Oh, this was such a fantastical and immersive tale! As a lifelong lover of unicorns, I loved the direction Littleson took with them for this story—much darker and wild than other recent literary counterparts that come to mind. The interwoven themes about conservation were also timely and very well executed.

I was unable to read GUARDIANS OF THE WILD UNICORNS by Lindsay Littleson before it was archived, but I will be purchases a copy for my school library. As you'd expect unicorns and mermaids are popular characters in picture and chapter books at the moment.

Guardians of the Wild Unicorn is an adorable, wholesome story both about conservation, magic, and hardships faced by children in the current age. I enjoyed both character POVs and their struggles - it was very real and reliable. I loved the unicorns, the fact they weren't your typical unicorns. It was a super unique story and I adored reading it!

I wasn't too hopeful when the book first started; however as time went on, I began to enjoy it more and more. Not only is the book about Unicorns, but it also brings to light different home life struggles that kids go through. This is a book I wish I was purchasing for my library. The Scottish phrases and some of the words would make it hard for my library's kids to fully understand.

This is a wonderful book for middle grade readers, especially those that still believe in magic! A terrific portrayal of friendship, compassion, and courage. The characters are likable, even for adults, and the plot is quick moving, so it will keep even the most unmotivated reader interested.

A secondary theme in this book is that of animal conservation, and the importance of preserving our wildlife populations, even though the wildlife in the book is a pack (herd?) of unicorns. I think the science/animal lovers in any classroom will feel overjoyed at this concept wrapped up in a fantasy novel.

I received an advance copy of this novel. All thoughts are my own.

Man, I am so overjoyed that this ended up being far more amazing than I ever thought possible and is a gorgeous children's book to feed their imagination. It is a heart-warming, lovely read for all ages, and as it can often be difficult to engage youngsters and foster a reading habit this may be a suitable place to start for those with an interest in beautiful mythological creatures such an unicorns.

What I really wasn't expecting was it to be as powerful and gripping for me as an adult who tends to pick up rather a lot of gritty crime capers, so this was refreshingly light and breezy tale right from get-go. Not only that but there is a wise message within its pages, too. A timely, topical reminder of the precarious nature of wildlife/animal conservation and how we humans play a huge role in the active management of our planet.

So come and join best friends and confidence Lewis and Rhona as they go on a magic-filled adventure in order to save the elusive, enigmatic unicorns from extinction. Many thanks to Kelpies for an ARC.

I had a lot of fun reading Guardians of the Wild Unicorns. This tale starts off on a good foot, and only gets better as it unfolds. What many believe to be myth turns out to be real in this story, and it is up to two friends to help them out. Their mission won’t be easy, and there are plenty of dangers along the way. Readers who enjoy fantasy will definitely want to check this book out.

I literally " awed" out loud while reading this late one night. Lewis and Rhona are at sleepaway camp when they discover a real life- Unicorn!! Then they find that there are more- which was awesome!

Unicorns aren't all cuddly and sweet either, but that doesn't mean they don't need saving. Poaching is a real threat to them, and only Lewis and Rhona can help. I'd love to hear an audio version of the Scottish Highland Brogue that Rhona sports and the descriptions of the surroundings are lovely.



Being a middle-grade book, the main characters have some issues at home and while they aren't resolved the kids bond together and have each other as they become guardians of the unicorns.



All in all, it was a fun romp through Scotland with some of my favorite mythical (or real?) creatures.

A middle-grade fiction read. The unicorns seem more like a creature found in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. I like the non-traditional unicorn. This is likely a book I would have read over and over again in middle school. It reminds me of the Unicorns of Balinor, and Bruce Coville's Unicorn books. I was grateful for my love of British, Irish, and Scottish terms, as there were several of them in this book. To the point where I kind of hope the final copy has a glossary. Like most fantasies, the main characters Lewis and Rhona (who was my favorite of the two), have issues at home and school. Unlike other books with unicorns, these are not magically solved with the insertion of unicorns.

