Rowan and her sister, Blythe, are set on a course rife with danger. Severe pain almost paralyzed Rowan on her sixteenth Naming Anniversary. She awakens to discover many things are different, including the color of her eyes. Not only that, but everything she sees is now black and white, light and shadows of a person’s soul. In Kayla E. Green’s The Goodness of Unicorns, the local cleric suggests that Rowan has been blessed with the power of sight, which only unicorns can gift a person. Meanwhile, Blythe is intent on finding a cure to heal her sister, and their world is being turned upside down by conflict and danger. Fear and strife rule the sisters’ actions. Will Blythe find a cure? Will Rowan see who and what she needs to see to help ease the conflicts?

Kayla E. Green’s novel, The Goodness of Unicorns, is a fantasy adventure that will attract young adult and older readers. This is the first book in the Tritonia Chronicles. The plot is intense and fast-paced, and captures the reader’s attention from the very beginning. Characters are well developed and believable. The dialogue is used effectively to help move the story along. Tensions build continuously throughout, and readers will be intent on seeing how the story plays out. The theme is evident and shows the author’s passionate belief that light always prevails over darkness. There is chaos, as is evident even in the real world, but there is also hope. This is a great read for adventure and fantasy fans.

The Goodness of Unicorns by Kayla E. Green centers on Rowan, a sixteen-year-old girl in the Kingdom of Wisteria, who receives a magical blessing known as the Sight from a unicorn. This blessing grants her the ability to see and influence the emotional and spiritual wounds of others. As Rowan trains under Diatomist Oren to harness this gift, she becomes entangled in politicking, impending war, and assassination attempts linked to the hostile neighboring nation, Obsilvia. Rowan’s motivation is deeply personal: she seeks to use her growing powers to heal her sick sister, Blythe. Meanwhile, Lady Linnea and King Isak work to protect Rowan and the kingdom. From a market girl to the potential savior in Wisteria's defense, Rowan is up against threats from inside and out, be it the Obsilvian plots, the questionable loyalty of those in her circle, and the burden of her unicorn blessing.

Kayla E. Green’s The Goodness of Unicorns is an impressive introduction to what, based on its somewhat cliffhanger ending, is going to be a fantastic new series. The world-building and fully fleshed out characters, anchored by Rowan’s unique unicorn blessing and the eventual court setting of Tulium Castle, are brilliant. Green’s writing is clear and straightforward, and she excels at portraying Rowan’s evolving magical Sight in unexpected ways, such as the intense soul-healing work she performs in a pivotal scene. The dialogue feels natural and parcels out motive, particularly in the uneasy dynamic between Rowan and Oren. The pacing is carefully managed, mixing action with quieter scenes that deepen character relationships, such as Blythe’s compassionate care for her family despite her physical challenges. Overall, this is a thoughtful story that leans into trust, power, and healing, all within a beautifully imagined fantasy realm. Very highly recommended.