DocoftheDarkArts | The Unicorn Hunters: A Novel
Log in or Sign up
The Unicorn Hunters: A Novel
Katherine Arden
Save to Your Books
100% of affiliate revenue supports DocoftheDarkArts
With her country’s future and her own life at stake, an orphaned duchess must journey into a world of myth and there discover a power that may be her salvation—or her demise—in this enchanting historical fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of The Bear and the Nightingale.
Anne of Brittany was a child when her realm was invaded, her home besieged, and her royal father driven to his death. Now her treasury is empty, her land occupied by her enemies, and she is ordered, under threat of renewed war, to become queen of her conquerors and marry the King of France. This marriage means her country’s annexation. But Anne promised her father that Brittany would never be conquered.
Defiantly, she betroths herself in secret to France’s greatest enemy. But in a world where courts may spy on each other by magic, there is only one way to solemnize this illicit union. Anne takes her court deep into a legendary forest, where the court diviners’ skill cannot reach. The world thinks they are only a hunting party, coursing after unicorns. But that is a lie, a trick, a feint. No one in living memory has seen a unicorn. All Anne wants is this secret wedding, which is her only hope of salvation.
But when against all hope a unicorn appears and a stranger out of legend stumbles from the trees and falls at her feet, Anne is plunged into a world of enchantment where a doomed sovereign might find the power to change her own and her country’s destiny—or be lost in the shadows forever.
Show more
Get the Bindery app
Posts about this title from DocoftheDarkArts
DocoftheDarkArts\ \ Bob Stuntz\ \ • Jul 5
The Sunday Prescription: July 5, 2026
16 books
7
DocoftheDarkArts\ \ Bob Stuntz\ \ • Jun 10
MEMBER EXCLUSIVE: Weekly Reading Update 5/30/26 - 6/5/26
- The Broken Binding SE Website: https://thebrokenbindingsub.com/collections/dragons-hoard?rs\_ref=FjdvMiYp or use code "DARK" for special edition books - 15% off at The Broken Binding https://www.thebrokenbinding.co.uk/ : Use code "DARK15" - 10% off Bookish Clothing at https://flowersandfantasyco.com : Use code "BOOKDOC10" - $5 off your first order of $10 or more on used books at Pango Books: https://pangobooks.com/DOCOFTHEDARKARTS - Support indie bookstores by buying books from my Bookshop.org affiliate store: https://bookshop.org/shop/docofthedarkarts
Social Media Links: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/docofthedarkarts - Bindery: https://docofthedarkarts.binderybooks.com/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@docofthedarkarts - Join our Discord server for book club access and more: https://discord.gg/DjmTDV6wwg
Check Out My Full Written Reviews: - StoryGraph: https://bit.ly/3MzSdKn - Goodreads: https://bit.ly/48VzNvb
Buy Me a Book: https://bit.ly/3MrX3JE
8 books
1
Posts about this book from across Bindery
Ezeekat Press\ \ Jaysen\ \ • Jul 27
Join for free
1 book
8
Ezeekat Press\ \ Jaysen\ \ • Jul 25
Join for free
\ \ Upgrade for $5 or login](https://ezeekat.binderybooks.com/item/PJPIVpQG9YbeHnR6qJPq/)
4 books
1
She's Becoming Bookish\ \ Carlie Dayle\ \ • Jul 22
Join for free
\ \ Join for free or login](https://shesbecomingbookish.binderybooks.com/item/Y5inTHdReOuXDsEHMZDn/)
See It Here First: May & June Reading Wrap-Up
get a 2-for-1 reading wrap-up this month
22 books
DocoftheDarkArts\ \ Bob Stuntz\ \ • Jul 5
\ \ Join for free or login](https://docofthedarkarts.binderybooks.com/item/K5W4dAgob08Uh2bP0jcE/)
The Sunday Prescription: July 5, 2026
16 books
7
The Biblio(files)\ \ Brooke \ \ • Jul 3
Join for free
\ \ Upgrade for $5 or login](https://onthebrookeshelves.binderybooks.com/item/AVaSlKQJHean0Yw2BXeK/)
1 book
The Biblio(files)\ \ Brooke \ \ • Jul 3
Join for free
[Hey hey party people! I am a little behind the power curve this summer with my kiddos being home full time buuut here is the book club pick for this month! Reading schedule to be posted shortly.\ \
1 book
The Coterie\ \ Mikah Mia Reads\ \ • Jun 30
Join for free
