Another Action-Packed Year at the Eyrie: Read Our Review of Skandar #2: Skandar and the Phantom Rider by A.F. Steadman

With heroes and unicorns as you’ve never seen them before, the epic Skandar adventure continues. Get ready for more action, unforgettable characters, and mesmerising world-building in Skandar and the Phantom Rider, the second book in the internationally bestselling Skandar series.

The Island shall have its revenge…

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?

A.F. Steadman has done it again. When we first introduced Better Reading Kids readers to Skandar and the Unicorn Thief, it was an instant hit. The much-anticipated debut landed a spot on our 2022 Better Reading Top 50 list in the very same year of its release.

After such a tremendous response to her series debut, Steadman had a lot to live up to, but Skandar and the Phantom Rider does not disappoint. Steadman continues Skandar’s epic adventure with the same meticulous world-building that captured fans’ hearts and imaginations in the first book, perfectly balancing tried and true fantasy tropes with truly unexpected elements – I mean, bloodthirsty unicorns…

Expect more nail-biting adventure, fantastically unlikely heroes, fast-paced twists, and themes of family and friendship. I particularly loved getting a little more of Skandar’s sister, Kenna, in this installment.

The follow-up to Steadman’s series debut sees Skandar and his friends tackle another year of training at the Eyrie. To me, this is where the comparisons to Harry Potter really hold most true: while the magic of J.K. Rowling’s world obviously stands the test of time to carry across generations of readers, I think the experience was especially profound for the readers who grew up alongside the protagonists, experiencing in parallel their development and the particular challenges that come with navigating those difficult teenage school years. The Skandar series gifts today’s young readers that same extra-special dose of magic.

Skandar and the Phantom Rider is an unmissable adventure for readers aged 9+, especially fans of Harry Potter, Percy Jackson and Eragon. If you’ve read book #1, Skandar and the Unicorn Thief, I’m sure you’ve already got this follow-up release on pre-order. But for those of you who are yet to enter Skandar’s phenomenal world, there’s never been a better time. With a tantalising epilogue, Steadman leaves us poised for more; by my prediction, this series is only going to get bigger and better.

Buy a copy of Skandar #2: Skandar and the Phantom Rider here.