#sut is skandar and the unicorn thief

[mytragedyperson]

Skandar and the unicorn thief chapter one discussion

Warning: Probably spoilers

Okay so, first of all I love this first chapter for many reasons. It introduces so many ideas and does a decent job of introducing Skandar and his family situation.

First of all, his dad having depression and not having a job and this causing them to be fairly poor. And also leading to Skandar's problems with Owen and his lack of friends. Now, I want to make this clear before I continue, I am not, in any way, trying to villainise the dad. It seems clear to me that he is supposed to have depression, whether it's diagnosed or not. But he's also the only parent Skandar and Kenna have, and, while they do have grandparents, the grandparents can't be there to take care of the dad, and so it falls to the children. And this leads to the children sometimes caring for their dad over their own self care.

On top of that we have Kenna, Skandar's sister. So I can't talk much about this, because it's not my experience, but this feel like what smart kid or golden child burnout is. There were a lot of expectations that Kenna would succeed and go on to have a unicorn of their own, and so, when she failed the exam, she not only missed out one her dream, but she also failed to meet those expectations and its probably the combination of these making her feel even worse. Especially if the dad was really driving home the idea that this, having a unicorn rider in the family, would fix all their problems, particularly with money. I don't know if the dad meant to put this much pressure on her but the pressure exists anyway. Honestly when it comes to Kenna, two songs immediately come to mind, Surface Pressure from Encanto and Top of my school by Katherine Lynn Rose.

And then you have Skandar, trying to navigate both of these situations, trying so hard not to say the wrong thing, and not always succeeding because he's still a kid who sometimes speaks without thinking, and a fairly awkward one, at that. Side note: him talking about the comments people make and how he only thinks of responses too late when the moment's already passed, yeah, most relatable shit I've ever read. Same, bestie. Also i really like Skandar and Kenna. They're both kids in a difficult situation, trying their best. Skandar, especially. Like, he does not deserve this bullying. I know Owen's a kid too, but honestly, fuck Owen. This is an anti bullying page. Especially cyber bullying. Only cowards bully people and that goes double for cyber bullying. Also, I do feel sorry for Kenna, being told her whole life this was her destiny and then having it ripped away from her. And honestly, there's a good chance that was because they worried she'd be a spirit weilder.

But also, the book specifically telling us Kenna favoured fire unicorns, but Skandar could never pick a favourite? I see you, book, hinting that there might be more to it.

Ties nicely in to the end of the chapter where the Weaver steals New Age Frost and the mainlanders don't know who the Weaver is and they say the mainland can't see this. Just does a great job telling us there's also more to the Island, things they're purposely hiding from the Mainland. I just love it. It feels like nothings wasted. Even the bit about the mum, Rosemary goes to show why they want this so much, why Skandar wants this so much.

Also this isn't about the chapter but the Island is my Hogwarts. You know Harry Potter fans joke about missing their Hogwarts letter and being disappointed? Well im disappointed I missed my unicorn exam. Am I scared of heights? Yes. Will I overcome this if it means I get a unicorn of my own? Yes, even if these unicorns are vaguely terrifying.

Also, can we just agree that when it comes to magic, going by elements is better? Whether it's the four elements, water, fire, earth air, or some extra ones added, like I believe I've seen light and dark and stuff, it's just a cool system, especially if your affinity doesn't stop you using other elements, just makes it harder. Like, just yes. If magic is natural in your world, like its a part of nature, then it should be based on a natural things. By the way when I say light and dark in this case, I don't mean good and bad, I mean liter light and dark.

[mytragedyperson]

So a while back, I started reading Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by A.F. Steadman. I've decided to start it again and as I go through I'm going to share any thoughts I have. There will be spoilers for this book so if you plan to read it or have started reading it but haven't finished, don't read this post

OK I believe that's how you do the more after split thing so let's jump right in with the prologue. I love that pretty much right from the beginning these are not your usual unicorns and this is not your usual unicorn book.

So often we see unicorns as these peaceful, pure, magical, almost sacred beings. They exist to show us the chosen one is pure of heart, or to show us someone is evil or flawed because they killed a unicorn. And killing a unicorn usually has consequences, some kind of curse or negative impact dues to killing the unicorn.

But to see unicorns being wild animals, dangerous wild animals, that can and will kill you, to know that these attacks don't usually leave survivors. I personally haven't seen that before but it makes sense. If we look at unicorns as essentially magical horses, them being dangerous when angry and scared makes sense. No one wants to be on the wrong side of a spooked or angry horse. And magic would only make them more dangerous.

And the fact this is what starts everything with bringing mainlanders over. You may not know specifically why at this point, but it does show the danger of wild, unbonded unicorns. This honestly just feeds into the idea of the islanders screwing themselves over in their attempt to get rid of soul/spirit unicorns. In their attempts there are wild unicorns that realistically should've been bonded to someone. So not only is the Weaver running around controlling wild unicorns, but the wild unicorns on their own, themselves are already dangerous. I know fear makes people do crazy and dumb things, but seriously, not one person has pointed this out? Then again I imagine anyone that did would've been called a spirit weilder sympathiser and locked up themselves, and others may just be keeping quiet about it to avoid a similar fate.

But really, I just love unicorns in general so anytime I see a unicorn being used in a way that isn't prove this character is pure or prove other character is evil or have a curse be because someone killed one, I'm happy.