Skandar and the Unicorn Thief: The international, award-winning hit, and the biggest fantasy adventure series since Harry Potter: Volume 1
As seen:
By A.F. Steadman
avg rating
64 reviews
HEROES AND UNICORNS AS YOU’VE NEVER SEEN THEM BEFORE. The first book in the award-winning, international hit fantasy adventure series for children age 9+, and fans of Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Eragon and Fireborn.
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
THE EPIC ADVENTURE CONTINUES . . . PRE-ORDER SKANDAR AND THE CHAOS TRIALS, THE UNMISSABLE BRAND NEW BOOK IN THE SERIES, 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
TweetReviews
There is a lot I like with this book the unicorns are amazing(not fluffy at all) and I think this will appeal to young fans of fantasy. The books world building is flawed but it is a book for children and it does move at a reasonable pace and has plot twists and action to keep it interesting. I didn’t like the depiction of the father’s mental illness in the book at all. At one point Skandar tells his father to get better for his sister(would he have said this if it was an illness such as cancer) and at the end of the novel his depression has improved as they have more money and he has got a job. This gives the impression that depression is something that can be simply snapped out of rather than a serious illness that needs medical intervention to overcome.
Very cool how they include the summer solstice and the whole map so you you know where they are and where they are heading
Loved it! Perfect for year 5 and 6 children into fantasy.
One of my favourite series.
lots of drama about the weaver
Very fun and exciting to read. I wanted to get right to the end to see what happened. Flo and Skandar were my favourite because they had unique types of unicorn.
I re-read this book before taking on number five!
Lots of action and detail.No pictures but a must reed for action.I would recommend this book.A long lasting book.I liked standard the best because of his backstory and characteristics.
Skandar, I found the most interesting part was when Skandar discovered that his mom was still alive and was the weaver.
Excellent plot and setting elaborate and well-thought out in the vein of Harry Potter. Good characterisation. Some sad themes but manageable for 8 and up.
funny, adventurous, brilliant book
It was possibly the best fiction story I have ever read. I would recommend it to everyone looking for a good story.
It's a very good book. The begging was filled with fun but then becomes more serious. There is a very intense build up and made me gasp a few times. The ending is shocking and difficult for Skandar.
Amazing book
I loved this book because it has unicorns that can fly . I love unicorns that can fly because I think they are like Pegasus's. My favourite character is Skandar because he is a lot like me (funny,smart and loves unicorns that can fly) and also I like his sister because she makes the bullies (who bully Skandar everyday) look like fools!
Brilliant just could not put it down. Was not really my choice of book as not really into Unicorns but I was hooked from the start. loved the relationship between the main characters. Great book for ages 8/9+
Really cool. It wasn’t what I expected about the unicorns. Cool that he’s a spirit wielder and it ends happily.
Loved the way the author thought about nature, making four out the five elements nature themed.
Really good loved reading it and I’d really recommend it for other people.
An amazing story of having an evil mum and being the odd one out in class
it was fiction and the person that I liked was Skandar because he didn't take the hatchery test and he got his unicorn who was called Scoundrels luck and at the end of his hatchling year he did the impossible-he stopped the weaver.
I loved the story, it was very adventurous and magical!
This book was full of action and adventure. I really liked it because of everything that was happening. Children aged 10-14 will like this book alot.
Skandar and the Unicorn Thief is one of the best books I have ever read. The person I liked best was obviously Skandar, he is kind and brave willing to do anything for his friends. The person I hated was Amber, she is always so arrogant and boasts a lot about her perfect qualities. She is also a big LIAR as she told everyone her father was killed by wild unicorns, but he was in jail for being a spirit wielder. I will definitely recommend this book to others, you will see a totally different side of unicorns.
I loved this book. It kept me captivated for hours.
I enjoyed the premise of this book and love the different characters within Skandar's group. The idea of Unicorns being fearsome beasts will appeal to different children and turns the mythology on it's head, which I enjoyed! I found it slightly predictable and not as much of a page-turner as similar books, but think it would be enjoyed by KS2 children.
I think this book is 1 of the best books I’ve ever read. I looooove it because it’s full of amazing adventures that this boy called Skandar
has,so I would love to recommend it to my friends who’s in?!
I loved this book. It completely changed how I think about unicorns! Great adventure and some fab characters. I particularly liked the four friends. I loved the action and mystery and would recommend it to anyone who likes adventures.
loved it
I found this book adventurous and it had a lot of detail about the characters, how they feel and look. But it jumped from one thing to another and I found it a bit confusing. Overall I would recommend it to people who like adventures and short stories.
