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Unicorn Tracks
After a savage attack drives her from her home, sixteen-year-old Mnemba finds a place in her cousin Tumelo’s successful safari business, where she quickly excels as a guide. Surrounding herself with nature and the mystical animals inhabiting the savannah not only allows Mnemba’s tracking skills to shine, it helps her to hide from the terrible memories that haunt her.
Mnemba is employed to guide Mr. Harving and his daughter, Kara, through the wilderness as they study unicorns. The young women are drawn to each other, despite that fact that Kara is betrothed. During their research, they discover a conspiracy by a group of poachers to capture the Unicorns and exploit their supernatural strength to build a railway. Together, they must find a way to protect the creatures Kara adores while resisting the love they know they can never indulge.
Mnemba is employed to guide Mr. Harving and his daughter, Kara, through the wilderness as they study unicorns. The young women are drawn to each other, despite that fact that Kara is betrothed. During their research, they discover a conspiracy by a group of poachers to capture the Unicorns and exploit their supernatural strength to build a railway. Together, they must find a way to protect the creatures Kara adores while resisting the love they know they can never indulge.
180 pages, Paperback
First published April 21, 2016
11 people are currently reading
2671 people want to read
About the author
Julia Ember
6 books746 followersJulia Ember is the author of The Seafarer’s Kiss duology (Interlude Press), a Norse myth inspired retelling of The Little Mermaid, and Ruinsong (FSG/Macmillan), a dark standalone sapphic fantasy set in a world where magic is sung. She was a finalist for the Bisexual Book Award, and her work has been recommended by USA Today, School Library Journal, Publisher’s Weekly and Kirkus. She is currently working on a graduate degree at Harvard.
Julia currently lives in Seattle with her wife, two cats, two dogs and two very fluffy ponies. She has previously worked as a teacher, bookseller and wedding cake decorator. She has also written for video and app games.
You can find her on Instagram.
NOTE: I no longer actively review books. If loved something, I may rate it a 5 and leave a small note, but I believe that other authors are my colleagues and I don’t leave critical reviews nor do I accept books for review purposes. I also do not read or respond to messages sent to me through Goodreads.
Julia currently lives in Seattle with her wife, two cats, two dogs and two very fluffy ponies. She has previously worked as a teacher, bookseller and wedding cake decorator. She has also written for video and app games.
You can find her on Instagram.
NOTE: I no longer actively review books. If loved something, I may rate it a 5 and leave a small note, but I believe that other authors are my colleagues and I don’t leave critical reviews nor do I accept books for review purposes. I also do not read or respond to messages sent to me through Goodreads.
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May 4, 2019DNF at page 86.
This book isn't bad, I just got bored every time I picked it up and I know if I finished it, it would only be 2.5 or 3 stars anyway. I just didn't care what happened to the characters. I like the fantasy world of this and that the girls were protecting unicorns, but their relationship had no angst and the story was predictable and rushed because this book is 150 pages long.
This book isn't bad, I just got bored every time I picked it up and I know if I finished it, it would only be 2.5 or 3 stars anyway. I just didn't care what happened to the characters. I like the fantasy world of this and that the girls were protecting unicorns, but their relationship had no angst and the story was predictable and rushed because this book is 150 pages long.
July 24, 2016
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to author Julia Ember.)
This was an interesting YA fantasy story, featuring some mythical creatures.
I liked Mnemba, she was a strong character, and I also liked Kate. I also thought that they worked well together as a couple.
The storyline in this had lots of interesting mythical creatures such as unicorns and mermaids, and also had poachers trying to steal unicorns. We also got a GLBT romance between Mnemba and Kate.
The ending to this was pretty good.
7 out of 10
“Unicorns aren’t tameable. Everybody in Nazwimbe knows that.”
This was an interesting YA fantasy story, featuring some mythical creatures.
I liked Mnemba, she was a strong character, and I also liked Kate. I also thought that they worked well together as a couple.
The storyline in this had lots of interesting mythical creatures such as unicorns and mermaids, and also had poachers trying to steal unicorns. We also got a GLBT romance between Mnemba and Kate.
The ending to this was pretty good.
7 out of 10
December 17, 2017
more of a 3.5* I loved the setting of this one so much. The unicorns and other mythical creatures being woven into the story, as well as the South East African inspired setting was the best. Like, honestly unicorns ?? UNICORNS. I love them. I also liked the "stop the poachers" plot line, and another review noted it felt like The Wild Thornberries movie, which I totally agree with
But on the flip side, I had trouble engaging with the writing style. It was easy to read, but for me there was no spark, nothing that made me feel emotional or deep about the characters. It was just entertaining but not mind blowing. I also think the romance was insta lovey, and while I liked the characters individually the whole "I love you" after they just met did make me eye roll a little
BUT I mean I'd still recommend this book, because I think my issues are personal. It has some great characters and fun action sequences and a good depiction of a rape survivor that I liked. I just think the writing style and romance aspects weren't for me
Full review to come
Book #2 of SapphicAThon, A sf/f book complete!
But on the flip side, I had trouble engaging with the writing style. It was easy to read, but for me there was no spark, nothing that made me feel emotional or deep about the characters. It was just entertaining but not mind blowing. I also think the romance was insta lovey, and while I liked the characters individually the whole "I love you" after they just met did make me eye roll a little
BUT I mean I'd still recommend this book, because I think my issues are personal. It has some great characters and fun action sequences and a good depiction of a rape survivor that I liked. I just think the writing style and romance aspects weren't for me
Full review to come
Book #2 of SapphicAThon, A sf/f book complete!
August 6, 2016
Unicorn Tracks is the kind of book everyone needs to read. It's a rather short novel but the content makes it up. You don't realize you're just eating up all these words and soon enough you find yourself with a big, out of this world love for these characters. Mnemba and Kara are queens of Cuteness and I ship them BAD BAD BAD. Plus the world surrounding them is pretty great and it is developed amazingly. To be honest, I want to take a tour with Mnemba and see all of these mythical creatures and animals.
Full review soon on the blog
March 27, 2016
Beautiful YA romance full of excitement and adventure.
"In Nazwimbe, we have a saying: what has been sealed in blood cannot be undone."
One of my favourite aspects of this story was the setting--the unusual animals, and the culture of Nazwimbe are wonderfully portrayed, and I really did feel the great spirit of adventure in this story.
"...the last wish of the dying gave special powers to the living that watched his soul depart."
I really loved all these wisdoms.
"How could I spend the night swapping stories in the firelight, when I wanted nothing more than to run my fingers through the flames of her hair and press my lips to the skin of her back?"
Mnemba's past is a painful one but the story doesn't dwell on her pain. Kara and Mnemba's romance is healing and hopeful and lovely to read.
Recommended.
"In Nazwimbe, we have a saying: what has been sealed in blood cannot be undone."
One of my favourite aspects of this story was the setting--the unusual animals, and the culture of Nazwimbe are wonderfully portrayed, and I really did feel the great spirit of adventure in this story.
"...the last wish of the dying gave special powers to the living that watched his soul depart."
I really loved all these wisdoms.
"How could I spend the night swapping stories in the firelight, when I wanted nothing more than to run my fingers through the flames of her hair and press my lips to the skin of her back?"
Mnemba's past is a painful one but the story doesn't dwell on her pain. Kara and Mnemba's romance is healing and hopeful and lovely to read.
Recommended.
September 1, 2016
reading this book was an experience! and one I enjoyed it. I avoided reading too much about the synopsis but I was sold after lesbian romance and unicorns.
at first it was very hard to understand the world and how everything worked there. I felt a bit underwhelmed with the lack of explanation and world building. but after I got more familiar with it, I really enjoyed this book.
the two main character shined, of course, but the relations they had with the rest of the cast were lovely.
definitely recommend this book to any fantasy lovers looking for something out of the box!
full review here: https://catshelf.wordpress.com/2016/0...
at first it was very hard to understand the world and how everything worked there. I felt a bit underwhelmed with the lack of explanation and world building. but after I got more familiar with it, I really enjoyed this book.
the two main character shined, of course, but the relations they had with the rest of the cast were lovely.
definitely recommend this book to any fantasy lovers looking for something out of the box!
full review here: https://catshelf.wordpress.com/2016/0...
March 13, 2016
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Actual Rating: 4.5*
I really enjoyed this one. I just wish it had been a little longer. I'm going to unpack my feelings as one long ramble so don't mind me. The biggest takeaway is that I really recommend picking this one up.
Let me start by saying what I didn't like: the length. I thought this one was too short for everything that I thought should have been in here/expanded upon. I liked that there was a "Beast Guide" (IDK WHAT ELSE TO CALL IT) as an appendix at the end, but I would have liked more interaction with the animals during the course of the story. We really only saw a couple creatures and I wanted MOAR OF THIS. I think it would have been interesting to see them in their natural habitat and just in general and CREATURES. Also, at the end, everything worked itself out fairly quickly and easily. I think a little bit more time was needed for me to feel satisfied, especially with
Otherwise, everything else was GREAT. I have no other complaints. I liked the plot, the characters, the development, literally everything. This is what a novel should be. AND there is ladylove! LADY LOVE. Nothing could be better imo. Like main things in this novel: diversity, unicorns, lady love. That = excellent novel to me.
PICK THIS ONE UP. BUY IT. NOW. Also, Books and Ladders will have a Guest Post on April 17th that is SUPER COOL AND AWESOME, so watch for that.
Books and Ladders | Queen of the Bookshelves | Books Are My Fandom | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'
Actual Rating: 4.5*
I really enjoyed this one. I just wish it had been a little longer. I'm going to unpack my feelings as one long ramble so don't mind me. The biggest takeaway is that I really recommend picking this one up.
Let me start by saying what I didn't like: the length. I thought this one was too short for everything that I thought should have been in here/expanded upon. I liked that there was a "Beast Guide" (IDK WHAT ELSE TO CALL IT) as an appendix at the end, but I would have liked more interaction with the animals during the course of the story. We really only saw a couple creatures and I wanted MOAR OF THIS. I think it would have been interesting to see them in their natural habitat and just in general and CREATURES. Also, at the end, everything worked itself out fairly quickly and easily. I think a little bit more time was needed for me to feel satisfied, especially with
Otherwise, everything else was GREAT. I have no other complaints. I liked the plot, the characters, the development, literally everything. This is what a novel should be. AND there is ladylove! LADY LOVE. Nothing could be better imo. Like main things in this novel: diversity, unicorns, lady love. That = excellent novel to me.
PICK THIS ONE UP. BUY IT. NOW. Also, Books and Ladders will have a Guest Post on April 17th that is SUPER COOL AND AWESOME, so watch for that.
Books and Ladders | Queen of the Bookshelves | Books Are My Fandom | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'
June 10, 2016
The first thing that attracted me to this book was the cover. I mean right?!
Right away Embers immerses you into this fantasy safari land. As a reader you hear about creatures like Chimera and mermaids like they are rhinos and dolphins. Our main Pov is a female tour guide that works for her cousin.
A new set of tourists come to the camp in search of Unicorns. They are a father daughter duo and they have brought with them lots of research.
The romance in this book is a slow burn and I loved it. The two women are both so unique and stubborn. Another aspect I loved about them, was that they were comfortable with their bodies. They never felt self conscious, of if they did Embers didn't include it. There was no whining or too much self doubt.
I also liked that they were both comfortable with their sexuality.
In the beginning I felt like we were thrown into this world and just expected to follow along and believe in it but Embers built up the world even more as the story progressed. I really enjoyed the world and all of the characters. It's been a long time since I've read a story where I've connected to so many of the characters and felt for them on a deeper level.
The plot and the pacing was really good as well.
I loved the strong independence of these two ladies as well.
I think this is a book that you need to sit down and dedicate time to. I was trying to read it in short bursts. Not until I dedicated more time did I feel fully submerged in this world.
There are some very graphic (bloody moments) but I think it helped, the book, make this fantastical world seem more realistic.
There are trigger warnings for sexual assault and rape.
I really loved this story. It's unlike anything I've ever read before. The romance was so good!
I hope to read more by Julia Embers in the future.
Right away Embers immerses you into this fantasy safari land. As a reader you hear about creatures like Chimera and mermaids like they are rhinos and dolphins. Our main Pov is a female tour guide that works for her cousin.
A new set of tourists come to the camp in search of Unicorns. They are a father daughter duo and they have brought with them lots of research.
The romance in this book is a slow burn and I loved it. The two women are both so unique and stubborn. Another aspect I loved about them, was that they were comfortable with their bodies. They never felt self conscious, of if they did Embers didn't include it. There was no whining or too much self doubt.
I also liked that they were both comfortable with their sexuality.
In the beginning I felt like we were thrown into this world and just expected to follow along and believe in it but Embers built up the world even more as the story progressed. I really enjoyed the world and all of the characters. It's been a long time since I've read a story where I've connected to so many of the characters and felt for them on a deeper level.
The plot and the pacing was really good as well.
I loved the strong independence of these two ladies as well.
I think this is a book that you need to sit down and dedicate time to. I was trying to read it in short bursts. Not until I dedicated more time did I feel fully submerged in this world.
There are some very graphic (bloody moments) but I think it helped, the book, make this fantastical world seem more realistic.
There are trigger warnings for sexual assault and rape.
I really loved this story. It's unlike anything I've ever read before. The romance was so good!
I hope to read more by Julia Embers in the future.
September 3, 2018
Review also posted on Samodivas
I received a free copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Mnemba is an excellent tracker, which makes her the safari guide in her cousin Tumelo’s business. When the Harvings come to Nazwimbe in search of unicorns, Mnemba and Mr Harving’s daughter Kara discover a sinister plot at the edge of the savanna during their expedition. After a mission to gain more information goes awry, Mnemba and Kara must work together and seek the help of Nazwimbe’s general in order to save their loved ones and prevent the country from spiraling into a disaster.
The premise of this book is honestly everything one might ask for. Set in a fantasy land inspired by African cultures? With almost a full cast of people of colour? Mythical creatures as art of the local fauna? And a promising f/f romance? It had me hooked right off the bat. I was fully prepared to love this book and let it destroy me in the best possible way. Alas, I’m very sad to say that was not the case. While Unicorn Tracks is not a bad book – far from it – it failed to impress me, despite its very compelling premise.
I adore fantasy books, especially when they don’t have the generic Victorian England vibe. Finding a good one that is influenced by places and cultures I rarely heard and/or read about feels like unearthing a rare gem. I am immediately prepared to love the book. Which is why I feel especially guilty when I don’t. I am not saying I hated Unicorn Tracks but I cannot say I loved it either. It’s more of a liking it, but with Strings Attached. Were it not for the few issues I have with this book, I probably would’ve given it at least a 4.5 star rating.
Let’s start off with what I liked most - the setting. While I do feel that there could have been more development in the world-building, I definitely enjoyed what we got quite a lot. From what the book offers us, we learn that Nazwimbe is a still-developing country, trying to keep up with the rest of the world’s advances, but despite that, and the tough way of travelling to and fro, it is a popular tourist destination because of its wide variety of mythological creatures. Which are not so mythological there, of course. I was fascinated while reading about Nazwimbe’s customs and traditions, especially the laws and the repercussions of breaking them.
Mnemba is a great, well-rounded main character whose narrative is easy to follow and understand, but it felt a little emotionless to me and that’s why I couldn’t fully relate to her. I felt more for those around her than Mnemba herself, especially Bi Trembla who just might be my favourite out of everyone, alongside Mnemba’s little brother. As for the other main character… I didn’t like Kara. At all. She felt either too underdeveloped or maybe I didn’t care enough to notice and that’s why she felt flat. I struggled to figure out her motivations or even if she had any and didn’t at all appreciate how reckless and disregarding of the rules. Yes, sometimes risks need to be taken, but the ones Kara made were unnecessary and I was sad she roped Mnemba up in them.
The romance started out cute and I was fully prepared to love it. But then it got a little too close to the insta-love border and my excitement waned. Then it happened with no real foundation behind it other than Mnemba’s constant thoughts of Kara’s hair and skin colour. And then it got brushed aside till it became convenient to use again. I felt, also, that it was more of a codependent relationship at times than an actual romance and each character was using the other for their own gain rather than having genuine feelings. I would have liked it if both Mnemba’s and Kara’s more sensitive issues were touched upon more as well.
In conclusion, Unicorn Tracks is a good light fantasy novel takes the readers to a fascinating new place with rich culture and they spend only a few hours with magical beings coming straight out the imagination. While it wasn’t the most captivating read of my life, I still had fun reading about Mnemba’s world and would definitely like to learn more about it.
I received a free copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Mnemba is an excellent tracker, which makes her the safari guide in her cousin Tumelo’s business. When the Harvings come to Nazwimbe in search of unicorns, Mnemba and Mr Harving’s daughter Kara discover a sinister plot at the edge of the savanna during their expedition. After a mission to gain more information goes awry, Mnemba and Kara must work together and seek the help of Nazwimbe’s general in order to save their loved ones and prevent the country from spiraling into a disaster.
The premise of this book is honestly everything one might ask for. Set in a fantasy land inspired by African cultures? With almost a full cast of people of colour? Mythical creatures as art of the local fauna? And a promising f/f romance? It had me hooked right off the bat. I was fully prepared to love this book and let it destroy me in the best possible way. Alas, I’m very sad to say that was not the case. While Unicorn Tracks is not a bad book – far from it – it failed to impress me, despite its very compelling premise.
