Book Favourites: Killer Unicorn series by Diana Peterfreund

In a perfect world, reviewers would be able to review every single book they read. But as most of you know, you can't. Sometimes it's because you simply don't have the time. Sometimes it's because you just can't find the inspiration. And sometimes the book you're reading is so awesome that you can't describe it without turning into a blubbering fangirl. Every week I will be highlighting one of such books in Book Favourites.

This is one of my favourite series ever. EVER. I still can't believe these books aren't more popular. They so deserve it! The books I'm talking about are the Killer Unicorn books. I've mentioned them before in my vlog, and I actually wrote a review of the first book, Rampant. I'm actually thinking of doing a readalong event kind of thing for Rampant, so if there's any interest in that, let me know!

Why these books are awesome:

• It has unicorns. And not the fluffy, cute kind of unicorns. No, unicorns with venomous horns that would like to rip you appart
• KILLER UNICORNS
• The fact that, if the killer unicorns finally grows tiresome (which it never does) it's actually a really good story
• The main character Astrid is a realistic girl. She's kick-ass, but not in a "let's push everyone around me away" kind of way. She has boy trouble, just like any other girl, but in the meanwhile she makes sure the unicorns don't rip her friends apart
• The majority of the series is set in Rome. Rome is an amazing backdrop for a book
• They're gritty. The girls get hurt in fights, and don't miraculously heal
• I can only think of one downside of the books: there are only two of them!

I recommend these books if you like:

• Paranormal or fantasy reads
• Unique creatures
• Kick-ass heroines
• Amazing action scenes
• Good worldbuilding & background
• Messed up families

Review: For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund

For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund

5 out of 5 stars

Published by Balzer + Bray
ARC won through giveaway by the author

I would like to preface my review by saying that I am a massive Diana Peterfreund fan. From the moment I read Rampant, her book about killer unicorns (I know right?!) I was hooked. When I found out that she was writing a dystopian version of Jane Austen's Persuasion, I was taken aback. Talk about something different! I got afraid, what if I don't like this book? Will I still be able to call Ms Peterfreund one of my favourite authors? Or will I hang my head in shame and mumble "Yeah well, the new book is just so different..."?

What the hell was I worried about. For Darkness Shows the Stars is AWESOME. First, the cover is beautiful. I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but still, it's a plus. Second, I really like the title. It's a change from the one-word title trend that still has YA land in its grip. It's a very cool title, even though as a Dutch girl I have troubles pronouncing it correctly.

And third, probably the most important one. The story. The STORY, you guys! I flew through For Darkness Shows the Stars in two days. It has everything. A rock-solid foundation in world-building, loveable characters, a super sweet romance, a father you would love to strangle, genetically manipulated ancestors and a devastating war... It has it all!

What I especially appreciated is how there isn't really a villain in For Darkness Shows the Stars. Except for the main character Elliot's father maybe. I could totally strangle him at times. Almost every single character is a shade of grey. Everyone has been made into what they are, more often than not outside of their own fault. Elliot really has to rethink who she is and what she wants to stand for throughout the book.

Elliot is a main character that I love. She is a strong, but humble girl. She chooses the well-being of her subordinates over her own. I admire this trait in her. I'm sick of all the wussy heroines bloating in self-pity. She isn't perfect though. She's always so busy thinking of other people first, that she forgets herself. Throughout the book she learns how to stand up for herself.

Of course, I can't write a review of For Darkness Shows the Stars without talking about the love interest. Kai is, just like this book, awesome. I'm a big sucker for the kind of dark and broody guys, and Kai lived up to it. What could have been a very difficult and painful relationship, Ms Peterfreund made Kai swoonworthy by adding letters. Letters from when Kai and Elliot were friends as kids. They show a softer side of him, but also show the start of what makes him as he is now. Why yes, I know that I'm being mysterious. But I just really don't want to spoil anything for you! All I have to say on the matter is that from the start of the book, I was rooting for Kai and Elliot to have a happy ending, one way or another.

Do you like romance? Read this book. Do you like post-apocalyptic? Read this book. Do you like horses? Read this book. Do you think Elliot is a cool name for a girl? Read this book.

No seriously, read this.

Blurb

Generations ago, a genetic experiment gone wrong—the Reduction—decimated humanity, giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology.

Eighteen-year-old Luddite Elliot North has always known her place in this caste system. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family’s estate over love. But now the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress and threatening Luddite control; Elliot’s estate is floundering; and she’s forced to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth—an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliott wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she abandoned him.

But Elliot soon discovers her childhood friend carries a secret—-one that could change the society in which they live…or bring it to its knees. And again, she’s faced with a choice: cling to what she’s been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she’s ever loved, even if she has lost him forever.

Inspired by Jane Austen’s PERSUASION, FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS is a breathtaking romance about opening your mind to the future and your heart to the one person you know can break it.

Other reviews you might be interested in

• Review: Rampant by Diana Peterfreund (5/5 Stars)
• Review: Everneath by Brodi Ashton (4.5/5 Stars)
• Review: Feed by Mira Grant (4/5 Stars)
• Review: Errant by Diana Peterfreund (5/5 Stars)

More links

• Author page
• Press
• Goodreads

Short Review: Errant by Diana Peterfreund

Errant by Diana Peterfreund

5 out of 5 stars

Short Story (33 pages)
Published by Noise Court Press

Me and killer unicorns, we go way back. The first time I heard of their existence it was like finding that missing piece that completes you into a whole being. It filled the empty little place in my heart. And still now, I can't get enough.