Thank you, NetGalley for this fun read. And thank you Lindsay Littleson for this delightful read.

This was not what I was expecting, but I still enjoyed it. It will appeal to many of the older kids who still like unicorns, but want to be cool.

This was a very enjoyable middle grade story about two kids, Lewis and Rhona. While they are away at camp they come across a real life unicorn! Then soon realize it’s not just one unicorn in the forest but a whole blessing of them.
The unicorns are being trapped by poachers that want to get rich on them. Lewis and Rhona have to save the unicorns themselves because no one else will believe there story!
I think young readers will enjoy this unicorn adventure!
Thank you to Myrick Marketing and NetGalley for the chance to review this book!

If you are hoping to find cute, cuddly and sparkly unicorns then stay away from Scotland. These unicorns are more realistic in their temperaments and looks. These are wild beasts that would more likely kill you then let you pet them. Which was just fine with me. This is definitely not a Disney type unicorn story which made me like it even more.

Lewis and Rhona were very interesting characters, they both have their issues and even though they are friends they don’t seem to know that much about each other. They both are very private about their personal lives, even with each other. Rhona is the more out going of the pair and Lewis would rather curl up with a good book than interact with other people. But even though they are mismatched they truly care about each other. Even though the book is short, they both grow through their shared experiences on this adventure.

The adventure is very realistic with the exception that they are saving the last of the wild unicorns. The activities that they participate in on the school camping trip sound like fun, at least from Rhona’s point of view. She very much enjoys them and convinces Lewis to do some of them with some good results. The plot of saving the unicorns was interesting. It bordered on endangered animals and poaching issues, unicorn horns are very valuable. But the relationship that develops between them and the children was special and heartwarming.

There were some slow spots to the story but the setting of the Scottish highlands was spectacular. Rhona’s Scottish dialect was hard to interpret at times and may turn some kids off of the story. Hopefully there will be a glossary in the final book.

Overall a likable story about wild unicorns that was not frilly or frivolous at all. It brought up some issues of animal welfare and endangered species with a nice magical touch. A solid read for middle schoolers who like their unicorn stories on the serious side.

Goes by a bit fast and doesn't necessarily delve particularly deep, but a sweet mixture of friendship, fantasy adventure, and character development/family issues.

Year 6 have gone on a residential trip to the Highlands of Scotland – so anything could happen. Lewis didn’t want to go as he is worried about everything. Rhona, his best friend did want to go for her own reasons. The rest of the class are the usual mixture of typical 11 year olds, teasing one another or sailing through all the sporty activities without a problem. Lewis, however, is not sporty and can’t even keep up on the walk back to the camp. On his own, wet, muddy and miserable, he is frightened by the huge, dark creature galloping towards him, clearly angered by something. But it’s not a horse – it’s a unicorn. A unicorn which doesn’t exist. He realises if he tells a teacher he won’t be believed, and even Rhona humours him at first. But soon, she too sees for herself and the pair are caught up in a battle to save the herd of wild unicorns, who have survived undiscovered in the forest for centuries.
These are real beasts that need conserving, not cute, pink, glittery pony-sized animals of modern day tales. Removal of unicorn horns is discussed, and can only be looked upon as abhorrent by readers of the book of all ages.
Children will empathise with the experiences, the need for conservation, the adventure and also the problems faced by Lewis and Rhona, once these have been revealed.
Exposure to Scottish dialect is an added bonus, although I would have appreciated a glossary in my ARC.

I am sure many will enjoy this story, but I am not one of them. Lewis and Rhona are enjoying summer camp (Rhona is at least) and discover a herd of wild unicorns that are being threatened. There are some interesting moments, but the characters are too jaded and stunted to make me really care about them or the unicorns. I can see this book appealing to younger readers who have been to camp, are familiar with Scotland, and are interested in animals.

Thank you NetGalley and Myrick Marketing & Media for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy.

