A Change of Reign: Realm of the Unimages

by Alex Maister

In this enchanting tale, Princess Sallina, a young unicorn from a distant realm, embarks on a vital mission to save her homeland. Through a celestial portal, she arrives on Earth in an English forest. To fulfil her mission, Sallina, now in human form, enrols in a secondary school and forges an alliance with Szymon, another unicorn transformed into a human. Their shared objective is to aid Professor Tinzy, a renowned unicorn who serves on the Council of Unimages, in recovering his lost memories and obtaining a potent magical life-force that has been depleted in their homeland. They race against time to prevent a colossal meteor from annihilating their entire civilization. However, their quest is riddled with challenges, as they must confront rival factions vying for the mystical substance known as Pinny. Hidden dangers lurk around every corner. As the story unfolds, Princess Sallina grapples with finding her way in a strange land and coping with her world being turned upside down. Her ability to distinguish true allies from apparent adversaries becomes crucial, not only for her own destiny but also for the fate of all the unicorns in her homeland.

382 pages, Hardcover

Published October 20, 2023

About the author

I’m half Asian and half German and been living in the UK most of my life. I grew up in Karachi, then Athens, then the UK and studied my bachelor’s degree in the US. I’ve spent most of my life working in marketing and been involved in filmmaking at various stages. I have worked on corporate videos; produced a small animation series in Thailand with my wife; been credited a producer on two independent German films; and played around with directing in the early 2000s. I started to take scriptwriting seriously when I took the UCLA writing for television course in 2017-18 (online) and have written several spec screenplays since. All my scripts carry a strong theme that involves minority characters. I hope to have more of my short/TV/feature scripts produced in future.

Reviews

[Paula Learmouth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is based around Princess Sallina, a young Unicorn from a distant realm who wants to save her homeland from destruction. Sallina has to change to human form so she can find out more and see who would be best to help and that means going through a celestial portal to an English forest. At school she befriends Szymon, who is also a Unicorn in a human form. Young reads would love imagery feel within this story. Within the story the we learn of right and wrong and how they can be used by position and power. Which we all have or know of this in the real world, as it is now.

[Toni Everett · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Change of Reign: Realm of Unimages is a wonderful children’s story about a young unicorn called Princess Sallina who transforms into a human and travels to earth to collect precious ‘Pinny’ to be used to save her home from an incoming meteor that threatens to destroy it.
Throughout this book there are many times the concept of what’s right and what’s wrong is explored and I feel the book has good morals for children to learn from .
There was a few characters I really liked, but I really love the character Limpit he was definitely my favourite!!
I hope to return to Starpoint/ Doberry soon to continued adventure!!

[Glenda Cates · Rating 5 out of 5]

 A Change of Reign: Realm of the Unimages is based around Princess Sallina, a young Unicorn from a distant realm who wants to save her homeland from destruction. Sallina has to change to human form so she can find out more and see who would be best to help and that means going through a celestial portal to an English forest. Sallina who transforms into a human and travels to earth to collect precious ‘Pinny’ to be used to save her home from an incoming meteor that threatens to destroy it. At school she befriends Szymon, who is also a Unicorn in a human form.

The book teaches us about what is right or wrong and the Author has created good morals for not only children but adults to learn from. I was surprised when I sat down to read the story that its about a Unicorn which I've always loved and would like to have as a Pet. The more I read the story the more I wanted to share the book with my niece Lilly who is 8 but is a wonderful and avid reader.

Although I do believe this book is more for children a little older if parents take the time to read the story and explain what is happening children of all ages can learn from the story. I had Charlie read the book in his Homeschool Reading Class and he said he thought the book would be for girls but that isn't the case anyone will enjoy the story just as my family did.

[Tami Wylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book where are unicorn is where the main characters unless it was a picture book. This was a brilliantly, unique concept. I thought it was great how do unicorn is transformed into humans so that I can live among them and look for the pinny (energy source) they needed to save their world. Princess Sallina travels through the portal in search of Professor Tinzy, the Unimage who was supposed to be getting the pinny, but hasn’t returned. She soon discovers that he has lost his memory. Sallina meet Szymon, another young Unimage, who helps her return the professors memory. The group discovers a nefarious plot involving Szymon‘s dad and a group of Unimages called the circle who want to take over the world. Will the group be able to stop them? I really enjoyed the characters in the story, I thought Sallina was a strong lead and was glad Szymon was really on the side of right. Limpet was my favourite, simply because he was a dragon! I can’t resist a good dragon. There was just the right amount of action and intrigue to keep the reader engaged. I like the way it ended with a cliffhanger to leave me desperate to read the next book! This is a perfect series for middle grade readers.

[Harriet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book I was very intrigued by the blurb as soon as I read it. I had enjoyed the characters within the book especially the main character I haven’t read a book where the main character is a unicorn which could shift/hide there from by being in a human form. The main character Princess Sailina was a very interesting character along with Szymon and Professor Tinzy they also develop nicly throughout the book. The overall premise of this book I found it very gripping. The fact that the alliance is trying to find this magic life-force which was potent to be able to prevent a vast meteor from oblitierating the whole civilisation. The story was very gripping as with what they needed to do/find resulting in them needing to work through challenges, alongside the need to confront a rival group who were trying to find the same substance. As I was reading the story I didn’t want to put the story down and when I finished the book. I couldn’t help but be surprised as I didn’t expect the ending of the book. Especially after reading this book I am intrigued to read any future books from this author.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Young Adult Standalone Fantasy book that is aimed at 10-18 years old.

First up, the artwork is very intriguing, with the mystery unicorn girl surrounded by forest.... coupled the very detailed blurb, it makes for an enticing look.

