To share your reaction on this item, open the Amazon app from the App Store or Google Play on your phone.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Rampant Hardcover – Bargain Price, August 25, 2009

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 132 ratings

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.

The%20Amazon%20Book%20Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up—Unicorns are not magical, sparkly creatures of fairy tale, but violent, venomous beasts that could only be killed by virgin girls descended from Alexander the Great and that were hunted to extinction more than a century ago—or so Astrid Llewelyn's mother always told her. Naturally, the 16-year-old is dismayed to learn that all but the last part is true. Like her ancestors, Astrid fits the criteria for a unicorn hunter, and her obsessed-with-glory mom sends her off to Italy to train for battle against the latest wave of unicorn attacks. The scientifically inclined Astrid is reluctant to enter this mysticism-laced world, but her interest is piqued by research into the Remedy, a panacea somehow connected to the unicorns. Astrid is a believably strong and reluctant heroine, but only a few of her fellow hunters emerge as fully developed characters. Bloody battles abound, but the book is at its best when the characters discuss the moral and social aspects of their situation. How does a cloistered order dedicated to exterminating a species fit in with modern ideas of feminism and environmentalism? The hunters must be virgins, and Astrid and the others discuss the fact that they often feel pressured by their peers to have sex. A solid addition for libraries needing to beef up their girl-centric fantasy-adventure collections.—Christi Esterle, Parker Library, CO
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

“As swift and sure-footed as a killer unicorn, RAMPANT weaves a vibrant new mythology from venerable threads.” (Scott Westerfeld, author of the Uglies series )

“RAMPANT is a thrilling read, with strong girls, unusual and scary unicorns, and hidden dangers everywhere. I was on the edge of my seat from start to finish! Please, miss: might I have some more?” (Tamora Pierce )

“Tired of Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Try Astrid the unicorn hunter.” (Locus )

“With an atmospheric setting, personable ensemble cast and some reasoned discussions about virginity, this gripping page-turner evokes the same grrl-power spirit as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, packed with action, mystery and a complex and intriguing mythology.” (Publishers Weekly )

“A fresh folklore twist amid the wave of vampires and zombies.” (Kirkus Reviews )

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00394DGKK
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperTeen (August 25, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 416 pages
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 14 years and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.29 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 132 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Diana Peterfreund
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Diana Peterfreund is the author of eleven novels for adults and teens, as well as several critically acclaimed short stories and a handful of essays on popular children's literature. She grew up in Florida, and lives with her family outside Washington, D.C. Her website is http://dianapeterfreund.com

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
132 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers

Customers say

Customers find the storyline unique and engrossing. They enjoy the well-developed characters, including strong female protagonists. The writing style is described as wonderful and clear. Readers describe the book as fun and enjoyable for both teens and adults. Many appreciate the different take on unicorn lore. However, opinions differ on the pacing - some find it perfect and fast-paced, while others feel it becomes a quick read quite quickly.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

23 customers mention "Storyline"20 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the book's unique storyline. They find it engaging, with a blend of Italian history and art. The characters are well-developed, and the action is fast-paced. Readers appreciate the intricate mythology and fantastic premise. The backstory is believable, and the unicorns are described as magical and bloodthirsty. Overall, the book offers an immersive experience that combines paranormal romance with action and gore.

"...The action scenes are super tense because I could never figure out the outcome ahead of time, which was awesome...." Read more

"...The premise intrigued me (Unicorns are not the fluffy, sparkly, rainbow-spouting, sources of goodness and light we all believe them to be...." Read more

"...I gave this three stars because the book is packed with action and gore and does pretty well in the romance department...it just didn't capture me...." Read more

"The sparkly, innocent creatures of lore are a myth. Real unicorns are venomous, man-eating monsters with huge fangs and razor-sharp horns...." Read more

14 customers mention "Character development"14 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the feisty characters and overall story. They find the book chock-full of strong female protagonists, with one being headstrong. The variety of characters can be confusing at times, but they are interesting and suitable for fantasy. Readers describe Astrid as a true warrior in the spirit of Buffy Summers.

"...The characters in the story were very interesting as well...." Read more

"...often so I forgot who they were, but the majority of the characters were really unique with very different backgrounds from each other...." Read more

"...did a phenomenal job of creating Astrid, a true warrior in the spirit of Buffy Summers...." Read more

"...Astrid herself didn't bother me; she is a strong and independent character and I'm glad to see that she is certainly no twin of Meyer's Bella..." Read more

13 customers mention "Writing style"13 positive0 negative

Customers enjoyed the writing style and story. They found the narration clear and easy to follow, with brilliant dialogue between characters. The author did not talk down to readers, and the book was described as a compelling read.