\ \ We’re reading The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden in July! I’ve heard so many wonderful things about this book, and I’ve really enjoyed Arden’s past work (see: The Bear and the Nightingale). I also looooove historical fiction + fantasy so I have really high hopes for this ☺️\ \ Don’t forget to check the Discord for this month’s giveaway winner 📱One of you will receive a hard copy of our July pick!!](https://thecoterie.binderybooks.com/item/Gy2AzWGi5Qbb5UxfVOkN/)
JULY PICK: The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden ✨
1 book
The Coterie\ \ Mikah Mia Reads\ \ • Jun 28
Join for free
3 books
She's Becoming Bookish\ \ Carlie Dayle\ \ • Jun 21
Join for free
[Poll:\ \ What should I read next? \ \ Oh hello stranger!\ \ I've been missing my book buddies, but I took some much needed time away to begin my grief journey. Thank you for your patience as I slowly try to establish something that resembles "normal." That may take some time, but these weekly updates are one of my favorite things, so was eager to dive back into Bindery. Let's catch up!\ \ \ \ I've been reading SO much the past several weeks, which doesn't surprise me at all. It's exactly how I coped when my mother passed in 2022. I'm not sure if you know this or not, but escaping into fiction is an excellent way to avoid reality. 😜\ \ Since we last spoke I've finished 9 books, hard DNFd 2 books, and soft DNFd a book I might go back to in the future. Many of those were audiobooks; I used to talk to my dad for 30-60 mins every morning while walking the dog, so it's been helpful to have the distraction of the audiobook to fill that void. Plus I haven't been creating as much content, so I've had extra time in the day to pick up my Kindle.\ \ Of those 9 books, some were absolutely incredible. Best of all, they are all VERY different. One was downright healing, possibly even life changing. So, let's start with that one!\ \ 🧜🏻♀️ A Year of Marvelous Ways by Sarah Winman is being republished by Putnam (though it's not clear why), and I'm so glad to see it getting the recognition it deserves. In fact, I'm thiiiissss close to crowning Winman as my favorite author. This is my third Winman book, and though it doesn't top Still Life (as if anything ever could), it's absolutely stunning. Poetic, atmospheric, bordering on magical, eccentric octogenarian, this book is a MUST read. Keep in mind there are no quotation marks, but I have NEVER missed them in her writing. There's a flow and once you find it you won't even notice. ∞⭐️\ \ 🦄 The Unicorn Hunters is the type of historical fantasy I'm always searching for! It instantly sucked me in, enveloping me in a sense of nostalgia for the books of my youth (mainly the Narnia collection). It's inspired an entire series that I'm already working on, so stay tuned! 5⭐️\ \ 🧚🏻 If you watched my June TBR video, then you know that Thistlemarsh was the books I selected in response to the prompt "the book with the best spine." This cover is stunning, but that's about all that was stunning. It's a charming fantasy, but it's was a bit too much fantasy, at least for me. Maybe I just don't care for fairy stories? I've not found one that has blown me away. 3⭐️\ \ 🔮 If you're looking for a spooky summerween story that won't scare you, The Fortune Tellers of Rue Daru is perfect for you! Ghosties, fortunes, seances, and charms abound in this fun coming-of-age historical horror. 3.75⭐️\ \ 👑 I won't lie, I was a little disappointed in Elizabeth & Marilyn. Something just felt off to me about the way the author portrayed Marilyn. I'm still trying to find the right words to describe it, but let's just say Elizabeth's overshadowed her throughout the book in terms of presence and power. The Queen's storyline was by far the best part of the book. 3.75⭐️\ \ ☕️ I don't care what anyone says, I still love WWII books. So much so that it's rare for me to not read at least one at some point throughout the month. The Daughters of Naples was a good story, albeit a little busy. Triple POV is hard to pull off, and I think the author came really close in this one. I felt the connection between this sisters and was invested in some of their storylines. The best part of the book was the exposure to life in occupied Italy. 