Unassuming Skandar Smith yearns to be bonded with a unicorn and must grow into the role he'll play in an epic battle with evil. Skandar's dad has told him that his deceased mum promised him a unicorn. Skandar, eager to escape bullies at school and his grieving father at home, hopes this promise will come true: Now 13, he is eligible to take the Hatchery exam, the first step in determining who will be paired with a unicorn. But he's inexplicably denied entry to the test. The intrigue deepens when a woman shows up to deliver him covertly to the Hatchery so he can try to open the door on the Island behind which are the unicorn eggs. She warns Skandar about the Weaver, an evil entity. Tension mounts as Skandar tries to determine the Weaver's plan; he's disconcerted when the first children who see his unicorn hatchling, Scoundrel, spot the mark of the forbidden, deadly spirit element--which is wielded by the Weaver. In fact, none of the unicorns in this tale are for the fainthearted. Even bonded, somewhat controlled unicorns are bloodthirsty. Wild, unbonded unicorns are immortal in death--murderous, rotting, and forever dying. It is these terrifying details, plus a terrible betrayal, that keep readers on knife's edge even as Skandar's bond with his unicorn deepens and his friendship with other riders solidifies--with them, Skandar brings about change. Skandar reads as White; the supporting cast includes diverse skin tones. Unexpected, suspenseful, and heartwarming. (maps) (Fantasy. 9-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Skandar Smith, 13 and white, dreams of becoming a unicorn rider and competing in the prestigious Chaos Cup like his mother, who died when he was young, leaving behind Skandar, his sister, and their frequently depressed father. But barred for unclear reasons from taking the eligibility test, Skandar is smuggled by a mysterious rider onto the Island's Hatchery, where he bonds with a just-hatched unicorn called Scoundrel's Luck. But Scoundrel's markings reveal an affinity for a fifth--and forbidden--element, which Skandar must disguise if he wants to both undergo Eyrie training and avoid being killed as an illegal rider. Luckily, a trio of new friends willingly help with the masquerade. While navigating his new elemental powers and exploring his bond with Scoundrel, Skandar is drawn into a tragic mystery surrounding the forbidden element and the evil Weaver, who steals unicorns and continually attacks the Eyrie. Debut author Steadman covers familiar territory in this series opener about a magical school in crisis, but rousing variations--bloodthirsty winged creatures that exhibit signs of both humor and horror--feel fresh alongside upbeat characterizations of resourceful, resilient youths of varying skin tones learning to trust one another. Ages 8--12. Agent: Sam Copeland, Rogers, Coleridge & White. (May)