unicorn-names - Tumblr blog

[unicorn-names]

Unicorn Name suggestions - Yellow

Nouns / Adjectives

Amber

Blonde

Cream

Canary

Gold / Golden

Honey

Mustard

Marigold

Ochre

Peach

Saffron

Sand

Sun / Sunflower / Sunshine

Tan

[unicorn-names]

The quartet!(and Jamie)

The buddies

[unicorn-names]

Personal Review (07/10/22)

Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by A. F. Steadman

Why am I reviewing this book?

This book really piqued my interest. I've always loved children's books, but this one is a little special. Why? This author got a seven-figure deal for this one and was signed for a movie deal before it was released. I really wanted to see if it was that good. Also, the B&N exclusive had sprayed edges, so you know I snatched that up.

Plot 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10

A little over a decade ago, an island between Wales and Ireland made itself known to the world. On that island, unicorns exist, but they aren't the cute characters we're familiar with. They're violent and bloodthirsty and can only be controlled by their destined riders or else they go wild. The Island needs more riders, so every year children from the Mainland take an exam to see if they could be a unicorn rider, and this year, it's finally Skandar's turn.

Was the plot fun and engaging? Yes. Was it original? Not really. I would never say I was bored during this book, but it was fairly predictable in almost everything. Each of the unicorns and their riders gets a special element, but Skandar has the ~special, secret fifth element~ that everyone thinks is evil. The emphasis on certain people and their history makes it pretty obvious who the Weaver truly is. Also, I know, I know this is a children's book, but it's hard to suspend my disbelief to the point that I could buy four thirteen-year-olds breaking into a high-security prison. There were a lot of things about the plot and the character's decisions that seemed way too convenient.

The worldbuilding itself was pretty interesting. I liked that, despite the target audience, the unicorns were pretty horrific. However, I do have one nitpicky complaint. They are not unicorns! They are alicorns! They have wings! Know your mythology! Anyways. The spirit element was intriguing, but I hope the later books introduce some limitations to it because right now it seems way too powerful.

The plot wasn't necessarily bad, but it reads very much like a typical, chosen-one, magical school story with really nothing new.

Characters 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10

To be honest, the characters in this book were ridiculously flat. The lack of character development is shocking. However, on the other hand, the relationships were very strong, especially between Skandar and Scoundrel's Luck and Skandar and his sister, Kenna.

Let's start with Skandar. He's...nice, but he fits very neatly into the in-over-his-head, perpetually confused protagonist. There wasn't really anything new about him, and he felt more like someone for the audience to watch through rather than a character of his own. I did like his friend group, especially Mitchell. I always tend to enjoy a friendship between people who were originally antagonistic towards each other. However, the friend group's beginning made no sense. Within maybe an hour max of meeting each other, Bobby, Flo, and Mitchell (sort-of) decide to break the law and help Skandar sneak into the training program. Like, I get not wanting to be responsible for the potential imprisonment/death of another kid, but it's really convenient that Skandar just happened to encounter the three kids that will keep his secret.

I did really enjoy the relationship between Skandar and Scoundrel, his unicorn, because it felt like they were genuinely close. Honestly, Scoundrel was the most interesting character for me which certainly says something. I also think the dynamic between Skandar and Kenna as close siblings where one achieves the other's dream, is very interesting with a lot of potential. However, not much was done with it this book.

As for the villain, the Weaver, the motivations were very weird. On one hand, the revenge plot was good and I liked it, but then it somehow turned into world domination which just felt over-dramatic and overplayed.

Writing Style 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10

The writing was pretty average. There were good descriptions of the characters and setting. For example, I had a clear idea of what every character looked like within a chapter or two of their introduction. The way the Island and its various locations were described definitely made me want to see it in person. However, there wasn't really anything that particularly stood out to me. This is probably a result of being a college student and reading a middle-grade book, but it did feel a little simplistic at times.

Overall 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10

I think this book will do very well. However, I do not think it lives up to the hype. For a book being promoted as the next Harry Potter/Percy Jackson, I was expecting something pretty groundbreaking, but it feels just like any other middle-grade book. There are just a lot of very typical tropes crammed into this book like the author hoped they could use those to substitute a complex plot. Not that these tropes can't be done well (go read Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger), but it just doesn't do anything new and make the story fall flat in this case. I did enjoy reading this book, and it was definitely a fun, fantasy romp, but it just doesn't live up to the hype whatsoever.