I adore fantasy books, especially when they don’t have the generic Victorian England vibe. Finding a good one that is influenced by places and cultures I rarely heard and/or read about feels like unearthing a rare gem. I am immediately prepared to love the book. Which is why I feel especially guilty when I don’t. I am not saying I hated Unicorn Tracks but I cannot say I loved it either. It’s more of a liking it, but with Strings Attached. Were it not for the few issues I have with this book, I probably would’ve given it at least a 4.5 star rating.
Let’s start off with what I liked most - the setting. While I do feel that there could have been more development in the world-building, I definitely enjoyed what we got quite a lot. From what the book offers us, we learn that Nazwimbe is a still-developing country, trying to keep up with the rest of the world’s advances, but despite that, and the tough way of travelling to and fro, it is a popular tourist destination because of its wide variety of mythological creatures. Which are not so mythological there, of course. I was fascinated while reading about Nazwimbe’s customs and traditions, especially the laws and the repercussions of breaking them.
Mnemba is a great, well-rounded main character whose narrative is easy to follow and understand, but it felt a little emotionless to me and that’s why I couldn’t fully relate to her. I felt more for those around her than Mnemba herself, especially Bi Trembla who just might be my favourite out of everyone, alongside Mnemba’s little brother. As for the other main character… I didn’t like Kara. At all. She felt either too underdeveloped or maybe I didn’t care enough to notice and that’s why she felt flat. I struggled to figure out her motivations or even if she had any and didn’t at all appreciate how reckless and disregarding of the rules. Yes, sometimes risks need to be taken, but the ones Kara made were unnecessary and I was sad she roped Mnemba up in them.
The romance started out cute and I was fully prepared to love it. But then it got a little too close to the insta-love border and my excitement waned. Then it happened with no real foundation behind it other than Mnemba’s constant thoughts of Kara’s hair and skin colour. And then it got brushed aside till it became convenient to use again. I felt, also, that it was more of a codependent relationship at times than an actual romance and each character was using the other for their own gain rather than having genuine feelings. I would have liked it if both Mnemba’s and Kara’s more sensitive issues were touched upon more as well.
In conclusion, Unicorn Tracks is a good light fantasy novel takes the readers to a fascinating new place with rich culture and they spend only a few hours with magical beings coming straight out the imagination. While it wasn’t the most captivating read of my life, I still had fun reading about Mnemba’s world and would definitely like to learn more about it.
July 24, 2016
Thank you Julia Ember for my review copy of Unicorn Tracks!
Unicorn Tracks by Julia Ember, I mean what do I even say? I’m absolutely in love with this piece of literature. It is a story rich in culture, magical creatures and girls. There is so much to appreciate and love about Unicorn Tracks, but most of all I love how it is a story about two girls who come from two very different places in the world with very different experiences. e have the main character Mnemba, a girl who has been through so much and who has so much depth. She is an amazing person with a huge heart. Then we have Kara Harving, a girl with a sparkling personality and wonder in her eyes.
Unicorn Tracks is a story I fell in love with more and more for every page, it’s a short story and I love the way Julia Ember’s world is displayed. I can’t speak for if the culture is accurate because it is not mine to speak for but I can say that it was beautifully written. It is so vividly described, filled with magical creatures that all have their own history and origin.
Kara and her father came to Nazwimbe to do research on Unicorns but what was supposed be a research adventure turned into a dangerous mission to save these creatures. The magical, kind and pure Unicorns were captured and tortured by a ruthless gang of poachers in order to use them and their supernatural power to build an illegal railway. However, with Kara’s immense love for the magical creatures and Mnemba’s growing feelings for Kara, they decided to do something about it and along the way were faced with numerous obstacles and dangers.
However, as the lover of romance I am, the most compelling part of the story was seeing Mnemba and Kara develop deep feelings for each other. I love a good romantic story, and that is exactly what Unicorn Tracks is. A lot is standing in the way of Mnemba and Kara’s feelings for each other and their love but how they tackle their feelings, Mnemba’s tragic past and Kara’s betrothed waiting at home is a something you’ll be dying to read.
If you’re looking for a story filled with magical creatures, characters that are complex and girls loving girls then this is for you. This is a story that will make you wish there was more, more pages, more scenes between Kara and Mnemba and more of every magical being in the story.
Unicorn Tracks by Julia Ember, I mean what do I even say? I’m absolutely in love with this piece of literature. It is a story rich in culture, magical creatures and girls. There is so much to appreciate and love about Unicorn Tracks, but most of all I love how it is a story about two girls who come from two very different places in the world with very different experiences. e have the main character Mnemba, a girl who has been through so much and who has so much depth. She is an amazing person with a huge heart. Then we have Kara Harving, a girl with a sparkling personality and wonder in her eyes.
“Miss Harving looked about my own age. Definitely younger than twenty, with fresh, blemish-free skin. She had a fuller-than-fashionable figure, with soft, doughy curves rather than the waifish slenderness I’d come to expect from ladies in Echalend. Her eyes were impossibly ice blue, and they looked into mine with an intensity and excitement in them that made me suddenly want to study my shoes.”
Unicorn Tracks is a story I fell in love with more and more for every page, it’s a short story and I love the way Julia Ember’s world is displayed. I can’t speak for if the culture is accurate because it is not mine to speak for but I can say that it was beautifully written. It is so vividly described, filled with magical creatures that all have their own history and origin.
“The horn itself held its shape, blackening without burning. But as we peered deeper into the fire, the lines of silver twisting around it unfurled. Starting from the wide base, a strip of pure silver filament unwound in a curled spiral. The glistening metal started to glow orange and red with heat, and suddenly, it exploded. The pieces hovered in the air around us, like stars suspended in midair. We watched them twinkle for a moment, before a low wind came and brushed heaven’s dust away.”
Kara and her father came to Nazwimbe to do research on Unicorns but what was supposed be a research adventure turned into a dangerous mission to save these creatures. The magical, kind and pure Unicorns were captured and tortured by a ruthless gang of poachers in order to use them and their supernatural power to build an illegal railway. However, with Kara’s immense love for the magical creatures and Mnemba’s growing feelings for Kara, they decided to do something about it and along the way were faced with numerous obstacles and dangers.
“I stared at the pebbles rolling under my toes, too afraid to look back up. Warmth rose up my neck. Try as I might to focus on the brown and gray stones, I couldn’t get the image of her form beneath the wet, clinging fabric out of my mind.”
However, as the lover of romance I am, the most compelling part of the story was seeing Mnemba and Kara develop deep feelings for each other. I love a good romantic story, and that is exactly what Unicorn Tracks is. A lot is standing in the way of Mnemba and Kara’s feelings for each other and their love but how they tackle their feelings, Mnemba’s tragic past and Kara’s betrothed waiting at home is a something you’ll be dying to read.
If you’re looking for a story filled with magical creatures, characters that are complex and girls loving girls then this is for you. This is a story that will make you wish there was more, more pages, more scenes between Kara and Mnemba and more of every magical being in the story.
March 7, 2016
With tragedy one can find sweet beauty. This sums up UNICORN TRACKS for me.
Mnemba takes a job with her cousin as a safari tour guide in a mystical wild, filled with griffins, mermaids, and other creatures. Here she takes the elite from the city of Echalend. But her next group, Kara and her father, are a pair of naturalists who study the elusive unicorn, taking Mnemba into an adventure tracking poachers who are as dangerous and rough as the land they take advantage of.
Among it all, romance blooms, tension builds, and bravery is born. Don't miss out on this lovely LBGT friendly YA.
*I received an arc of this book for an honest review*
Mnemba takes a job with her cousin as a safari tour guide in a mystical wild, filled with griffins, mermaids, and other creatures. Here she takes the elite from the city of Echalend. But her next group, Kara and her father, are a pair of naturalists who study the elusive unicorn, taking Mnemba into an adventure tracking poachers who are as dangerous and rough as the land they take advantage of.
Among it all, romance blooms, tension builds, and bravery is born. Don't miss out on this lovely LBGT friendly YA.
*I received an arc of this book for an honest review*
May 5, 2016
DNF @ 53%.
I was interested in reading this book since the moment I read the synopsis. Unicorns? Following tracks? A lesbian love story? HELL YEAH! They were all original elements that you don't see often in YA, especially the lesbian part. And we definitely need more of that.
Then I saw the cover and I was even more intrigued.
And then I started reading. And... I fell from the clouds and stepped back into reality.
I have no intention of being mean, of saying that this was a terrible book that doesn't make sense because that would be one huge fat lie.
The premise was good and extremely original and interesting but the execution of it was a bit of a problem for me. The writing style was crude and real and beautiful in a way of telling the truth as it is but it was one of those cases where you have words written on paper and nothing else. No feelings, no emotions, no sparks, no nothing.
Mnemba, the MC, has a tragic past that makes love and relationship and physical contact hard for her. But while she had this past and thought these thoughts, I didn't feel it. I didn't feel the fear or anger or any emotion behind her words. I didn't even feel her attempt at hiding or denying such feelings and fears, there was just nothing at all. A character of paper and nothing else. Ironically, the secondary characters were probably more well-defined than her.
