Unicorn and Dragon, No. 1 [Mass Market Paperback]

Lynn Abbey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 28, 2003

A fantasy masterpiece set in the English countryside of two young women in charge of their own future by the co-creator of "Thieves' World" Wolves are loose in the English countryside. A dying monarch cannot enforce the laws, and his heirs are circling like vultures. The small castle that is Hafwynder Manor is thrown into chaos by the arrival of a mysterious young stranger, too badly wounded to explain his plans. The forces of 11th century history invade Hafwynder Manor. Its safety - and perhaps the fate of all England - many depend on the deeds of the blond, impulsive Alison and her sister, the dark-haired and cunning Wildecent. With the forces of the outside world raging at the castle the two young women must learn to shape their own destiny!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

At the center of this slight fantasy novel is a brief romantic episode of 11th century England. A young Norman knight carrying a message in the dead of winter is set upon by outlaws and wolves. Stephen wakes in Saxon Hafwynder Manor, where the lord's daughters, blonde Alison and dark Wildecent, are both attracted to him. When the emboldened outlaws amass to attack the manor, Stephen gets word to his people, who come to the aid of the Saxons, their erstwhile enemies. In the meantime, adopted Wildecent finds that Stephen's Norman language unlocks memories of her mysterious origins. The magic sprinkled through the book is as weak as the sketchy illustrations, but young readers with a romantic bent might enjoy this.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

YA A fast-paced fantasy set in 11th-Century Saxon England. Fair Saxon Alison, last Druidic priestess of her line, and dark mysterious Wildecent, her foster-sister, are at the cutting edge of a new world: the old fading traditions against a burgeoning new culture; action instead of reaction; Norman enterprise and vigor against Saxon tradition; Druidic magic opposing Norman sorcery. Alison and Wildecent are the embodiment of these themes in a well developed if not surprising plot meshing the old with the new. Characters are vivid, well developed, and original. A book for fans of Marion Z. Bradley's Mists of Avalon (Knopf, 1984), but one that is not so complex. Annette DeMeritt, Houston Public Library
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: I Books (January 28, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743458214
• ISBN-13: 978-0743458214
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,659,648 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Winter Solstice Before the Norman Conquest, August 20, 2002

By 

Sires "I enjoy mysteries, historical and proc... (Chesapeake, OH, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Unicorn and Dragon (Mass Market Paperback)

The year is 1065. The winter is cold and wolves lurk in the forest, some on four legs, some on two. Edward, King of England is dying and the vultures gather around his bed waiting to see who will claim the crown. Will it be William, Duke of Normandy, or Harold Godwineson-- in defiance of his oath to help William to the crown? What about the claim of Norway? Meanwhile in Wessex, Godfrey Hafwynder, shire reeve, strives to preserve his household against an uncertain future.

Stephen, a young Norman, on an errand to deliver a message from his uncle to Duke William's man at Pevensey is harried by outlaws and wolves. Wounded, he seeks shelter at Godfrey's hall and is cared for by Godfrey's daughter, Alison, her foster sister Wildecent and their aunt, Ygurna. Ygurna is one of the last of the priestesses of the ancient Celtic religion, Alison has been trained to be her sucessor. Alison has the wild magic, Wildecent does not.

However, Stephen was accompanied into England by his former tutor, Ambrose, an unordained deacon of the Roman Church and an adept of sorcery, trained in its mysterious arts by the Magi of the east. Ambrose using his talents to locate Stephen incidentally finds Ygurna and her apprentice. However, it is Wildecent, the headblind, that he tempts with his offer of a power that does not require the wild magic she cannot control.

This story of the Christmas before the Conquest is a fine blending of fantasy and history. Abbey does an excellent job of portraying the basic conflict faced by men like Godfrey, whose King abandoned his earthly responsibilities to seek religious solace. This is also echoed in the conflict between the wild magic of the old gods and the disciplined sorcerous power of Ambrose. Abbey skillfully weaves a tale of beginnings and endings, of the death of the old and the birth of the new.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Magic and history merge, October 16, 2001

By 

Julie Clawson (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Unicorn and Dragon (Mass Market Paperback)

I stumbled across this novel recently and found an interesting historical fantasy. The setting is England in 1065 as the Saxon and Norman tensions are escalating. The focus is on a Saxon family stronghold and the events that occur as war inches closer to their home and old way of life.

While the book has all of the raw details of such a rough age such as bloody fighting and the rowdy drinking of warroirs, the story is tamed and made interesting in that the women of the house are the main characters. The two daughters, Alison and Wildecent, and their aunt, Lady Ygurna, are the ones who truly run the place and keep the men in order. One reads of their story as their lives are changed by the shifting politics of the country. This occurs quite suddenly when a young Norman, Stephen, is brought wounded into their home. Both girls discover what intrigue and love mean as the result of his presense.

While the characters try to occupy the modern world of politics and Christianity, one soon realizes that an ancient Celtic magic is practiced secretly by the women. This magic is hinted at throughout the book, but is shown fully as everything climaxes at the end.

Lynn Abbey has created a very realistic world in this novel. One gets a good picture of Saxon life during this period. The characters are personal and believable. I think that this is a good read for anyone interested in this period where England hovered on the brink of a new era.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't even be tempted by this one, May 19, 2003

By 

Tamara Deschepper (Fairfield, IA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Unicorn and Dragon, No. 1 (Mass Market Paperback)

It's rare that I get upset enough to actually write a review for a book, but I figured I'd better pass a warning along before other well-meaning readers get sucked into this.

The full story can be found on Lynn Abbey's site...if you are interested. But the highlight is that this series was originally supposed to be at least a trilogy (although Lynn says she had it outlined through at least book 5). This book contains the first 2 books of a trilogy THAT WAS NEVER FINISHED, AND PROBABLY WON'T EVER BE! So if you like to be left hanging in the middle of a story with loose ends flying all over the place, then this is definately the book for you. But for the rest of us, this is one book that you should probably steer clear of.

If the 3rd book is ever published, I'll eagerly buy it because I want to know how the story ends!