I was fine with it. The day Arianna, Chase, Finn, and Rednal share at the beach is just the best - a calm before the storm (literally).
kesterbird's review
1.0
This isn't even the kind of terrible I will remember having read a week from now.
havoc's review
2.0
I received this series of books as a child through some program where they sent me one each month, and I remember enjoying them. I'm currently going through my bookshelves rereading books that I'm ready to pass on to new owners.
The story isn't too original, a magic kingdom at war with a lost princess as the heroine, but there's nothing really wrong with it, especially since it is for children.
There are worse books for a young reader, but there are also better. If you or your child is a horse lover, maybe give this series a try, if not, keep looking.
The story isn't too original, a magic kingdom at war with a lost princess as the heroine, but there's nothing really wrong with it, especially since it is for children.
There are worse books for a young reader, but there are also better. If you or your child is a horse lover, maybe give this series a try, if not, keep looking.
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