Ember and Arno are back for their third adventure. This time, it's the start of the Christmas holidays and after a trip to see Rusty, the pair are on their way to meet Ember's dad for lunch when they are kidnapped and flown to the depths of the Amazon rainforest, where the evil Tabitha Bone hopes to use their skills with magical creatures to develop her wonder skincare company. The pair will need to have their wits about them if they are to save the creatures and themselves.
Anybody who knows me, will know how much love I have for Abi's books and this series captured my heart from the first book. (You can read my review of Ember Spark And The Thunder of Dragons here and Ember Spark And The Frost Phoenix here) so the chance to read an early copy of Ember Spark And The Unicorn's Secret was too great to resist.

Once again, the book is full of love and joy, wrapped up in Abi's uniquely wonderful way of writing (I will always adore the names she creates for characters). However, this time, danger lurks from the beginning, with a kidnapping and a a host of magical creature's lives at stake as well as their own. Ember and Arno are opposites who compliment each other perfectly: whilst Ember is feisty and loves the thrill of adventure, Arno is measured and prefers to plan everything, and it's this combination that helps them to navigate the danger they face.

It was wonderful to be back with so many familiar characters as well as getting to know some new ones. There are some truly dastardly characters that readers will love to hate Ember Spark And the Unicorn's Secret is everything I hoped it would be and more: full of magic and possibility, reading it is like being wrapped in a warm embrace, catching up with a friend you haven't seen in a while, and the perfect escape from reality.

Publishing 24th April, Ember Spark And The Unicorn's Secret is a book that needs to be pre-ordered.

This is one series I can say with my whole heart I absolutely adore. Ember Spark’s adventures continue to get more and more magical as the series progresses and Unicorn’s Secret is no exception. Abi Elphinstone has created a universe with so much possibility, fun, action and comradery that I hope there are plenty more adventures of Ember Spark to come!

I have to admit, I did find myself wondering who TB could possibly be at the end of the last book, and I was made up to find out their identity. It was a direction that I could’ve never seen the book going but I am so glad I did as there’s a much bigger lesson for children and adult readers alike to learn there. Additionally, their villainous demeanour and characterisation make them the perfect archenemy for this sequel, and I LOVED it. Supported by Armpit and Monkfish, they were a trio I enjoyed seeing our own trio go up against.

A surprising turn I didn’t foresee but liked wandering along with was the friction between Ember and Arno in this book and how they navigate that. With Ember having become used to being the hero, it was interesting watching her understand that sometimes the hero isn’t always the hero and superheroes don’t work alone. I think there were multiple lessons younger readers can take from this about sharing responsibility, handling jealousy, taking accountability and moving on. This was a brilliant development point from Abi Elphinstone.

Finally, where would this series be without the new characters we’re introduced to in every book. Tenterhooks, Rascal, Tuggerty Vine, and more, alongside a deeper look into Ember’s father, were wonderful additions to the series. When supported by the returning faces and creatures, it made this world feel truly endless with possibilities and I cannot wait to see where Ember Spark heads off to next!

Ember Spark and the Unicorn’s Secret is the DREAM third instalment in this miraculous series. Ideal for readers aged 7-9, I think this will be a brilliant Spring/Summer read for any animal lover, adventure grabber, and fantasy fan alike! If you haven’t yet, go preorder while I ponder whether I’m too old to see a unicorn!

Ember is the small but mighty superhero I love reading about. Her fantastic adventures while being an apprentice vet for magical beasts are perfectly written.

In this adventure, Wmber and Arno are on the trail of the next magical beast stealing villain when they are snatched into the sky and taken to the rainforest in Brazil. There they meet Tabitha Bone, creator of Glamtastic, new beauty products made from magical beasts. She wants to take all their magic and leave them for dead. Ember and Arno must make some bold decisions, trust in each other am and boldly go into the jungle in search of a riddle, a secret and each other.

Meeting Tuggety Vine is a revelation for Ember, as she is just like, Gutsy z wonder,her favourite superhero. Tuggety helps E,her to realise that promises are made to be kept. She helps her see that superheroes don’t work alone as well.

Enchanting, adventurous and perfect!