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I just finished The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden — and my goodness, what a magnificent book. Her writing is beautiful, and the words she chooses… so eloquent. I don’t even know how to describe it.
Arden says she hopes readers will come away from the book beguiled by this time period, the vibrant cusp between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and am I ever. I’m completely swept away by it, and by her writing, her imagination, and her masterful storytelling.
I’m deeply impressed by the accuracy of the language, the descriptions of places and objects, and the rhythms of daily life that feel true to the era. I wasn’t simply told I was in this time period; I was enveloped in it through the writing itself, into the fantasy, and into Katherine Arden’s brilliant answer to “What if?”
Another thing I loved is the way this novel weaves its love story into the larger fantasy adventure. It is done with remarkable harmony, and the romance is never self‑indulgent. The intimate moments are beautifully timed and written, striking that rare balance between tenderness and passion. And I never once felt like rolling my eyes when they first see each other. It’s the feeling that… I think maybe something might happen, but there’s no false push and pull. It’s a believable development that I find far more satisfying.
The characters are wonderfully complex, written without being overly dramatic or righteous. We see where they hurt, what they fear, and what they choose to do with that pain. We see what they value and carry on their shoulders. I found myself thinking about the real Anne of Brittany and what she must have endured, especially in that time period — the choices she had to make, the strength and courage she had to possess whether she wanted to or not, because her life demanded it of her. At times, I caught myself pausing to ask if I would have had the same courage or wisdom, and then to hope that I would. And oh, I hope the real Anne of Brittany had a joy like Butter in her life, too. I so love Butter, the insouciant hero of them all!
I’m truly in awe of the story, of the history behind it, and of the creative mind that brought it all together into such a vivid fantasy world. Brava! I’m so thankful I was given the chance to read this, and I’m so excited for it to be out tomorrow. I’m getting a physical copy for myself to hold in my hands and experience again. I am excited for you to experience it, too.
Favourite book of 2026 so far, and my favourite NetGalley ARC to date. I know I only started reviewing in January, but I can already tell this will be hard to beat.
5 ⭐, and definitely a favourite. And maybe I’m swept up in strong emotions right now, but if I could give it a 7 — which I think was considered a, if not the, perfect number in the Middle Ages — I would.
Thank you to Del Rey Books and NetGalley for the advance reading copy of The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden.
🛒 Get your copy on Amazon | Support your local bookstore via Bookshop.org or Booksellers.ca
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Rating Guide: My star ratings represent personal resonance, not universal value. I admire writers for the courage it takes to be seen and the discipline it takes to create. Thank you for writing, and for reading.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 — Deeply resonant, even when I can’t fully put it into words
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 — Compelling and well-written
⭐⭐⭐ 3 — Not quite my style, but still enjoyable
⭐⭐ 2 — Had promise but didn’t quite land
⭐ 1 — Fell short of what I hoped for
My descriptions are based on the original meanings of Goodreads' star ratings; see my Goodreads bio for details.
