Song of the Wanderer (Unicorn Chronicles Series #2) by Bruce Coville

From the Publisher

One unicorn dwells on Earth.

The Unicorn Chronicles.

The Unicorn Chronicles

BookII

Song of the Wanderer

Cara must return to Earth to save her grandmother, the Wanderer. But to do so, Cara must first travel through the wilderness of Luster, land of the unicorns, full of unknown creatures and perilous adventure around every bend in the road. Only at the back of the dragon Ebillan's cave will she find the gate that can return her to Earth.

Embarking on the journey of her life, Cara will face vicious terrain, delver attacks, and a surly dragon. Beyond all this looms one more danger: Beloved, Cara's infamous ancestor, who has dedicated a lifetime to ridding the earth of unicorns. Is Cara strong enough to resist Beloved's ruthless magic and trickery? Can she bear betraying her own blood?

"Readers eagerly awaiting the second book in Coville's Unicorn Chronicles will be richly rewarded for their patience with this volume." —Booklist

Alan Review

Perfect for young readers, this is a smartly crafted story about the world of unicorns and dragons. This is a second book in the series entitled "The Unicorn Chronicles," told in chapters that beg to be read aloud. Cara is a young teenage heroine who has denied her family heritage as a Hunter, and returns to earth at the bidding of the dying unicorn queen. Cara's mission--to rescue her grandmother, the Wanderer. Cara's quick-witted heroism and her bond of strong female characters make for a strong and appealing read. The novel's greatest strength, though, lies in Cara's vibrant search to find herself during her quest to rediscover her parents; this subtext provides a quiet depth to the simple adventure narrative. Genre: Fantasy/Adventure. 1999, Scholastic, Ages 9 to 12, $16.95. Reviewer: Peter E. Morgan

Library Journal

Gr 5-8-Although Coville does summarize the main events in Into the Land of the Unicorns (Scholastic, 1994), this book will appeal most to those who have read the first volume. Characterization of reappearing characters is limited and an understanding of the core story (the evil Beloved's reason for hating and hunting unicorns) is assumed. Cara's story picks up only days after the events of the first book have concluded and moves at a rapid pace. It is filled with magical creatures, strange encounters, and dramatic confrontations. Charged by the queen with the task of rescuing her grandmother from this world and taking her back to Luster, Cara must again evade the relentless pursuit of Beloved and the Hunters. Many of the situations and characters may seem somewhat predictable to sophisticated readers of fantasy, but Coville does include a spectacular plot twist that will surprise even the most well read among them. While Cara's quest comes to a successful conclusion, Coville leaves plenty of threads dangling, ensuring that his fans will eagerly anticipate the conclusion of his trilogy. While waiting, they may want to check out books by Patricia Wrede, Gail Carson Levine, and Donna Jo Napoli, all of whom incorporate familiar fantasy and fairy-tale elements into imaginative, well-written novels.-Lisa Dennis, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

School Library Journal

Gr 3-6-The second book of The Unicorn Chronicles by Bruce Coville (Scholastic, 1999) finds Cara on an exciting quest. She must make her way through the magical world of Luster to the unicorn queen, who asks Cara to bring back her grandmother Ivy so that old wounds can be healed. Believing that her grandmother, known to the unicorns as "The Wanderer," is on Earth, Cara must find a way home with the help of her growing list of companions. Filled with peril, humor, and many surprising revelations, Cara's quest takes her back to Earth, only to find her grandmother trapped in a mysterious dimension by the evil Beloved, whose greatest desire is to destroy all unicorns. Although Cara's father is a Hunter, one of Beloved's loyal warriors, a touching reconciliation between father and daughter is affected when he realizes that all he previously believed is untrue. Coville leaves the ending open, but does give some closure by revealing the mystery of Ivy's past and her relationship to the unicorns. Those unfamiliar with the first book in the series, Into the Land of the Unicorns (Scholastic, 1994), will likely be confused by a number of plot points and the sparse characterization in Song of the Wanderer, and will have to rely on the voice characterizations of this talented cast in order to better identify the characters. As the 12-year-old Cara, Carmen Viviano-Crafts compellingly conveys the confusion and deep longings of this young heroine seeking to understand her purpose in life. Jackie Grace as M'Gama lends the role of the Geomancer the full gravitas and majesty required. A real highlight is the several versions of the poignant titular "Song of the Wanderer," beautifully rendered by the cast. Briskly paced, emotionally moving, and featuring compelling female characters, this traditional fantasy will leave listeners longing for the next book in the series.-B. Allison Gray, South Country Library, Bellport, NY Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

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