Mystical Unicorn: Book Store

Unicorn Lady's Book Recommendations/Reviews
This is a brand new section in the Mystical Unicorn site. Included here are books I have read or have in my library that I recommend be considered for purchase by other unicorn lovers. Some of these books are ones which were recommended to me by visitors to my site, so decided to pass along some book ideas for all of you.
	A Unicorn Is Born Ursula, a pregnant 600-year-old Forest Unicorn, prepares to grace the forest with the birth of another member of her rare species. Ursula is already an expert herbalist, magician, alchemist, astrologer, and psychic. Now, awaiting her first colt (Uma), she has an opportunity to embrace both the practical and mystical aspects of motherhood. Ursula’s regal intelligence and earthy warmth reveal her to be the quintessential mother and a generous teacher, as she divulges secrets not only about the universality of motherhood but also of confidential, ancient unicorn lore. Ursula’s belly grows, and she delivers a brown, long-haired baby. As this pair gets acquainted, grazing meadows for snacks, practicing spells or diving off their favorite rock in a nearby stream, Ursula realizes the true infinity of nature’s power and revels in her happiness at having experienced animal magic in a completely new way The combination of the writing style and the illustrations is magical. Trinie Dalton's writing reveals a rich respect, love, and knowledge of nature, one that sees beyond the form and captures the spirit, while Kathrin Ayers illustrations perfectly capture that mystical essence. Though intended for children and young teens, the writing is robust and challenging, never venturing into the patronizing prose that is too often the case with books written for younger readers. The book comes with a set of unicorn stickers. Author: Trinie Dalton Publisher: Harry N. Abrams; November 2007
	Insatiate Archer In the mists of time, when the line between superstition and reality has not been drawn, war rages between the new religion and the old. And the ferocious battle for hearts and souls is fought in flames and innocent blood. Susanna with her startling, differently colored eyes is a witch, a High Priestess of the druidic groves, struggling to embrace the best of Christianity. But the monstrous Yellow Curate will stop at no evil to rid the world of her and her ancient beliefs. The author joins 14th Century fact, myth and magic to lead readers on a breathtaking odyssey through a land in the birth pangs of change, where Susanna is never far ahead of the sadistic cleric obsessed with her destruction. And behind every tree, every crumbling stone wall, every wooded hill, the Insatiate Archer lies in wait, caring little whose heart his next arrow will pierce. The immaculate research and magical writing style create a dazzling reality only experienced in dreams...and nightmares. While this book does not deal with unicorns specifically, according to the author it "includes the unicorn in one of her many manifestations." I've included it here because the subject matter is one of great interest to me and thought some of my visitors might find it of interest also. Hunter and I have been corresponding for some time. She was working on a doctorate segment of study on the unicorn, tracing its origins, the many and varied places throughout the world where pictographs and other representations of the unicorn have been found, and looking at the place of the unicorn in religious traditions. She also planned to examine remnants of the old pagan religions that survive in our modern-day Christianity. This is Hunter's first novel and know she has others planned. I have my fingers crossed we'll see more of her books in print before too long. Author: Hunter Taylor Publisher: BeWrite Books; March 2007
	Shahly's Quest: The Chronicles of Brawrloxoss: Book One In a place where mystic creatures wander the forests and dragons rule the sky, where magic is common practice and the seasons are ruled by the natural order, the delicate balance of the land would forever be cast into turmoil by an innocent of the wild. With the balance already disrupted by humans, one unicorn would find herself imperiled by forces she could never have imagined. To rescue her heart, Shahly must rescue the stallion she loves from the clutches of the humans. To complete her mission, she must battle the unseen forces around her, see through the deceptions, and win a hopeless fight with her own heart. And with only three days and nights to do this, she must rely upon help from one of her kind's deadliest enemy, unaware he has an agenda of his own. What an amazing book! It combines several elements into the story: romance, fantasy, adventure. The author has created a plot that will keep you guessing, This is the first in a planned series of books and I very much hope to see the next book in the series in print soon. I'm ready to continue the adventure! If you are a unicorn lover, get this book and take a roller coaster ride with Shahly as she tries to complete her mission of love. Author: J. R. Knoll Publisher: AuthorHouse; August 2006
