Scan barcode
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
The animated film was a core part of my childhood. It wasn't long ago I discovered it was based on a book. I wasn't disappointed on reading to see familiar lines, scenes and characters all the way through.
And while it's a lovely fairy tale, it's also self-referential, playful with the genre conventions and anachronistic. Though it seems to be set in a rural mediaeval country, one character references Hamlet, Rumplestilksin and a song about Bill Bailey. It doesn't fit, but it doesn't detract from the surreal story.
A unicorn, safe and sheltered in her woodland home, learns she is the last of her kind and sets out to search for her fellow mythical creatures. Capture, evil beings, new friends and danger all rear their heads at her and she is challenged to her core when she must choose her path - saving herself or saving the unicorns.
It's exciting and a world of wonder with harpies, giant bulls, talking butterflies and magic...
I love the characters that I remember from the film just as much in the book. The writing is excellent, the self preferential passages clever as somehow blending in easily with the mediaeval feel of the story. And it's characters you might not expect to speak them who do. We are treated to a description of what it means to be a true hero in a fairytale, what fairytale conventions are and learn that there is more to come because "a happy ending cannot come in the middle of a story." Cleverly constructed.
Thoroughly enjoyed wallowing in my childhood memories and this beautiful story. It's one I'll share with my son in a few years but also a treat for an adult remembering fairy tales of their own early years and those wanting a really good classical quest of a read.
And while it's a lovely fairy tale, it's also self-referential, playful with the genre conventions and anachronistic. Though it seems to be set in a rural mediaeval country, one character references Hamlet, Rumplestilksin and a song about Bill Bailey. It doesn't fit, but it doesn't detract from the surreal story.
A unicorn, safe and sheltered in her woodland home, learns she is the last of her kind and sets out to search for her fellow mythical creatures. Capture, evil beings, new friends and danger all rear their heads at her and she is challenged to her core when she must choose her path - saving herself or saving the unicorns.
It's exciting and a world of wonder with harpies, giant bulls, talking butterflies and magic...
I love the characters that I remember from the film just as much in the book. The writing is excellent, the self preferential passages clever as somehow blending in easily with the mediaeval feel of the story. And it's characters you might not expect to speak them who do. We are treated to a description of what it means to be a true hero in a fairytale, what fairytale conventions are and learn that there is more to come because "a happy ending cannot come in the middle of a story." Cleverly constructed.
Thoroughly enjoyed wallowing in my childhood memories and this beautiful story. It's one I'll share with my son in a few years but also a treat for an adult remembering fairy tales of their own early years and those wanting a really good classical quest of a read.
kinbote4zembla's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
chelsea_meadow's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
graventiv's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
shaunamovo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A very beautiful story. This is my second time reading this book. I found it interesting that this time I connected more with Molly Grue this time around. Probably because I'm a little older and a little more jaded.
I teared up when spring was returning to the land. A sign of unicorns!
I teared up when spring was returning to the land. A sign of unicorns!
calliopemusesbooks03's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad