Skandar and the Phantom Rider
BLOODTHIRSTY UNICORNS. UNLIKELY HEROES. A MORTAL ENEMY.
The adventure continues in the number 1 bestselling SKANDAR series, for fans of Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Eragon and Impossible Creatures from international bestselling author Annabel Steadman!
The Island shall have its revenge . . .
Skandar Smith has achieved his dream to train as a unicorn rider.
But as Skandar and his friends enter their second year at the Eyrie, a new threat arises. Immortal wild unicorns are somehow being killed, a prophecy warns of terrible danger, and elemental destruction begins to ravage the Island.
Meanwhile, Skandar’s sister, Kenna, longs to join him – and Skandar is determined to help her, no matter what. As the storm gathers, can Skandar discover how to stop the Island tearing itself apart – before it’s too late for them all?
Get ready for unlikely heroes, elemental magic, sky battles, ancient secrets and ferocious unicorns in this highly anticipated adventure that will keep you reading after lights out!
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
Skandar and the Unicorn Thief was WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022 and WINNER OF THE INDIE BOOK AWARDS 2023!
Skandar and the Phantom Rider was one of THE SUNDAY TIMES BEST BOOKS FOR CHILDREN 2023.
*Skandar and the Chaos Trials was the Number 1 bestseller in the UK Nielsen Bookscan chart, 27th April 2024
*Skandar and the Spirit War was the Children’s Number 1 besteller in the UK Nielsen Bookscan Chart 30th August 2025