Ember Spark and the Unicorn's Secret

Ember Spark #3

by Abi Elphinstone, Kristina Kister (illustrator)

The third title in this magical SERIES filled with adventure, wonder and edge-of-your-seat excitement, set in a world of daring dragons and magical maladies by the best-selling author of Sky Song, Abi Elphinstone . . .
‘This new fantasy series for younger readers is bubbling with action and imagination… A joy.’ The Daily Mail

'Elphinstone has the confidence to embrace fantasy's most popular tropes - unicorns, dragons, dark-hearted villains - and make them thoroughly her own.'  TheTelegraph
Ember Spark, vet to magical beasts, is whisked off on a surprise flight, destination unknown! Soon she and her friend, Arno, find themselves deep in the Amazon rainforest. And with a new arch-villain tracking their every move, only a unicorn’s secret can save them...

Praise for Ember
‘A total masterclass in high-action, high-stakes, high-fun adventure.’
Emma Carroll, author of Letters from the Lighthouse
 
‘Quirky and magical, this wonderful adventure proves what everyone should know – Abi Elphinstone is a writer to be cherished.’ Phil Earle, author of When the Sky Falls
 
‘Ember Spark herself is a wonderful heroine – she’s brave, curious and always up for an adventure.’ Katie Tsang, author of the Dragon Realm series
 
‘I adored Ember Spark. Abi is a master storyteller . . . she’s created a thrilling adventure fizzing with heart and magic and wonder.’ Zohra Nabi, author of The Kingdom over the Sea
 
‘Kids are going to go wild for this joyful, moving, thrill-ride of a book, guaranteed to leave you smiling. Every word is magic.’ Lauren St John, author of The White Giraffe series

‘Sure to ignite any reader’s imagination and warm their heart. Wonderful and wonder-filled!’ Andy Shepherd, author of The Boy who Grew Dragons

'Utterly charming, wonderfully wild and sprinkled with gutsy characters, dastardly villains & magical creatures galore . . .' Jo Clarke, author of The Travelling School Mysteries
 
 'Ember Spark is bursting with adventure, magic & that very special Abi Elphinstone sparkle . . .' Mel Taylor-Bessent, author of The Christmas Carrolls

 

224 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 24, 2025

About the author

Abi Elphinstone grew up in Scotland where she spent most of her childhood building dens, hiding in tree houses and running wild across highland glens. After being coaxed out of her tree house, she studied English at Bristol University and then worked as a teacher.

THE DREAMSNATCHER is her debut novel for 8-12 years (published by Simon & Schuster in 2015). THE SHADOW KEEPER is her second children's book (published by Simon & Schuster in 2016).

When she's not writing, Abi volunteers for Beanstalk, teaches creative writing workshops in schools and travels the world looking for her next story. Her latest adventure involved living with the Kazakh Eagle Hunters in Mongolia…

Reviews

[Frompenandpage · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one series I can say with my whole heart I absolutely adore. Ember Spark’s adventures continue to get more and more magical as the series progresses and Unicorn’s Secret is no exception. Abi Elphinstone has created a universe with so much possibility, fun, action and comradery that I hope there are plenty more adventures of Ember Spark to come!

I have to admit, I did find myself wondering who TB could possibly be at the end of the last book, and I was made up to find out their identity. It was a direction that I could’ve never seen the book going but I am so glad I did as there’s a much bigger lesson for children and adult readers alike to learn there. Additionally, their villainous demeanour and characterisation make them the perfect archenemy for this sequel, and I LOVED it. Supported by Armpit and Monkfish, they were a trio I enjoyed seeing our own trio go up against.

A surprising turn I didn’t foresee but liked wandering along with was the friction between Ember and Arno in this book and how they navigate that. With Ember having become used to being the hero, it was interesting watching her understand that sometimes the hero isn’t always the hero and superheroes don’t work alone. I think there were multiple lessons younger readers can take from this about sharing responsibility, handling jealousy, taking accountability and moving on. This was a brilliant development point from Abi Elphinstone.

Finally, where would this series be without the new characters we’re introduced to in every book. Tenterhooks, Rascal, Tuggerty Vine, and more, alongside a deeper look into Ember’s father, were wonderful additions to the series. When supported by the returning faces and creatures, it made this world feel truly endless with possibilities and I cannot wait to see where Ember Spark heads off to next!

Ember Spark and the Unicorn’s Secret is the DREAM third instalment in this miraculous series. Ideal for readers aged 7-9, I think this will be a brilliant Spring/Summer read for any animal lover, adventure grabber, and fantasy fan alike! If you haven’t yet, go preorder while I ponder whether I’m too old to see a unicorn!

[Sifa Poulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.

EMBER SPARK AND THE UNICORN'S SECRET is another caper through the world of magical creatures and protecting them from the unscrupulous.

This book introduces a new villain, a cosmetics creator who's exploiting magical animals for profit. I liked getting a new baddie to square up against, one who is in many ways worse than the last as she's directly harming creatures, not palming them off to others to exploit. This allows the book to look at greed at the expense of nature and the cruelties the cosmetic industry can visit on animals in pursuit of products and (a manufactured) fear of growing "ugly". it is a nice way into discussing the topic with children.

It is also just another fun adventure, taking it far from the places we've already explored and into the depths of the Amazon rainforest. It is as lush with life as the real Amazon, just with a sprinkling of extra magic - and a new vet to meet! Tufferty was such a nice addition to the cast (and perfect for making Ember feel inadequate so she had to grow in self-confidence, but do so in a positive manner.) I do hope Tufferty returns in a future book.

There are new creatures too, with unicorns being the obvious ones - and winged ones at that. I loved the riddle aspect of them, forcing the characters to think rather than run, jump, and hope.

[Farah G · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Ember, her friend Arno, and Forty Winks the nibblesqueak are about to discover, the death of the evil Jasper Hornswoggle does not signal safety for the magical creatures that the duo are learning to look after (as assistant vets to Rusty Fizzbang, magical vet extraordinaire).

A truly nefarious group of criminals is after magical creatures with the aim of using them as cosmetic ingredients. And now they have kidnapped Ember and Arno!

In an adventure where some bad guys really get their just desserts, we discover just unicorns are capable of, and Ember new ally, the story telling is as engaging as it is creative. Elphinstone is remarkably skilled at world building and her characters feel like friends to the readers who are devouring their exploits. Not to be missed!

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by how accessible the language is in this book. I am a fan of the author and her works usually are more suitable for UKS 2 students or up but this one is surprisingly less challenging. The story is fun and exciting and the heroine is absolutely adorable.

[Shiela Laramore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was our favourite of the series so far. We’re hoping there will be another one soon.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

We enjoyed the story but the chapters were very long, which the kids didn't like.