Book Review: Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by A.F. Steadman

Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by A.F. Steadman, a fantasy novel for young readers, 10 years and up, is set in a present day England with a difference. Off the coast of the mainland there is an island, which is the home of unicorns and magical forces. These unicorns are not the beasts that usually come to mind when we think of unicorns. They are ferocious, blood thirsty, magical and deadly.

After believing that he was never going to fulfil his dream of living on the island and becoming a rider, Skandar Smith is secretly taken there to their to join the successful thirteen year olds who have passed the exam. Each of the young riders bond with their own unicorn as it hatches and together each pair becomes allied to one of the four elemental magical forces of fire, earth, air or water for life.

But there is a fifth less known element, the spirit element that is considered so dangerous, that any unicorn and rider allied to that element are killed. Skandar is shocked to find out that he and his newly hatched unicorn, Scoundrel’s Luck are allied to the spirit element. Fortunately, three fellow riders come to his aid and together they hatch a plan to help Skandar keep his secret and keep him and his unicorn safe.

Outside of the safety of the Eyrie, Skandar and his friends find themselves thrust into a world of sky battles and clashes with wild riderless unicorns. Also in the wild there’s the villain known as the Weaver, who has already stolen the most valued unicorn on the island, and is rumoured to be amassing a lethal army of wild unicorns to Attack the island and the mainland.

As time goes by Skandar and his friends find it increasingly harder to keep his secret. What will happen to Skandar and Scoundrel if they are found out? 

With thanks to Harper Collins New Zealand for providing an advance review copy of the book.