Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #102529 in Books
• Published on: 2008-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 176 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780545068246
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
Cara follows her grandmother's cryptic instructions and winds up in Luster, the land of the unicorns. "This mild fantasy, the first in the Unicorn Chronicles, opens promisingly... but somewhat dissipates its force," said PW. Ages 9-12. (Nov.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 4-6-When Cara Hunter leaps from a church's bell tower clutching her grandmother's magic amulet, she falls into the land of Luster, home of the Dimblethum, delvers, dragons, the Squijum, and lots of unicorns. Since her grandmother told her to guard the amulet and to deliver an important message to the unicorn Queen, Cara embarks on a journey to her court. She is accompanied by her friends, chief among them Lightfoot, an adolescent unicorn who is having a difficult time with his family. The voyagers are attacked by delvers, Firethroat the Dragon, and Cara's father, who abandoned her when she was three. The loose ends will presumably be the starting point for the next entry in the series. The most striking aspect here is the story within a story. Coville combines all of the known myths about unicorns into one smooth retelling about a woman named Beloved whose life in ways mirrors Cara's own; this tale creates the foundation for the entire novel. The characters are well drawn and the dialogue flows nicely. The plot, particularly the twist involving Cara's father, will be predictable to seasoned fantasy aficionados, but as a whole, the book should find a favored and well-deserved place on most shelves.
Patricia A. Dollisch, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
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

Customer Reviews

A Classic
I read this book in the third grade and have reread it a dozen times since. I love the different creatures, the creative stories, and the possibilities that this first book provides. And as it is a children's book, the poor writing must be forgiven. A warning, though: I would not recommend this book for a child under the age of 10 or so; the opening scenes are scary for young children and the father-daughter relationship is rather disturbing.

Not what you'd think...
When I bought this book in third grade, I expected a girly story about Unicorns. I only bought it as all my friends did, too. When I got it, I read a page, got distracted, and left it to collect dust for ages. When I was in seventh grade, I finally had the sense to give the book a shot. I am sooooo glad I did. It is NOT a girly book about unicorns- it is a well written fantasy with deep characters and an intriguing plot. The story moves at a perfect pace, and it is a book I adore. I believe the title is very misleading. It is a great story, and it is right up there with Ella Enchanted, The Immortals Quartet, Harry Potter, The Forgotten Beasts of Eld, and The Changling Sea. Those are books you'd probably also enjoy if you enjoyed this.

Inspiring
Into the land of the unicorns is one of the best books I have ever read. It inspires me and literally takes me away from my world. I feel like a part of the book and it's a part of me.........SERIOUSLY! I loved the book and suggest it to be read by not just kids, but by adults too. The book inspired me to start writing my own book, even though I am only 12 years old. But its not only me who loved the book, but my father too. He and I would read it together and talk about it. I really recommend this book to persons of all ages.