This is not your typical book about unicorns! Guardians of the Wild Unicorns is a fast-paced adventure set in the beautifully evoked landscape of the Scottish Highlands, where the last herd of wild unicorns has been captured. Rhona and Lewis are on a school residential: one is in her element whilst the other would rather be at home. All that changes when Lewis makes a promise to one of the unicorns, a promise he is determined to keep. The affinity between the unicorns and the children, and their desire to protect them, resonates throughout the story. This bond leads to the children being able to overcome their fears, and show determination and courage in the face of some very real threats from Ailsa, the laird's daughter. I loved the author's portrayal of the unicorns as endangered animals: fearful, yet proud and fierce, and ever hopeful of their freedom. There were so many elements I loved about this story: the authenticity of Lewis and Rhona's friendship; a refreshingly different portrayal of unicorns with a modern twist; the representation of the Scottish Highlands; and, as I am a teacher, the depiction of the joys of a school residential! I will definitely be purchasing this for my class and school library. I would highly recommend it to children of 8+.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

This is a super book, and one that I'll be recommending widely as a must-read this summer. The story is an exciting blend of realism (that school trip sounds mighty familiar) and the fantastical (although these unicorns are definitely not cute and cuddly). The development of Rhona and Lewis's odd-couple friendship is an added bonus to a story that is packed with adventure.
The difficulties that both children have at home give depth to the story without making it feel worthy or heavy: sensitive readers will enjoy the well-rounded characterisation of the whole school group, whilst others will race through the action.
I'm really looking forward to reading more by this author.

If you’re here for fluffy, cutesy, rainbow-coloured unicorns, then this book may not be for you. If you want a book about dark, quietly fierce, untamed (and untameable) mythical creatures, then stick around.

On the face of things, there is nothing exceptional about our protagonists, Rhona and Lewis. Two friends from a Glaswegian school on a field trip in the highlands of Scotland. Rhona can’t think of anything better, and Lewis would rather be anywhere else. But their friendship is pushed to the limit when they find themselves trying to save the last of the wild unicorns from an egotistical, greedy woman who has captured them.

Guardians of the Wild Unicorns has everything you need in an adventure book with a bit of fantasy thrown in. There is danger, friendship, and a bit of magic too. But it also offers something far more relevant to today’s society and offers a commentary on the experiences of children as well as the impact it has on their lives.

Take Rhona, for example, who is revealed to be a young carer to a parent with rheumatoid arthritis and mental health problems. There is no magic wand for Rhona but she does learn that there is help available if she will share her problems with people around her who she trusts.

Lewis, on the other hand, faces a different set of challenges. He joined his school later than his classmates as his parents separated. His father suffers from alcohol addiction, and now Lewis and his mum have moved and live in a smaller home. As a result, Lewis doesn’t always deal with things in the best way, much to the frustration of the rest of his class.

If I’ve made this book sounds heavy, then I apologise, as that is not my intention and it certainly is not heavy. It’s wonderful. But it’s also relevant. There are many children out there who will be able to relate to these characters and will have the message driven home to them that there is help out there, you just need to ask.

I don’t know whether I’ve just been unaware of it until recently, but Scottish children’s literature is on fire at the moment. I’ve read a few books by Scottish authors writing books set in Scotland and they’ve all be sensational. Guardians of the Wild Unicorns is no exception.

If you’re a primary school teacher please, please get this book on your shelves. It may just make a huge difference to a child’s life.

Once again Kelpies have produced yet another wonderful book. I have been reading their titles for a very long time and I have never had a book that failed to enchant and make me think. This is a brilliant mix of mythical creatures (that might just exist) and young people who are having to cope with some very complex issues in their lives. It is highly recommended and is a real 'keeper'.

A resentful misfit depends on his one friendship at school. At the residential camp he encounters a unicorn being pursued and gets himself and his friend involved in rescuing a captive herd. Lots of logical gaps but an entertaining read. The Scottish slang will be difficult for young readers.