The mystery is weak, it didn't compel me to keep reading and see what was going to happen and how they were going to get out of the situation they were currently in. I didn't understand their choices and the majority of them were fortunate coincidences or plainly unbelievable (sorry if I don't get into details, but those would be spoilers).
Last but not least, the lesbian love story in which all my hopes and dreams resided was one of the worst cases of unjustified insta-love ever written. Mnemba and Kara, a tourist she has to guide on the safari, had basically no real conversations at all before their first kiss. The only thing that alerted me that something was going to happen were Mnemba's thoughts, that she wanted to touch Kara or be with her even though she couldn't quite explain why to herself, and not even to me as a reader I might add. And even then, if it had been just pure physical attraction that would have totally been fine because hey, we're not nuns, but nope, no passion no anything else.
Now, wait a second. There are some pros, or I wouldn't have given 2 stars to Unicorn Tracks.
First, the setting. Here and there we get pieces of information regarding Nazwimbe and its culture, not as if the author was explaining them to an "outsider" of this fantasy world but as if it was also my normal daily life, so I didn't need huge info-dumps but I still got that little I needed to picture how everything was and worked. You get descriptions of customs and mythical creatures such as phoenixes, griffins and so on and that was nice indeed!
Plus, you can't forget about diversity, and 'm not talking about LGBTQIA. Kara was a ginger and not a top-model girl. She was rounded and not as skinny as a toothbrush and that does not happen often.
However this was not enough to keep me going. Diversity is nice to encounter, but for me books are made of great characters or great story and twists or, if the book is that good, both of them.
I had neither in Unicorn tracks and that unfortunately ruined it for me. Perhaps I would have appreciated more a longer novel with better character development supporting a more complex story.
I was interested in reading this book since the moment I read the synopsis. Unicorns? Following tracks? A lesbian love story? HELL YEAH! They were all original elements that you don't see often in YA, especially the lesbian part. And we definitely need more of that.
Then I saw the cover and I was even more intrigued.
And then I started reading. And... I fell from the clouds and stepped back into reality.
I have no intention of being mean, of saying that this was a terrible book that doesn't make sense because that would be one huge fat lie.
The premise was good and extremely original and interesting but the execution of it was a bit of a problem for me. The writing style was crude and real and beautiful in a way of telling the truth as it is but it was one of those cases where you have words written on paper and nothing else. No feelings, no emotions, no sparks, no nothing.
Mnemba, the MC, has a tragic past that makes love and relationship and physical contact hard for her. But while she had this past and thought these thoughts, I didn't feel it. I didn't feel the fear or anger or any emotion behind her words. I didn't even feel her attempt at hiding or denying such feelings and fears, there was just nothing at all. A character of paper and nothing else. Ironically, the secondary characters were probably more well-defined than her.
The mystery is weak, it didn't compel me to keep reading and see what was going to happen and how they were going to get out of the situation they were currently in. I didn't understand their choices and the majority of them were fortunate coincidences or plainly unbelievable (sorry if I don't get into details, but those would be spoilers).
Last but not least, the lesbian love story in which all my hopes and dreams resided was one of the worst cases of unjustified insta-love ever written. Mnemba and Kara, a tourist she has to guide on the safari, had basically no real conversations at all before their first kiss. The only thing that alerted me that something was going to happen were Mnemba's thoughts, that she wanted to touch Kara or be with her even though she couldn't quite explain why to herself, and not even to me as a reader I might add. And even then, if it had been just pure physical attraction that would have totally been fine because hey, we're not nuns, but nope, no passion no anything else.
Now, wait a second. There are some pros, or I wouldn't have given 2 stars to Unicorn Tracks.
First, the setting. Here and there we get pieces of information regarding Nazwimbe and its culture, not as if the author was explaining them to an "outsider" of this fantasy world but as if it was also my normal daily life, so I didn't need huge info-dumps but I still got that little I needed to picture how everything was and worked. You get descriptions of customs and mythical creatures such as phoenixes, griffins and so on and that was nice indeed!
Plus, you can't forget about diversity, and 'm not talking about LGBTQIA. Kara was a ginger and not a top-model girl. She was rounded and not as skinny as a toothbrush and that does not happen often.
However this was not enough to keep me going. Diversity is nice to encounter, but for me books are made of great characters or great story and twists or, if the book is that good, both of them.
I had neither in Unicorn tracks and that unfortunately ruined it for me. Perhaps I would have appreciated more a longer novel with better character development supporting a more complex story.
August 17, 2016
When I read a fantasy novel, I usually have to work a bit with myself to get into its world and believe in it. With Julia Ember's novel, I found that the world-building was so believable it could have taken place somewhere in our actual world, and this is a feeling I rarely get from fantasy stories.
The setting is described with vivid and evocative language, and I often wanted to highlight passages of beautiful writing. Several mythical and fantastical creatures are part of the setting, and the most gorgeous and enigmatic of them all are, of course, the unicorns themselves. It's impossible not to admire them as if they were real!
The plot is well crafted, with good pacing and action sequences where our heroine Mnemba, with the help of Kara, act realistically to the challenges faced when discovering the danger that the unicorns, and the local way of life, are in.
The love story is sweet and touching, but the book is about far more: it tackles pretty serious and heavy subjects such as poaching, fauna crimes, human rights violations, violence against women, and the importance of family and your family's support.
I wouldn't have minded a slightly more detailed last chapter(s), but maybe I shouldn't be so demanding since I really liked the book overall :)
*I received an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.*
The setting is described with vivid and evocative language, and I often wanted to highlight passages of beautiful writing. Several mythical and fantastical creatures are part of the setting, and the most gorgeous and enigmatic of them all are, of course, the unicorns themselves. It's impossible not to admire them as if they were real!
The plot is well crafted, with good pacing and action sequences where our heroine Mnemba, with the help of Kara, act realistically to the challenges faced when discovering the danger that the unicorns, and the local way of life, are in.
The love story is sweet and touching, but the book is about far more: it tackles pretty serious and heavy subjects such as poaching, fauna crimes, human rights violations, violence against women, and the importance of family and your family's support.
I wouldn't have minded a slightly more detailed last chapter(s), but maybe I shouldn't be so demanding since I really liked the book overall :)
*I received an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.*
March 20, 2016
Unicorns and lesbians? Possibly the best combination ever.
Come for the rep, stay for the creatures. The relationship between Mnemba and Kara is so sweet, and sad in parts. I loved that Mnemba was a recovering victim - did not expect that but I loved how it was written. (And that her rapist was rotting in a pit. Please let this be the standard punishment everywhere.) Because of the obvious obstacles to a relationship, it's a bittersweet love, and it's so realistic.
The creatures were my favourite part of this book. It wasn't just unicorns - there's all sorts of mythical creatures mentioned and part of the story, which was an epic surprise. I wasn't overly sure of the story until the end; it was hard to see how unicorns would play into a railway being built, but there is a genuine reason for it and I enjoyed the mystery around it. Honestly, I just loved the animals and the setting. I can't say much for authenticity because I've never been to a country in Africa, but I could visualise everything and it FELT real. It was like I was actually there (but without the displeasure of melting in the heat. Bonus!)
If you're looking for less common mythical creatures, non-western settings, and honest romance, read this immediately.
Come for the rep, stay for the creatures. The relationship between Mnemba and Kara is so sweet, and sad in parts. I loved that Mnemba was a recovering victim - did not expect that but I loved how it was written. (And that her rapist was rotting in a pit. Please let this be the standard punishment everywhere.) Because of the obvious obstacles to a relationship, it's a bittersweet love, and it's so realistic.
The creatures were my favourite part of this book. It wasn't just unicorns - there's all sorts of mythical creatures mentioned and part of the story, which was an epic surprise. I wasn't overly sure of the story until the end; it was hard to see how unicorns would play into a railway being built, but there is a genuine reason for it and I enjoyed the mystery around it. Honestly, I just loved the animals and the setting. I can't say much for authenticity because I've never been to a country in Africa, but I could visualise everything and it FELT real. It was like I was actually there (but without the displeasure of melting in the heat. Bonus!)
If you're looking for less common mythical creatures, non-western settings, and honest romance, read this immediately.
August 4, 2017
I went a little backwards here, reading the author's first book after another one, but The Seafarer's Kiss converted me to Ember's style, and a title with Unicorns? I was not going to pass that opportunity.
Unicorn Tracks blew. Me. Away!!
The world building is amazing--there was not a single moment where my mind was allowed to take a step back and say "yeah, alright, this is all fictional". No. It all felt real, from the heat described so well by Ember that I could feel it even in the temperate weather I live in, to the vivid colors of the mythological animals that are the fauna of the story.
I have to admit, the lovestory took a stepback for me when facing the story of the main character, how she grows, how she becomes the person she was always meant to be (through Love, sure, sure).
I can't wait to read Ember's take on all the myths (all of them!!!) :D
Unicorn Tracks blew. Me. Away!!
The world building is amazing--there was not a single moment where my mind was allowed to take a step back and say "yeah, alright, this is all fictional". No. It all felt real, from the heat described so well by Ember that I could feel it even in the temperate weather I live in, to the vivid colors of the mythological animals that are the fauna of the story.
I have to admit, the lovestory took a stepback for me when facing the story of the main character, how she grows, how she becomes the person she was always meant to be (through Love, sure, sure).
I can't wait to read Ember's take on all the myths (all of them!!!) :D
May 1, 2016
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A nice, good-paced adventure story. It was an easy read, entertaining and I liked the way mythology was used in the story. The mythological creatures were introduced in a way that it felt real, like any other animal that could be found on a safari trip.
I liked the way representation were used. The GLBT-aspect was woven in without making it be shown as something weird or extraordinary; the love story was woven into the story just like any other heterosexual love story in other books. I also liked the representation of body types, with Kara being presented as more round in figure and Mnemba as dark-coloured.
The ending could spin on an interesting debate, the advance and wish to modernise and have advanced technology - but at what cost, and is it good or bad to modernise a society?
A nice, good-paced adventure story. It was an easy read, entertaining and I liked the way mythology was used in the story. The mythological creatures were introduced in a way that it felt real, like any other animal that could be found on a safari trip.
I liked the way representation were used. The GLBT-aspect was woven in without making it be shown as something weird or extraordinary; the love story was woven into the story just like any other heterosexual love story in other books. I also liked the representation of body types, with Kara being presented as more round in figure and Mnemba as dark-coloured.
The ending could spin on an interesting debate, the advance and wish to modernise and have advanced technology - but at what cost, and is it good or bad to modernise a society?
September 25, 2015
A vivid, deftly-woven tale, about finding strength in the face of adversity.
I love this book. The fantasy elements are beautifully presented - so much that it plays like a movie in your head. Mnemba is scarred and strong, and wears the scars of her past without letting them define her. She has an inner beauty that's reflected well throughout her point of view, and yet is feisty and strong, and determined in everything she pursues.
Kara is a bit of a whirlwind, a breath of fresh air in the otherwise clear cut way of Mnemba's world.
Throw in unicorns and unicorn thieves with a great plot and well developed world to back them, and you have one hell of a story.
Did I mention unicorns?
I'd recommend this book to pretty much everyone.
I love this book. The fantasy elements are beautifully presented - so much that it plays like a movie in your head. Mnemba is scarred and strong, and wears the scars of her past without letting them define her. She has an inner beauty that's reflected well throughout her point of view, and yet is feisty and strong, and determined in everything she pursues.
Kara is a bit of a whirlwind, a breath of fresh air in the otherwise clear cut way of Mnemba's world.
Throw in unicorns and unicorn thieves with a great plot and well developed world to back them, and you have one hell of a story.
Did I mention unicorns?
I'd recommend this book to pretty much everyone.
June 16, 2016
I fell in love with Unicorn Tracks, with its incredible sense of place, vivid and imaginative mythology, gripping and intriguing plot and wonderful characterisation. The relationship between Mnemba and Kara is a delightful exploration of mutual respect, friendship, trust and desire. From mermaids, to Grelbok, the creatures of the book were beautifully imagined and described. And the unicorns were truly majestic. Like Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them meets The Silver Brumby, with the adventurous characters of The Little Princess and Wide Sargasso Sea, this was a Queer fantasy that was worth the wait.
September 10, 2016
I LOVED this book! I've been trying all day to come up with what to say for this review and I still don't know. One thing I definitely want to mention is I love that this book featured a big girl as a love interest for a WOC who was also a rape survivor. I really liked the way Mnemba's trauma from the sexual assault was handled (it's not graphic, but it might be triggering for some readers).
I think my favorite part was the seamless way mythical creatures were woven into the story. I really and truly believed that this world existed and it was easy to get lost in. I would definitely read a sequel and I'm looking forward to what Julia Ember publishes next!
I think my favorite part was the seamless way mythical creatures were woven into the story. I really and truly believed that this world existed and it was easy to get lost in. I would definitely read a sequel and I'm looking forward to what Julia Ember publishes next!
June 7, 2016
Maybe more like a 4 but I love Unicorns more than life so I'm giving it 5.
The world was really cool and different.I don't really many fantasies that are based on Africa. Really well written. The kiss scenes were the best I've read in f/f.
Biggest issue I had was that the last 50 pages really needed to be 150. Seemed like too much happened too fast at the end.
The world was really cool and different.I don't really many fantasies that are based on Africa. Really well written. The kiss scenes were the best I've read in f/f.
Biggest issue I had was that the last 50 pages really needed to be 150. Seemed like too much happened too fast at the end.
November 26, 2016
A unique and refreshing addition to the LGBT YA genre. Diverse and exciting, with some of the best mythical creatures I'm ever seen (those mermaids!). Can't wait for more of Julia's writing!
June 14, 2017
Quick thoughts (right after reading)
1. The only disappointment with this book was the length. It was way too short for what could have been.
2. I loved the little details in this plot. There was so much diversity it was crazy! Not only was there racial diversity but there was also a character struggling through a sexual assault and even two girls falling in love. It was pretty great.
3. I loved our main character. I thought she was strong and fun but she asks never complained or rushed into a situation only to end up needed to be saved.
4. I'm very happy with how this book turned out and I seriously recommend it to everyone.
Full Review:
What I Loved:
I've been wanting to read this book ever since I saw a few people I follow on Twitter had reviewed it. It was initially the cover that drew me in, plus the talk about unicorns. I'm telling you all right now that I'm team unicorn and that this book did not disappoint.
I think my favourite part of this book was all the diversity! It wasn't one of those books where the author tries to shove it all in to cover their bases, it just flowed really nicely with the story. We had two main characters, one from and African-like country and the other seemed to be from and American or English inspired country. Their cultures were completely different and it was fun seeing them learn more about each other. That's not even all of it though! We also saw one of the characters struggle with sexual abuse and sexuality. Though she didn't really struggle with her sexuality which was actually kind of refreshing. She just went with it and didn't care which I loved. It just made the romance feel so much more natural (though I was disappointed there was no male character I got to crush on hehe) and I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would. The romance in general was very well done for such a short book.
Another thing I loved about this story was our main character Mnemba. She was the strong, independent type character that we've been seeing in YA a lot lately, only I thought she was better. My absolute favourite part about her was that she actually learned from her mistakes! There was one scene where she kind of rushed head first into a dangerous situation and instead of going back into that same situation (which happens way too often in YA books) , she actually goes and finds help! Imagine that! She knew she couldn't do something on her own and she went to get people who could help her, not because she's a girl and girls are weak, but because she's smart and knew that if she failed the first time then she needed to do something different.
What I Didn't Like:
The only reason why this book didn't get 5 stars from me was because of the length. I thought so much more could have been done with this book but instead it was rushed just a little bit and ended too soon. I could have used just a little bit more information and some extra time for the relationship between our two main characters to grow.
Who I'd Recommend To:
I'd recommend this to any YA fan that's always complaining about not seeing enough diversity in books. This is the perfect book for you because it's full of it. It hits culture differences, mental illness, LGBT romance, mythical creatures, and so much more! Plus it covers all those topics and does it effortlessly.
See the full review on my blog
1. The only disappointment with this book was the length. It was way too short for what could have been.
2. I loved the little details in this plot. There was so much diversity it was crazy! Not only was there racial diversity but there was also a character struggling through a sexual assault and even two girls falling in love. It was pretty great.
3. I loved our main character. I thought she was strong and fun but she asks never complained or rushed into a situation only to end up needed to be saved.
4. I'm very happy with how this book turned out and I seriously recommend it to everyone.
Full Review:
What I Loved:
I've been wanting to read this book ever since I saw a few people I follow on Twitter had reviewed it. It was initially the cover that drew me in, plus the talk about unicorns. I'm telling you all right now that I'm team unicorn and that this book did not disappoint.
I think my favourite part of this book was all the diversity! It wasn't one of those books where the author tries to shove it all in to cover their bases, it just flowed really nicely with the story. We had two main characters, one from and African-like country and the other seemed to be from and American or English inspired country. Their cultures were completely different and it was fun seeing them learn more about each other. That's not even all of it though! We also saw one of the characters struggle with sexual abuse and sexuality. Though she didn't really struggle with her sexuality which was actually kind of refreshing. She just went with it and didn't care which I loved. It just made the romance feel so much more natural (though I was disappointed there was no male character I got to crush on hehe) and I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would. The romance in general was very well done for such a short book.
Another thing I loved about this story was our main character Mnemba. She was the strong, independent type character that we've been seeing in YA a lot lately, only I thought she was better. My absolute favourite part about her was that she actually learned from her mistakes! There was one scene where she kind of rushed head first into a dangerous situation and instead of going back into that same situation (which happens way too often in YA books) , she actually goes and finds help! Imagine that! She knew she couldn't do something on her own and she went to get people who could help her, not because she's a girl and girls are weak, but because she's smart and knew that if she failed the first time then she needed to do something different.
What I Didn't Like:
The only reason why this book didn't get 5 stars from me was because of the length. I thought so much more could have been done with this book but instead it was rushed just a little bit and ended too soon. I could have used just a little bit more information and some extra time for the relationship between our two main characters to grow.
Who I'd Recommend To:
I'd recommend this to any YA fan that's always complaining about not seeing enough diversity in books. This is the perfect book for you because it's full of it. It hits culture differences, mental illness, LGBT romance, mythical creatures, and so much more! Plus it covers all those topics and does it effortlessly.
See the full review on my blog
April 22, 2017
See more of my reviews on my blog the Book Deviant
Rich, fantastical story
I at once knew that I was going to love this book. I knew because it was a F/F romance, yes, and I also knew because it was fantasy, with unicorns and a WOC, badass main character with a headstrong, beautiful companion.
The idea of taking all of these mythical creatures and putting them in a safari was a feat on its own, and one that was pulled off flawlessly. I believed the whole safari business, and wanted to know more and what each creature that was mentioned was. (And, there being a classification guide in the back really helped).
Mnemba and Kara were an amazing couple as well. While I was at first disappointed that they were more of an insta-love example if anything, I didn't find it as cheesy as I would if it were a male and female, in another stereotypical YA love story. Each character was their own person as well, each unique in their own way. Mnemba had a heartbreaking backstory, one that filled me with passionate anger, and while she was cautious, she was also willing to take risks. Kara, blended perfectly with her, being reckless but extremely caring. Kara was made all the more better when she was described as being 'heavier than fashionable', giving her a more chubby description. And she was proud of that, and Ember didn't go on and say how she struggled with the physical labor and exercise-because she was already fit.
Every character except two were POC. The main couple were both females, AND it was mentioned that it was normal and accepted to sleep with someone of the same gender in the Nazwimbe.
Unfortunately . . .
. . . all perfect things must come to an end.
I was extremely disappointed in seeing how short this novel was when I first got my hands on it. It almost felt as if the story was more or less restricted by a certain amount of pages, and couldn't go over 200. At 180 pages, to me at least, this was an extremely thin and short book.
It almost felt like Ember wanted the book to be longer, that she wanted it to keep going, because for a while, it felt like there might be a book 2 in the making with how close to the end of the book I was getting without the poachers being caught and the problem being resolved. Quickly realizing what happened, I once more realized why a few people had criticisms of this book that had nothing to do with the settings or characters.
The ending was extremely rushed. Ember quickly wrapped up the poacher problem in less then 10 pages, and used the remaining pages to fill up with resolution between Kara and Mnemba, Mnemba and her father and her cousin, and Kara with her father. I found these few pages amusing and sweet, but I was still getting over feeling stiffed with the poacher's ending.
Four and a half stars- Overall?
I greatly enjoyed Unicorn Tracks, and consider it a masterpiece all on it's own. I can't wait to read Julia Ember's upcoming trilogy, Ashes of Gold, which is focused on a genderfluid character named Tashi. This book has only helped but to bolster my excitement, and I have to say that Julia Ember is probably one of my favorite people. Ever.
Would I Recommend?
If you're looking for a unique, quick read fantasy featuring loads of diversity, yes. Go read it. You won't be disappointed.
Rich, fantastical story
I at once knew that I was going to love this book. I knew because it was a F/F romance, yes, and I also knew because it was fantasy, with unicorns and a WOC, badass main character with a headstrong, beautiful companion.
The idea of taking all of these mythical creatures and putting them in a safari was a feat on its own, and one that was pulled off flawlessly. I believed the whole safari business, and wanted to know more and what each creature that was mentioned was. (And, there being a classification guide in the back really helped).
Mnemba and Kara were an amazing couple as well. While I was at first disappointed that they were more of an insta-love example if anything, I didn't find it as cheesy as I would if it were a male and female, in another stereotypical YA love story. Each character was their own person as well, each unique in their own way. Mnemba had a heartbreaking backstory, one that filled me with passionate anger, and while she was cautious, she was also willing to take risks. Kara, blended perfectly with her, being reckless but extremely caring. Kara was made all the more better when she was described as being 'heavier than fashionable', giving her a more chubby description. And she was proud of that, and Ember didn't go on and say how she struggled with the physical labor and exercise-because she was already fit.
Every character except two were POC. The main couple were both females, AND it was mentioned that it was normal and accepted to sleep with someone of the same gender in the Nazwimbe.
Unfortunately . . .
. . . all perfect things must come to an end.
I was extremely disappointed in seeing how short this novel was when I first got my hands on it. It almost felt as if the story was more or less restricted by a certain amount of pages, and couldn't go over 200. At 180 pages, to me at least, this was an extremely thin and short book.
It almost felt like Ember wanted the book to be longer, that she wanted it to keep going, because for a while, it felt like there might be a book 2 in the making with how close to the end of the book I was getting without the poachers being caught and the problem being resolved. Quickly realizing what happened, I once more realized why a few people had criticisms of this book that had nothing to do with the settings or characters.
The ending was extremely rushed. Ember quickly wrapped up the poacher problem in less then 10 pages, and used the remaining pages to fill up with resolution between Kara and Mnemba, Mnemba and her father and her cousin, and Kara with her father. I found these few pages amusing and sweet, but I was still getting over feeling stiffed with the poacher's ending.
Four and a half stars- Overall?
I greatly enjoyed Unicorn Tracks, and consider it a masterpiece all on it's own. I can't wait to read Julia Ember's upcoming trilogy, Ashes of Gold, which is focused on a genderfluid character named Tashi. This book has only helped but to bolster my excitement, and I have to say that Julia Ember is probably one of my favorite people. Ever.
Would I Recommend?
If you're looking for a unique, quick read fantasy featuring loads of diversity, yes. Go read it. You won't be disappointed.
February 4, 2017
Check out this review and more on my blog!
If you somehow didn't already know, I love unicorns. I also love stories that feature leading LGBT+ ladies. So when I discovered that Julia Ember's debut novel combined these two things, I knew I had to have it.
I've had the pleasure of speaking to Julia Ember quite a bit on Twitter and she's absolutely lovely, as is her debut.
Unicorn Tracks takes place in a world not entirely unlike our own where fantastical creatures are the norm. It's common for tourists to travel to Nazwimbe to go on safari and see everything from mermaids to phoenixes, but unicorns are somewhat rarer, so when safari guide and tracker Mnemba is given the job of leading a researcher and his daughter, Kara, into the wilderness in search of unicorns she has a real challenge on her hand, especially when they discover that unicorns are going missing.
Mnemba and Kara decide to investigate and stumble into something much bigger than they anticipated, all while trying to resist the growing attraction between them.
I love the ideas behind Unicorn Tracks; as far as I'm concerned there are way too few unicorns in fiction, and I mean that in all seriousness. There are classics like The Last Unicorn and they pop up in series such as Harry Potter, but they're very rarely included as a main feature in a story, especially if said story isn't aimed at children. There are dragons, vampires, werewolves, mermaids and faeries everywhere, but unicorns have been left behind.
What I love about Unicorn Tracks is this completely new take on unicorns; I've never seen them in anything but a European/European-inspired setting, so to place them as safari animals in a country that I'm assuming is an alternate Zimbabwe is such an original idea and I loved it. I mean if I could go on safari and see unicorns I so would, and I'd never want to leave.
Ember's characters are a lot of fun, too. Through Mnemba and Kara, Ember explores themes of forgiveness, choice and cultural differences, and I really appreciated that this is a book with an LGBT+ relationship at its centre that isn't about the characters' sexuality.
The only thing I wanted from this book was more. I think Unicorn Tracks could have benefited from being longer, as there'd be more time to discuss everything Ember has included; the story, and Mnemba and Kara's relationship in particular, felt a little too rushed for me. There's so much here that's great, so I would have loved even more scenes of Mnemba and Kara exploring the wilderness and encountering even more mythological creatures.
What's most exciting about Unicorn Tracks is what else we can expect from Ember as an author. We need more voices in fiction that don't treat LGBT+ characters like parables of what it means to identify as queer, but instead write fun, exciting stories where the characters just so happen to be LGBT+.
I'm looking forward to whatever Ember does next!
If you somehow didn't already know, I love unicorns. I also love stories that feature leading LGBT+ ladies. So when I discovered that Julia Ember's debut novel combined these two things, I knew I had to have it.
I've had the pleasure of speaking to Julia Ember quite a bit on Twitter and she's absolutely lovely, as is her debut.
