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pseudopod's review
I read this series many years ago as a kid, when I was very into magical creatures in general. I'm still finding the books to be very well written, with vivid characters and cultures.
This first book is the least interesting of the set. It's still a great, quick read, but mostly is setting up for the real meat of the story arc. It does have some very vivid moments, particularly the twists around the climax.
I definitely recommend the books if you're a fan of fantasy or xenofiction, and advise sticking with the series. The plot ramps up a lot in book 2.
This first book is the least interesting of the set. It's still a great, quick read, but mostly is setting up for the real meat of the story arc. It does have some very vivid moments, particularly the twists around the climax.
I definitely recommend the books if you're a fan of fantasy or xenofiction, and advise sticking with the series. The plot ramps up a lot in book 2.
annalisenak97's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting concept and good worldbuilding, but I had a hard time caring about some of the characters and the story. Jan and Tek are great characters but I didn't really understand the purpose of Dagg. The conflict was strong, and the twists at the end of the book were very good, but the story itself took a long time to build up. The whole thing reads in the tradition of Lord of the Rings, which is a tone that I like very much. We'll see how the other two books in this series hold up.
mel510's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
siavahda's review
4.0
A beautiful, unexpectedly mature and complex book; the Watership Down of unicorns. Pierce takes common tropes - a prophecy, a chosen one, an outcast people longing for their ancestral homeland - and uses them to examine difficult questions most middle-grade and YA authors flinch away from; racism, totalitarianism, prejudice, the meaning of loyalty and the complicated nature of family love. The writing style is simple and flows smoothly, making this a short and easy read for an older or more experienced reader, but the story and the questions it raises lingers after the book is closed. A truly gorgeous book and a joy to read.
rachelhelps's review against another edition
4.0
This is another genre fiction book that is out-of-print for some reason. It's YA fantasy, and I remembered enjoying it when I was a kid. Well it's still a great YA read! The book is about a tribe of unicorns. Along with the troubled unicorn prince (which basically makes any YA fantasy), there's a healthy dose of tribal religion and questioning adults. And it's the first in a trilogy! Both the Provo library and BYU library have a copy, and I recommend it. Come on! UNICORNS!
changelingreader_adrian's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sparky_lurkdragon's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia
mishasbooknook's review against another edition
5.0
I cannot overemphasize how much this book and the trilogy it is a part of blew my socks off when I initially read it. Unicorn fantasy??? Sign me up right now! Even decades later, this book and its trilogy is extremely strong and imaginative fantasy. It's just so well done. You might think "unicorn fantasy, more like horse girl fantasy amirite?" but let me tell you, the stakes could not have been higher. The action is extremely well conveyed and vividly described. When will Meredith Ann Pierce publish another book? I will D E V O U R it.
laughterbynight's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of those series that left a huge mark on my brain as a kid.
brenana's review against another edition
5.0
I thought this would read kinda childish based on the concept, but I was v pleasantly surprised by the use of language and some of the beautiful sentences. The plot was intriguing, the conflict exciting, and I am more than excited to read the rest of the series.