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Skandar
Skandar and the Secret Element: World Book Day 2026
TAKE FLIGHT ON THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME. A thrilling special adventure for World Book Day, from the no.1 bestselling author of the Skandar series.
Albert never thought he would become a unicorn rider. But then he is whisked away to a mysterious island to bond with a warrior unicorn, and to train in elemental magic. There, Albert meets a boy called Skandar, who is hiding a dangerous secret.
When an encounter with a terrifying wild unicorn throws Albert and Skandar together, will the adventure help them become the heroes they are destined to be?
Get ready for unlikely heroes, elemental battles, dangerous secrets and bloodthirsty unicorns.
This gripping story is perfect for newcomers to the Skandar series as well as superfans, and comes with bonus content and activities.
Albert never thought he would become a unicorn rider. But then he is whisked away to a mysterious island to bond with a warrior unicorn, and to train in elemental magic. There, Albert meets a boy called Skandar, who is hiding a dangerous secret.
When an encounter with a terrifying wild unicorn throws Albert and Skandar together, will the adventure help them become the heroes they are destined to be?
Get ready for unlikely heroes, elemental battles, dangerous secrets and bloodthirsty unicorns.
This gripping story is perfect for newcomers to the Skandar series as well as superfans, and comes with bonus content and activities.
96 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 12, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
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February 12, 2026[Review and star rating pending]
February 22, 2026
A good intro to the characters - I will definitely be introducing the series to my nephew!
February 17, 2026
this is a great small story of the world of skandar, but from someone else's story with going to the island. to learn there is another group on the island that don't use there power for battle was very interesting.
February 14, 2026
What was the point in this book, just to be of topic for world book day??? I don’t know, it’s literally a different pov as Albert from the first book written in the series……but for what purpose as it’s not even a full book it’s a sample. Waste of time, shame as the first 2 books in this series had me hooked from the get go originally.
April 11, 2026
As an adult, I am certainly not the target audience, but I was very intrigued by the story unfolding in this short story for World Book Day. I would actually be interested to read the first book in the series. I will also be recommending/loaning this book to my class and asking if they have read the series. A definite recommendation for anyone who likes stories about magic and adventure. And there are unicorns!
April 3, 2026
My first introduction to this series and it's a fun, heart pounding read. Albert, a low self-esteemer who gets the chance to become a unicorn rider. Doubting his ability and reason for being there at each turn.
Albert meets Skandar, another contender but something is off about him. Will Albert find out the truth?
I love the element aspect to this, earth, fire, wind and water, all powerful in their own ways and could be used for good and bad.
I'm intrigued where the series goes although unsure where this would come in the set but its a nice opening into the series for a newbie like me! Interesting for an older reader too!
Albert meets Skandar, another contender but something is off about him. Will Albert find out the truth?
I love the element aspect to this, earth, fire, wind and water, all powerful in their own ways and could be used for good and bad.
I'm intrigued where the series goes although unsure where this would come in the set but its a nice opening into the series for a newbie like me! Interesting for an older reader too!
February 19, 2026
Low-key more wholesome than the actual books.
March 16, 2026
Skandar and the Secret Element is a fantasy adventure book written by A.F Steadman. It is a sequel from the Skandar series, which is about a boy named Skandar journeying with his blood-thirsty unicorn. There are six books in total so far. And now a short, seventh book has come out.
Skandar and the Secret Element was honestly disappointing compared to the rest of the series. One of the biggest problems is that it feels like the entire story is basically just Albert’s point of view from book one, stretched out and turned into a separate book. Instead of giving us, readers, new perspectives, deeper world-building, or meaningful developments, it mostly rehashes events and ideas we already experienced. Because of that, the story doesn’t feel very fresh. A sequel should expand the world and characters, but here it often feels like you’re revisiting the same moments rather than moving forward. Albert’s perspective also isn’t as engaging as Skandar’s, so spending so much time focused on it makes the book slower and less exciting than the original.
Another issue is the pacing of the book. Since much of the material overlaps with things readers already understand, parts of the book feel unnecessary or repetitive. It gives the impression that the story was stretched out instead of built around a strong new plot.
An add point to the book is the cover itself. It’s bold and dynamic, showing blazes of fire along with matching colours of orange and the black silhouette. Overall, the book isn’t terrible on its own, but as a sequel it falls short. Instead of adding something meaningful to the series, it mostly feels like a retelling from Albert’s perspective, which makes it less interesting for readers who were hoping for a real continuation of the story.
Skandar and the Secret Element was honestly disappointing compared to the rest of the series. One of the biggest problems is that it feels like the entire story is basically just Albert’s point of view from book one, stretched out and turned into a separate book. Instead of giving us, readers, new perspectives, deeper world-building, or meaningful developments, it mostly rehashes events and ideas we already experienced. Because of that, the story doesn’t feel very fresh. A sequel should expand the world and characters, but here it often feels like you’re revisiting the same moments rather than moving forward. Albert’s perspective also isn’t as engaging as Skandar’s, so spending so much time focused on it makes the book slower and less exciting than the original.
Another issue is the pacing of the book. Since much of the material overlaps with things readers already understand, parts of the book feel unnecessary or repetitive. It gives the impression that the story was stretched out instead of built around a strong new plot.
An add point to the book is the cover itself. It’s bold and dynamic, showing blazes of fire along with matching colours of orange and the black silhouette. Overall, the book isn’t terrible on its own, but as a sequel it falls short. Instead of adding something meaningful to the series, it mostly feels like a retelling from Albert’s perspective, which makes it less interesting for readers who were hoping for a real continuation of the story.
