Discover The Skandar Series

A.F. Steadman grew up in the Kent countryside, getting lost in fantasy worlds and scribbling stories in notebooks. Before focusing on writing, she worked in law, until she realized that there wasn’t nearly enough magic involved. She is the author of the New York Times bestselling Skandar series.

Recommended for ages 9+, The Skandar series is an international, award-winning hit, and the biggest fantasy adventure series since Harry Potter. Collect them all for a wonderful gift to be read, re-read and treasured for years to come. Below, we’ve listed all 5 books so you can see what each one is about! The sixth book, The First Unicorn Rider, is out now!

Book #1: Skandar and the Unicorn Thief

Unicorns don’t belong in fairy tales; they belong in nightmares. So begins Skandar and the Unicorn Thief. Soar into a world where unicorns are real – and they’re deadly. They can only be tamed by the rider who hatches them. Thirteen-year-old Skandar Smith has only ever wanted to be a unicorn rider, and the time has finally come for him to take his Hatchery Exam, which will determine whether he is destined to hatch a unicorn egg. But when Skandar is stopped from taking the exam, and the mysterious and frightening Weaver steals the most powerful unicorn in the world, becoming a rider proves a lot more dangerous than he could ever have imagined. And what if Skandar was always destined to be the villain rather than the hero?

Buy a copy of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief here.

Book #2: Skandar and the Phantom Rider

Skandar Smith has achieved his dream to train as a unicorn rider. But as Skandar and his friends enter their second year at the Eyrie, a new threat arises. Immortal wild unicorns are somehow being killed, a prophecy warns of terrible danger, and elemental destruction begins to ravage the Island. Meanwhile, Skandar’s sister, Kenna, longs to join him – and Skandar is determined to help her, no matter what. As the storm gathers, can Skandar discover how to stop the Island tearing itself apart – before it’s too late for them all?

Buy a copy of Skandar and the Phantom Rider here.

Book #3: Skandar and the Chaos Trials

Skandar and his sister Kenna are finally both at the Eyrie, but tensions are high. To survive their third year of training, Skandar and his friends must complete a series of terrifying trials across the Island’s elemental zones. Friendships, allegiances and rider-unicorn bonds will be pushed to the limit – only the strongest will make it. Meanwhile Kenna’s forged bond to a wild unicorn has left her alienated and alone. And when a terrible discovery puts the future of the Island in peril, all fingers point in one direction . . . As dark forces assemble, Skandar must decide how far is he willing to go – for Kenna, and for the Eyrie. Get ready for unlikely heroes, elemental magic, sky battles, ancient secrets and ferocious unicorns in this highly anticipated adventure that will keep you reading after lights out!

Buy a copy of Skandar and the Chaos Trials here.

Book #4: Skandar and the Skeleton Curse

As Skandar and his friends begin their fourth year at the Eyrie, the Island’s unicorns are struck by a terrible curse that threatens to change everything. Between a Commodore determined to eliminate the spirit element for good, and a sister hellbent on revenge, nowhere is safe for Skandar. As more and more unicorns are affected by the curse, the clock is ticking for Skandar and his quartet, who find themselves literally racing for their lives. Can they stop the curse in its tracks before the Island is lost forever?

Buy a copy of Skandar and the Skeleton Curse here.

Book #5: Skandar and the Spirit War

Skandar is in hiding after the Chaos Cup where Rex Manning revealed a game-changing secret. But as Rex prepares to invade the Mainland, the Islanders are not sure who to trust. With one of Skandar’s closest friends now fighting for the enemy, Skandar must build new alliances – including an uneasy truce with Kenna. To defeat Rex, Skandar and his friends will need to look back to the origins of the Island, and harness the full power of their elemental magic. Can Skandar become the leader he needs to be to save the Mainland – and the heart of the Island itself?

Buy a copy of Skandar and the Spirit War here.

Book #6: The First Unicorn Rider

George Penhaligon has only ever wanted adventure. But when his fishing boat is caught in a storm, he ends up shipwrecked on an unknown island. Here he discovers something magical and terrifying – that unicorns are real and bloodthirsty. These unicorns display magical powers, but they have never encountered humans before, and their magic is wild, uncontrolled and deadly. Slowly George befriends a wild creature and begins to discover the island’s secrets. But there is a dark and sinister presence on the island that is threatening not only the unicorns but the magic of the island itself. George’s adventure may be more dangerous than he ever bargained for. Can George protect his new island home and defeat the creature that is stalking it?