Ember Spark and the Unicorn's Secret
by Abi Elphinstone
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Pub Date 29 Jul 2025 | Archive Date 23 Apr 2025
Simon and Schuster UK Children's | Simon & Schuster Children's UK
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Description
‘This new fantasy series for younger readers is bubbling with action and imagination… A joy.’ The Daily Mail
'Elphinstone has the confidence to embrace fantasy's most popular tropes - unicorns, dragons, dark-hearted villains - and make them thoroughly her own.' TheTelegraph
Ember Spark, vet to magical beasts, is whisked off on a surprise flight, destination unknown! Soon she and her friend, Arno, find themselves deep in the Amazon rainforest. And with a new arch-villain tracking their every move, only a unicorn’s secret can save them...
Praise for Ember Spark:
‘A total masterclass in high-action, high-stakes, high-fun adventure.’
Emma Carroll, author of Letters from the Lighthouse
‘Quirky and magical, this wonderful adventure proves what everyone should know – Abi Elphinstone is a writer to be cherished.’ Phil Earle, author of When the Sky Falls
‘Ember Spark herself is a wonderful heroine – she’s brave, curious and always up for an adventure.’ Katie Tsang, author of the Dragon Realm series
‘I adored Ember Spark. Abi is a master storyteller . . . she’s created a thrilling adventure fizzing with heart and magic and wonder.’ Zohra Nabi, author of The Kingdom over the Sea
‘Kids are going to go wild for this joyful, moving, thrill-ride of a book, guaranteed to leave you smiling. Every word is magic.’ Lauren St John, author of The White Giraffe series
‘Sure to ignite any reader’s imagination and warm their heart. Wonderful and wonder-filled!’ Andy Shepherd, author of The Boy who Grew Dragons
'Utterly charming, wonderfully wild and sprinkled with gutsy characters, dastardly villains & magical creatures galore . . .' Jo Clarke, author of The Travelling School Mysteries
'Ember Spark is bursting with adventure, magic & that very special Abi Elphinstone sparkle . . .' Mel Taylor-Bessent, author of The Christmas Carrolls
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9781398537989 |
PRICE | £7.99 (GBP) |
PAGES | 224 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews

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!

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!