Skandar and the Unicorn Thief

<B>HEROES AND UNICORNS AS YOU’VE NEVER SEEN THEM BEFORE. The first book in the award-winning, international hit fantasy adventure series for children age 9+, and fans of Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, <I>Eragon</I> and <I>Fireborn</I>. Give the gift of adventure this Christmas!</B><BR/><BR/><B>WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022</B><BR/><B>WINNER OF THE INDIE BOOK AWARDS 2023!</B><BR/><BR/><B>‘The most popular children’s fantasy hero since Harry Potter’ <I>– The Daily Telegraph</I></B><BR/><BR/> Thirteen-year-old <B>Skandar Smith</B> has only ever wanted to be a unicorn rider. To be one of the lucky few selected to hatch a unicorn. To bond with it for life; to train together and race for glory; to be a hero.<BR/>  <BR/> But just as Skandar’s dream is about to come true, things start to take a more dangerous turn than he could ever have imagined. A dark and twisted enemy has stolen the Island’s most powerful unicorn – and as the threat grows ever closer, Skandar discovers a secret that could blow apart his world forever . . .<BR/>  <BR/> Get ready for unlikely HEROES, elemental MAGIC, sky battles, ancient secrets, nail-biting races and FEROCIOUS UNICORNS, in this EPIC ADVENTURE series that will have your heart soaring.<BR/><BR/><B>THE EPIC ADVENTURE CONTINUES . . .</B><B>PRE-ORDER SKANDAR AND THE CHAOS TRIALS, THE UNMISSABLE BRAND NEW BOOK IN THE SERIES, NOW!</B><BR/><BR/><B>Praise for <I>Skandar and the Unicorn Thief</I>: <BR/><BR/> 'Steadman has a vast imagination, her world-building is a joy, the battle scenes are thrilling and her characters charm.'</B> – <B><I>The Times </I>Children's Book of the Week</B><P><B>‘Pacy, enthralling and epic, a gripping read.’ </B>– <B>Louie Stowell, </B>author of <I>Loki</I> and <I>Otherland </I><BR/><BR/><B>‘A dazzling feat of imagination. I loved every breathless moment of it!’ </B>– <B>Cat Doyle, </B>author of <I>The Storm Keeper’s Island </I>and co-author of <I>Twin Crowns</I><BR/><BR/><B>‘The best book I’ve ever read.’ </B>– Patrick, age 10 </P><B>‘My book of the year. Not since Harry Potter have I felt this excited about a series. Readers are sure to be clamouring for the next book. You’ll never look at unicorns the same way again, nor will you want to!’ </B><B>– </B><B>Dominique Valente, </B>author of the Starfell series<BR/>  <BR/><B>‘Never have unicorns been so ferocious, fearsome and thrilling! A fantastically gripping read!’ </B><B>– </B><B>Laura Ellen Anderson, </B>author of Amelia Fang and Rainbow Grey<BR/>  <BR/><B>‘A magnificent book. I raced through it – at turns enthralled, delighted, amazed. It’s everything I could have wanted and more. No doubt this book is going to fly.’ </B><B>– </B><B>Hannah Gold</B>, author of <I>The Last Bear</I><BR/>  <BR/><B>‘<I>Skandar and the Unicorn Thief</I> brims with wild adventure, fierce sky battles, elemental magic, ferocious unicorns and a terrifying enemy. Steadman's cinematic writing draws you in from the very first page, creating a hugely compelling, unforgettable read. Endlessly thrilling, unputdownable and utterly unmissable.’</B> <B>– </B><B>Aisling Fowler</B>, author of <I>Fireborn</I><BR/>  <BR/><B>‘A. F. Steadman has created a stunning new world that feels both familiar and fresh, with a cast of characters that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.’ </B><B>–</B><B>Tọlá Okogwu, </B>author of <I>Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun</I><BR/><BR/><B>'Perfect for those who have consumed the Harry Potter books and Philip Pullman’s <I>His Dark Materials</I> trilogy and are looking for their next fictional feast.' – <I>The Sunday Times</I></B>