Glory Of Unicorns

Book Description

Compiled by the author of the Unicorn Chronicles, these twelve tales find unicorns in far-reaching times and places, from the fantastical world of Luster and the mystical land of ancient China to modern-day America.

Customer Reviews:

A delightful read.......2006-02-26

I'm sure this book is meant for young readers but I am not young (in years), and I enjoyed it. The short stories are varied and will appeal to anyone who is fascinated by unicorns and has a good imagination. I especially liked the illustrations by Alix Berenzy which accompany each story. Thanks to Bruce Colville for this delightful complilation as well as his interesting introduction.

Good Collection.......2005-06-20

I really enjoyed this collection of short stories. Sometimes the story centers around the Unicorn, sometimes it doesn't. I found myself engrossed with each story and finishing each in a single setting. But I had to pace myself because some of the stories were intended for younger readers and are a little more difficult to get through because of it. But I liked it and I'm glad I bought it and still revisit the stories when I have a free moment.

A Glory of Unicorns.......2004-04-19

Do you believe in fantasy and magical creatures? Then you'll love A Glory of Unicorns. As you read A Glory of Unicorns by Bruce Coville, you'll learn that you have to follow what you want to do and not what someone else wants you to do. This book is about kids believing and losing something or someone dear to their heart. One story takes place in Luster, the unicorn world. A mare, Cloudmane, decides she wants too become the Guardian of Memory and asks for help from Grimwold, the keeper of the story that started the choosing of the Guardian. A Glory of Unicorns also has a poem called "Dream Child". A story for learning a lesson is "Tearing Down the Unicorns"; it takes place mostly in the woods where Stacey meets a unicorn that teaches her a lesson. There are many other stories like the ones I have mentioned.
Bruce Coville has written other books such as The Unicorn Chronicles series, Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher, The Skull of Truth, The Monster's Ring, Sarah's Unicorn, The Dragonslayers, and many more. He seems to have people believe in fantasy than in real life the more you read his books. Although A Glory of Unicorns does have some reality in it, the reality just makes the stories more believable. In this book Bruce Coville can make you visualize without using too many descriptive words.
Some might get confused when the book doesn't give enough descriptions or doesn't say who's talking. But most of the time you don't really need too many descriptions to visualize. The book can definitely confuse younger kids because of the problems the main characters encounter. The book is very good for older children who love to dream. It's hard not to believe and fantasize about unicorns and magic after you read A Glory of Unicorns.

A beautiful, inspiring book!!.......2003-09-08

I LOVE this book. It is a collection of several beautiful stories, and they are all about unicorns. One of my favorites was "Stealing Dreams". "A Song for Croaker Nordge","The Guardian of Memory",and "Tearing down the Unicorns" were all amazing as well. This book is a stunning piece of art, and anyone who loves horses, unicorns, or fantasy read it. ( I love all three!)

THE BEST BOOK!!!.......2003-05-18

I would recommend this book to anyone who reads my review. If there really is a secret world of Luster( the world of unicorns), I would be willing to go there! My favorite part is when Cara jumps from the church and into Luster. Please read it! It is a great book!

Average customer rating:

This book is awful!!!!!!!!!!!
The Young Unicorns
lovely
Interesting Sequel to "The Moon by Night"
A great modern classic

The Young Unicorns
Madeleine L'Engle
Manufacturer: Laurel Leaf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0440999197
Release Date: 1989-10-01

Book Description

They had been standing around the lamp, looking at Emily holding it in her strong fingers, rubbing it. Certainly none of them, not even Rob, expected to hear a sepulchral voice behind them.

"You called me?"

They swung around...

Customer Reviews:

This book is awful!!!!!!!!!!!.......2006-05-10

Don't read The Young Unicorns!!! It is a huge dissapointment!!! Instead of being about Vicky Austin growing up, it is about sci fi rays and manipulated minds. The Young Unicorns barely talks about Vicky at all! It also is a little hard to understand because of all of the technology. There is hardly any background information given about the Austins in New York. If you have read Meet the Austins and The Moon by Night and are expecting the same kind of book in The Young Unicorns, you'll be really dissapointed. I definently was.

