Customer Reviews

Into the Land of the Unicorns

5 star:		(162)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

Since I was young, I've been enchanted by unicorns, so of course I had to get a copy of Into the Land of Unicorns when I saw it and after finishing it, I don't regret the decision one iota.

The story opens with a great bit of tension with Cara being chased up a church's bell tower by some unknown foe and once at the top, she follows her grandmother's instructions, thus taking a literal leap of faith and finding herself in the world of Luster.

During her journey through Luster--she must deliver a message to the unicorn Queen--she is chased and injured by creatures bent on stealing the amulet she's sworn to protect, and at first they succeed, but with the aid of some new friends Cara is able to recover it. She then finds herself in a battle with a dragon and, another twist, with her biological father.

Not only is the story itself enchanting, it's balanced and well-written. With a story such as this, especially for young readers, it would be entirely possible to paint it too rosy, leaving out all the bad things, but here the trials Cara faces are tastefully done. Her mission is not easy and rarely do magical solutions pop out of nowhere, though she does receive help from creatures and travelers she meets along the way.

While reading, I ran the gamut of emotions from tension to fear to sadness to happiness, and I was a bit disheartened when the book ended; I was anxious to see what happened to Cara, but I guess that means I'll need to grab the second installment.

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.

I really like this story, but I didn't like the way the author presented it. It didn't flow; it didn't move from one action to the next of its own accord. You could see the author plotting the story and pushing the action to its conclusion, which was annoying. While reading it, I was aware of the fact that it was a story in a book. For contrast, when I read The Chronicles of Narnia, it is as if the action is really happening, outside of the book.

The book is intended for 9-12 year olds, and I don't think most of them would notice this. Certainly my nephew didn't when he read it in Junior High. But an avid reader might feel somewhat cheated by the poor mechanics. And if you are an adult fan of juevenile fantasy (e.g., Harry Potter, The Frightened Forest, Timothy and Two Witches, etc.) you will be less impressed.

This book was AWESOME! I loved it! When I first picked it up at the library, I was in like third grade (I think) and didn't care much for it then (when I think back, I can't believe that I didn't want to read it). But then it like haunted me or something so I went back and picked it up. I loved it! Ever since then, I've always considered it one of my many favorite books.
In Into the Land of the Unicorns, Bruce Coville launches you right into how Cara and her grandmother are being followed the second you read the first sentence. While they try to lose the follower, Cara is told by Gramma to take her amulet and jump off the roof of a church. Half-believing that her grandma is crazy, she does and lands into Luster, a place for unicorns and other magical creatures to live peacefully. Cara teams up with Lightfoot, a unicorn, and other creatures to to complete her grandmother's request to find the "Old One."
If you like adventure and fantasy, this is the book for you! If not, still read it! It really is great.

Cara has always felt different from the other children at school, and not just because they had parents and she had...Grandmother Morris. No, it was something else lingering all around her that made her feel special. The fact that she could swear she had felt the touch of a Unicorn at the age of two or three, could be it. But when Cara and Grandmother Morris are bustling through the city one winter day, and Cara notices a man following them, feeling special goes right out the window. Suddenly, Grandmother Morris and Cara are fleeing into a church, and hiding, out of sight of the hunter. That is, until he catches Grandmother Morris. In the last minutes before Grandmother Morris is seized, she hands Cara her special - a bobble that hangs around her neck - telling her to jump from the church roof when the bell chime tolls twelve times. When Cara opens her eyes, she's in a land called Luster, where unicorns and other mythical creatures run free, and sets out to meet the Unicorn Queen, before the Hunter - who managed to follow her into this mystical world - destroys Luster forever.

I have been a fan of Bruce Coville's for years, but had never read his UNICORN CHRONICLES series. However, last week I decided that I wanted to read as much about unicorns as possible, and instantly dived into INTO THE LAND OF THE UNICORNS. I was not disappointed. Cara is a wonderful character, who is compassionate and brave, and a friend to other-world creatures. Coville does an amazing job of describing how Cara communicates with each mythical creature, and what the land of Luster truly looks like. His intricate descriptions bring the land of Luster to life, and will enchant all readers. An enchanting fantasy laced with unicorns, a magical necklace, and a special girl on a mission; that will find a very well-deserved place on bookshelves in every home.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

I first bought Into the Land of the Unicorns when I was in 4th grade, I just liked the cover. It quickly became my favorite book. A few years ago I found it on my shelf, and I read it again. Though it is a little juvinal if you are in high school, the story still touched me and I fell in love with Luster all over again. This is a book for fantasy lovers of all ages! I gave one of my friends this book, and she loved it. Mr. Coville, please hurry with book 3!

This book is writen with enchanting grace. Into The Land of The Unicorns weaves a web of magic and captures its reader, holding them captive till the last page. It is the best book I have ever read and I will read it again and again, for it has won a special place in my heart.

I think this book is a great book because, the charactors seem so real. I feel I am the little girl who is in the story. And what she goes through I can see it and feel it. I think it deserves 5 stars because the author is a good writer. He knows how to write and express what is going on in the book. I do recommend this book to any one who wants to read it. It is a wonderful book that I have enjoyed twice and many more times will come, that I will want to read it again.

I picked up the book when I was younger, I can't even remember when, but at the age of 19, it still rings as one of my favorite unicorn stories. This is one of the few excellent fantasy books for girls, and I highly recommend this as well as the second book.