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kaziaroo's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Fairy tales aren't really my thing, but this one grew on me as it went on. It has a very wistful, meditative mood which I almost wish I could hold in a bottle to go back to whenever. The atmosphere and visual descriptions, especially of the weather and unicorn, were beautiful and I could visualise it all clearly as if it was in front of me.
At the start, I didn't much like the nonsense rhymes, riddles and silly characters, and I didn't quite feel like I "got" it. But as the book went on and the main characters became more familiar, I enjoyed it a lot more and could appreciate the messages of the story and each character's growth. I love the idea of the unicorn, this perfect creature that lives in blissful blandness, maintaining an idyllic forest yet knowing that nothing is as beautiful as itself, but then being confronted and diluted by humanity with its sharp edges and bitter tastes. On the flipside, we see the humans' different reactions to meeting the unicorn and what that tells us about themselves. It's not quite my favourite, but it's a lovely if bittersweet book which I'm sure I'll revisit and will find fresh richness in upon rereading – and maybe I'll understand it a bit more then too.
At the start, I didn't much like the nonsense rhymes, riddles and silly characters, and I didn't quite feel like I "got" it. But as the book went on and the main characters became more familiar, I enjoyed it a lot more and could appreciate the messages of the story and each character's growth. I love the idea of the unicorn, this perfect creature that lives in blissful blandness, maintaining an idyllic forest yet knowing that nothing is as beautiful as itself, but then being confronted and diluted by humanity with its sharp edges and bitter tastes. On the flipside, we see the humans' different reactions to meeting the unicorn and what that tells us about themselves. It's not quite my favourite, but it's a lovely if bittersweet book which I'm sure I'll revisit and will find fresh richness in upon rereading – and maybe I'll understand it a bit more then too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty
Moderate: Grief and Blood
Minor: Animal death and Murder
monicalaurette's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
“I did not know that I was so empty, to be so full.”
As many young children, I once had a large unicorn phase. If we’re being honest I still love unicorns. As this young child in this phase, my aunt introduced me to the cartoon movie The Last Unicorn. I've even done my first cosplay as Molly Grue! However, only about two years ago did I realize that it was based off of a book. So of course I had to purchase it and read it.
Since I love the movie and have seen it so often, I was able to essentially replay the whole movie in my head as I was reading. The scenes & plotlines of the story that were not able to be included in the movie I very much enjoyed and now want a new adaptation that can include those. The curse was so interesting and the backstory of the skeleton & guards was fascinating.
“And the brightness answered her with a bellow like the sound of ice breaking up in the spring.”
The only thing in this book that I didn’t like as much in the movie was Prince Lir, he seemed just annoying and spoiled in this book while in the movie he was more of like a himbo just wanting the pretty girl to say hello to him.
But besides that, I loved it. So much that I’m debating having either a 4.75 or 5 star rating. Each time I think of the book I switch it. All I want to do now is watch the movie and spruce up my Molly cosplay so that it looks better the next time that I go to wear it. But, off to get my copy of the book to my aunt & cousin because they love the movie too and didn’t realize it was based off a book either. Time to spread the love!
“I wonder if any man before us ever thought his time a good time for unicorns.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Confinement, Death, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Violence and Emotional abuse
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