The Young Unicorns.......2005-06-28

I've been reading this book over and over again since I was in my teens. It's always relevant, and I cannont recommend it, or any other book by Ms. Lengle highly enough. the strugle between good and evil takes place in the highest levels of Church authorities, and the ending, while a bit predictable, still comes about as a surprise. the new characters are wonderfully written, and you care about them almost as much as the Austins you already know, right away.
if you have a teenager, this book shouldn't be missed, by either of you. there's a lot to talk about.

lovely.......2005-06-10

The more stories I read by Madeleine the more I become enthralled by the world that she creates. Her books are gems, and teach me about life and living. Although we live naturally through breathing and eating and drinking, there is much more then that and that is what Madeleine shows us. One of my favorite things that Madeleine is known for saying is how we should be able to be 10, 20, 35,58, and so on.

Interesting Sequel to "The Moon by Night".......2004-09-14

I thouroughly enjoyed both of the previous Austin family books and looked forward to this one as being similiar. This was a very good L'Engle book, but reminded me more of "The Arm of the Starfish" than the Austin series. Nonetheless, it was a very enjoyable read.

An intriguing mystery, new characters, and more of a look at Rob and Suzy than the usual focus on Vicky. It was nice to see Canon Tallis again. I liked the way Ms. L'Engle weaves in spiritual truths: we are truly free only in obedience/submission to God.

I'm looking forward to the rest of the Austin series, and I hope Emily and Dave make a cameo or at least have a mention in the next books. I also want to note that one should definitely read "The Arm of the Starfish" before they read this novel. Though different series, they connect and "Starfish" will be spoiled unless you read it first.

A great modern classic.......2003-12-17

I found the book to be a marvelous read with real gripping drama, and characters it's easy to care about. Part coming of age story, part mystery/adventure, this is a profound piece that makes you think as it entertains and thrills. I recommend any and every book by this writer.

Average customer rating:

Collection
COOLEST BOOKS ON EARTH by Horsegal
Ended Abruptly
Let The Quest Go On...
A great book!

Valley of Fear
Mary Stanton
Manufacturer: Tandem Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: School & Library Binding

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ASIN: 0613168704

Book Description

Sunchaser, mightiest of the Royal Unicorns of Balinor, has regained his horn. Now, Sunchaser and Princess Arianna must set out on a dangerous quest for the Royal Diadem. Without it, there is no hope of finding Arianna's parents, the king and queen.

Customer Reviews:

Collection.......2007-01-17

Daughter & son have this collection and really like the stories.

They say the books are very good.

COOLEST BOOKS ON EARTH by Horsegal.......2006-01-30

this is a great book.even my friends like them.they are so adventures and scary.these books have a little bit of every thing in them. so i garantee you will like them.ari is the coolest and the greatest.sunchaser is so pretty. when i read this book i couldn't put it down.there are so many secrets revealed in one book and so many adventures.by for now Horsegal.

Ended Abruptly.......2004-12-31

What happens next? In case any of you haven't looked *who've read this book* the back of the book *where it normally tells what happens* has absolutely nothing to do with the series. It doesn't tell how everything gets "put back together again". Hello??? Does anybody care that you're left hanging?

Let The Quest Go On..........2004-02-12

Are you looking for a good book that is beautiful and peaceful? Do you need a book that must have adventure or even lead to death? That humans can talk to animals? Is this the book you want? Well if it is then here's a book that will inspire you! The Unicorns of Balinor Valley of Fear by Mary Stanton. Arianna, Princess of Balinor, is trying to find her parents the King and Queen and her two Brothers the princes. The land they rule is a peaceful valley where Unicorns live. The Celestial Unicorns to be exact. Humans talk to the animals and even to the cows! Some of the unicorns work for the humans and they don't need to be steered or anything. If you say where you need to go,
they go.

