When I first picked up The Black Unicorn, I was genuinely excited. The blurb promised everything I usually enjoy in a historical romance: mystery, danger, and a hint of forbidden love, all set against the backdrop of revolutionary Europe. The premise — a widow seeking revenge on a mysterious highwayman — sounded intriguing and full of potential for both emotional depth and adventure. Unfortunately, while the novel began with promise, it ultimately failed to deliver on what it set out to be.

Through NetGalley I received an advance review copy (ARC) for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The year is 1792. The French Revolution rages in Paris, the French monarchy abolished, and William Pitt is about to declare war on the Revolutionary government. Yet all London Society can talk about is the enigmatic highwayman known as the Black Unicorn. But newly widowed Elina, however, has no time for highwaymen or politics. Freed from her brutal seven-year marriage, she is fiercely protective of two things: her new freedom, and her two sisters. But when Elina’s family is mistakenly stopped by the Black Unicorn on their way up to the North Yorkshire Moors, and her sister is savagely attacked by one of his men, revenge consumes Elina. For the sake of her sister, she will destroy the Black Unicorn. And the shooting party at Scarcliffe Towers seems the perfect place to ensnare the mysterious figure. Another guest at the party, Ashby, is known to London Society as a beautiful Portuguese libertine, whose mother, it is whispered, was the illegitimate progeny of a Brazilian native. Elina knows him simply as the former whoring companion to her late husband. But this dark Northumberland lord is a man with secrets: a secret love for Elina Brinkley, the daughter of the lofty Marquess of Hertford, and a secret life as the Black Unicorn. But as Elina unravels the mystery surrounding the man behind the mask, she discovers that the Black Unicorn is so much more than just a highwayman.

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Opinion

The prologue and the first two chapters were easily the strongest parts of the book. They pulled me in right away with vivid atmosphere, an engaging sense of mystery, and the introduction of Elina, a woman scarred by her past but determined to protect her family. For a while, I thought I had stumbled upon a hidden gem — a story of revenge, love, and self-discovery wrapped up in the danger of the 1790s. But somewhere after those initial chapters, the energy simply fizzled out.

The biggest issue for me was the writing style. I can appreciate that the author aimed to capture the tone and manners of late eighteenth-century England, but the overly formal dialogue and old-fashioned phrasing made it a real slog to get through. The way the characters — particularly the nobility — spoke felt stiff and unnatural to my modern ears. What was probably intended as authentic period flair instead came across as tedious and pretentious. I know some readers enjoy that classical, Austen-esque style, but for me, it just sucked the life out of the story. It reminded me why older forms of literature so often bore me to death; the endless politeness and elaborate speech patterns make everything feel distant and emotionless.

As for the plot, the adventure I was hoping for never really materialized. After such an exciting setup, the story slowed down to a crawl. There were long stretches of social interactions and inner monologues, but very little action or forward movement. Even the supposed mystery of the Black Unicorn lost its edge halfway through. The romance — which could have saved the pacing — was disappointingly flat. Elina and Ashby never sparked for me; their chemistry felt forced, and their interactions lacked any real emotional tension. By the final 100 pages, I found myself skimming through just to reach the end, my interest long gone.

Conclusion

In the end, The Black Unicorn had a promising concept but got lost in its own old-fashioned prose and lifeless pacing. I can see how fans of very traditional historical romances might appreciate the period authenticity, but for readers like me, looking for something with energy and genuine emotion, it simply fell flat.

About Heather E.F. Carter

Heather E. F. Carter writes historical fiction, historical romance, and erotic short stories. Though a lifetime Southern Californian, the settings of her novels are not foreign to her, having spent time each year in her parents’ hometown in Northern England. An accomplished academic, she combines her areas of expertise with her passion as she weaves historically authentic and timelessly relevant tales of love and intrigue.

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