The Tainted Poet's YA Book Review:

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Sunday, November 15, 2009

Rampant by Diana Peterfreund


Rating: 4.5/5.0

Re-read? There are most certainly parts in Rampant that I want to re-read.

Recommend? I recommend this to anyone who likes modern day fantasy. Oh, and killer unicorns. Also contains some sexual content.

Release Date: August 25, 2009
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 416

Synopsis:

Forget everything you ever knew about unicorns . . .

Real unicorns are venomous, man-eating monsters with huge fangs and razor-sharp horns. Fortunately, they've been extinct for a hundred and fifty years.

Or not.

Astrid had always scoffed at her eccentric mother's stories about killer unicorns. But when one of the monsters attacks her boyfriend—thereby ruining any chance of him taking her to the prom—Astrid finds herself headed to Rome to train as a unicorn hunter at the ancient cloisters the hunters have used for centuries.

However, at the cloisters all is not what it seems. Outside, the unicorns wait to attack. And within, Astrid faces other, unexpected threats: from the crumbling, bone-covered walls that vibrate with a terrible power to the hidden agendas of her fellow hunters to—perhaps most dangerously of all—her growing attraction to a handsome art student . . . an attraction that could jeopardize everything.

My Thoughts:

Have you ever thought there was more to unicorns then just the sweet, glittery horned horses that are depicted on Lisa Frank stationary? Ever thought that the horn on their head served a more sinister purpose? Well then you're right on page with Diana Peterfreund's Rampant.

Diana Peterfreund really took a spin on classical unicorns and created a modern world where unicorns exist-- and are poisonous, huge, and fanged. Rampant explored not only the concept of unicorns, but of bravery and becoming who you were really meant to be. Our main character, Astrid, grew so much throughout the book. She didn't give into her thoughts about going the easy way out, but rather grudgingly carried forward, something that needed to be done to truly understand herself-- to truely meet her potential.

I also thought it was interesting how Diana Peterfreund brought in the whole virginity aspect of being a Unicorn Hunter (a woman descended from the Unicorn Hunters of old, female only). How losing that huge part of you changes you so completely that even a Zhi wants to rip your head off! Some girls today seem to believe that being a virgin is nothing special and that you can just lose it whenever. I love how Diana really made virginity important and that there are consequences to losing it the wrong way. **(See Diana Peterfreund's comment below).

Rampant was so much more then just a tale about killer unicorns-- It showed the importance of being a woman and believing in yourself. Never sell yourself short ladies-- everyone deserves to create their own path in life-- don't let someone block yours.

Details:

Cover: 5.0
Plot: 5.0
Characters: 4.5
Writing: 4.0

11 comments:

  1. Sounds good! Don't really like the cover though.

    http://fantasysink.blogspot.com/

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  2. I heard about this book few months ago, and I think is very interesting, I havent read more than a couple reviews of the book, and I really like yours ^^

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  3. Great review! I really enjoyed Rampant and can't wait for the next book...

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  4. Hmm, so she talks about consequences to losing it the wrong way. Does she talk about how losing your virginity can be a positive experience as well? I love the scary unicorn idea, but I'm very worried about the portrayal of the sexuality of women in this book.

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  5. It's also about a girl's virginity? Whoaa. I thought it was just about killer unicorns! (by the way, I love that reference to the Lisa Frank unicorns-lol!) I was iffy about this one because most of the reviews I read about it weren't so positive... but I trust your judgement! Perhaps I'll be ordering Rampant after all :)

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  6. Wow, I've never come across a novel that portrays unicorns in such a light, it's great to be introduced to something new. Thanks for the review, I'll definitely be checking this book out!

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  7. It sounds like this story has a lot of great twists!

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  8. Hi, Eli!

    Thanks for reading. I'm glad you enjoyed the book.

    Jazz, to answer your question, the way the magic works in the book, you only have special powers around unicorns if you are a virgin -- however, the special powers aren't necessarily something you WANT to have. (For instance, one of the powers is that you attract unicorns, so forget ever going for a peaceful and undeadly walk in the woods.) It doesn't have anything to do with the "way" you lose your virginity. Eli is just trying to get around posting a spoiler in the book by putting it that way.

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  9. Diana,

    Thank you so much for letting me know. I'm putting Rampant at the top of my to-be-read pile because of your comment.

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  10. To Jazz and Diana:

    Oops, I didn't mean for it to be taken that way. I guess all those who have already read the book might understand what I meant with my virginity comment, but I guess I can see where it might confuse readers who haven't. Sorry! The book was fresh in my mind when I wrote this review.

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  11. I adored this book--and I'm right on board with what Diana (and Eli) means about the way sex is lost having consequences. It's one of my favorite parts of the book.

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Don't hesitate to tell me what you think! I appreciate all types of feedback, so don't be shy! ;)

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