Review: Rampant by Diana Peterfreund

Title: Rampant
Author: Diana Peterfreund
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pub. Date: 2009
Genre: YA
Main Themes: Warrior Maidens/Virgins, Unicorns, Love, Family, Supernatural
Pages: 402
Plot (from book jacket):
“Forget everything you thought you 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.”

When I was little, every night I’d go outside with my dad and little sister to wish on a star. Every night my sister wished for a horse. Every night I wished for… a unicorn. Back then, I couldn’t think of anything I wanted or needed more than a unicorn. Granted, I’d never met Diana Peterfreund’s unicorns. If I had though, I’m almost positive I would’ve just wished for a horse.

Rampant was an amazing story, complete with bloodthirsty unicorns, a kickass heroine, and a touch of romance. I was completely enthralled with the plot of this novel: maiden warriors who hunt carnivorous unicorns. Honestly, who wouldn’t be at least a little curious?

I found the pace of the story a bit slow at times, but, overall, I was kept interested throughout the story. Even if action was lacking, the history and romantic plot line kept me coming back for more! I have never heard of unicorns being portrayed as anything other than gentle, magical creatures, but Peterfreund made it easy to believe that just maybe, we had the story all wrong. The background story was also well written and meshed perfectly with Astrid’s story.

I liked most of the characters in Rampant. I thought Astrid and the other hunters were well rounded and each had a distinct personality. I really liked Giovanni as a love interest – I was surprised to find that Astrid falls for an American guy, not an European guy – even if he did have a very Italian name! I thought that was a cute twist!

I did, however, have a major problem with Astrid’s mother. She was absolutely horrible. I don’t mean horribly written necessarily, she was just a horrible mother. I found that really frustrating. I felt that not only did she try to live her dreams through Astrid, she also didn’t really seem to have much common sense. Then, she changes completely later in the book, seemingly due to traumatic events, though they were not only caused by her, but also acknowleged and accepted. Gah! She annoyed me to no end!

Ratings (Out of 10):
Plot: 10
Characters: 8
Writing: 10
Romance: 10
Originality: 10
Total: 48/50 (A)

Other than my intense dislike of Astrid’s mother, I really enjoyed Rampant. It was a completely new take on unicorns and I flew through the 400 pages! I look forward to Diana Peterfreund’s next novel, which I certainly hope with have another fantasy/supernatural element!

Mini Giveaway CLOSED:

I will be giving away five (5) signed Rampant bookmarks! For a chance to win, leave a comment below! It would be nice if the comment had something to do with Rampant, unicorns, or my review! 🙂

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Ends: October 30th! I will announce the 5 winners on the 1st of November!