Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by A.F. Steadman (author)

BLOODTHIRSTY UNICORNS. UNLIKELY HEROES. A MORTAL ENEMY.

The first book in the number 1 bestselling SKANDAR series, for fans of Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Eragon and Impossible Creatures from international bestselling author Annabel Steadman!

Thirteen-year-old Skandar Smith has only ever wanted to be a unicorn rider. To be one of the lucky few selected to hatch a unicorn. To bond with it for life; to train together and race for glory; to be a hero.

But just as Skandar’s dream is about to come true, things start to take a more dangerous turn than he could ever have imagined. A dark and twisted enemy has stolen the Island’s most powerful unicorn – and as the threat grows ever closer, Skandar discovers a secret that could blow apart his world forever . . .

Get ready for unlikely heroes, elemental magic, sky battles, ancient secrets and ferocious unicorns in this highly anticipated adventure that will keep you reading after lights out!

Praise for the SKANDAR series:

‘The most popular children’s fantasy hero since Harry Potter’ – Telegraph

‘Steadman has a vast imagination, her world-building is a joy, the battle scenes are thrilling and her characters charm.’ – The Times Children’s Book of the Week

‘Deft, dazzling and breathlessly exciting – it’s a joy to enter Skandar’s World.’ – Jonathan Stroud, author of Lockwood and Co. series

Skandar and the Unicorn Thief was WATERSTONES CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022 and WINNER OF THE INDIE BOOK AWARDS 2023!

Skandar and the Phantom Rider was one of THE SUNDAY TIMES BEST BOOKS FOR CHILDREN 2023.

*Skandar and the Chaos Trials was the Number 1 bestseller in the UK Nielsen Bookscan chart, 27th April 2024

*Skandar and the Spirit War was the Children’s Number 1 besteller in the UK Nielsen Bookscan Chart 30th August 2025