Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by A.F. Steadman

7 reviews

xvicesx's review against another edition

adventurous emotional relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

A nice book, and a great start for a new middle grade series. But I did lose my patience with it a little bit towards the end. 

Regardless, Skandar makes a very Harry Potter like hero - a shy, browbeaten child in his original life who gets the room to grow and be themselves in the world of magic. The collection of supporting characters was equally lovely, each standing out as individuals, with their own baggage and hardship. 

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Bullying, Death of parent, and Abandonment

bookb1itch's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

My only reason for not rating this more highly is that it feels like such a copy of HP.  If i had time, I would write a full comparison, but off the top of my head: misfit MC, houses/elements, MC has some dark abilities, questions about parents, fiercely loyal friendship etc etc
Nevertheless, I loved the adventure and the base nature of the unicorns.  Not a sparkle in sight!

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Grief and Death of parent

dandelionsteph's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and War

Minor: Genocide, Excrement, and Abandonment

Almost all the wielders of the

element of spirit

were all killed when the

element of spirit

was made illegal, although this isn't a "genocide" in the conventional sense, since they're simply people who have a natural affinity for a rare and exclusive kind of magic, and otherwise have nothing in common. As this was "off-screen", not elaborated upon, and not mentioned much, I'm counting it as minor.

eh1736's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent

racheleanne06's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

These aren’t your typical unicorns, they come with sharp teeth and attitudes to match. A glorious mash up of Harry Potter and Scorpio Races (but make it MG) with elemental magic and fierce competition. 

It’s a book full of inspiring friendships and self-love and it’s packed with adventure and great twists too. 

I am not the intended audience for this book, but it was a lot of fun and I know I would have been absolutely obsessed with this book when I was younger.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Animal death and Murder

naomiysl's review against another edition

adventurous emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

A strong start for a new author. Leans a bit too heavily on familiar tropes to close the story arc, but there are bloodthirsty unicorns, so I'll forgive it.  

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: Animal death, Death, and Death of parent

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders

anniereads221's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder

Minor: Suicide and Death of parent