Skandar and the Spirit War
By A.F. Steadman
Outlaw Skandar must ally with his enemy to uncover the Island’s forgotten power.
Pageticker community rating
Average score: 5
From 11 readers
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What does the Pageticker team say about Skandar and the Spirit War?
We find this instalment thrilling and emotionally charged, combining imaginative elemental magic, fierce sky battles and difficult choices about loyalty, leadership and friendship. The expanding mythology gives the story a satisfying sense of scale, while Skandar’s struggle to become the leader others need keeps the adventure personal. Best suited to confident readers aged 10–15 who enjoy long fantasy novels; its war setting, peril and moments of loss may be intense for more sensitive readers.
Genres
What is Skandar and the Spirit War about?
The Island is at war. Skandar, now an outlaw, is in hiding after Rex Manning revealed a game-changing secret at the Chaos Cup. But as Rex prepares to invade the Mainland, the Islanders are not sure who to trust. With one of Skandar’s closest friends now fighting for the enemy, Skandar must build new alliances—including an uneasy truce with Kenna. To defeat Rex, Skandar and his friends will need to look back to the origins of the Island and harness the full power of their elemental magic. Can Skandar become the leader he needs to be—to save the Mainland, and the heart of the Island itself?
About the author
A. F. Steadman is a British author best known for writing the exciting fantasy series Skandar and the Unicorn Thief. She loves creating magical worlds filled with adventure and unusual creatures. When she isn’t writing, A. F. Steadman enjoys reading stories and spending time outdoors, always looking for new ideas for her next book.
Discussion ideas around Skandar and the Spirit War
Leadership: Skandar must learn what kind of leader he wants to be. Which qualities make someone worth following, and how does Skandar show these qualities?
Trust and betrayal: When friends and allies end up on different sides, what should matter most when deciding whom to trust?
Power and responsibility: The characters must harness the full power of elemental magic. When can having great power become dangerous, and what responsibilities should come with it?
Origins and identity: The characters look back to the origins of the Island to understand its present. How can learning about the past change the way people see themselves and their home?
Making peace: Skandar and Kenna form an uneasy truce. What can make cooperation possible between people who do not agree or trust each other?
Pages
432 pages
Reading age
Older Junior (10-15)
This edition
2025
First published
2025
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