Now that the tears have dried and my sobbing has stopped, I can finally write down my thoughts on this story. To be honest, I'm about to start crying again just thinking about writing these words down. This is a story that has been known to me since I was a little girl. My grandmother owned the movie based on this novel and I know I must have watched it a thousand times, if not more. It has been on my "to read" list for a very long time but for some reason I have avoided it and now I know why.

The flood of emotions and memories that washed over me every time I picked this book up was incredibly overwhelming. When I was a child, like most children I suppose, I truly believed in magic, wizards, knights in shining armor and of course, unicorns. After watching the movie, a slight obsession with magical things set in and I guess it has never completely left me. But knowing that it was this story that started all my fanciful thoughts of another magical existence just beyond our sight makes it all that much more special to me.

I started reading this book in late August when sleep would not come one night as my husband snored peacefully beside me. It became my bedtime story over the last couple months. Every page gave me a wonderful wave of nostalgia and even though I knew what was to happen in the end, I craved to know more and to keep reading. Some nights I read until the book just fell out of my hands and I would have to find my place again the next day. This book is one for all ages and I wish I had read it to my sons when they were young but now at the age of 14, I don't think they can still see or sense unicorns or the other magical beasts anymore.

I could tell you all about the plot and characters but what you really need to know is that you should read it. Whoever you are, wherever you are in life, take a few hours and allow yourself to plunge into a world of magic. Forget your worries and let yourself be a kid again. See the unicorns and feel the magic. This story is an incredible journey, one that has taken a permanent residence in my heart and mind. Thank you Peter S. Beagle for helping me feel the magic again.

( )

I didn't intend to buy this, honestly, but when I was standing there at Dragon*Con, in my Ms. Scarlett costume, having waited in line to see Mr. Beagle and have him sign my Kindle (since I've already had him sign 2 dvds, 4 books and a several art prints in the last few years), I saw this, and that, as they say, was that.

This is a gorgeous rendition, and much larger than your average book/comic book. The pages are 3/4ths the size of the draft/finalized pages for comics so you get to see so much more of the intensely gorgeous art. There's a 30 page art gallery that's been added, and a lovely story about the dedication to the original The Last Unicorn book.

Definitely a wishlist and keeper for any Last Unicorn fan. ( )

It's hard to believe I've never read this considering how familiar I am with the story thanks to the animated movie (which I had first seen in college, despite it coming out the same year as I was born). I got through most of the book in audio book format during a long road trip, and then as soon as I got home, picked up the paper book and finished reading it.

This was lovely. Beagle has a wonderful way with words, and a subtle tongue-in-cheek humor where he pokes fun of fairy tales and stories and epic quests. I'm glad I read this, and very glad I could immediately continue on to "Two Hearts" which was a perfect coda to The Last Unicorn. ( )

The tone of this novel is a cross between The Chronicles of Prydain and Howl's Moving Castle, with maybe a hint of Tiffany Aching, but it doesn't hit me like those do. The tale is enjoyable, but the characters are a bit too changeable for me. I like characters that change over time, but these do less evolving and more flip-flopping. Some scenes are excellent, like Mommy Fortuna's Midnight Carnival, and really make me wish I liked this book more. ( )

I had been wanting to read this for some time. I think my hopes and thoughts were too great.
There are moments in the book that are really lovely and keen. Other times, the writing seemed overwrought.
I was disappointed that the unicorn as such was not in the book more. The novel seems at times more about the unicorn's companions.
Overall, I liked it, and appreciated its bittersweetness. ( )