This book really inspired me because it has adventure in it. Fore example, there is a hero named Princess Arianna and her horse Chase, then there's Lori. She doesn't like to do every thing that Arianna wants Lori to do. They argue but then Lori
says something so rude that Arianna finally put her foot down and spoke up. See I have liked this book so much that I really had to read the rest. For example...
Lori: "I'm not going now. I am spending the night in a real bed. I'll think about leaving in the morning."

Ari: "You. Will. Do. As. I. Say. I've agreed to your terms, Lori. Now listen to mine...."
So sit back pick up the book and as they say Let the quest go on.

A great book!.......2002-08-30

Sunchaser the unicorn , Lori , Ari and a unicorn toby are trying to find the Royal scepter and they ask the old mare of the mountain , who tells them they will find in the valley of fear were the black unicorns are. Ari needs it to be the princess of balinor , she just wants to be the ordinary girl she is but she must for Sunchaser the great unicorn and she must for Balinor. So Sunchaser and Toby the unicorns with Lori Sunchasers master and Ari the maid to her go to the valley of fear dressed as soldiers and Ari finds the Royal Secpter but both girls Lori and Ari with Sunchaser fall into the pit and are back at Glacier River Farm.

Average customer rating:

Enjoyed this book
War, Plagues, Star Crossed Lovers...to Begin With
Love this trilogy!
Quite enjoyable
Good Sequel, Well Worth Reading

Gold Unicorn (Dragonflight)
Tanith Lee
Manufacturer: Atheneum
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0689318146

Customer Reviews:

Enjoyed this book.......2006-02-07

I felt this book was much better than the first one. It kept me reading because I just had to know how it turned out. This book finds Tanaquil still journeying. She ends up meeting with her half sister and finds she is not the same girl that she knew. From there she sees battles, a new world and a love she cannot claim.

War, Plagues, Star Crossed Lovers...to Begin With.......2003-08-31

Tanaquil has had the time of her life traveling and seeing all the wonders of the world for herself. But, as she begins to near her homeland, she hears rumors of horrible wars and a mad empress bent on conquering the world. Tanaquil fears for her mother and her half sister and heads straight for enemy territory in order to reach them...only to be captured by the empress' forces.

But that is not the worst, not by far, for, when Tanaquil is brought before the empress, who should it be but her own sister, Lizra! And Lizra has no intention of letting Tanaquil go. Lizra has had built a giant golden unicorn that will bring fear to the hearts of her enemies, but it will not work. She knows that Tanquil has an uncanny talent for mending things, so she commands Tanaquil to fix her unicorn. And Tanaquil does...against her better judgment.

Now the unicorn is destroying cities and slaughtering many. Tanaquil is sick over her part in Lizra's war, but she cannot leave...for she has fallen in love with Honj...who just happens to be the future husband of Lizra. How can they ever be together when a madwoman controls them...a madwomen they both care for...

This book is the sequel to Black Unicorn and equally as good as the first.

Love this trilogy!.......2002-12-27

Great light read! Though not as good as the black unicorn, the gold unicorn is still a enchanting read.

Quite enjoyable.......1999-11-05

Tanith Lee displays her usual inventiveness in Gold Unicorn; the result is a very satisfactory sequel to Black Unicorn.

While not, in my mind, quite as enjoyable as the first one, Gold Unicorn nonetheless remains a well-crafted fantasy in a creative and unusual world. Darker than its predecessor, Gold Unicorn explores Tanaquil's struggles between loyalty to her half-sister Lizra, now the dreaded conquerer, and her own belief that the ideal world her sister strives for cannot be achieved by war. Added are several complications-- a massive mechanical gold unicorn Lizra has ordered Tanaquil to fix for her war campaign, the mischievous peeve, stinging mousps (a magician's creation formed of mice and wasps), Honj, the enigmatic consort of Lizra...and a hell world to parallel the perfect world Tanaquil saw in the last book.

Obviously some people won't appreciate this book, but to those who enjoy Tanith Lee's particular style, Gold Unicorn is the perfect way to spend an afternoon.

