Rampant - (Killer Unicorns) by Diana Peterfreund (Paperback)

About the Book

Astrid has always scoffed at her eccentric mother's stories about killer unicorns. But after one attacks her boyfriend--ruining any chance of him taking her to the prom--Astrid must head to Rome to become a unicorn hunter.

Book Synopsis

Forget everything you ever knew about unicorns. The fluffy, sparkly, friendly "horses" so popular the world over don't exist. Real unicorns are killers.

Beasts the size of elephants, with cloven hooves that shake the earth, hides impervious to bullets, and horns that contain a deadly poison, unicorns can outrun a sports car and smell a human from a mile away.

And they can only be killed by virgin warriors descended from Alexander the Great.

Sixteen-year-old Astrid Llewelyn has grown up with her mom Lilith's tall tales about unicorns and their exalted family heritage, but figures her mom's crazy. But the scary stories her mom told her about the monsters in her formative years left her with a firm phobia about unicorns, even the cutesy kind popular with young girls.

But when one of the monsters attacks her boyfriend in the woods--thereby ruining any chance of him taking her to prom--Astrid finds herself headed to Rome to train as a unicorn hunter.

"As swift and sure-footed as a killer unicorn, Rampant weaves a vibrant new mythology from venerable threads."--Scott Westerfeld, bestselling author of the Uglies series

From the Back Cover

Forget everything you ever knew about unicorns . . .

Astrid Llewelyn has always scoffed at her eccentric mother's stories about killer unicorns. But when one attacks her boyfriend--ruining any chance of him taking her to prom--Astrid finds herself headed to Rome to train as a unicorn hunter at the ancient Cloisters the hunters have used for centuries. However, all is not what it seems at the Cloisters. Outside, unicorns wait to attack. And within, Astrid faces other, unexpected threats: from bone-covered walls that vibrate with terrible power to the hidden agendas of her fellow hunters to her growing attraction to a handsome art student . . . an attraction that could jeopardize everything.

Review Quotes

"As swift and sure-footed as a killer unicorn, RAMPANT weaves a vibrant new mythology from venerable threads." -- Scott Westerfeld, author of the Uglies series

"RAMPANT is a thrilling read, with strong girls, unusual and scary unicorns, and hidden dangers everywhere. I was on the edge of my seat from start to finish! Please, miss: might I have some more?" -- Tamora Pierce

"Tired of Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Try Astrid the unicorn hunter." -- Locus

"With an atmospheric setting, personable ensemble cast and some reasoned discussions about virginity, this gripping page-turner evokes the same grrl-power spirit as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, packed with action, mystery and a complex and intriguing mythology." -- Publishers Weekly

"A fresh folklore twist amid the wave of vampires and zombies." -- Kirkus Reviews