3.75⭐️\ \ 🦘 A Far-Flung Life was a tough book to read, y'all. It's hard to describe why without spoilers, but let's just say the main plot point was pretty icky. That aside, it's a really beautifully written book. It's a quiet, powerful character-driven story that brings the Australian outback vividly to life. 4⭐️\ \ 🐙 Invasive Species was a fun spin on horror that I was hoping would give Widow's Bay vibes. Sadly, it didn't quite capture the brilliance that is our new favorite show, but it was still fun. Another book that would be perfect for summerween, this book is perfect for those who love a small town story with lots of unlikeable characters. 3.5⭐️\ \ 👶🏻 I finished Where the Girls Were and immediately started planning a new Youtube video about historical fiction books that capture the pain and magic of the transition from girlhood to womanhood. This was superb storytelling that feels a little YA but packs a big punch. Loved how atmospheric it is! Terrific debut from Katz. 4.5⭐️\ \ Right now I'm listening to one of my June TBR jar pulls, A Great Act of Love. I'm definitely enjoying getting deeper into the story, but it's a bit slow, so I suspect some readers won't give it a chance. I'm also reading The Correspondent, and, so far, I'm not seeing the appeal. It's very, very dry. Maybe it will get better?\ \ As for what's to come, I honestly am not sure. I have a lot of writing to do if I plan to get my July look ahead content ready for July 1. My energy levels have been really low, so I'm not confident that I can pull it off. In the meantime, I'll just be over here reading to escape reality. ❤️\ \ I'd love to hear from y'all! What are you reading right now? Are you enjoying it? Let me know below in the comments!\ \ ICYMI:\ \
- My new TBR Jar Prompts are live! Get yours for $5\ \
- I was featured in a friend's round-up of Historical Fiction bookstagrammers favorite books\ \
- A giant stack of bookmail was waiting for me when I got home\ \
- More thoughts on A Far-Flung Life\ \
- American Revolution Historical Fiction perfect for the 250th Anniversary of America\ \ \ Hear it Here First:\ \ The July Historical Fiction heads up blog post is finally live! And now that my TBR Jar is ready, I'll be starting a new series that you won't want to miss.\ \ Happy reading!\ \ xoxo\ \ C\ \ Join for free or login](https://shesbecomingbookish.binderybooks.com/item/zH8nK8VJEDkoJD7q54Xd/)
The Weekly Reading Update: Sunday June 21
11 books
4
DocoftheDarkArts\ \ Bob Stuntz\ \ • Jun 10
\ \ Upgrade for $5 or login](https://docofthedarkarts.binderybooks.com/item/PD1ayF54y8NEezeGwfRs/)
MEMBER EXCLUSIVE: Weekly Reading Update 5/30/26 - 6/5/26
Check Out My Full Written Reviews: - StoryGraph: https://bit.ly/3MzSdKn - Goodreads: https://bit.ly/48VzNvb
Buy Me a Book: https://bit.ly/3MrX3JE
8 books
1
Judging By The Cover\ \ judgingby_thecover\ \ • Jun 7
Join for free
[Welcome back to After the Walk, where Link and I return from our weekly stroll, and I attempt to organize my thoughts about everything I've been reading.\ \ This week felt like one of those wonderfully reading weeks where the genres couldn't have been more different. I bounced from dark-humored fantasy to historical fantasy, from psychological thriller to speculative fiction, and somehow every book ended up circling the same idea: What do we do when life refuses to go according to plan?\ \ Some books answered that question better than others.\ \ DNF: Sublimation \ \ Let's start with the only book I didn't finish.\ \ Sublimation had one of the most intriguing premises I've encountered in a while. I was genuinely invested in the concept and wanted to know where the story was going.\ \ Unfortunately, I ended up setting it aside at 48%.\ \ The entire novel is written in second person and rotates between multiple points of view. Every character is essentially narrating events as "you." You woke up. You drank coffee. You entered the room.