Good Sequel, Well Worth Reading.......1999-10-27

Really, the sequel is very, very good. There are still more interesting, complex characters, a strong plotline, and all kinds of surprises, twists, and magic, magic, magic. Tanaquil is her old complex self, as wonderful and strong and clever and dry as she was in the first book, Black Unicorn. Her familiar, the peeve, is also going strong, and I particularly liked it in the sequel.

At first, it may look to some readers like the book is just another formulatic epic-battle-type fantasy, but Tanith Lee takes all the old, used-up cliches of this sort of fantasy and reweaves them, turns them upside-down, completley rejeuvenates them.

This is a wonderful book, and a worthy sequel. I would have liked it perhaps if Tanaquil had just gone on adventures by herself (and the peeve) and there had been no war element, but this sequel is still good the way it is.

Book Description

Before Megan and Ainsley return to Earth, they are pulled into another fantastic adventure in the magical land of Arylon. During a political summit, Evren Sandor-a mage with a questionable reputation-holds up a golden cone and announces that he is their new leader. Incredibly, the spell works!

The source of Evren's power is a magical horn that once belonged to a unicorn named Onaj. Megan and Ainsley believe another unicorn's magic will be enough to counteract Evren's spell. With help from a ferret named Brighton and Sir Inish the dwarf, they seek out the White Order of unicorns. Their leader, Anala, agrees to help them destroy Onaj's horn. But when they confront the evil mage, Anala and Ainsley succumb to the horn's power.

Book Description

Acorna's people, the Linyaari, have begun reclaiming their homeworld from the ravages of the brutal Khleevi. But the first wave of explorers has unlocked a larger mystery about the origins of the Linyaari -- one that has led Aari, Acorna's beloved lifemate, on a dangerous journey from which he may never return.

Setting off on a quest to find Aari, Acorna and her friends -- Captain Becker, Mac, Nadhari, and RK -- are forced to crash land on the beautiful and barbaric exotic jungle world of Makahomia, home of the mysterious Temple Cats. But an evil scheme threatens to destroy the sacred felines. To save the cats, Acorna will lead a band of rebels on a journey into Makahomia's temples and hidden sanctuaries.

And there, within one sacred shrine, she will discover shocking information that could lead to Aari . . .or to disaster.

Download Description

And there, within one sacred shrine, she will discover shocking information that could lead to Aari . . .or to disaster.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful.......2005-09-13

I recieved the book in wonderful condition. I am very impressed on how fast I recievd the book. I enjoyed the book very much. Thank you for doing a wonderful job!

Acorna's Rebels.......2005-08-02

Although I only gave 4 stars for this book, it is not due to my not liking it. I found the two that followed to be better. I have enjoyed this series. I have many of this author's book becasue of the ability to make you see what you read.

Almost there, but not there just yet.......2003-11-27

I've read all of the Acorna novels so far, and this is one of the most interesting. Acorna lands on Nadhari's home planet after a little technical difficulty with the Condor (courtasy of RK). While there, she tries to help the holy cats that have fallen ill due to a deadly disease and ends up getting tangled in a political plot to rule the planet.
The atmosphere and description of Makahomia reminds me of Southeast Asia, blended together with a touch of Arabia/Egypt and even the Amazons. It gaves the novel an exotic feeling, a feeling that can't be found in metalic space ships, the rich and poor cities of Kezet, and the slightly Medival European styled narhii-Vhiliinyar of previous books. The plot line itself was interesting and had a nice twist to it, espically with the Makahomian religion and the morphing cat-people. The Wats and RK are probably the most comical, with their antics and "out-dated" believes. The only things i have a problem with is the villan and the ending battle. Althought the villan (as always) is an over egotistical maniac who's very cunning, he's just not willy enough to defeat the protagonist and in this novel, seems to lose his touch as the story progresses. The final battle was anticlimatic, since it happened so quickly.