February 17, 2026
A.F. Steadman has kindly contributed to World Book Day 2026 with their flash fiction, Skandar and the Secret Element. Here we’re introduced to the mythological world where students are sent to Hogwarts Eyrie to train the magical elements, fire, water, air and earth. We learn there is a fifth element which has been shunned because of its dangerous power, spirit. Each pupil is matched to a Unicorn/Pegasus which are apparently blood thirsty creatures (I think they’ve been misconstrued and misunderstood).
Our POV is from Albert, a young lad who doesn’t believe he belongs in Eyrie. I guessed while reading (and have confirmed through other reviews) that this short story is simply a retelling of the beginning chapters of Steadman’s first novel, through a different perspective. Hopefully it’ll encourage new fans to pick up the series but for committed Steadman readers, I fear they will be gravely disappointed as instead of receiving new content, they get a recycled POV of a story they already know.
This is perfect for fans of Percy Jackson or the Beast of Olympus, but maybe not Steadman fans who have already read the first novel as this will provide no more context or storyline to the original. Thank you to Steadman for his kind contribution!
Our POV is from Albert, a young lad who doesn’t believe he belongs in Eyrie. I guessed while reading (and have confirmed through other reviews) that this short story is simply a retelling of the beginning chapters of Steadman’s first novel, through a different perspective. Hopefully it’ll encourage new fans to pick up the series but for committed Steadman readers, I fear they will be gravely disappointed as instead of receiving new content, they get a recycled POV of a story they already know.
This is perfect for fans of Percy Jackson or the Beast of Olympus, but maybe not Steadman fans who have already read the first novel as this will provide no more context or storyline to the original. Thank you to Steadman for his kind contribution!
March 2, 2026
This would be a great introduction to the Skandar series for new readers. I would have preferred a little more worldbuilding as we aren't told much about what the unicorn riders do once trained (apart from take part in the Chaos Cup). But this is only a short story so I can make allowances.
What the story does do is introduce a world of bloodthirsty unicorns and people who can bond with them, utilising the power of the four elements.
From reading other reviews, it seems like this story is a retelling of part of the original from a different POV so casual fans might wish to choose another WBD book. Although it seems like the Wanderers could be something new. Also on the plus side, there are is a bonus personality test and a quiz included in the book.
What the story does do is introduce a world of bloodthirsty unicorns and people who can bond with them, utilising the power of the four elements.
From reading other reviews, it seems like this story is a retelling of part of the original from a different POV so casual fans might wish to choose another WBD book. Although it seems like the Wanderers could be something new. Also on the plus side, there are is a bonus personality test and a quiz included in the book.
March 9, 2026
A great little addition to the Skandar series and a wonderful release for World Book Day.
It was lovely to get to experience the very start of a Skandars journey through the eyes of another character, with his own experiences and perspective too. We know Albert from the main series and in this one, we get to learn more about his early upbringing and his journey to the Eyrie and getting his unicorn, Eagles Dawn. A great book and a must for any fans of Skandar.
It was lovely to get to experience the very start of a Skandars journey through the eyes of another character, with his own experiences and perspective too. We know Albert from the main series and in this one, we get to learn more about his early upbringing and his journey to the Eyrie and getting his unicorn, Eagles Dawn. A great book and a must for any fans of Skandar.
April 4, 2026
Got this book for world book day and I was actually pretty impressed considering this is my first introduction into the series, however I do feel that 71 pages was enough for me and I think if I got the whole series I would probably be bored though for younger children I feel they would definitely enjoy this and I will be asking my sister to read it. 📚
February 12, 2026
Ground-breaking
What a book! Who would have guessed the unimaginable twist revealed within the pages? A.F. Sherman's outdone herself yet again. Can't wait to see if there is another book!
What a book! Who would have guessed the unimaginable twist revealed within the pages? A.F. Sherman's outdone herself yet again. Can't wait to see if there is another book!
March 5, 2026
I just LOVE Skandar! This book tells the story of mainlander Albert and how he wants to be a rider but doesn’t feel that he can be brave enough. Along with his unicorn Eagle Dawn they discover what the spirit element is and find themselves among the Wanderers.
March 7, 2026
This book was absolutely amazing. I wanted a prequel to Skandar series since I have the first book on my physical TBR so I picked up the World Book Day story and loved it! Can’t wait to start the Skandar series 🐉🔥
March 26, 2026
I was so devastatated when this book ended, I would 100% have read an entire book from alberts perspective. I loved his bond between him and his unicorn. Im so glad this book allowed us to get to know Albert better.
February 16, 2026
Engaging writing will hook the reader into the rest of the series. It was nice to see how Albert started out ❤️
March 14, 2026
8/10 - Enjoyed this quite a bit. It acted as a little refresher to some of the world and, hopefully, we get to see more from Albert's perspective in the future.
March 15, 2026
Such a great little story to give my son a taste of the world of Skandar. He's now excited to get the first book and start reading the series.
March 18, 2026
I haven't read the series yet but I want to now great introduction to the world of scandar.
March 29, 2026
A good introduction to the series, I wasn’t sure starting as my 10yo loves the book but it has made me want to continue reading the series.
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April 7, 2026Cute but I think it could have been better from the time period of Albert’s time with the Wanderers rather than his time at school.
April 12, 2026
3.75 🌟
April 22, 2026
Would be 5 but the ending disappoints
April 4, 2026
It’s a 3.5 for me because I mean younger children might be able to read it and everything but it should be in the same writing style as the other 6 books but I’m happy that AF Steadman contributed to world book day: I love the original series! Bit short but can’t complain. 😃 No reference of emergency sandwiches makes me abit sad though… I didn’t have the heart to rate it a 3 after the other series so it’s 4 take away .5
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews