fantasy- magic school, unicorn, heroine, an abyss?

[Robbyn]

This is a long shot because the details are so fuzzy.

I remember reading this book in late elementary/middle school (years 2002-2007). I remember being told that the copy I was borrowing was signed by the author when SHE came to visit Omaha for book signings.

I have hazy memories of the book. There was some type of building: a magical castle or school. The main character was a young girl. There was a main animal friend: a horse or unicorn. There were multiple magical creatures throughout and I think the people had some type of magic powers.
I also recall some type of abyss or chasm in the story being a main plot point. Perhaps the girl/horse/unicorn had to cross it for some reason?

[Charlotte]

Could it be part of the Unicorns of Balinor series by Mary Stanton? They would have been written around that time, and there are unicorns. Also there portal between two worlds is called “the gap,” which could lean into an abyss idea.

[Robbyn]

Charlotte-I’m not sure! I can’t tell from the description but It could be. I’ll have to pick up a copy and see if it jogs my memory.

[Kris]

Amazon has a short preview (sample) of The Road to Balinor (book 1 of the Unicorns of Balinor series) by Mary Stanton - Charlotte's suggestion:

- https://www.amazon.com/Unicorns-Balin...
- There are different cover images.