8 Books With Unicorns As Central Characters
Where Magic Walks in Grace and Horns Hold the Secrets of the World
Unicorns—those shimmering, elusive beings born of moonlight and myth—have long held a sacred place in the hearts of fantasy lovers. They’re more than just pretty creatures with pearlescent horns and flowing manes. In the right story, a unicorn can be fierce, untamed, tragic, wise… even deadly. They are symbols of innocence, yes, but also of ancient power, freedom, and the unknowable mysteries that lie just beyond the veil of reality.
These eight unforgettable books place unicorns not as side notes or symbols—but as true central characters. Speaking, thinking, feeling, choosing. Sometimes noble. Sometimes wild. Always magical.
So ready your heart, open your imagination, and step softly—here are 8 books where unicorns take center stage and carry the soul of the story.
1. The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
🦄 A dreamlike journey through loss, love, and the fading of magic.
The unicorn doesn’t have a name. She doesn’t need one. She is the last of her kind and knows it. Beagle’s lyrical tale follows her quest to find the others—if they even still exist. Along the way, she discovers the fragile beauty of mortality and the aching truth of transformation.
Why it captivates: This is the unicorn story. Poetic, poignant, and deeply human in its magic.
2. Into the Land of the Unicorns by Bruce Coville
🔮 A secret world where unicorns are more than myth—they’re warriors, scholars, and legends reborn.
When Cara falls into the world of Luster, she finds herself caught in a battle where unicorns are noble and fierce, some even mysterious and dangerous. With a talking wolfhound and a unicorn companion at her side, she learns what it means to believe—and to fight for belief.
Why it captivates: A rich world where unicorns have cultures, laws, and destinies. Perfect for middle-grade readers and nostalgic adults alike.
3. Zach’s Lie by Roland Smith (and companion, Jack’s Run)
🌒 Not your traditional unicorn tale—but one with a hidden thread.
Tucked inside a story about witness protection and secrets is a strange book—a fantasy within a thriller—where a boy named Jack writes of unicorns and magical lands. It’s metaphorical, mysterious, and unexpectedly powerful.
Why it captivates: It plays with the idea of unicorns as internal, symbolic forces of truth and escape.
4. The Unicorn Chronicles by Bruce Coville (Yes, again!)
📚 A multi-book epic where unicorns are central to an age-old war.
This isn’t just one book—it’s a sprawling saga where unicorns are not only intelligent but deeply political beings. With magic pulsing through their horns and memory woven into their manes, they serve as defenders of purity in a world slipping into darkness.
Why it captivates: Epic battles, interspecies alliances, and unicorns that are anything but passive.
5. A Glory of Unicorns edited by Bruce Coville
✨ A short story anthology exploring the many faces of unicorns.
From gentle forest guardians to cosmic travelers, this collection shows unicorns through many eyes and voices. Each story paints them differently—some tragic, some funny, some haunting.
Why it captivates: A kaleidoscope of unicorn lore in bite-sized, breathtaking pieces. Ideal for sampling the myth from many angles.
6. Rampant by Diana Peterfreund
🩸 *Forget everything you thought you knew—these unicorns kill.
In this bold twist, unicorns are real…and lethal. They’re venomous, savage creatures that only virgin descendants of ancient warrior lines can fight. Astrid is one such teen, thrown into a deadly legacy.
Why it captivates: Fierce feminist fantasy with a bloody edge. The unicorns here don’t sparkle—they hunt.
7. Unicorn Tracks by Julia Ember
🌈 A lush, queer fantasy romance set against a backdrop of magical creatures and cultural exploration.
When Mnemba and Kara track unicorns across the sun-drenched land of Nazwimbe, they uncover secrets both political and personal. The unicorns are wild, beautiful, and sacred—mirroring the forbidden love blooming between the girls.
Why it captivates: A celebration of diversity, discovery, and creatures that can’t be tamed.
8. The Unicorn Quest by Kamilla Benko
💫 Two sisters. One enchanted realm. And a unicorn waiting in legend.
When Claire follows her sister Sophie into a hidden world, she finds a kingdom unraveling—and a unicorn who holds the key to its salvation. This magical middle-grade adventure is brimming with heart, riddles, and crystalline suspense.
Why it captivates: A classic-feeling adventure with a unicorn that embodies hope, courage, and the wonder of belief.
Final Word:
Unicorns don’t belong in cages—or in clichés. These stories prove they are not just emblems of purity but creatures of complexity, of will and wit, of fire and forgiveness. Whether they walk beside warriors or vanish into mist, these unicorns speak to something ancient within us: a longing for mystery, for meaning, for magic that doesn’t apologize.
So, saddle your imagination and follow the hoofbeats—they just might lead you somewhere unforgettable. 🦄💫📚
Which unicorn tale still haunts your heart?
