A surprising first novel about a boy and his unicorn… it’s an interesting and meaningful look at a fascinating world. The world has undergone “The Change”; five years ago many forms of technology just stopped working. The social order collapsed; non-functional cars line freeways everywhere, and the remaining people are fewer and much more inured to violence. Along with the technology crash, magic and supernatural beasts returned to the world. Many kinds of critters returned– manticores, gryphons, and unicorns.
Our hero, Pete, has a bond with a unicorn. They are good friends, talk with each other and are perfect companions for the road. Their relationship is strong and well described throughout– Ariel is never a horse with a horn, but is never traditionally human in thought or deed either. Their bond feels real and is strongly forged; they’ve gone through a lot together, and go through a lot more in this book.
I’m looking forward to reading the same-world sequel, Elegy Beach, soon.