Is this it?.......2003-08-18

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed this book, very much so. But the end irritated me. Shoudln't there be more? I don't think the authors left much space to write another book, and if you don't like everything coming to peace in the end, it was a perfect end to the series. But really, there should be another, when Aari returns, with his brother, but something needs to happen, too. But there is no space I can see open for another adventure. I did enjoy this book, with finding outNadhari's secrets, the Mulzar wanting to destroy the sacred cats, it's an enjoyable book, if maybe a slight bit slower than the other books. I was also confused on the Miw-Sher thing. OK, she was a baby. Tagoth didn't know her identity, so how on earth did she take discovering her true identity so calmly? I recommend the book, though I wish there was more detail and a chapter or two more to wrap up the loose ends.

Yawn.......2003-03-19

I wanted to like this book being a fan of both authors. Even after the first hundred pages of nothing happening, I had hope. But, in the end it's a cute cat and unicorn girl story without any particularly interesting characters, adventure, or reason to be written.

Plot summary, Acorna, unicorn girl, is hijacked to a strange planet by her cat. Once there, she cures more cats, discovers that the apparently nice guy is really a very bad guy who wants to poison everyone because--uh, well, no good reason, he just does. But Acorna is good to go and has lots of help. In the meantime, she wishes she could find her boyfriend.

Book Description

The enchanting, magical sequel to The Black Unicorn and The Gold Unicorn!After several years traveling, Tanaquil - a sorceress like her mother with the ability to mend - returns home only to discover that her true love has been betrothed to her sister, Empress Lizra. Broken-hearted and jealous of her sister's happiness, Tanaquil is lured by a red unicorn into a mirror world where she encounters Tanakil, a diabolical version of herself. She discovers also several new powers. Powers she will need to foil Tanakil's sinister plot of revenge.

Customer Reviews:

The Grand Finale.......2003-08-31

After many adventures and a few heartbreaks, Tanaquil returns home to her mother's fortress in the desert only to find that everything has changed. Tanaquil's mother has fallen in love and, if she spent little time with Tanaquil before, she spends none with her now. Tanaquil is considering moving on when adventure comes for her in the shape of a red unicorn...

The red unicorn leads Tanaquil into a world that mirrors her own. Everyone she knows and loves is in this world...even she is here in the form of a princess named Tanakil. But everything here is opposite. The sky is green, wolves eat nuts, and everyone that is evil in Tanaquil's world is good here... and vice versa.

Can Tanaquil stop her evil twin Tanakil before she does the unthinkable and murders her own sister? And will Tanaquil ever be able to return to her own world? And, more importantly, if she does, will Tanaquil have the courage to tell her half-sister the awful truth...that Tanaquil is in love with her half-sister's future husband? How could such a tangled story have a happy ending...you may be surprised.

This is the last book in the trilogy that also contains Black Unicorn and Red Unicorn. All three books are wonderful, but this one is by far the best. I highly recommend them all.

Great trilogy.......2002-12-27

though i found this book in the young adult section of the library i think that it works well for all ages. This a great trilogy - especially if you are looking for a fun light read.

Depressing........2002-06-20

With Tanaquil's heartache, it is a natural downer. But Lee's fast-paced writing never lets go, and I will promise this: the last few pages redeem its depressing nature just enough to make the read worthwhile.

Fantasy, or much, much, much more?.......2000-01-06

The 'Red Unicorn' is the best book that I have ever read.If you like fantasy books like I do, you will love it as well, but even if you don't, I think that you will still find this to be one of the best books ever written.

A great book!!.......1999-11-04

The day I found TheRed Unicorn was when my book to have for a book report was due. I had never heard of Tanith but, of the few weeks it took me to read it I was so amazed. I never did like to read but after I had read Red Unicorn I now can't keep my eyes out of my books. In my reading class I am recieving an A thanks to Tanith Lee. If he hadn't wrote this book I would probally be getting an F on my book report and Reading class. Agian I thank you and I will soon read many of your other books. God has givin you a great gift. Don't be afraid to use it.

Average customer rating:

The Son of Summer Stars (Firebird)
Meredith Ann Pierce
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0142500747

Book Description

A secret haunts Jan's dying father, Korr-a secret so dark that, if exposed, could bring the downfall of the Firebringer. Jan is left with its terrible burden, and an impossible choice-renounce Tek, his beloved mate, and lose forever the kingship of the unicorns, or return and face the consequences of his father's acts, and of his own.