	The Firebringer Trilogy Birth Of The Firebringer; Dark Moon; The Son Of Summer Stars This trilogy was out of print for quite a while. The first book was printed in the mid-80's. I had never heard of it until it was recommended as a great read by several visitors to my site. Went looking for it, but was unable to find a copy at that time. Then in 2003 the Science Fiction Book Club published all three books in a single volume and I was finally able to read it. The entire trilogy is now available in paperback and I imagine you could also find used hardcover editions of the originals at various places. What a story this is! Told completely from the point of view of the unicorns, it is filled with mysticism, adventure, courage and faith. According to the author: "...what attracts me to unicorns is their heels and their horns, their power and speed. Creatures with such armature and such musculature, so I surmise, could only be warriors." And while these books are targeted for "young adults" (grades 5-9), I am way past that category and I loved them. Here's a synopsis of the story condensed from the book's jacket: Forty generations past (400 years), wyverns invaded the unicorns' rightful lands in the Hallow Hills of the balmy north. Under the guise of friendship, their leader befriended the unicorns' aged king, using sorcery to addle the old stallion's wits. In a treacherous ambush, wyverns stung to death most of the unicorn warhost, and slew nearly all the rest with fire. Only a few escaped, fleeing south across the Plain. Coming at last upon a vast, deserted vale, the unicorns claimed it as their new home in exile. There the tribe awaits the coming of the Firebringer—a unicorn who possesses the secret of fire and will one day appear to lead the children of the moon back to their sacred lands as foretold in an old song: "The silver moon rode on his brow, And a white star on his heel." Aljan (Jan), headstrong prince of the unicorns, has often heard the story of how the evil wyverns drove his people from their ancestral homes. The story haunts him as he waits impatiently for the great expedition marking his passage into adulthood. Though his rebellious, reckless spirit sorely vexes his father, Korr, Jan is allowed to join the Pilgrimage. With his childhood friend, Dagg, and a female warrior, Tek, by his side, Jan encounters dangers he'd only heard of in songs—the outcast Renegades, the blue-coated wyverns and the great winged gryphons, whose sacred hunting grounds Jan's tribe has unknowingly occupied. With each encounter, he learns more truths about his people, his enemies, the wider world, and his own destiny. Despite Korr's objections, Jan and Tek declare their love—just before a storm sweeps Jan out to sea. Washed up on a distant shore, Jan becomes the revered prisoner of a race that teaches him the secrets of fire. Can Jan escape to bring this knowledge back to the unicorns...and restore peace to his world? Author: Meredith Ann Pierce Publisher: Firebird - Division of Penguin Group; Re-release June 2003
	The Last Unicorn - Deluxe Edition The Last Unicorn is considered one of the great fantasy novels of the 20th Century. Since its publication in 1968, it has never been out of print. It has sold 6 million-plus copies around the world, and been translated into more than 20 languages. The animated movie, released in 1982, has been seen by hundreds of millions of people, and after 25 years is still showing regularly on cable and satellite. In 2005, author Peter S. Beagle finally returned to his classic characters: Shmendrick the Magician, Molly Grue, King Lir, and the unicorn herself in a coda story called "Two Hearts," which went on to win the Hugo Award for Best Novelette of the Year. This edition of brings together the original classic tale and its extraordinary sequel in one volume for the first time, with new introductions by Peter Beagle and Connor Cochran. I'd never owned a copy of this book before, so when came across this edition, decided it was time it joined the other unicorn books in my library. Author: Peter S. Beagle Publisher: Roc--part of the Penguin Group; Deluxe Edition 2007
