Book Review: Rampant by Diana Peterfreund – Killer Unicorns #1

Yes, folks, you read that right. Killer unicorns. Do me a favour and forget everything you’ve ever heard or known about the pretty, magical, kind-hearted creatures and prepare yourself for Rampant.

Plot Overview

Astrid Llewelyn is having a nice, romantic night with her boyfriend when said boyfriend is suddenly attacked by a unicorn. Astrid is shocked to learn that her mother’s eccentric ramblings are real – and not extinct as her mother had always thought.

This is the beginning of Astrid’s descent into the world of unicorns. She learns that her family is one of the most renowned families of unicorn hunters in the world. Against her better judgment, she travels to Rome to join a Cloister – essentially a unicorn hunter training ground – where she meets other girls who have unicorn hunting in their blood. Although they begin training together, Astrid is more interested in the work that the on-site scientists are doing. If stabbed by a unicorn’s horn, the poison it emits is fatal, unless treated by the Remedy, which they are trying to decipher and manufacture.

The unicorns had been in hiding for a long time – hence the assumption that they had gone extinct – but as Astrid soon discovers, they have come back, and with a mighty vengeance.

My Thoughts

I loved this book. I just loved it. This is something that is really, truly original. The author has done something very incredible with the idea of unicorns. I mean, who doesn’t love unicorns? Who doesn’t wish unicorns were real? Well, you might change your mind after reading this.

Diana Peterfruend really goes all out with this new world she has created. It is so complete and so captivating. She has not only created a detailed and thorough account of the present day unicorn situation – their species, their sizes, the personalities of the different species – but she’s incorporated her idea into history itself, making the whole thing so wonderfully real and beautifully immersive. I really got lost in this story.

Astrid is a wonderful character as well. She’s strong and brave, and really good at sticking to who she is and what she believes. She’s also sensible and kind. Watching her grow and develop as she takes on this brand new life is an experience I enjoyed very much. I also loved her mother. Their relationship isn’t perfect, but they really care about each other. Her mother is a little eccentric and considered by many to be rather crazy – and yet Astrid doesn’t abandon her. Astrid questions her destiny as a unicorn hunter, but her mother pushes her to see her full potential.

There is a good bit of mystery that is unraveled throughout this story as well. The scientists act a little vague sometimes. And you can’t really help but question whether or not there’s a reason the unicorns have come out of hiding, and come on so strongly. You will no doubt find yourself questioning a lot of things right alongside Astrid – including life and history itself. While completely fictional and not the least bit plausible, this book still manages to make you think. It makes you wonder.

Exceptionally Well Written

I really do like the authors writing style here. She manages to weave together such a complex and immersive new world with a plot that twists and turns at every corner, while not making it an overly complicated read.

The story itself is so very intriguing and it honestly pulled me right in. The world of Astrid and the unicorn hunting Cloisters will truly come to life right in front of you, and you’ll be running at top speed towards the sequel, Ascendant.

Conclusion

It’s a book about KILLER UNICORNS for crying out loud. What’s not to absolutely, positively, love?

Want to Read?

It is available for purchase on Amazon: