Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
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based on child development research. How do we rate?
Teen riders rebel in exciting and dark unicorn series.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In SKANDAR AND THE SKELETON CURSE, Skandar and his friends are enjoying the Earth Festival together when tragedy strikes. Earth-allied unicorns across the square begin to collapse, and when they awaken, they're wild again, skeletal, and very dangerous. And in the middle of the chaos, Skandar's sister Kenna swoops down on her wild unicorn and laughs. Skandar wonders how she could do such a thing. Was she the new Weaver now that their mother was dead? Everyone fears Kenna now, especially the slippery Commodore Rex Manning, who, fueled by his prejudice against all Spirit wielders, enacts new rules for Skandar's fourth year at the Eyrie. Now riders may only live with and train with those they share an element with, fires with other fires, airs with other airs. Suddenly Skandar and his very best friends are forced apart and Skandar must train alone.
Is It Any Good?
This fourth entry in the bloodthirsty unicorn saga keeps flying high with clever new battle strategies, budding romance, lots of sibling drama, and all-out teen rebellion for a good cause. It'll remind Harry Potter fans of Order of the Phoenix, at least at first, when small acts of rebellion foil Commodore-turned-Eyrie-instructor Rex Manning's plans to overhaul the school. But Skandar and friends eventually go full Weasley twins and bid goodbye to the Eyrie. Unicorns are turning wild in droves, and Manning isn't doing anything to stop it. And even worse, Skandar's sister is to blame. Like Book 3, a few chapters come from Kenna's perspective, and also like Book 3, her actions are still harder to understand. That said, her rebellion and Skandar's rebellion side by side make for fascinating comparisons. They both want to subvert Manning and his Silver Circle, they both want him to atone for years of injustices to the Spirit wielders of the island—and they are both in way over their heads.
Fierce friendships have always been essential to Skandar's success, and they're tested here as he explores romantic feelings for one of his besties and competes against another. A theme resonates throughout about strengths in their differences, and it helps keep them together—mostly. Author A.F. Steadman excels at these deeper themes as much as she excels at creating thrilling unicorn sky battles. We won't say who's competing in the Chaos Cup this time around, but riders bust out some seriously cool new moves, creating ghostly predators out of magic and thin air. Per usual, the finish line isn't the end of the exciting twists. Both the Commodore and Kenna still have their cards to play, and when they do, readers will be desperate to dig into Book 5.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about integrity in Skandar and the Skeleton Curse. How is rebelling against the Commodore a form of integrity? What would have been the easier path for Skandar and his friends?
Konrad, Skandar's spirit-allied trainer, reminds readers of how evil may be harder than we think to name: "We all wield darkness in our own ways. We are all capable of it ... through the deeds in our lives. ... There is strength in realizing that life is complicated, that the monsters are not always the ones who dwell in darkness, and the handsome leaders are not always the ones who should be in charge"—that there can also be "heroes who look like the villains." How does this series make it harder to decipher who the baddies are? How do Skandar, Kenna, Flo, and Albert each grapple with both darkness and goodness?
Why do Skandar, Flo, Mitchell, and Bobby think it's import for their quartet to stay together? Why do they exhibit better teamwork than riders who are all fire wielders or all air wielders?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Activism , Adventures , Animals ( Wild Animals ) , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Fantasy ( Magic ) , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Communication , Courage , Curiosity , Empathy , Integrity , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : October 15, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 528
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : October 26, 2025
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