The First Unicorn Rider

World of Skandar

A.F. Steadman, Manuel Šumberac

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English

Simon & Schuster
11 November 2025

Series: Skandar

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A BOY WITH A DESTINY. A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND. A MAGICAL CREATURE.

Discover how it all began in this unmissable Skandar origin story . . .?

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George Penhaligon has only ever wanted adventure.

But when his fishing boat is caught in a storm, he ends up shipwrecked on an unknown island. Here he discovers something magical and terrifying – that unicorns are real and bloodthirsty. These unicorns display magical powers, but they have never encountered humans before, and their magic is wild, uncontrolled and deadly.

Slowly George befriends a wild creature and begins to discover the island’s secrets. But there is a dark and sinister presence on the island that is threatening not only the unicorns but the magic of the island itself. George’s adventure may be more dangerous than he ever bargained for.

Can George protect his new island home and defeat the creature that is stalking it?

A fantastic new adventure in The World of Skandar taking readers back to the origins of the Island, with black and white illustrations throughout, from international bestselling author A.F. Steadman.

Praise for the SKANDAR series:

‘The most popular children’s fantasy hero since Harry Potter’ – Telegraph

‘Steadman has a vast imagination, her world-building is a joy, the battle scenes are thrilling and her characters charm.’ – The Times Children's Book of the Week

‘Deft, dazzling and breathlessly exciting – it’s a joy to enter Skandar’s World.’ – Jonathan Stroud, author of Lockwood and Co. series

By: A.F. Steadman
Illustrated by: Manuel Šumberac
Imprint: Simon & Schuster
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Edition: ANZ Only
Dimensions: Height: 198mm, Width: 128mm,
ISBN: 9781398548800
ISBN 10: 1398548804
Series: Skandar
Pages: 240
Publication Date: 11 November 2025
Recommended Age: From 9 to 99 years
Audience: Children/juvenile , English as a second language
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

A.F. Steadman grew up in the Kent countryside, getting lost in fantasy worlds and scribbling stories in notebooks. Before focusing on writing, she worked in law, until she realized that there wasn’t nearly enough magic involved. She is the author of the New York Times bestselling Skandar series.