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ladyladyloveme's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-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? No
4.5
abomine's review
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
dandelionfluff's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this would be a collection of sweet, light tales about unicorns. Good thing they proved me wrong; I appreciated the darker side most of them took. Themes of deep sadness, purity, redemption. I didn't expect so much from a collection of unicorn tales. Very nice surprise, I do say.
ricksilva's review against another edition
5.0
Anthology of fantasy stories involving unicorns. In spite of a lot of similarities of theme and worldbuilding across these stories, I found this to be a really enjoyable collection.
There are strong themes of freedom, sacrifice, and faith throughout the collection.
Among my favorite stories were Bruce Coville's opening tale, "The Guardian of Memory", and Jessica Amanda Salmonson's "The Ugly Unicorn", which is the most distinctive story in the book, based on the unicorns of Chinese mythology.
I also really liked the lead character in Kathryn Lay's "The Healing Truth", which was a sort of reverse version of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf". The characters in Gail Kimberly's "The Child of Faerie" and the dialogue in Sean Stewart's "The New Girl" were some more highlights.
The theme is pretty consistent, and the tone is hopeful and uplifting, but with undercurrents of tragedy and loss.
There are strong themes of freedom, sacrifice, and faith throughout the collection.
Among my favorite stories were Bruce Coville's opening tale, "The Guardian of Memory", and Jessica Amanda Salmonson's "The Ugly Unicorn", which is the most distinctive story in the book, based on the unicorns of Chinese mythology.
I also really liked the lead character in Kathryn Lay's "The Healing Truth", which was a sort of reverse version of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf". The characters in Gail Kimberly's "The Child of Faerie" and the dialogue in Sean Stewart's "The New Girl" were some more highlights.
The theme is pretty consistent, and the tone is hopeful and uplifting, but with undercurrents of tragedy and loss.
lindsical's review against another edition
5.0
This collection of stories contains many of my favorite tales, legends, and lores about unicorns. Each and every story in this set rings of classic fairy tale material. When I'm in the mood for short stories, this book is usually what I turn to.
callen's review against another edition
4.0
a collection of unicorn stories that capture the imagination and first opened me up to coville's unicorn series
silene's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
An old favorite, this anthology had a huge impact on my concept of fantasy as a child. It was a delight to re-read. There are portions that could be improved, but, as a book for children, it proves compelling and memorable- even twenty years later.
snekmint's review against another edition
3.0
This little anthology is an apparently rare Scholastic book that was my own personal childhood copy from the 90s-- my city library has no record of it.
The illustrious and prolific Bruce Coville has compiled several short stories for kids from various authors (including himself and his wife) all featuring unicorns. All these stories quite literally feature unicorns, almost all of which speak, sparkle, show up mysteriously and travel between worlds. Almost all of the stories feature a young girl as the protagonist, though there is at least one featuring a boy, which, I did not notice as a child, makes it an outlier in unicorn pop culture.
Rereading this as a man skirting close to the horizon of 40 years old, it is not nearly as compelling as it was 22 years ago, and the stories are definitely short and sweet-- you can zip through each in less than ten minutes-- and only three of them ("Beyond the Fringe" by Gregory Maguire; "The Ugly Unicorn" by Jessica Amanda Salmonson; and "The New Girl" by Sean Stewart) are well-written enough that I was pleased to encounter them again. Interestingly, and revealing much about the mind of a 12-year-old, the three I like now are the three I didn't like very much as a kid. I recall them being a little too dark and moody with not enough unicorn in.
The level is certainly more geared for upper-elementary readers (8-11) than middle schoolers (11-13). I think I only asked for this book because I was on a fantasy kick at the time and there was a Scholastic book fair. The back cover says this book was only $4.50.
$4.50! It was truly a different time.
The illustrious and prolific Bruce Coville has compiled several short stories for kids from various authors (including himself and his wife) all featuring unicorns. All these stories quite literally feature unicorns, almost all of which speak, sparkle, show up mysteriously and travel between worlds. Almost all of the stories feature a young girl as the protagonist, though there is at least one featuring a boy, which, I did not notice as a child, makes it an outlier in unicorn pop culture.
Rereading this as a man skirting close to the horizon of 40 years old, it is not nearly as compelling as it was 22 years ago, and the stories are definitely short and sweet-- you can zip through each in less than ten minutes-- and only three of them ("Beyond the Fringe" by Gregory Maguire; "The Ugly Unicorn" by Jessica Amanda Salmonson; and "The New Girl" by Sean Stewart) are well-written enough that I was pleased to encounter them again. Interestingly, and revealing much about the mind of a 12-year-old, the three I like now are the three I didn't like very much as a kid. I recall them being a little too dark and moody with not enough unicorn in.
The level is certainly more geared for upper-elementary readers (8-11) than middle schoolers (11-13). I think I only asked for this book because I was on a fantasy kick at the time and there was a Scholastic book fair. The back cover says this book was only $4.50.
$4.50! It was truly a different time.
thebee's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book, just look at that cover aint it just the dream