The Author

A. F. Steadman: British, previously worked in law, Skandar and the Unicorn Thief is her debut novel

The Reviewer

My name is Wonderose; I try to post a review every week, and I do themed recommendations every once in a while. I take suggestions! Check out my about me post for more!

[unicorn-names]

Unicorn Name suggestions - Big Cats

Nouns

Bobcat

Caracal

Cheetah

Jaguar

Lion

Leopard

Lynx

Serval

Sphinx

Sabre-Tooth

Tiger

Wildcat (what team?!)

[unicorn-names]

Unicorn Name suggestions - Flora

Nouns

Allium

Azalea

Begonia

Caspia

Calla lily

Cosmos

Crocus

Dahlia

Hop

Honeysuckle

Ixia

Ivy

Lilac

Lobelia

Morning Glory

Peony

Snapdragon

Valerian

Water lily

Wildflower

[unicorn-names]

I am completely normal about this child and his murderous pet pony

[unicorn-names]

Skandar Alternative Universe creations - Masterlist 1

a.k.a Skandar AU

Fandom: Bluey

Bluey Heeler

Bingo Heeler

Muffin Heeler

Socks Heeler

[unicorn-names]

If … was a unicorn rider - Socks Heeler (Bluey)

While Socks certainly has some bite in her, she generally goes with the flow, especially being the youngest of the 4 Heeler girls, so I felt being water allied made most sense.

Her unicorn is called Lavender Howl, which is a nod to Socks’ fur colour (which she obviously wouldn’t have as a human in the Skandar universe). With a name that is about sound (Howl) I thought that a mutation involving the ears would work, and some little lavender scaled fins would be cute for her.

[unicorn-names]

If … was a unicorn rider - Muffin Heeler (Bluey)

This little pup certainly has the attitude to create whirlwinds, which is why I chose her to be air allied. She can be confused by things she’s told so a fluffy cloud crown would somewhat be like a manifestation of the phrase “head in the clouds” or “foggy brained”.

Her unicorn is called Pixie’s Tantrum. I had to get tantrum in the name, it was too perfect, and Pixie is similar to her mum’s name along with being a mythical creature that can be a bit mischievous, just like Muffin.

[unicorn-names]

If … was a unicorn rider - Bingo Heeler (Bluey)

Bingo’s compassion and kindness made the earth alignment make most sense, especially given her love of animals like bugs. This is also the reason for her unicorn’s name: Lucky Little Bug.

A flower crown would be adorable on this cute little pup.

[unicorn-names]

If … was a unicorn rider - Bluey Heeler (Bluey)

I thought Bluey suited the fire element as she is a very creative and passionate little pup. The TV show in which she stars is heartfelt, so I felt a glowing heart as a mutation would fit well.

Her unicorn’s name is Playmaker’s Fun, which is essentially Bluey’s role in her own series. Given the nature of the show, I didn’t want to choose anything too horrifying.

[unicorn-names]

Unicorn Name suggestions - Identifiers

Nouns / Adjectives

Back (e.g. Frostback)

Crest

Claw

Eye (e.g. Eagle-Eyed, Bright-Eyes)

Feather

Fang

Foot (e.g. Light-footed)

Hoof

Horn (e.g. Black-Horned, Redhorn)

Tip (e.g. Ink-Tipped)

Tooth

Wing (e.g. Nightwing, White-Winged)

[unicorn-names]

Skandar and the Skeleton Curse - 4th book in the Skandar series by A.F Steadman

Due to be released October 2024

[unicorn-names]

Unicorn Name suggestions - Mischievous Person

Nouns

Anarchist

Herald

Hellion

Heathen

Heretic

Jester

Knave

Menace

Punk

Rascal

Ruffian

Rapscallion

Renegade

Scoundrel

Scamp

Tyke

Trickster

[unicorn-names]

Unicorn Name suggestions - Red

Nouns / Adjectives

Burgundy

Blood

Crimson

Cherry

Garnet

Jasper

Poppy

Rust

Ruby

Rose

Scarlet

Vermillion

[unicorn-names]

Unicorn Name suggestions - Birds (+ Bat)

Nouns

Blackbird, Bluebird

Bat

Corvid

Crow

Jay, Bluejay

Jackdaw

Magpie

Rook

Raven

[unicorn-names]

Unicorn Name suggestions - Identifiers

Adjectives

Beautiful

Ethereal (not of this world)

Gleaming

Glowing

Glorious

Grinning

Gilded (delicate or painted gold)

Handsome

Nimble

Old

Pretty

Rugged

Ravishing

Stoic

Stark

Sharp

Shining

Shimmering

Young