Author: Diana Peterfreund
Publisher: Harper Teen
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: out now
Pgs: 402
Summary:
Forget everything you ever knew about unicorns . . .
Real unicorns are venomous, man-eating monsters with huge fangs and razor-sharp horns. Fortunately, they’ve been extinct for a hundred and fifty years.
Or not.
Astrid had always scoffed at her eccentric mother’s stories about killer unicorns. But when one of the monsters attacks her boyfriend—thereby ruining any chance of him taking her to the prom—Astrid finds herself headed to Rome to train as a unicorn hunter at the ancient cloisters the hunters have used for centuries.
However, at the cloisters all is not what it seems. Outside, the unicorns wait to attack. And within, Astrid faces other, unexpected threats: from the crumbling, bone-covered walls that vibrate with a terrible power to the hidden agendas of her fellow hunters to—perhaps most dangerously of all—her growing attraction to a handsome art student . . . an attraction that could jeopardize everything.
Review:
This book is incredibly good! All I heard was “KILLER UNICORNS” and I was sold. I mean really, killer unicorns? I don’t know about you, but I have never heard of that before. Plus it was a big book, and I love big books.
Astrid was an interesting character who was very realistic. She was pushed into a situation she did not want and reacted the way I would have. I could see her point of view on a lot of things, and wanting to escape made sense to me. Also I liked that she didn’t automatically believe everything she was told.
Her mother was something. I have no idea what it would be like to have a mother who believed that unicorns were man-eating beasts and you had to kill them. Her mother kept on telling Astrid about the unicorns, even though Astrid thought she was crazy. I could definitely understand how Astrid continued to love her mom. Honestly, I don’t think I could stop loving my mom….even if she thought killer unicorns were real.
There were a lot of characters, and I ended up forgetting who some of them were. The other girls were the ones I forgot. I’m not sure if it was because there were so many, or if I wasn’t paying attention. Even though I couldn’t keep them straight, I liked all of them. They all offered different things to the group that was helpful.
Even though there were gruesome things, like the unicorn killings, and other things, I was never grossed out. Instead I was fascinated by it.
The history and back-story were also really interesting. Learning about the history of the hunters and Alexander the Great was cool. I never heard about him and his unicorn, so reading it in this book was great. Also I loved how there were different types of unicorns. Can I just say that I *adored* Bonegrinder.
And I have a new YA boy crush. His name is Giovanni.
Cover comments: I like this cover much better then the last one. I like how there is a sword on the cover with a unicorn on it. I also like how there is a blond girl on the cover, who I assume is Astrid.
There’s going to be a sequel next year! Anyone else counting down the days?
Overall- 5/5
The opostite was true for me I heard killer unicorns and ran. But, I have been reading such great reviews that I may have to add it to my list afterall. Great review.
Same thing for me! As soon as I read "Killer unicorns", I knew I would read this book! It's waiting on my TBR pile right now, and your review makes me eager to read it! 😀
I'm so glad you loved this book…it gives me more reason to find it. I was sold on this book to when I read "killer unicorns" I can't wait to get my hands on this one!!!
This book is on its way to me. Can't wait to read it!