Once Upon a Unicorn

Hi

I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. We are locked down tight in the Anders household. I'm taking advantage of the relaxed TV restrictions to take my daughter through Avatar: The Last Airbender at the rate of an episode a day, my son has played nearly every Xbox console game ever made, and our puppy dogs probably think they never had it so good with 24/7 people.  

Meanwhile, my next novel, Once Upon a Unicorn, is still slated for an August 25th release. Obviously, I'm nervous about what the landscape will look like then--the planned double-book signing with this and Star Wars The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark may or may not happen! But yesterday was a bit of good news. I'm excited to say that we've just had the first Unicorn review appear yesterday.  It's from Kirkus Reviews and I couldn't be happier: "Anders tiptoes into Terry Pratchett country with this funny and fresh fantasy steeped in Celtic myth. The snarkily omniscient narrator and chapter titles such as 'Is This the End? But There Are Still So Many Chapters Left' up the giggle quotient. A distinctive unicorn tale for those seeking a funny-bone tickle."

The Terry Pratchett comparison is high praise indeed. My daughter and I are currently reading The Shepherd's Crown, last in his Discworld series and the fifth and final book in his Tiffany Aching sub-series. The Tiffany Aching books are, I think, one of my top three favorite series of all time, after The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings, and tied with Harry Potter. 

I don't think Once Upon a Unicorn is exactly like any of those narratives. Frankly, I don't think it's like anything I've seen before. It's a very special book to me, in a very different voice than the one I wrote the Thrones & Bones series in (and, of course, also from the voice in Pirate's Price, since that one belonged to Hondo Ohnaka!) It's very much set in the world of Qualth, the same setting as Thrones & Bones, but stars non-human characters--non-bipedal even!--and has a unique tone and feel. It was a delight to write, a real departure for me, and I'm very, very happy, (and relieved!), that it's being so well received.

The description again: 

Once Upon a Unicorn

A science-minded unicorn and a (literal) fiery horse team up in this fantasy adventure perfect for fans of Fablehaven and the Wizards of Once series.

Have you ever heard of a unicorn who is more interested in science experiments than magic?

Or a flaming horse who’s a walking fire hazard?

When a pumpkin-headed menace called Jack o’ the Hunt and monsters untold threaten their home, this unlikely pair must team up to save all of the Whisperwood—and themselves!

Award-winner Lou Anders delivers a fantasy adventure about friendship, fearlessness, and finding your true herd.

And that's it! Hope everyone is staying healthy and safe. Thank you as ever for your support,

Sincerely, 

Lou Anders

Check out the Thrones & Bones series trailer!

The Thrones & Bones trilogy! 

A science-minded unicorn and a (literal) fiery horse team up in this fantasy adventure perfect for fans of Fablehaven and the Wizards of Once series.

Board the Millennium Falcon for exciting tales about Han and Chewie’s adventures with the infamous pirate Hondo Ohnaka – including their first meeting!
COMING IN AUGUST

Nominated for
a Beehive Book Award,
a Golden Sower Award,
a Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award,
a Young Hoosier Book Award.

“Anders presents a captivating world.” —Kirkus Reviews

"The pace is swift and there’s action on every front." Booklist