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Childhood Favorite Still Holds Fire
an early awakening that i wasn't aware of...
Still love it after all these years!
Birth of Firebringer
Unicorns in a different way

Birth of the Firebringer (Firebird)
Meredith Ann Pierce
Manufacturer: Firebird
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0142500534

Book Description

Jan, the prince of the unicorns, is high-spirited, reckless-and the despair of his mighty father, Korr. Reluctantly, Korr allows Jan to accompany the other initiate warriors on a pilgrimage. Soon Jan's curiosity leads him, along with his friend Dagg, and their mentor, the female warrior Tek, into the greatest dangers-deadly gryphons, sly pans, wyverns, pards, and renegade unicorns. Yet time after time they are rescued, leading Jan to wonder: Am I the heir to a special destiny?

Customer Reviews:

Childhood Favorite Still Holds Fire.......2007-08-17

This was my favorite book as a child obsessed with unicorns (when even my dance teacher presented me with unicorn-themed because of the hair at the front of my head that refused to lay down). I read it over and over back then, but 20 years later couldn't remember much about it. So I found a copy and re-read it, finding it as charming and captivating as I always had!

It's a fabulous coming-of-age fantasy, complete with the requisite prophecies and dangerous journey for our hero, young Jan, prince of the unicorns.

Even though this is the first book of a trilogy, it stands perfectly well alone - the sequel wasn't released til 7 years later, so, as a child I never even realized there was more to the story. But I have the second in the series, "Dark Moon," at home, ready to be read! :)

an early awakening that i wasn't aware of..........2007-02-21

Meridith Ann Pierce is Jah-lila.
this author has done what all of those other authors who write for Lewellyn can only hope to attain....she has explained Paganism in its simplicity and all of its mysterious complexity..and aimed the reading for young adults.
How many of us were children when we read the first "Birth of.."?

Now, how many of you feel that not only was it a birth of the firebringer, but also the birth (remembering)of our authentic selves? How many of you readers because of this trilogy can now see yourselves magic and a whole person who remembers their own Divinity?
I think we owe much thanks and gratitude to Meredith for helping us. Not only is she an author, she is a Midwyfe...a Priestess of sort.
Anyone who wants to discuss this more may email me at the_tisher@yahoo.com i welcome your thoughts.
Merry Meet

Still love it after all these years!.......2006-10-02

I've recently been reading a few of the books I really loved as a child, just for the sake of reminiscing and because the stories have stuck with me for years.

The Firebringer trilogy has a particularly important story for me. I first read the first book, The Birth of the Firebringer, when I was about 9 or so--I got it out from the library, and I think it only took me reading it once to get it to embed itself in my mind. I never found the other two, though.

Fast forward to high school. I was talking to a friend of mine, and we somehow got on the subject of unicorn-related kid's books. I had long since forgotten the title of the book, but I remembered the cover, with the multicolored unicorns on it, and that there were some words that had seemed a little odd to me, such as "hale" and "pash". She suddenly remembered "Oh, it's called 'The Birth of the Firebringer'!" and I never forgot again.

Fast forward again to a couple of years ago. The trilogy was still woefully out of print. I managed to find a copy of Birth fo the Firebringer used--I gladly put down $20 for it. A few days later I had the wonderful gratification of re-reading that wonderful story again and revisiting one of the most amazing alternate realities my imagination had ever visited.

Lo and behold, not long after, the series came back into print, and I was able to complete the story!

The Firebringer Trilogy is geared towards young adults, but grown adults who enjoy a good fantasy story will like it as well. It's also very well-developed, with a variety of characters and an interesting storyline. Plus it's nice to see unicorns that aren't all just sugar and spice and everything nice, and that live in herds and have social structures.

Highly recommended for all ages.

Birth of Firebringer.......2006-08-18

I liked this book. It had a wonderfuly diverse vernacular portaying a delightfully detailed world. I read it first when I was 10 and didn't understand any of it and only remembered it vaugley, but it was the book that launched me into the world of fantasy art and writing. After many years I have found it again and it has proven to be everything I'd hoped it would be.