"...It was so well-written and a new take on old myths...." Read more

"...I love Diana Peterfreund's writing style. Astrid's narration is so clear and easy to follow, and the only points I ever got confused on were during..." Read more

"...Her ability to manipulate the basic elements of writing (plot, characters, setting, etc.) and turn them into something like Rampant is unbelievable...." Read more

"...Wonderful writing and a great story...paranormal action/romance at its best!..." Read more

12 customers mention "Readability"12 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy reading the book. They find it unique, fascinating, and fun. It makes a great addition to anyone's library and is suitable for 7th grade and up.

"...The unraveling of the secrets and myths were so intricate and kept the reader enthralled (as did the fight scenes of course)...." Read more

"...Overall, I really enjoyed reading Rampant. It took me a little while to get into it because of my whole "...unicorns, really?"..." Read more

"...and will make the perfect addition to anyone's library. Teens and adults will love this book, but parents planning on buying it for their children..." Read more

"...Perfectly suited for 7th grade and up!" Read more

8 customers mention "Unicorn lore"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the unicorn lore in the book. They appreciate the different take on the mythical creatures, and find the idea of killer unicorns entertaining.

"...Rampant is not lacking in strong female protagonists and killer unicorns... a read that you will not be able to put down...." Read more

"...an amazing storyteller who will take you to an original, fantastic world of unicorns and, consequentely, its hunters...." Read more

"This was a fun read and easily earns ★★★★. The concept of killer unicorns is cool and I really like that the author starts to build political..." Read more

"The premise of this book is absolutely fantastic. Unicorns are real but blood thirsty killers...." Read more

13 customers mention "Pacing"8 positive5 negative

Customers have different views on the pacing of the book. Some find it fast-paced and engaging, keeping them hooked until they finished reading. Others feel the book is rushed and disconnected, with confusing moments and characters that lack empathy.

"...I am so glad I did because this book was so exciting it kept me hooked all day until I finished it!..." Read more

"...Aside from Astrid, the rest of the book seemed a bit rushed and somewhat disconnected...." Read more

"...history thrown into Rampant, which is something that always excites me in a book...." Read more

"...The pacing of the book is close to perfect, and I never felt like I got bogged down in overly ornate prose or overly angsty teenage descriptions of..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2013
    You know when you pick up a book and a few pages in you realize it is going to be AWESOME?! That was my experience with Rampant by Diana Peterfreund. This isn't a super new book, in fact the sequel is already out, but I just picked it up and decided to give it a try. I am so glad I did because this book was so exciting it kept me hooked all day until I finished it!

    Astrid has always taken her mother's loony ravings about being a descendant of an ancient line of unicorn hunters with a grain of salt... until her boyfriend is attacked by a small unicorn. Astrid calls her mother and Lilith arrives with the ancient Remedy- the only known cure for unicorn venom. That's right, venom. See, unicorns are not all sparkly and adorable like every children's story would have us believe- nope, they are evil, angry, man-eating (and livestock) beasts with poisonous "alicorns" (their horns). Alicorn poisoning kills almost immediately, but the hunters are immune to it. That is why the unicorn didn't attack Astrid. She was born to be a hunter.

    Unicorns were supposed to be extinct, but the new emergence has led to many attacks all over the world. It also leads to Lilith's barely controlled enthusiasm as she packs up Astrid and ships her off to Rome where the Cloisters exists- the home to the Order of the Lioness, a group of virgin unicorn hunters centuries ago. And the Cloisters looks like it hasn't been touch in centuries. When Astrid arrives, she is greeted by Cory, a hunter, and her uncle Neil, the man who took the responsibility of "don" or leader of the group. It becomes clear that Cory lives, breathes, and eats unicorn hunting and would have loved having Lilith for a mother.

    More girls start arrive, including Astrid's cousin and best friend Phil (Philippa), and the girls start cleaning the Cloisters and training. When their first hunts go badly and result in many injuries, it becomes clear that something is wrong. The pharmaceutical company funding the hunters is making strange decisions and eventually disappears after a particularly disastrous hunt. More and more, the girls and Neil become suspicious of the situation, but they continue hunting. When Neil leaves to track down their contact, Lilith comes to supervise as donna. Under her supervision, Astrid almost dies and is instead approached by a karkadann, the largest and most fearsome of all unicorn species. The karkadann has a proposition for Astrid, one she can't pass up. Especially if she wants to keep her fellow hunters alive.

