First in the Unicorns of the Mist seriesBy R.R. Russell
Available now from Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review copy
WONDER LIGHT caught my attention from the opening chapters. Twig is going to Lonehorn Island because it has a ranch for delinquent girls. She's not happy about it, but at the same time doesn't want to stay with her stepmother. But it's quickly clear that Twig isn't an entirely reliable narrator.
R.R. Russell does a wonderful job of combining Twig's family drama with a tale about unicorns. Twig begins the book feeling unwanted, unloved, and unworthy. But after she takes responsibility for Wild Light, an orphaned baby unicorn, she begins to find her footing. As a bonus, these aren't treacly, fluffy unicorns. They're wild animals, and when they go bad they hunger for flesh. Fans of this series are going to grow up to read Diana Peterfreund's RAMPANT.
I wish there had been a bit more development of the other girls on the island. But since this is the beginning of a series, there's time for that. And really, Twig's characterization and growth is given quite a bit of depth. Don't worry that this is too girlish; there is a boy on the island, known initially as the "wild boy." He's a good companion to Twig, and I liked seeing their friendship and mutual respect grow.
There's enough depth to the plot and protagonist of WONDER LIGHT that older readers might find themselves pleasantly surprised. But it's definitely a great choice for the elementary or middle school kid who likes fantasy and being a little creeped out. Pick it up if you're hooked by the words "killer unicorns."
The ebook is on sale through August 4 for $1.99.
UNICORNS?! Yes please! I haven't read a single book that features unicorns, let alone dangerous ones that can turn into flesh eaters. I'll have to check this one and Diana Peterfreund's series out:) Thanks for the review Liviania!
ReplyDeleteYou should also read the anthology Zombies vs. Unicorns edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier then. ^_^
DeleteOh, I do like the sound of this one. Loves ZOMBIES vs. UNICORNS and I liked Peterfreund's first in the killer unicorn series - I'm not sure I'm Team Unicorn, but I do like them when they're done a bit dark. Thanks for sharing your review!
ReplyDeleteI'm team unicorn because I love sparkles and rainbows, but they're even better DANGEROUS.
DeleteI'm a tad suspicious of unicorn books for the young, mainly because most of my own attempts at writing fiction back when I was elevenish were all unicorn wish fulfilmenet....but I'll try this and hope I fall into the pleasantly surprised catagory!
ReplyDeleteHaha, when I was eleven I was writing stories about the earthworm kingdom! (Which had a sexy bad boy worm.) (I was a strange kid.)
DeleteOoh killer unicorns! This does sound like a different read for the younger crowd. I like that!
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's got a cool hook and it does more than just fantasy.
DeleteI love middle grades that read up, and it sounds like this would be enjoyable for me too. Thanks for the heads up on the sale, too, very cool! Great review :-) ((PS sorry for comment bombing you, I’ve been away all last week and am just now catching up on blog reading I missed :D )
ReplyDeleteComment bomb away! I love it. ^_^
DeleteGlad I could give you the heads up on the sale - this is a quick read for older readers, but worth $2, I think.
That's quite the difference, bad unicorns! I expect it would please a number of younger readers though, as there must be some who don't like the whole fluffy thing.
ReplyDeleteI think so too. And there are good unicorns, though not particularly fluffy good unicorns.
DeleteI actually am most interested by the mention of Twig as an unreliable narrator-I tend to really like those kinds of narrators and am excited to read her perspective.
ReplyDeleteShe's not super unreliable, but she has her moments.
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