Unicorns in a different way .......2006-03-20

I've read plenty of books with unicorns portrayed as gentle creatures who are ridden by humans. While I have nothing against these types of books and enjoy reading them, this book brings out a different side of the unicorn, along with giving you characters you'll love.

Aljan (or Jan) is the unicorn prince's son. He has a wild, hotheaded streak about him that, unfortunately, gets him in trouble often. However, Jan longs to have his father look upon him with pride and vows to clean up his act.

Jan goes on a journey with other unicorns to the Hallow Hills, a place that belonged to the unicorns before the wyvens drove them out. The unicorns only hope to reclaim the land that was once theirs lie in the belief that a great warrior known as the Firebringer will come and fight the wyvens.

The unicorns make the annual trip to intiate new warriors. The road is long, and the dangers are many (gryphons, renegade unicorns, and storms, to name a few). At the end of the trek, Jan finds out that he is the Firebringer that the unicorns have long told of coming.

This book is different than most books about unicorns in that instead of gentle unicorns, they are pictured as great warriors who fight to survive. It is interesting to see them as such.

Overall, I would give this book 4.5 stars. I take the half point off because the unicorns seem a bit too humanized. They speech is human-like and only a select few can use magic.

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The Trilogy Continues
"See What Your Wychery has Wrought?!"
Praise for Meredith Ann Pierce's "Dark Moon"
Good book, but weakest of trilogy
The firebringer Saga

Dark Moon (Firebird)
Meredith Ann Pierce
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0142500577

Book Description

Jan now bears a silver crescent on his brow and a white star on his heel, tokens that he will become the legendary Firebringer-but he has no knowledge of fire. Swept out to sea while defending the unicorns, Jan is washed up on a distant shore, only to find himself the revered captive of a strange race who treats him with awe, yet hold him against his will. He witnesses the magic of fire for the first time and discovers how he himself can create it. But can he escape and bring this knowledge back to the unicorns in time to save them?

Customer Reviews:

The Trilogy Continues.......2006-09-19

First of all, as second in the series, I'd like to congratulate Miss Pierce on making a sequel that new readers can follow without too much trouble. Sure, there are some scenes that may fly by a new fan's head, but even those are quickly understandable.

I like how the plot was handled in this one, the continuous back and forth between Jan and Tek. That made the story much more interesting as a whole, and left a feeling of suspense at some points.

This time there is the introduction of some new characters and the return of some old, and for the most part each accomplished what they were meant to do and the focus remained where it has always been; Jan, and this time around, Tek. I love well rounded casts where each character is equally as important, but in this case the focus on just a handful is completely fine (although some may disappointed in the gradual drop of Jan's friend Dagg's role in the story, and with some others)

There were plenty of twists and turns to keep the story exciting(even though some were unfortunately predictable), and the hints of what's to come as well as some of the horrors and wonders that unfolded in this volume kept me hooked. The characters are great (although could be better), and the promise of an amazing finish to the trilogy has me eagerly awaiting the next book.

Great job, Miss Pierce. I'm all ready for the third!

"See What Your Wychery has Wrought?!".......2006-01-25

Ever notice how the second parts of trilogies are often the weakest? This is not always the case, but it often happens in both books and movies, and it definitely occurs here. "Dark Moon" is the second part of "The Firebringer" trilogy, which began with the fascinating "Birth of the Firebringer" and ending with the explosive "Son of Summer Stars". But smack dab in the middle is "Dark Moon", and though it is far from being a bad book, it is unfavourably compared to the volumes either side of it.

In the preceding novel we are introduced to the young Prince Alijan, whose name means `dark moon', and who is the subject of a prophecy that describes the one who will eventually win back the Hallow Hills for the unicorns. Taken over by the poisonous wyverns, the unicorns were driven into exile and long to return to their ancestral home - especially since they now contend with gryphons, pans and renegade unicorns. Identified as the prophesied `Firebringer', the chosen one of the goddess Alma, Alijan is slowly making changes within his herd - introducing them to new customs and cultures, creating peace between enemies and laying to rest some of the snobbery and superstition that plagues his people (much to the disgust of his conservative father Korr).