\ \ Second person is already a difficult narrative choice for me, but when multiple characters are all speaking in that same perspective, I found it increasingly difficult to stay grounded in the story.\ \ This was very much a case of "it's not you, it's me." The premise remained compelling right up until the point I stopped reading.\ \ Hopelessly Necromantic \ \ The elevator pitch alone sold me on this one: A burned-out royal necromancer grieving his wife gets dragged into another kingdom-saving adventure alongside a demon recruit and an unexpectedly charming skeleton brother-in-law.\ \ This book knows exactly what it wants to be.\ \ The humor is relentless in the best way. Bone puns. Self-aware fantasy jokes. Characters who seem vaguely annoyed that they're trapped inside an epic fantasy quest.\ \ Beneath all of that humor, though, sits a story about grief.\ \ Sikras is carrying enormous emotional weight, and the novel explores what it looks like to continue living after loss. Friendship, found family, and healing all become central themes as the story unfolds.\ \ My only criticism is that the emotional depth never quite matched the emotional potential. The ingredients were all there, but the story often skimmed the surface of ideas I wanted it to explore further.\ \ Still, this is a charming fantasy that succeeds because of its heart as much as its humor.\ \ Man of My Dreams \ \ Every reader has books where they can pinpoint the exact moment things stop working.\ \ For me, that happened about a third of the way through this novel.\ \ The synopsis promises one mystery. The novel gradually reveals that the mystery you've been following isn't actually the mystery the book cares about.\ \ Now, I normally love a good twist. I enjoy being surprised.\ \ The problem wasn't that the story changed directions.\ \ The problem was that I spent so much time investing in the first storyline that, once the switch happened, I couldn't stop wondering why I'd invested so much energy into something that ultimately felt secondary.\ \ By the end, the novel felt like two separate books competing for space.\ \ I suspect readers who love layered mysteries and constantly shifting narratives may enjoy this much more than I did. Unfortunately, I spent more time irritated than intrigued.\ \ The Unicorn Hunters \ \ At this point, I should probably stop being surprised when Katherine Arden writes something I love.\ \ The Unicorn Hunters takes the historical figure Anne of Brittany and asks a delightful question: What if folklore, prophecy, unicorns, and magic had been woven into her story all along?\ \ The result is exactly the sort of historical fantasy I can't resist and included magical forests, court politics, ancient legends, and clever women navigating impossible situations. Basically, real history viewed through the lens of myth.\ \ What impressed me most was Anne herself. Arden allows her to be ambitious, stubborn, strategic, intelligent, and flawed. She feels like a real person rather than a historical symbol.\ \ Historical fantasy can sometimes lean too heavily toward either the history or the fantasy. This book strikes an ideal balance between the two.\ \ Also, Louis repeatedly launching himself into danger for love deserves special recognition.\ \ Historical fantasy continues to dominate my reading year, and this may end up being one of my favorite examples of the genre.\ \ The Break-Up Retreat \ \ This is everything I wanted Nine Perfect Strangers to be. The plot centers around an isolated wellness retreat, a charismatic founder who feels increasingly suspicious, and an undercover journalist.\ \ The best part was the whole cast of flawed, messy people who were trapped together in an environment that grows more unsettling with every chapter.\ \ Camilla Sten excels at atmosphere.\ \ Long before the bodies start dropping, there's an overwhelming sense that something is wrong. The tension builds steadily through paranoia, suspicion, and psychological unease.\ \ I also appreciated the queer representation, which felt nuanced and naturally integrated into the story. The beginning is slower than the ending, leaning heavily into psychological suspense before transitioning into something much more explosive. Once the final act begins, the pace accelerates dramatically.