The book is written in 3rd person and focuses primarily on Princess Sallina, who has portalled from her home planet Starpoint to Earth to locate a mystery professor to help try and stop the destruction of her home.

The use of a unicorn theme is very whimsical and it does feel at times like an older 'fairy tale' of sorts which is lovely, as it means topical 'issues' and the topic of right and wrong can be discussed at an age appropriate level.

The narrative feels almost like a movie narrative, which took time for me to adjust to, but I do feel it is appropriate for the target age range as it is a slower pace so will be great for younger readers.

Sallina is a great female role model within the book as she is selfless, confident, and determined - I do love an intelligent princess!

It's a great book for children and YA lovers!

[Fatguyreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this novel with our eldest Daughter ( who's 12 ) and we both enjoyed it.

I'd say the book is well suited to readers in the range of 12-18, maybe a little younger.

The story is based around a young unicorn who's task it is to save their home from total destruction.

It's a novel that explores some very relevant topics in today's world,( but in a subtle way ), the main theme being the concept of right and wrong, how these can be used abused from positions of power and the complexities of manipulation. That being said, the story is very readable, the author kept the storyline light and it flowed well. The pace was spot in and the writing style was just perfect for this type of read.

The characters had decent depth and we read this in two sittings.

4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from us.

[Stacy Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review time
#adpr #review #bookreview #booktour #bookstagram #lovebooktours
5 stars
Realm of the unimages change of reign.
Thank you @lovebookstours and @alexmaister2023
For having me on this tour.

I really enjoyed this book it had a teenager feel to my little pony but with more action magic mystery and fantasy.
Princess salina has alot put on her to find her proffessor and safe her home and and stuck on a human body in the human world.
It's so magical and has some twists in there and uncertainty if she can do all that needs to be done but she is determined to do it save everyone.
The more I read the more i felt apart of the magic within the pages.
My little ones loved hearing bits I read to them they love unicorns.

[Nelli Lakatos · Rating 4 out of 5]

“ℰ𝓋𝒾𝓁 𝒽𝒶𝓈 𝒶 𝓌𝒶𝓎 𝑜𝒻 𝒸𝓁𝓊𝓉𝒸𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝒷𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝓇𝑜𝒶𝓉 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓃 𝒸𝒽𝑜𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒾𝒻 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒹𝑜𝓃'𝓉 𝒹𝑜 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒾𝓉 𝒶𝓈𝓀𝓈, 𝓌𝒽𝒾𝓁𝓈𝓉 𝒾𝓉 𝓈𝓂𝒾𝓁𝑒𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓅𝓇𝑒𝓉𝑒𝓃𝒹𝓈 𝓉𝑜 𝒷𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝓈𝒶𝓋𝒾𝑜𝓊𝓇."

A Change of Reign: Realm of the Unimages was a fascinating story about a young unicorn, Princess Sallina and her new friend Szymon, another unicorn transformed into human to fulfill their mission and save their homeland and their entire civilization from a meteor. This was a tale of courage, friendship and acceptance.

I really enjoyed this adventurous and magical journey, the characters were so easily likable the storyline was intriguing and fun. I cannot wait for the next books in this series!

I highly recommend reading this book to anyone!

[Jacqueline Diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love unicorns 🦄. This books was a great fantasy read with magic and my favorite unicorns. My daughter is 10 and enjoyed this book a few times she was a little confused but with some explaining she got it. I loved the fantasy element of it the world the author created 🧑‍🍳 💋. A great story about doing the right thing and how the choices we make affect us. Salina was great seeing the journey of being able to navigate an unfamiliar place was great. A story about people who are in power but don’t always do what is right and looking to yourself to find what is right for you and what you believe in.

[Amy Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Change of Reign: Realm of the Unimages is a charming fantasy story about a young unicorn on a mission to save their home from total destruction.

A book for 10-18 year olds, it explores the concept of right and wrong imposed by the abuse of position and power while keeping the storyline light and easy to read. The writing flows nicely and the chapters are a good length. Slightly longer than I would have picked up as a young teen but I would definitely recommend all the same - I can see it being very popular.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had everything that I was hoping for from a fantasy novel. The characters were everything that I was hoping for and enjoyed about the genre. It had a strong storyline and thought the world worked well overall. Alex Maister has a grea writing style and can't wait for more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carla Zanghellini · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was quite unusual being unicorns, getting to earth as humans, seeking a way to help their realm to survive. I like how the author describes the trouble in choosing who to trust, the friendship that seeks to understand each other and get the right actions to be taken for each others.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mystic KT · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful and enchanting story of discovery, for both the main character and her companion's. It was refreshing to see the world we live on through an outsiders point of view and this was done in easy to understand language which all readers will be able to understand and digest. I think this is a story that I will enjoying reading with my nephew when he is a bit older as it will help build his imagination and show that you can do anything that you want in life.

[John Finn]

Absolutely brilliant read! Real page-turner. Keeps you hooked on the good old human nature/psychology level. But also with the fantasy/fantastical elements there's plenty of entertainment and escapism. Engaging characters of different ages to appeal to a wide range of readership. Couldn't recommend it more highly!

[kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it was well written with a compelling and magical story line and well developed characters that I loved, especially Sallina.

The story follows Sallina, a young Princess unicorn from a distant realm who has to go on a vital and important mission to save her homeland. In order to do this she has to go through a celestial portal which sends her to an English forest. Now in human form she has to attend Senior school, where she meets and befriends Szymon, who is also a Unicorn in human form. The adventure that follows is nothing short of magical and I loved it.

The book is full of rich imagery and vivid descriptions and I really felt like I was there and that it would really bring younger readers imaginations alive.
I loved the themes that were explored within the book too such as the difference between right and wrong and how easily power can corrupt someone.

If I had one criticism it is that maybe this is a bit to lengthy for middle graders s, but I still loved it