	The Truth Of The Unicorn Man's inhumanity forces God to start again. Noah has been given the task of preserving the beasts of Earth. So why do the two unicorns chosen by God to be included on the Ark—Laranki (Lar-ran-key) and his wife Soreecilor (Soar-reece-e-lore)—not attain the safety of the Ark? How can a crippled unicorn survive in a strange land where humans value the unicorn's horn as a trophy that must be obtained? How can the beasts face a final battle against the evil humans when their Chosen One has not appeared? Journey with Flack (unicorn), Chart and Brand (squirrels), and Shane (dog), as they seek out Essilon, the place where the final battle will be fought. As the book begins, Noah and his family are making the final preparations before the arrival of the flood. All of the animals who will be given sanctuary on the Ark have been informed by God of it's location and have to make their way their way there by the predetermined time. Laranki and Soreecilor have decided not to board the Ark because Soreecilor is pregnant and they know that only two of each species can be accommodated -- the Ark must leave without them. Thus begins the story of how these magical creatures try to survive in a world where unicorns, routinely hunted for their horns, have learned to fear all humans and view them as evil. The characters are intertwined in a magical way as you follow them on their journey. If you've been looking for a book about unicorns that is totally different, this is the book to purchase. I ordered it online from Barnes & Noble, but sure it is available at other places. Author: Stuart Hagan Publisher: Adlibbed Ltd; November 2006
	The Unicorn "Of all the legendary animals of art folklore and literature, the unicorn is the one with the greatest hold on our imaginations, Other fabulous beasts are clearly inventions, existing only in a mythical landscape of our own collection creation. But the unicorn strikes us as more than imaginary, It seems possible, even probable—a creature so likely that it ought to exist." The author takes us on a tour of unicorn lore—from China and Japan to India, the Near East, and Europe—from ancient times through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and into the present. Tapestries, illuminated manuscripts, sculptures and paintings, zoological illustrations, advertisements, and original art commissioned for the book will captivate anyone. It contains 155 full-color and black-and-white photographs and illustrations. This book seems to be available only in used copies. It was first published in 1980, with a second printing in September of 1981 and don't think it has been reprinted since. At least I haven't found a new edition. I purchased my used copy on the Internet and that may be the only place you can find it now-not sure. I highly recommend you add this to your unicorn book collection. Author: Nancy Hathaway Publisher: Viking Press--part of the Penguin Group; 1980
	The Unicornis Manuscripts: On the History and Truth of the Unicorn Explore the mysterious and magical world of the unicorn in this newly updated book. Explore the fluid boundary between what is real and what is imaginary. Long considered one of the preeminent books on these mythical creatures, Unicornis explains and expands the lore of the unicorn. An updated introduction addresses our collective fascination with unicorns, and the profound impact the original book had on unicorn lovers around the world. Alongside a narrative history of the unicorn are Michael Green's exquisite illustrations, rendered as if freshly torn from a medieval manuscript. Each image harkens us back to an enchanted age, when the mysteries of the world still held us captivated. Through the pages of the book we are transported to the spaces where unicorns abound, just out of our natural sight. This is a book I have wanted to buy for some time. Previously out of print, now we can all enjoy this newly reprinted edition. If you love unicorns, this book belongs in your library. It is going to be in mine soon, I can assure you. Author: Michael Green Publisher: Amber Lotus Publishing; April 2008
	Unicorn Races Six majestic colorful unicorns take part in a nightly race deep in a magical woods. Follow the adventures of young Abigail as she embarks on a wonderful adventure into a world of dreams and make believe; where unicorns race and elves and fairies prepare marvelous feasts of sundaes, cakes and cookies. This book is one that most young girls will thoroughly enjoy. What little girl wouldn't love to dress up as a princess and escape into the world of magical beings to oversee an exciting unicorn race amidst the stars? The book's illustrations are marvelous and the colors are most appealing. The cover is lightly padded and both the book cover and dust jacket display the title in silvery glitter. Reading this book I was reminded of my granddaughter, who will be seven October 7, 2010. In fact, Abigail's image looks a lot like my granddaughter, only older. She loves to dress up as a princess and act out stories. Her 4th birthday party had a princess theme and she and her friends dressed up in princess dresses. Know she would love this book. While this book is recommended for ages 4-8, I recommend it for an older child so it will be properly cared for. Or. if purchased for a younger child, read it to her and keep it in a safe place till she is old enough to take care of it herself. It's much too beautiful for it to become soiled and torn. Author: Stephen Brooks Publisher: Purple Sky Publishing; March 2007