But all that is put on hold when Jan and the rest of the youths in the tribe travel to the shore to engage in mating rituals. It is there he is finally united with his beloved Tek, though it is for only a short while. A vicious gryphon attack cuts him off from the rest of his fellows, and he is swept off to sea. Presumed dead by his grieving friends, the unicorns travel home where Tek's union with Jan is met only with disgust by Korr. Considering them judged by Alma, Korr instigates a new regime for the coming winter that endangers the life of the entire tribe. Finding herself in foal, Tek escapes to her mother, the mystic Jah-Lila who lives as a renegade upon the plain.

Meanwhile, Jan finds himself washed up on a foreign shore with no memory of who he is or how he got there. Falling in with "two-leggers", Jan is conveyed to their great city where he is enraptured by their mastery of fire. Yet there are sinister goings-on within the city, which Jan becomes aware of when he is introduced to the hornless horses of the "two-leggers", who exist completely under human rule. Escape is necessary, which also holds the hope of regaining his lost memories...

The problem with "Dark Moon" is that it relies a bit too much on clichéd fantasy techniques: a mad king, a prodigal son, an amnesia plot device, and a corrupt human society - we've seen all this before. Pierce is on surer (and more interesting) ground when she deals with Tek's relationship with her mother, the mysterious backstory to Korr's past, and the different definition she makes of `hero' in relation to Jan, who is more an information-gatherer and society-changer than a warrior or war-hero. This is captured perfectly in the final chapters of the novel, when Jan is faced with the gryphon responsible for his separation from the herd and faces a crucial choice of life or death.

As usual Jah-Lila makes an intoxicating narrator, and despite its discrepancies "Dark Moon" is an essential part of the trilogy. Perhaps I've been too hard on it (as the editorial reviews certainly are), as it is an intriguing and well-written book on its own terms...but you have much more to look forward to in "Son of Summer Stars".

Praise for Meredith Ann Pierce's "Dark Moon".......2004-06-23

-A stunning sequel to the brilliant "Birth of the Firebringer"... Meredith Ann Pierce has the ability to paint incredible scenes, with a satisfying dialect for effect...-

Good book, but weakest of trilogy.......2004-01-18

This second book in the Firebringer Trilogy logically expands the story, but it does not quite have the same kick as the first; perhaps the added length takes away from the impact. The humans ("two-foots") are handled in a superlative way so that they don't upset the animal-POV slant of the series. In general, this novel makes for a good example of how to write the middle chapter of a trilogy.

In this second installment, Jan, appointed prince of the unicorns in the previous book (_Birth of the Firebringer_), is captured by humans who believe he may be an incarnation of their god and taken to their city across the sea. Meanwhile, Jan's father Korr starts to turn the unicorn herd into a tyranny and directs his hatred at Jan's mate, Tek, now heavy with foal.

Pierce moves the story along the plot-lines introduced in the first volume, adds new horizons, answers some questions, brings up others. Admirable all around, especially Pierce's message of tolerance between traditional enemies, but the novelty has rubbed off a little. Thankfully, the last volume, _Son of the Summer Stars_ brings the trilogy to a smashing finish when the unicorns again confront the wyverns.

The firebringer Saga.......2003-07-01

This trilogy is the best set of books I have ever read... and I've read a lot of books. Ms. Pierce shows unicorns how they should be- not the white fuzzy pony things sadly potrayed in books like 'The Unicorns of Balinor, but real unicorns. Firece, wild, free. In this, the middle book of the trilogy, Aljan is lost at sea and washed up upon a strange land full of strange two-legged creatures... Korr starts to go mad, in in the vicious winter that grips the vale of the unicorns- many are lost.

This is a fantastic novel on its own, and a wonderful second book for a trilogy. The 'Library review' is merely one persons opinion, and a very poor one I might add. Look at the library review- then look at what the actual fans say.....

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