Errant is a short story of about 30 pages, set in historical France. Gitta, a unicorn hunter trained in Rome, is summoned to help in a symbolic unicorn hunt. But there is more magic hiding in this estate than she expected...

I loved how in this tiny short story, Ms Peterfreund manages to insert several plot twists, character development and a teasing insight into the world of unicorn hunters. The story stands completely on its own, making it accessible for both die-hard fans and the relatively ignorant.


When I wrote this review, this novelette was still available for free. Read more about this offer on Diana Peterfreund's blog. Go read it, NOW!

Blurb

In 18th century France, a noble family prepares to celebrate their daughter’s arranged marriage by holding a traditional unicorn hunt. But when an unusual nun arrives at the chateau with her beloved pet to help the rich girl train, nothing goes as expected. Starring hunters, fine ladies, fancy frocks, and killer unicorns.

A standalone novelette set in Peterfreund’s killer unicorniverse, which includes the novels RAMPANT and ASCENDANT.

Other reviews you might be interested in

• Review: Rampant by Diana Peterfreund (5/5 stars)

More links

• Author page
• Noise Court Press
• Goodreads

NBR In The Spotlight

Just an hour ago I came across something that absolutely made my day.

I haven't been blogging for that long and I still feel like a newbie most of the time. I get a happy kick from every comment on my posts. I love it when people appreciate my reviews. I get ecstatic when someone asks me to review his or her book.

It never crossed my mind that the authors of books I review would actually be interested in my reviews too. Writers always seem so far away for me. They are magicians that conjure these magical works we peasants can only admire from a distance.

That's why I was so utterly surprised to see a piece of my review on Diana Peterfreund's blog. I do feel a bit embarrassed now that she has read my fangirl squeeing.

I so loved Rampant. It was one of my favourite books of 2010. And now the almighty writer has visited my humble book blog!

I still have trouble believing it. This is so awesome.

BR: Rampant

Rampant by Diana Peterfreund

5 out of 5 stars

This book has a premise that is as awesome as the story itself. This book is about KILLER UNICORNS. Yes, you have read that correctly. Unicorns are not the fluffy white harmless creatures everyone thinks them to be. They are something entirely different. I quote:

"Unicorns are man-eating monsters.
They don't have wings, they aren't lavender or sparkly, and you could never catch one to ride without its goring you through the sternum.
And even if it somehow managed to miss you major arteries - and it never misses - you'd still die from the poison in it's horn.
But don't worry. My great-great-great-great-great-aunt Clothilde killed the last one a hundred and fifty years ago."

This is what sixteen years old Astrid has been told all her life by her unicorn-obsessed mother. She or course doesn't believe this nonsense, until her boyfriend is attacked by one. Luckily, he survives, but her chances of him taking her to prom are instantly eradicated. This confirms everything Astrid has been told all this time, and her mother sends her off to Rome to be educated in the reopened unicorn hunters headquarters.

If you think killer unicorns are awesome, you will absolutely love this book. Not only is the idea utterly amazing, the presentation is really good. Rampant has a solid plot, with more than enough lore to support the story. At first, the extensive background may seem a little bit overwhelming, but these pieces of information are so often referred back to that you will remember them without effort.

"This was the karkadann, the most dreaded and deadly of all unicorns. This was the creature of nightmares, the thing my family fought for so many generations."

I cannot stress the fact enough how utterly brilliant this book is. Astrid has made it to my top 3 most kick-ass heroines. I love that there finally is a girl in a YA novel that doesn't hide behind her crush at every sight of danger. She is truly self sufficient, and actually has to protect her crush from being hurt. I adore that she isn't dependant. It annoys me that almost all female characters seem to be nothing without their male counterparts.

This is at times a rather dark book. The unicorn hunting business is not at all without risk. Any of the girls could die in an ambush. More often than not there are at least a few broken bones after a fight. I think it's great that Ms. Peterfreund didn't gloss over the fact how horrible combat is. It isn't all honour and glory, it's frightening and a struggle for life and death. You can see that this takes a toll on the girls, as would be expected. But it must be done, and only the hunters can take unicorns down. They accept their duty with their heads held high and bows strung and axes raised.

"The kirin turned in our direction and lowered its head to charge. It was smaller than the one I'd seen before, barely more than a yearling, yet every bit as deadly. I froze, forgetting all Lino's archery lessons as the monster stared me down with its glowing, golden eyes."

It's not all about fighting and killing though. There is a clear message about growing up and learning how to make your own choices. The hunters must keep their virginity, otherwise they will lose their powers. This makes for a rather tough topic for the girls to cope with. They will have to make a choice between love or their obligations. 

"I wasn't quite sure what kind of "unicorn crap" I could potentially pull off. You might lie about having lost your homework, but I wouldn't be able to pretend I'd killed a kirin if I hadn't."

This is one of those books you come across that you think is so great you can't stop talking about it. As you might tell from the abundance of quotes from this book, I obviously can't get enough of it. While I'm reviewing, I'm skimming through the pages again, looking for great passages. It makes me want to reread the whole book. While I just finished! *sighs*

Please read this. That way we can all squee together. There is also a sequel to Rampant, called Ascendant. I must have that book now!

Teaser Tuesday #4

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• Make sure you do not include spoilers
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Teaser Tuesday #4: Rampant

"Unicorns are man-eating monsters.
They don't have wings, they aren't lavender or sparkly, and you could never catch one to ride without its goring you through the sternum.

And even if it somehow managed to miss you major arteries - and it never misses - you'd still die from the poison in it's horn.
But don't worry. My great-great-great-great-great-aunt Clothilde killed the last one a hundred and fifty years ago."