Skandar and the Unicorn Thief: The international, award-winning hit, and the biggest fantasy adventure series since Harry Potter (Volume 1)
£4.30£7.60 (-43%)
WATERSTONES CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022
WINNER OF THE INDIE BOOK AWARDS 2023!
‘Steadman has a vast imagination, her world-building is a joy, the battle scenes are thrilling and her characters charm.’ – The Times Children’s Book of the Week
‘Pacy, enthralling and epic, a gripping read.’ – Louie Stowell, author of Loki and Otherland
‘A dazzling feat of imagination. I loved every breathless moment of it!’ – Cat Doyle, author of The Storm Keeper’s Island and co-author of Twin Crowns
‘The best book I’ve ever read.’ – Patrick, age 10
Thirteen-year-old Skandar Smith has only ever wanted to be a unicorn rider. To be one of the lucky few selected to hatch a unicorn. To bond with it for life; to train together and race for glory; to be a hero.
But just as Skandar’s dream is about to come true, things start to take a more dangerous turn than he could ever have imagined. A dark and twisted enemy has stolen the Island’s most powerful unicorn – and as the threat grows ever closer, Skandar discovers a secret that could blow apart his world forever . . .
Get ready for unlikely HEROES, elemental MAGIC, sky battles, ancient secrets, nail-biting races and FEROCIOUS UNICORNS, in this EPIC ADVENTURE series that will have your heart soaring.
THE EPIC ADVENTURE CONTINUES . . . Skandar and the Phantom Rider is out now! And be one of the first to read the highly-anticipated third story, coming in April 2024. Pre-order now!
Praise for Skandar and the Unicorn Thief:
‘My book of the year. Not since Harry Potter have I felt this excited about a series. Readers are sure to be clamouring for the next book. You’ll never look at unicorns the same way again, nor will you want to!’ – Dominique Valente, author of the Starfell series
‘Never have unicorns been so ferocious, fearsome and thrilling! A fantastically gripping read!’ – Laura Ellen Anderson, author of Amelia Fang and Rainbow Grey
‘A magnificent book. I raced through it – at turns enthralled, delighted, amazed. It’s everything I could have wanted and more. No doubt this book is going to fly.’ – Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear
‘Skandar and the Unicorn Thief brims with wild adventure, fierce sky battles, elemental magic, ferocious unicorns and a terrifying enemy. Steadman’s cinematic writing draws you in from the very first page, creating a hugely compelling, unforgettable read. Endlessly thrilling, unputdownable and utterly unmissable.’ – Aisling Fowler, author of Fireborn
‘A. F. Steadman has created a stunning new world that feels both familiar and fresh, with a cast of characters that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.’ –Tọlá Okogwu, author of Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun
‘Perfect for those who have consumed the Harry Potter books and Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy and are looking for their next fictional feast.’ – The Sunday Times
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Additional information
| Publisher | 1st edition (2 Feb. 2023), Simon & Schuster Children's UK |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 400 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1398502731 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1398502734 |
| Reading age | 9 – 11 years, from customers |
| Dimensions | 13 x 2.4 x 19.8 cm |
by Tom Slattery (Tomsbookcorner)
“We’ve all seen a unicorn, all glittery and gold,
But beware! They cover up something never before told.
They aren’t the cuddly creatures they would have you believe,
They’re the deadliest, blood thirsty creatures you could ever conceive.
Skandar Smith has grown up desperately waiting for the day,
To become a unicorn rider, but it’s far from child’s play.
A magical world awaits with his destined unicorn,
With an elemental bond that’s been growing since he was born.
But as he steps into this world he unravels quite a mystery,
As this place has taken time to hide a shocking history.
And now there is a malevolent force that warrants disbelief:
An all powerful danger in the form of a unicorn thief!
If Skandar is to survive you must keep him in your prayers,
As unicorns don’t belong in fairytales, they belong in nightmares.”
I hate hype! I’m one of those stupidly stubborn idiots who backs further away from something, the more it is hyped about. I’ve never watched Breaking Bad purely because everyone told me to! I have after many years arrived at the conclusion that I’m probably depriving myself of some wonderfully rich entertainment but I am also trying to grow and embrace hype every now again… and my gosh! I’m so glad I did for this!
