Stephanie S. (skywriter319) - , reviewed on 8/10/2009 + 784 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

Never have I read such an interesting story about unicorns as Diana Peterfreund's RAMPANT. This book is jam-packed with lore and fighting without taking away from Peterfreund's signature writing style.

Diana's greatest ability is in making each and every character stand out without resorting to cliches. There are easily a dozen characters to keep track of, and yet no real effort is required to do so. Each character has a distinctive voice and his or her own motivations and vulnerabilities, and no one falls into character stereotypes.

RAMPANT begins with a running start, which may be disorienting. However, once within the cloister walls, details are fleshed out, characters introduced and shaped into whole beings, and the multifaceted story emerges. In RAMPANT, old clashes with new, both literally, as modern-day teenagers get dumped within the aging convent's walls, and figuratively: it's not just about killing unicorns, but rather the ethical implications of using ancient techniques in modern times.

While I found myself unable to connect with the characters as well as I did with those in the IVY LEAGUE series, Diana Peterfreund has still written a tale that is a force to be reckoned with. The allure of unicorns (an as-yet-unmined idea) and expert characterization will make RAMPANT an easy winner in the YA fantasy genre.

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