Unicorn Tracks takes place in a world not entirely unlike our own where fantastical creatures are the norm. It's common for tourists to travel to Nazwimbe to go on safari and see everything from mermaids to phoenixes, but unicorns are somewhat rarer, so when safari guide and tracker Mnemba is given the job of leading a researcher and his daughter, Kara, into the wilderness in search of unicorns she has a real challenge on her hand, especially when they discover that unicorns are going missing.
Mnemba and Kara decide to investigate and stumble into something much bigger than they anticipated, all while trying to resist the growing attraction between them.
I love the ideas behind Unicorn Tracks; as far as I'm concerned there are way too few unicorns in fiction, and I mean that in all seriousness. There are classics like The Last Unicorn and they pop up in series such as Harry Potter, but they're very rarely included as a main feature in a story, especially if said story isn't aimed at children. There are dragons, vampires, werewolves, mermaids and faeries everywhere, but unicorns have been left behind.
What I love about Unicorn Tracks is this completely new take on unicorns; I've never seen them in anything but a European/European-inspired setting, so to place them as safari animals in a country that I'm assuming is an alternate Zimbabwe is such an original idea and I loved it. I mean if I could go on safari and see unicorns I so would, and I'd never want to leave.
Ember's characters are a lot of fun, too. Through Mnemba and Kara, Ember explores themes of forgiveness, choice and cultural differences, and I really appreciated that this is a book with an LGBT+ relationship at its centre that isn't about the characters' sexuality.
The only thing I wanted from this book was more. I think Unicorn Tracks could have benefited from being longer, as there'd be more time to discuss everything Ember has included; the story, and Mnemba and Kara's relationship in particular, felt a little too rushed for me. There's so much here that's great, so I would have loved even more scenes of Mnemba and Kara exploring the wilderness and encountering even more mythological creatures.
What's most exciting about Unicorn Tracks is what else we can expect from Ember as an author. We need more voices in fiction that don't treat LGBT+ characters like parables of what it means to identify as queer, but instead write fun, exciting stories where the characters just so happen to be LGBT+.
I'm looking forward to whatever Ember does next!
January 26, 2017
*I received this book from the author in exchange of an honest review*
Full detailed Review on my blog: Word Wonders
The writing in this book is good. Really good. The author has a way of telling her story that threads through your mind and keeps you flipping the pages. At some points, it was just straight up beautiful, it took me by surprise. Just read this and judge for yourself:
“A shrill melody floated on the air, rising higher like the climax of a song. Bending thr muscular crest of his neck, the stallion touched his muzzle to his knees. And I could have sworn he was taking a bow.”
The setting of the book was probably my favorite thing about it. It is set in Nazwimbe which is a fictional land inspired from southern African countries, everything from the actual place, to the culture and the beliefs were heavily empreinted with that. While we’re on it, the world building is well done, especially for a book this short. Everything was so detailed and well thought out that I never felt confused or disoriented by any of it, it just made sense and flowed very nicely. One thing that nagged at me though is that I didn’t know WHEN it was set, today? yesterday? 300 years ago? 50 years in the future? I DON’T KNOW.
At first, the mystery was kept alive and a real pageturner for me but as the story progressed and the plot unfolded it started becoming more predictable, the girls just got away too easily with things they’ve done and from situations they were trapped in. There was no real stress for me or fear for them not getting out of it whole because I just knew they would. Just. Like. Every. Other. Time. And that kind of bummed me a lot because the premise was so interesting and some impredictable twists and turns would’ve made it better.
The story is told in first person from our MC, Mnemba‘s POV and I have a love/hate relationship with her. She made really rash and nonsensical decisions that ALWAYS put her and Kara in danger, she didn’t think things through and defied authority when it was for her own good, on the other hand there was just something preventing me from disliking her, I simply COULDN’T. I really liked the mix of strength and vulnerability she was made off. Kara, I don’t think much off to be honest, she was there, pushing Mnemba into taking the rash decisions, but still she had a bold personality and that’s not something to dislike. Their romance though was quite cute, BUT also insta-lovey which annoyed me knowing how I can’t deal with rushed romance.
Overall, even though the book didn’t live up to my expectations, I liked it for its premise, its setting and most of all for its diversity. It felt rich! And lest not forget about the Unicorns. I have never read a book about them and now I want more, they’re so amazing !
Full detailed Review on my blog: Word Wonders
The writing in this book is good. Really good. The author has a way of telling her story that threads through your mind and keeps you flipping the pages. At some points, it was just straight up beautiful, it took me by surprise. Just read this and judge for yourself:
“A shrill melody floated on the air, rising higher like the climax of a song. Bending thr muscular crest of his neck, the stallion touched his muzzle to his knees. And I could have sworn he was taking a bow.”
The setting of the book was probably my favorite thing about it. It is set in Nazwimbe which is a fictional land inspired from southern African countries, everything from the actual place, to the culture and the beliefs were heavily empreinted with that. While we’re on it, the world building is well done, especially for a book this short. Everything was so detailed and well thought out that I never felt confused or disoriented by any of it, it just made sense and flowed very nicely. One thing that nagged at me though is that I didn’t know WHEN it was set, today? yesterday? 300 years ago? 50 years in the future? I DON’T KNOW.
At first, the mystery was kept alive and a real pageturner for me but as the story progressed and the plot unfolded it started becoming more predictable, the girls just got away too easily with things they’ve done and from situations they were trapped in. There was no real stress for me or fear for them not getting out of it whole because I just knew they would. Just. Like. Every. Other. Time. And that kind of bummed me a lot because the premise was so interesting and some impredictable twists and turns would’ve made it better.
The story is told in first person from our MC, Mnemba‘s POV and I have a love/hate relationship with her. She made really rash and nonsensical decisions that ALWAYS put her and Kara in danger, she didn’t think things through and defied authority when it was for her own good, on the other hand there was just something preventing me from disliking her, I simply COULDN’T. I really liked the mix of strength and vulnerability she was made off. Kara, I don’t think much off to be honest, she was there, pushing Mnemba into taking the rash decisions, but still she had a bold personality and that’s not something to dislike. Their romance though was quite cute, BUT also insta-lovey which annoyed me knowing how I can’t deal with rushed romance.
Overall, even though the book didn’t live up to my expectations, I liked it for its premise, its setting and most of all for its diversity. It felt rich! And lest not forget about the Unicorns. I have never read a book about them and now I want more, they’re so amazing !
August 24, 2016
You can also check this review on my blog!
Unicorn Tracks was a very enjoyable read that left me wanting for more. I found the concept of a 19th century safari with real and fantastical creatures very unique and I loved the representation that this book offered. Not only does this feature a positive lesbian relationship, but the couple is also interracial, which is not something we get to see in romance very often. When I finished this short novel, I hesitated between 3 and 4 stars because I thought there was a lot of potential still left to be explored, but I ultimately decided to go with 4 because it was a positive, fun, and creative read that made me smile.
As I said, I wanted more of this story because everything was really great, but the length didn't give it a chance to be the best that it could be. I enjoyed the characters and the worldbuilding, but if the novel had been longer, they would have been fully realized! For example, I definitely wanted to know more about the myths surrounding the unicorns. That being said, I thought that it was still all very well done. The characters had very distinct personalities and their motivations were clear.
Our protagonists, Mnemba and Kara, were both courageous and smart girls, each in their own way. They approach situations differently and complement each other. Sometimes they were too stubborn, but it worked in the story. As for their relationship, I think it was maybe too insta-lovey, but I appreciated that we do get to see it gradually grow. Again, I think this has to be with the length of the book, so I'm not actually complaining about it.
I really liked Mnemba as a narrator.She was smart and sensible, never angsty. She is introduced as a survivor of a brutal sexual assault, which is something that I believe was well incorporated into the story. It was a nice representation, very rare amongst the common uses of rape as a plot device or shock factor.
The plot was intriguing and fast paced. I wanted to see all the incredible creatures, especially the unicorns because they sounded rather mysterious. Learning about the setting and the different traditions was fantastic and I really really hope Julia Ember expands this world in another book someday.
Overall, all the small issues I had with this novel came from its length and how it didn't let it grow as much as I wanted to. Still, as it is, it's a great light read. I found it imaginative, sweet and refreshing and I can't wait to read more from this author!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Unicorn Tracks was a very enjoyable read that left me wanting for more. I found the concept of a 19th century safari with real and fantastical creatures very unique and I loved the representation that this book offered. Not only does this feature a positive lesbian relationship, but the couple is also interracial, which is not something we get to see in romance very often. When I finished this short novel, I hesitated between 3 and 4 stars because I thought there was a lot of potential still left to be explored, but I ultimately decided to go with 4 because it was a positive, fun, and creative read that made me smile.
