Unicorns of Balinor
Unicorns of Balinor is a series by Mary Stanton for young readers. It was originally published from 1999 to 2000. It follows the adventures of Princess Arianna of Balinor and her unicorn, Sunchaser as they restore the Royal Scepter and rally the kingdom to defeat an evil entity known as Entia the Shifter. Books. Section::::"The Road to Balinor". Ari Langley is a thirteen-year-old girl recovering in the hospital and suffers from memory loss after a mysterious accident that has left her legs severely scarred. Her only prominent and familiar memory is a strong connection to  a Chase, one of the horses at the Glacier River Farm where Ari lives with her foster parents, Ann and Frank. However, Ann and Frank realize they cannot afford Ari's medical bills and decide to lease Chase for riding lessons to the obnoxious and spoiled Lori Carmichael. Heartbroken to see her horse being treated badly, Ari runs away with Chase and her faithful collie, Lincoln. They do not get far before the group, along with Lori, fall through the mysterious Gap, a pathway between worlds. Section::::"Sunchaser's Quest". The group lands in Balinor, a magical land of in  which there are unicorns instead of horses and all animals can talk. However, this place is plagued by an evil and intangible entity known as the Shifter. Ari is revealed to be the missing Princess Arianna, heir to the throne of Balinor, and Chase is the unicorn known as The Sunchaser, Lord of the Animals. With help from Atalanta, a Celestial Valley Unicorn known as the Dreamspeaker, and Tobiano, a pinto unicorn, they must recover the Sunchaser's broken horn to restore his and Ari's telepathic bond. Section::::"Valley of Fear". Ari and Chase seek advice from the Old Mare  of the Mountain, who tells them to reclaim the Royal Scepter. Though its powers are unknown to them, Ari, Chase, Linc and Lori journey through the Valley of Fear and across the Fiery Field to Entia the Shifter's castle. It's a nightmarish land where shadow unicorns reign and the travelers can take no food or water. However, they must risk it if there is any hope of defeating the forces of evil. Section::::"By Fire, By Moonlight". Ari and Chase fall back through the Gap and back to Glacier River Farm. This results in the balance of magic being  altered and they must take on a trial of fire and ordeal by moonlight to set things right. With the scepter now in her possession, Ari begins to learn how to communicate with and use it. During their travels, the team gains a new ally in Finn, a kind-hearted teenage boy. Section::::"Search for the Star". A hibernating dragon named Naytin awakes, allowing Entia the Shifter to steal the dragon's magical jewel: the Indigo Star. With it, the Shifter gains control over the Celestial Valley's indigo heard. As the herd's colors and spirits are fading, and Naytin  causes destruction to the land in search of the missing jewel, Ari and Chase quest to reclaim the Star. Section::::"Secrets of the Scepter". The balance of magic has been restored and the kingdom of Balinor is hopeful Entia can be defeated. Before she can lead her people into battle, Arianna must forge alliances with the Great Houses, diplomatically solve disputes, and accept the loss of an old friend. During her journey, she finds three golden rings that, when placed on the Royal Scepter, give her the authority to rule all of Balinor. Section::::"Night of the Shifter's Moon". Princess Arianna  and Sunchaser are ready to fight Entia the Shifter. Ari returns to the Royal Palace and takes on the official role of Balinor's leader. The final battle between Balinor and Entia's forces are fierce and won't be won without help from the Celestial herd of unicorns. Section::::"Shadows Over Balinor". Entia the Shifter and his evil empire are destroyed. Balinor is a kingdom free of evil once more. Ari, however, has another quest to undertake: the search for the missing Royal family. Atalanta learns the King and Queen are being held in the Forgotten Fields, which can only  be found with a map owned by the ancient archivist. Ari returns to the Valley of Fear and destroys a new evil called Kracken. The story's ending is left open, with Lori remaining in Balinor for the time being and Ari having not yet found her parents.