If you enjoyed Shannon Hale’s The Books of Bayern series, then you need to check out The Unicorn Quest: Fire in the Star. This is the finale of the trilogy and Kamilla Benko wrapped up the series beautifully. Having not started the series in book one, I worried it would be difficult to follow but even though the beginning of this novel clearly feels like a sequel, Benko quickly throws in some hints to the previous books to get you up to speed. The characters are wonderful and you’ll love the way their lives and stories intertwine. Main characters and sisters, Sophie and Claire, will warm your heart as you see them rely on and support each other. They also have some wonderful friends to help them on their journey. Of course, no story would be complete without terrible characters to thicken the plot and duplicitous ones to keep you guessing. In addition to amazing characters, the visuals Benko paints are magical as they leap from the pages and seem to transport you into the story. Full of suspense and wonder, The Unicorn Quest: Fire in the Star will be a treasure to set on your bookshelf beside other masterpieces such as The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: None
Violence/Gore: Many (35) brief incidents including character exaggerates that his mother is going to murder him; something could set someone on fire; simile looked sliced in two; joke that character can slice another’s nose off; verbal threat as a joke; something felt like a knife to the lungs; verbal threats; reference to thinking another is dead; characters threatened with weapons; characters prepare for war; characters will attack or kill others; references to death, murder and attempted murder; references to war; second-hand report of house fire; fantasy character attacking humans; characters nearly die; character kicked by fantasy animal; murder.
Sex/Nudity: Few (3) brief incidents including teenagers holding hands; teenagers hug and kiss; reference to falling in love.
Mature Subject Matter:
Murder; war.
Alcohol / Drug Use:
None
