The Unicorn (Fairy Realm, #6)

by Emily Rodda

The Fairy Realm series are wholesome lighthearted reads featuring a secret fairy realm found through a doorway at the edge of the garden. There's magic and mythical creatures and miniature horses that talk (because what else would you find in a secret fairy realm? duh.) It's reminiscent of Shirley Barber's gorgeous picture books albeit with less impressive artwork (Shirley Barber is incredibly talented). It's a good series for tween girls. I loved this series as a kid, they were imaginative and magical and I loved every minute. I'm pretty sure this series is what started my love of charm bracelets too.

The Unicorn
This time in the Realm, evil is afoot. Both Jessie and her grandmother, the former Queen Jessica wake up one morning feeling dreadfully worried - they're not sure what's wrong - but they know that something is. But is the danger in the Realm? Or closer to home? They've just made a decision to head to the Realm when the phone calls come. Granny's friend Hazel has had an accident as in the hospital. And then Rosemary (Jessie's mum) is called into work to replace a nurse who also had an accident. It's left to Jessie to visit the Realm and find out what's going on.

But when she gets to the Realm - it's worse than she expected. Valda is back. She's been banished to the Outlands twice now - but with Queen Helena dealing with a threat to the hedge in the West and her Granny at the hospital it's up to Jessie to find the one thing Valda fears - a unicorn. I enjoyed this adventure. Jessie is brave and kind and unwilling to do anything but her best for the Realm and the mortal world. I liked that Irena Bins and her family are finally dealt with - they've been so mean for so long it was nice to see them get their just deserts. The town thinks they're crazy after they come to the Winter Festival raving about unicorns and evil cousins and trolls and the Fairy Queen living next door to them. And I liked that Grey Prince (Irena's horse that she abandons) gets to live with the unicorns, in the Forest of Dreams. I enjoyed the action and drama in this one, it was a nice wrapping point for the series - even if it did go on to contain more books. Jessie's charm for this adventure was a ice crystal. I really love this series. 5 stars.