Skandar and the Phantom Rider
GO ALL IN for the National Year of Reading with the spectacular sequel to Skandar and the Unicorn Thief, the biggest fantasy adventure since Harry Potter
Published on 12. February 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
416 pages
978-1-3985-6135-9 (ISBN)
Description
TAKE FLIGHT ON THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME
BOY. RIDER. HERO.
Skandar Smith has survived his first year as a unicorn rider. Now all he wants is to train alongside his friends - even if that means keeping secrets from his sister, Kenna.
But when elemental magic begins to destroy the Island, can Skandar unravel the past and protect the future for them all?
GET READY FOR EPIC SKY BATTLES, DEADLY SECRETS AND FRIENDSHIPS THAT WILL LAST FOREVER.
GO ALL IN and celebrate the National Year of Reading 2026 with these epic new editions of the international bestselling Skandar series, featuring brand new illustrated covers.
Praise for the SKANDAR series:
'The most popular children's fantasy hero since Harry Potter' - Telegraph
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 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 bestseller in the UK Nielsen Bookscan Chart 30th August 2025
BOY. RIDER. HERO.
Skandar Smith has survived his first year as a unicorn rider. Now all he wants is to train alongside his friends - even if that means keeping secrets from his sister, Kenna.
But when elemental magic begins to destroy the Island, can Skandar unravel the past and protect the future for them all?
GET READY FOR EPIC SKY BATTLES, DEADLY SECRETS AND FRIENDSHIPS THAT WILL LAST FOREVER.
GO ALL IN and celebrate the National Year of Reading 2026 with these epic new editions of the international bestselling Skandar series, featuring brand new illustrated covers.
Praise for the SKANDAR series:
'The most popular children's fantasy hero since Harry Potter' - Telegraph
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 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 bestseller in the UK Nielsen Bookscan Chart 30th August 2025
Reviews / Votes
Epic, unforgettable and endlessly exciting, Steadman's masterful sequel soars even higher than her debut. -- Aisling Fowler, author of the Fireborn seriesMore details
Edition
Reissue
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 8 years
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 195 mm
Width: 127 mm
Thickness: 26 mm
Weight
296 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-3985-6135-9 (9781398561359)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
A. F. Steadman
Skandar and the Phantom Rider
the spectacular sequel to Skandar and the Unicorn Thief, the biggest fantasy adventure since Harry Potter
E-Book
04/2023
Simon & Schuster Children's
€5.15
Available for download
Person
A.F. STEADMAN grew up in the Kent countryside, getting lost in fantasy worlds and scribbling stories in notebooks. She is the globally bestselling author of the award-winning Skandar series, which has been translated into 49 languages. A film is currently in development with Sony Pictures.