Review by Booklist Review
Gr. 4-6. In the first volume of The Unicorn Chronicles, 11-year-old Cara narrowly escapes being captured on Earth by "leaping" to Luster, the land of the unicorns, only to find that she is being pursued there as well. Aided by a Lightfoot, a teenage unicorn, by bearlike Dimblethum, and by silly Squijim, Cara makes her way to the Unicorn Queen to deliver a mysterious message from her grandmother. On the journey she learns how her family and the unicorns are entwined and earns the favor of a powerful dragon. Coville weaves traditional unicorn myths into his light, accessible fantasy and provides a neatly contrived ending that hints at the next adventure. Although lots of questions are left unanswered, middle-grade unicorn lovers and fantasy fans won't mind: they'll eagerly await a sequel. ~--Chris ~Sherman
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Coville's (My Teacher Is an Alien) mild fantasy, the first in the projected Unicorn Chronicles, opens promisingly, with a suspenseful chase scene, but somewhat dissipates its force. A nameless hunter pursues Cara and her grandmother into an empty church, where the grandmother gives Cara her amulet-along with the bewildering instructions to jump from the church tower at the twelfth toll of the bell. The girl lands in Luster, the land of the unicorns, and tries to unravel the mystery surrounding the amulet even as she continues to elude the hunter. Aided by a young unicorn and an assortment of odd creatures, including Dimblethum (``He looked like a bear that had started to become a man but hadn't finished the process'') and Squijum (``a cross between a monkey and a squirrel''), Cara embarks on a number of dangerous adventures. The plot jumps from one episode to the next, and can be confusing. But drama builds with the revelation that the hunter is none other than Cara's father (who long ago abandoned her); no stock villain, he is given plausible motives for his inimical deeds. Cara's loyalties are severely tested, leaving plenty of room for a sequel. Fantasy fans might be content with the headlong pacing, but most will hope that future installments will include more fluid writing and less convoluted plot lines. Ages 8-12. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-6-On a cold winter's night, Cara and her grandmother take refuge in a church after a mysterious man begins to follow them. Inside, Cara encounters an elderly woman who helps her cross a magical border into Luster, the Land of the Unicorns. Soon after arriving there, Cara meets Lightfoot, one of the many unicorns who inhabit Luster, along with other mystical creatures. Cara's magical new friends help her deliver a message to the Queen of the Unicorns. The narrator relates the plot in even, measured tones, allowing the full-cast of actors to express the characters' emotions. Sound effects cleverly convey how Lightfoot communicates with Cara in a telepathic manner. Their unspoken conversations are read with a hollow, echoing effect, underscoring the magical nature of these exchanges. Music provides transitions between chapters, with the tone and tempo of the music changing according to the events presented. The music is generally ethereal and delicate, creating an otherworldly feeling that is well suited for the fantasy genre. A solid choice for public and school libraries where fantasy series are popular.-Mary Landrum, Lexington Public Library,KY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Following her grandmother's instructions, Cara uses a magic amulet to enter the world of Luster, where the unicorns live. While dodging a unicorn hunter and other enemies, Cara befriends several sentient creatures and confronts a family secret. Coville's pedestrian prose further hampers an unoriginal fantasy that leaves major questions unanswered in order to draw readers to the next book in the series. From HORN BOOK 1994, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
