The Dark Unicorn

In his second novel, Edward Willett revisits the realm of good and evil fighting for mankind. The setting is fantasy medieval. Visuals are dramatically drawn and the action on both the emotional and physical levels is paced for Young Adult excitement and entertainment.

Nels is a travelling flutist who is discontent with his musical group and leader. What he once thought would be a financial assist for his family and an exciting and musically rewarding career, he now sees realistically as shabby and stultifying. During an escape break, he is the unwitting recipient of an amulet in the shape of a unicorn. The figure is the embodiment of the forces of good. It takes Nels a while to fully understand what he has been entrusted to do, even with Shadows information, but once he has an inkling, he is ready to fight to his death against The Red Knight, the Force of evil, and other evil beings, to protect and transport the unicorn to its needed location.

Dart, world-wise and street-smart, rescues, then joins Nels and tutors him in the ways of survival. Their relationship is full of humorous moments as Dart, a daring fighter and survivor, deals out pointed criticisms and witicisms. For survival, Dart has been a female in disguise. With this cleared up, a romance blooms.

Counterpointing Nels and Darts worldly position and partial bits of knowledge is Prince Gondwain, a good force hoping to catch up to Nels and help him in battling The Red Knight and his ilk. He provides the reader with an understanding of the plot, settings and their interaction.

The Dark Unicorn is superbly crafted for balance between characterization and action. It will appeal to many teenage readers because it contains action, a light romance and comic relief.