This was a fast, exciting read, as many supernatural books of late have been. Nice butt-kicking main character, great setting (Rome), great monsters to fight (unicorns), and original in many ways. The reason it's a 3 and not a 4 is simply that there were some confusing parts, parts that I think many young people would get tripped up on. Some of the characters loyalties were never clear, and there were some actions with shaky motivation. BUT, a great read nonetheless. ( )

Imagine a world where unicorns are not only real, but the antithesis of the cuddly, soul saving, pointy-horned creatures fantastical literature has made them out to be. Usually, when I give the basic premise of the series to my fellow readers, I get a raised eyebrow and a skeptical expression. To which I always answer, “Just trust me, you’ll love it.” And thus far, I’m pleased to report that has, overwhelmingly, been the case.

Astrid just wants to be a regular teenage girl, but her mother, a descendent of Alexander the Great, knows Astrid’s destiny is far superior to ordinary high school life – she’s one of the few who can protect the world from the five races or unicorns who seek to destroy humanity. So Astrid is shipped off to a ramshackle training facility in the heart of Rome to begin her education in world saving. But fewer and fewer young women can join her in her quest against the unicorns as there is a clause in the world saving rules that keeps many eligible youngsters from being able to fulfill their noble destiny: they have to be virgins. And someone, out in the world, outside of their cloistered training ground (or possibly within it), is trying to make sure that the number of unicorn killers is kept to a minimum by taking advantage of this clause. Astrid must decide if she truly wants the life of a unicorn killer and if she’s willing to give up a budding romance with a delicious Italian in order to fulfil her destiny.

I know, that’s full of clichés about a teenage girl finding herself. It is Diana Peterfreund’s prose that makes the story impossible to let go of and ridiculously hard to put down. Astrid’s voice is firm and clear, she’s her own person and her character development is flawless. Like Amy before her, Astrid is an inspiration and role model for those looking to stand on their own two feet and fight for themselves. ( )

Teen fiction. Action/adventure. One of those "can't put it down" reads. If you liked Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games, you'll love this. ( )

Decent. ( )

First thing I thought when I picked up this book was seriously a book on killer unicorns what has this world come to? But it was something like a children's story on rainbows an such, but I was happily proven wrong. It got me hooked on the first chapter. I felt as if I were the characters going through seemingly impossible times. I love the main character Astrid, though she was given many opportunities to have a way out of this lifestyle she decided to stick it out. ( )