The quintessential unicorn novel, this is a lyrical and bittersweet adult fantasy that has captivated readers for generations. Believing she is the last of her kind, a unicorn leaves her protected forest to find out what became of the others. Her journey forces her to confront humanity in all its greed, folly, and surprising kindness.
Beagle’s prose is poetic and haunting, exploring themes of mortality, regret, and the loss of magic in the world. Its self-aware tone, where characters know the legends of unicorns, elevates it from a simple quest to a profound meditation on myth itself.
A gripping historical mystery for adults, this novel cleverly weaves a dual-timeline narrative around the famous "The Hunt of the Unicorn" tapestries. In the present, a young woman named Elayne is drawn into the violent history of her ancestors.
In the 15th century, her ancestor—a weaver—is entangled in a deadly quest to capture a real unicorn for a ruthless nobleman. The story is a rich and suspenseful adventure that grounds the mythical beast in a tangible, historical setting, making it perfect for readers who enjoy their fantasy with a dose of well-researched reality.
This thought-provoking blend of contemporary drama and literary fantasy brings unicorns into the modern American landscape. When a dying woman returns to her family’s Colorado ranch, a herd of ailing unicorns crosses over from a parallel world, seeking refuge.
The novel uses the appearance of these mythical creatures to explore difficult, real-world themes of the AIDS epidemic, loss of faith, and environmental decay. It’s a poignant and imaginative story for readers who appreciate magic that serves as a powerful metaphor for human struggles.
A beloved children’s classic, this whimsical tale is set in the enchanting Moonacre Valley. After being orphaned, young Maria Merryweather goes to live at the mysterious Moonacre Manor.
While there is no traditional unicorn, the narrative is built around the legend of a little white horse with unicorn-like qualities whose appearance is tied to the fate of the valley.
Goudge’s story is a gentle, atmospheric fairy tale about courage, reconciliation, and the quiet magic of the English countryside, ideal for young readers and adults seeking a dose of nostalgic charm.
This Newbery Medal winner is a mind-bending work of YA science fantasy that features one of literature's most memorable unicorns, Gaudior.
When the tyrannical dictator Madog Branzillo threatens nuclear war, Charles Wallace Murry must travel through time and space—with the help of the telepathic Gaudior—to alter key moments in history and avert disaster. The unicorn here is not just a symbol of purity, but a wise, powerful, and essential companion on an epic quest.
It’s a philosophical and thrilling read for those who enjoy stories with high stakes and cosmic scope.
The first book in the popular middle-grade series The Unicorn Chronicles, this is a fast-paced and heartfelt portal fantasy. To escape a mysterious pursuer, a young girl named Cara is magically sent by her grandmother into Luster, the world where unicorns live.
There, she becomes embroiled in a struggle to protect the unicorns from an ancient enemy. Coville creates a vibrant, fully realized unicorn society with its own history and culture, making this an accessible and exciting adventure for younger readers just discovering the fantasy genre.
Part of the classic Magic Kingdom of Landover series, this novel offers a compelling subversion of the traditional unicorn myth. When the magical king Ben Holiday finds his kingdom is dying, he learns its fate is tied to the enigmatic Black Unicorn, a creature of immense power that has been captured by the wizard Meeks.
Brooks presents a unicorn that is not merely good or evil but a wild, elemental force of nature. This is high-fantasy adventure for readers who enjoy epic quests and seeing familiar tropes given a darker, more complex spin.
A work of quiet and mature magical realism, this novel proves that unicorn stories are not just for the young. On a sleepy, isolated farm in southern Italy, a grumpy, solitary farmer named Claudio Bianchi is shocked to find a pregnant unicorn has appeared on his land.
Her presence disrupts his quiet life, attracting tourists, mafiosi, and a long-lost love. This intimate, character-driven story explores how myth can intersect with the mundane realities of aging and love, offering a romantic and beautifully written tale for an adult audience.
This inventive novel masterfully blends fantasy tropes with a hard science-fiction premise. Following a catastrophic space battle, the human crew of the starship Fortune crash-lands on a mysterious planet, accompanied by their genetically engineered, unicorn-like steeds who share a deep, empathetic bond with their riders.
The story explores themes of colonialism and communication as the survivors, armed with Earth's ancient unicorn legends, must navigate a world with its own strange ecology and sentient inhabitants. It's a perfect read for those who love genre-bending stories that challenge conventions.
Uniquely told from the perspective of the unicorns themselves, this novel immerses readers in a rich and detailed non-human civilization. Jan, a young unicorn prince, is haunted by a prophecy that he will lead his people to a new land, but he fears he is not the hero of the stories.
The plot is driven entirely by unicorn culture—their myths, politics, and traditions. Pierce’s world-building is extraordinary, offering a rare and epic look at unicorns not as magical beasts to be found, but as the central heroes of their own story.