    This was an A.MAZE.ING story and I simply couldn't get enough of it. I plowed through this book like it was life or death (and sometimes it felt like it was!). It was so well-written and a new take on old myths. The unraveling of the secrets and myths were so intricate and kept the reader enthralled (as did the fight scenes of course). The characters in the story were very interesting as well. They were a motley group of young women, from pampered princesses to a homeless drug addict. Their stories and backgrounds were just as interesting as those of the main characters, making the reader highly invested in all the hunters. There is clearly a sequel out already, but the book ends well. It isn't left with a cliffhanger, but definitely leaves the reader wanting more.

    The target audience for this book is tough because it is definitely in the fantasy/mythology realm, which I find appeals to kids from early middle school through high school (and most fantasy is pretty clean so will work in this wide range of ages). But this book is dark. Very dark. The hunting scenes with the unicorns are bloody and gruesome, but imagine hunting something the size of an elephant with a poisonous alicorn! Perhaps the darkest part was when one of the hunter's was raped and it turns out someone may have set her up to lose her virginity and therefore forfeit her status as a hunter. I think this is a book that should be given to either older students or a younger high school student who is mature enough to handle the violence. A good rule of thumb might be if you think a kid could handle Hunger Games, then they could handle this story. None of the violence was overdone, but there might be that student who is too delicate to handle the more bloody scenes in the book. This was an amazing story, and I will be devouring the sequel as soon as it gets here (but not devouring in the same sense as the evil man-eating unicorns, of course!).
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2010
    I admit - I was hesitant at first about reading Rampant. I mean, killer unicorns? And my boyfriend, who's really nice about the fact that I read young adult, would not stop making fun of me for reading a book about unicorns, so that didn't help. I picked it up, read the first chapter, and then got another book in the mail and read that first.

    But really, once I grasped the fact that this book is NOT about My Little Pony-esque unicorns, I really got into it. There's a lot of really neat history thrown into Rampant, which is something that always excites me in a book. The action scenes are super tense because I could never figure out the outcome ahead of time, which was awesome.

    I love Diana Peterfreund's writing style. Astrid's narration is so clear and easy to follow, and the only points I ever got confused on were during the scenes that talked about secondary characters that were hardly mentioned. The action scenes are very well done and detailed so that I was able to follow the action without getting lost. I find that normally in action scenes in a book, I kind of skip words and get confused (much like really shaky action scenes in a movie) but in Rampant, it was very easy for me to follow along.

    The storyline really reminded me of Buffy, seventh season. A bunch of girls who didn't really know who they were are called together to fight evil unicorns? Yeah, definitely reminds me of Buffy. Without the vampires. But in a good way! I love Buffy :)

    There was a large variety of characters, which could get a little confusing at times because some characters weren't mentioned very often so I forgot who they were, but the majority of the characters were really unique with very different backgrounds from each other. Astrid was a very normal and likable character. She just wanted to fit in and have a boyfriend, but her crazy mother uprooted her whole life and sent her to a convent in Rome. Phil, Astrid's cousin, bugged me a whole lot, until the last half of the book when she became more tolerable, but I really disliked Astrid's mother all throughout the book, which I think was probably the point. I really liked Cory. She was probably my favourite character, besides Astrid.

    I really liked Astrid and Giovanni's relationship while I was reading the book. Sure, it wasn't exactly realistic - girl meets a guy in Rome, they instantly hit it off, both happen to be in Rome for a while, etc. - kind of an ideal like situation, but as the book goes on, their relationship gets really complicated and it makes more sense. Giovanni was an interesting character, but once I finished the book, he wasn't incredibly memorable.

    There were are one or two scenes of animal-ish abuse in this book that kind of made me sad. I fully realize that it never really happened and that unicorns don't really exist, but it still hurt to read, so skip over those bits if things like that upset you.

    Overall, I really enjoyed reading Rampant. It took me a little while to get into it because of my whole "...unicorns, really?" attitude, but it was really worth it. It definitely took me on a crazy ride full of action and romance and history and betrayal, and I'm really excited to read the second book, Ascendant, which came out a few weeks ago.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report