Skandar Smith has waited all his life for the chance to become a Unicorn Rider. The chance to be bonded with the most vicious and bloodthirsty species on the planet all for the glory of becoming a hero.
His hatchery exam is coming up soon along with all the other children his age and he desperately wants to fulfil his dream and the dream of his sister Kenna who failed at the same stage the previous year.
But when he wakes up on the day of the exam, it’s as if the whole world is against him even attending! With his chances all but shattered, Skandar’s dreams are in ruins. That is until a mysterious knock at the door…
I am going to have to leave it there because I do not want to spoil a thing! But all I will say is drop everything right now, buy a copy and find out for yourself!
One of the reasons I don’t want to spoil anything is because the magic of the world building is brilliant and so imaginative. It takes a special kind of book to truly immerse you in a brand new world with a whole new set of rules and leaves you feeling like you truly know what it’s like to walk in the shoes of its inhabitants.
As the brilliance of the world is revealed throughout the story, it’s the drama that truly captivates you. As with every hero, nothing comes easy for Skandar and he finds himself on the back foot right from the start but the twists and turns it takes you on is incredible.
I loved learning the history of The Island and unpicking the history they want everyone to know with the true events that happened years ago that are now impacting trouble on the present day. It really does make you question the history we are told in our own lives (although great strives are being made to unpick the fiction from the facts).
And with every hero, he needs some friends. I loved Bobby! Sassy and brilliant she had me chuckling throughout especially with the way she tries to teach the islanders sayings from the mainland… such a silly little detail but sprinkled a bit of magic on the whole story. Flo and Mitchell are also brilliant characters who complement the narrative so well. Each character has their own personalities, struggles and strifes which play an important part in the story and really open the narrative to some important subplots.
It’s really hard to write this review while keeping so many of the magical secrets… well… secret, but I will say that I did shed a few tears at the end which showed how much I was invested in the characters and the story and not since Neville Longbottom won the house cup for Gryfindor has my heart swelled with pride at characters bravery and strength.
I finished the book a little bereft that I am going to have to wait so long for a sequel (There is going to be a sequel right? RIGHT?!?!?) But now that I have embraced the hype maybe I should stop being a stubborn fool and watch Breaking Bad in the meantime (or the Marvel films ????).
If you read anything this year, make sure it is Skandar and the Unicorn Theif for an incredible magical adventure with jaw dropping twists and turns and a wonderful heart at it’s core. And if I leave you with anything, I’ll leave you with this…
Believe. The. hype!
(Maybe I should game of thrones a try…)
by Vallene
Bought it as a review said it is as good as Harry Potter and who does want to relive the fun and excitement of discovering such a story. It is a good story but not as much of a pageturner as expected. However I DNF it and my son is reading it slowly…
by Daniella Smith
So exciting i can’t wait for the next one. I love the characters details. Who knew unicorns could be so different to what is sold to us as fluffy and silly. A really great meaty exciting book that will have kids hooked
by laneyO
My 11yr old is reading this, and loves it, got for my 8yr old who is an avid reader, she kindly is allowin him to read it 1st. For any tweenie it’s a must read if there into magical (harry potter books) mythical creatures(percy Jackson books) with a lot of adventure (Artemis fowl books) of a young boy. Definitely 1 happy reader so far can bet 2 by the end of nxt month wen she reads it.
by enid power
This was bought as a gift I’m sure she will like it .
by Kate Woolford
10 year old daughter loves these books and she’s hard to please as nothing seems to be able to top or equal Harry Potter! Looking forward to the 3rd book coming out.
by King Taco (aged 9)
This book is so good that it made me teary. It was so fun and when we finished that I was a bit sad but I’m happy that there’s a second one and if the hours of 5 million star rating, I’d rate it that cause this book is the best, and I love it so much. By N aged 9
by Eleanor Prestage
I got this for my 8 year old on the recommendation of a friend. It was a massive hit. She was completely engrossed in it and has begged for the next book in the series. She loved that there were ‘bad’ unicorns!