\ \ Bonus: the epilogue was fantastic.\ \ If you enjoy Ruth Ware, Sarah Pearse, isolated settings, suspicious characters, and stories that make you question everyone's motives, this should absolutely be on your radar.\ \ The Traveler \ \ This is speculative fiction doing what speculative fiction does best: using impossible ideas to explore deeply human questions.\ \ On the surface, The Traveler is a story involving time travel and futures beyond imagination.\ \ At its core, however, it's about a father and a son. It's about the impossible balancing act of wanting what's best for your child while recognizing that their life ultimately belongs to them.\ \ The relationship between Scott and Lyle carried the entire novel for me. Even during moments when I wasn't entirely certain I understood the mechanics of what was happening, I remained invested because I cared so deeply about the people at the center of the story.\ \ By the end, I had tears in my eyes.\ \ The novel occasionally becomes so ambitious that it risks overwhelming the reader, and I did find parts of the ending difficult to fully grasp. But even when I felt slightly lost, the emotional core never let me go. That's a rare accomplishment.\ \ Final Thoughts \ \ If I had to summarize this reading week in one sentence, it would be this: Every book was asking what happens when our plans collide with reality. \ \
- A grieving necromancer trying to move forward.\ \
- A queen trying to avoid a future she doesn't want.\ \
- Characters trapped in a retreat they no longer trust.\ \
- A father trying to protect a son across impossible stretches of time.\ \ \ Even the books that didn't fully work for me were grappling with questions that lingered long after I closed them.](https://judgingbythecover.binderybooks.com/item/kU5qWrnfUn6D41OrHtxc/)
After the Walk: Five Books, Five Big Questions
3 books
2
She's Becoming Bookish\ \ Carlie Dayle\ \ • Mar 30
Join for free
\ \ Join for free or login](https://shesbecomingbookish.binderybooks.com/item/BC4l8OFYB87y1Kzp2e9o/)
Open for a sneak peek my Netgalley shelf!
I want to know: which of these would you read first??
4 books
2
The Bibliothecary\ \ Samantha\ \ • Dec 12 2025
Join for free
Most Anticipated Books of 2026
In which I discuss my most anticipated releases of 2026... also welcome to the 12 days of vlogmas!
♡ Join THE BIBLIOTHECARY: patreon.com/thoughtsontomes or https://bibliothecarybooks.binderybooks.com/ ►► Bibliothecary members get perks such as early access to videos, written posts, podcast-like ramblings, witchcraft book reviews and sharing about my personal craft, a year long interactive reading challenge, seasonal readalongs, and more!
★ Reading spreadsheet I use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twhrdlRfnRs&t=626s ► End screen song: Magic Forest - Kevin MacLeod
★ FREELANCE EDITING SERVICES: https://tinyurl.com/editing-services -- I'm currently accepting clients for developmental editing and manuscript evaluation (booking now for 2026). I'm interested in working with adult fantasy and scifi, especially Hades and Persephone retellings, stories involving polyamory, and mental health rep. I offer free editing samples of your first 1,000 words to make sure we are a good fit.
➝ DISCLAIMER: This video is not sponsored. All opinions are my own.
WHERE TO FIND ME ► BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thoughtsontomes.bsky.social ► Storygraph (alternative to goodreads): https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thoughtsontomes ► Instagram: @thoughtsontomes ► Tiktok: @thoughtsontomes_
MORE THAN BOOKS? ★ Check out The Bibliothecary! I used to discuss witchcraft and other topics on my other channel but that content has all moved to The Bibliothecary: https://bibliothecarybooks.binderybooks.com/
REVIEW/BUSINESS INQUIRES ➝ Email: thoughtsontomes@gmail.com ➝ Review Policy: https://thoughtsontomes.tumblr.com/reviewpolicy -- due to the volume of email requests I get, I do not accept review requests from indie or self-published authors at this time
15 books
3