As I said, I wanted more of this story because everything was really great, but the length didn't give it a chance to be the best that it could be. I enjoyed the characters and the worldbuilding, but if the novel had been longer, they would have been fully realized! For example, I definitely wanted to know more about the myths surrounding the unicorns. That being said, I thought that it was still all very well done. The characters had very distinct personalities and their motivations were clear.
Our protagonists, Mnemba and Kara, were both courageous and smart girls, each in their own way. They approach situations differently and complement each other. Sometimes they were too stubborn, but it worked in the story. As for their relationship, I think it was maybe too insta-lovey, but I appreciated that we do get to see it gradually grow. Again, I think this has to be with the length of the book, so I'm not actually complaining about it.
I really liked Mnemba as a narrator.She was smart and sensible, never angsty. She is introduced as a survivor of a brutal sexual assault, which is something that I believe was well incorporated into the story. It was a nice representation, very rare amongst the common uses of rape as a plot device or shock factor.
The plot was intriguing and fast paced. I wanted to see all the incredible creatures, especially the unicorns because they sounded rather mysterious. Learning about the setting and the different traditions was fantastic and I really really hope Julia Ember expands this world in another book someday.
Overall, all the small issues I had with this novel came from its length and how it didn't let it grow as much as I wanted to. Still, as it is, it's a great light read. I found it imaginative, sweet and refreshing and I can't wait to read more from this author!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 19, 2016
Quite The Novel Idea ~ Words from the Clouds
This was such a nice read! I'll be honest though and say that it's hard for me to review shorter books because there's usually not that much to talk about. Not that this book lacked substance. Not in the least. Unicorn Tracks managed to meet my expectations and then some!
The writing in this book was very vivid and I really felt like I was there with Mnemba and Kate sometimes. I haven't read many books with Africa as a backdrop and it was very nice. It definitely would make want to visit the place if I wasn't so sensitive to the heat. I mean, I would die there. For real. But I really liked the world-building with all the creatures. Also major props to the author for managing to work unicorns into the story without making it corny!
I do believe the story itself could have benefited from more development, which is what I usually think with short stories like this. There's a lot going on in this book and it defintely would have brought this book to the next level. It also would have helped with the secondary characters. They felt a little too one-dimensional to me, though they weren't uninteresting, if that makes sense. I just wanted more from them. But the two girls, Mnemba and Kate were really well-developed and I loved them. Their romance is very very sweet and well-paced. It gave me flutters in my stomach on multiple times.
Overal, Unicorn Tracks is very magical, adventurous and romantic. It's a fun and quick read that I do highly recommend. So check it out, if you can.
This was such a nice read! I'll be honest though and say that it's hard for me to review shorter books because there's usually not that much to talk about. Not that this book lacked substance. Not in the least. Unicorn Tracks managed to meet my expectations and then some!
The writing in this book was very vivid and I really felt like I was there with Mnemba and Kate sometimes. I haven't read many books with Africa as a backdrop and it was very nice. It definitely would make want to visit the place if I wasn't so sensitive to the heat. I mean, I would die there. For real. But I really liked the world-building with all the creatures. Also major props to the author for managing to work unicorns into the story without making it corny!
I do believe the story itself could have benefited from more development, which is what I usually think with short stories like this. There's a lot going on in this book and it defintely would have brought this book to the next level. It also would have helped with the secondary characters. They felt a little too one-dimensional to me, though they weren't uninteresting, if that makes sense. I just wanted more from them. But the two girls, Mnemba and Kate were really well-developed and I loved them. Their romance is very very sweet and well-paced. It gave me flutters in my stomach on multiple times.
Overal, Unicorn Tracks is very magical, adventurous and romantic. It's a fun and quick read that I do highly recommend. So check it out, if you can.
August 2, 2016
This really should have fallen in the category of urban fantasy but the author chose to "create" her own geography by simply renaming the very recognizable England and African savannahs.
That annoyed me. But admittedly, it's a small detail.
But the rest of it was decent. A YA fantasy that steps outside the norm. It's somewhat like Out of Africa. The daughter of a chief for reasons of her own has gone off to work for her cousin as a safari guide. But in this Africa, all kinds of mystical creatures are also present. Unicorns, chimeras, you name it.
Mnemba's just finished with her latest tourist and is ready for the time off. But much to her dismay, she's immediately assigned with a British scholar and his daughter who will be a lengthy assignment as they want to observe and study unicorns. Who are a rare sighting anyways for the guides themselves. Mnemba's not happy about this and is particularly irate at the thought of having to deal with a ditzy daughter too spoiled for camp living.
Turns out, she's wrong.
It was a good story. All the proper elements of conflict and etc to make it a satisfying one.
Except for one other thing, Mnemba falls in love at first sight of the daughter. I initially agreed with another reviewer at the "insta-love" trope. But then I realized that's what being smitten is all about.
Happily, this gives YA readers a break from the default heterosexual romance.
Thank you to the publisher for providing a free copy of the book in exchange for this honest review.
That annoyed me. But admittedly, it's a small detail.
But the rest of it was decent. A YA fantasy that steps outside the norm. It's somewhat like Out of Africa. The daughter of a chief for reasons of her own has gone off to work for her cousin as a safari guide. But in this Africa, all kinds of mystical creatures are also present. Unicorns, chimeras, you name it.
Mnemba's just finished with her latest tourist and is ready for the time off. But much to her dismay, she's immediately assigned with a British scholar and his daughter who will be a lengthy assignment as they want to observe and study unicorns. Who are a rare sighting anyways for the guides themselves. Mnemba's not happy about this and is particularly irate at the thought of having to deal with a ditzy daughter too spoiled for camp living.
Turns out, she's wrong.
It was a good story. All the proper elements of conflict and etc to make it a satisfying one.
Except for one other thing, Mnemba falls in love at first sight of the daughter. I initially agreed with another reviewer at the "insta-love" trope. But then I realized that's what being smitten is all about.
Happily, this gives YA readers a break from the default heterosexual romance.
Thank you to the publisher for providing a free copy of the book in exchange for this honest review.
June 30, 2016
Unicorn Tracks was a lovely book with honest descriptions and charming characters. Julia Ember has done a great job of making a story that is both frank and full of whimsy and even though it was undoubtedly fantasy, I believed every word of it.
“Two safari guides and a pair of foreigners out to save the world. What could go wrong?”
Well, a lot in this novel goes right. My personal favorite character was a side one named Tumelo but there’s also a great deal to love about the main couple. And, I mean, who doesn’t want to hear about cute lesbians in love tracking down unicorns and saving society? The novel was short and a bit fast paced, but I like it when books are quick and easy to read like that.
The wording of this novel is true and funny. For example, a character worries about “getting in the way of a frenzied unicorn orgy” which is a great sentence to find in any young adult novel.
Not to mention the girls actually have leg hair considering there wouldn’t be easy access to Nair or shaving materials on such an adventure.
I could talk about how great the plot it and whatnot but it’s the little details like that which really sealed the deal for me.
So rock on, Julia Ember, and keep the representation coming.
“Two safari guides and a pair of foreigners out to save the world. What could go wrong?”
Well, a lot in this novel goes right. My personal favorite character was a side one named Tumelo but there’s also a great deal to love about the main couple. And, I mean, who doesn’t want to hear about cute lesbians in love tracking down unicorns and saving society? The novel was short and a bit fast paced, but I like it when books are quick and easy to read like that.
The wording of this novel is true and funny. For example, a character worries about “getting in the way of a frenzied unicorn orgy” which is a great sentence to find in any young adult novel.
Not to mention the girls actually have leg hair considering there wouldn’t be easy access to Nair or shaving materials on such an adventure.
I could talk about how great the plot it and whatnot but it’s the little details like that which really sealed the deal for me.
So rock on, Julia Ember, and keep the representation coming.
April 3, 2016
I absolutely loved Unicorn Tracks. It was a quick read, but a really nice one. And girls kissing always wins me over. I love how the mythical creatures were just part of their world and no one questioned it. I also adored the unique world Mnemba lived in. It had beautiful world building and forbidden romance, which is always nice.
I loved how Mnemba’s people had their own culture and language and the peeks we got into it. I also like her story line of overcoming her assault. It felt real and relatable considering I also am a victim of assault,
Although I enjoyed this book, I would’ve liked more explanations between the differences between the two countries. I felt like we just didn’t quite enough to understand how different the countries really were. I also would’ve liked a little more build up in Mnemba and Kara’s relationship, I feel like it was a little to quick. But over all it was a nice, quick read.
I loved how Mnemba’s people had their own culture and language and the peeks we got into it. I also like her story line of overcoming her assault. It felt real and relatable considering I also am a victim of assault,
Although I enjoyed this book, I would’ve liked more explanations between the differences between the two countries. I felt like we just didn’t quite enough to understand how different the countries really were. I also would’ve liked a little more build up in Mnemba and Kara’s relationship, I feel like it was a little to quick. But over all it was a nice, quick read.
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