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Summary: The most remarkable book you'll ever read.
Review: "Ariel: A Book of the Change" was Boyett's first novel, and arguably his finest. You're hooked from the first page, and by the end of the first chapter you're in love. I first read "Ariel" when it was initially published, in 1986. Everyone I've ever loaned it to has had the same response: "What an AMAZING book! Do you have anything else like it?" -- and the answer is: no. There is NOTHING else like it. This is one of those rare books (the only such book I've ever read) that actually causes you to mourn at the end, because you must take your leave of characters that have become dear to you.How I wish for a sequel. It's definitely worth the effort to find a used copy of this book, and a shame that the publisher has not seen fit to re-issue it.
Rating:
Summary: Want to fall in Love?
Review: Though probably dated now, Ariel is superbly captivating. Though I have wished long and hard for many more writings from Boyett, sadly there is only one. The Architecht of Sleep is also a captivating read from this master.
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Summary: Runs a *very* fine line between superb & silly...
Review: 'Ariel' is one of those books which hold you long after you've read it. Aside from the 'fantasy becomes reality' premise of the book, the problem addressed is one that I've seen nowhere else in fantasy literature: how does a healthy teen-age male stay faithful to his unicorn (read: virgin pure). The characters in this book are marvelous, particularly Malachi Lee and, of course, Ariel the unicorn. Perhaps the only downside is that the book degenerates in the last third into a combination Mad Max takes Manhattan/Point Break/Really Bad kung fu flick. Don't get me wrong, this is a book you'll likely treasure. But you'll only be completely satisfied if you're into karate or hang gliding!
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Summary: This book lingers in my memory long after it's passing...
Review: Although it has been a number of years since I borrowed Ariel from a friend the memory of its richness lingers in my mind's eye. A true masterpiece of modern fantasy
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Summary: A mesmerizing yarn of the first order!
Review: Since I first read this book in 1986 I have loaned it to perhaps a dozen carefully chosen people. Upon every return of my wilting copy the borrower fixes his or her eyes on mine and says in one way or another "This is the most incredible thing I've ever read."
It has all the elements of great fantasy: magical creatures, medieval weaponry, spells, demons, good versus evil. But unlike so much of the standard issue fantasy which crowds your local bookseller's shelves, these characters are as well drawn as their fantastic circumstances. At it's most terrifying and suspenseful moments I fear to close the book -- not because I need to know what happens next. I've read the book six or seven times. I KNOW what happens next. I can not close the book because I can NOT abandon these friends!
If you can find a copy of this book, buy it, read it, and love it
Rating:
Summary: The most incredible thing I've ever read!
Review: Boyett has thrown reality for a loop. The post-apocolyptic feel to Ariel is not only atypical, but entertaining (such as Washington DC going to war with NY.) The general feeling of "every man for himself" really hits home. You begin to feel very close to the characters of Pete and Ariel, as their friendship takes strange turns in every different direction imaginable. It truly shows you what it's like to fight for the ones you love and the causes you believe in. The friends they made along the way were wonderful, Malachi Lee being my particular favorite. There's nothing like a samurai swordsman with a sense of humor.
As for the chosen quotes at the beginning of every chapter, they were very well thought out, and seem to go right along with the entire storyline. I've been reading this book over and over, time and again, for over 10 years now, and my copy is very dog-eared and well-loved. I hope to have it for the rest of my life, for Ariel was the start of my love of fantasy and sci-fi---I haven't stopped reading since. Boyett is truly in a league of his own. Ariel is has everything you could ever need in a book. From humor to bloody swordplay, from fantasy creatures to sorcery and necromancers. It has it all.
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Summary: Reality becomes Fantasy in this gripping novel.
Review: Ever wonder what would happen if the laws of the universe suddenly changed and what we now call Fantasy became Reality? That is what happens in Stephen Boyett's "Ariel". Supremely well written, with characters that you will really care about "Ariel" chronicles a young man's coming of age after the "Change". Cars no longer start, and gryphons rule the skies of New York, but man is still the most vicious beast of them all
Rating: 
Summary: Escape into a Different World
Review: Every so often I like to escape the reality of this world we live in and find a place where there is some magic. I've always been a pushover for three things, unicorns, dragons, and elves. And the unicorn on the cover of this left no room for any decisions to be made - I was going to read it!
Ariel takes place in North America, in the 1980's. Everything is familiar, from microwaves to Cities, to music. Sadly, nothing works. Anything that took electricity, or combustion, will work no more. It has been five years since the "Change" and those who have managed to survive have adapted to a new way of life. At the same time the combustion method vanished, so did pollution. It is all quite unexplainable, but the Earth is a glittering, clean, fresh new place to live.
Pete Garey survived the Change, although his friend and companion did not. Pete became a loner and spent almost two years wandering through the cities and being a scavenger. Armed with nothing more than a blow gun and his wits, Pete managed to survive and make the best of his situation. He was doing quite well, until the day that Ariel walked out of the forest.
Ariel was something from mythology, not from the mundane. A real unicorn. A vision of purity and beauty. Pete named her Ariel. The two became part of one another, "familiars." They journeyed together, but someone has decided that Ariel's horn would be worth having. A Necromancer has taken over New York and won't rest until he has Ariel's horn in his possession. He cares not whether she lives or dies, nor does he care about her companion.
Pete is lucky enough to meet up with some people who would rather not be ruled by a Necromancer. People who would prefer to be free. And thus, we are plunged into a small war of good versus evil.
They could run, but then they would always be running. Pete loves Ariel enough to sacrifice his life for her. When the Necromancer manages to kidnap Ariel, Pete vows to wage a full scale war against him, as he makes his own escape. There is one thing Pete seems to have forgotten, though. Unicorns are only able to be touched by virgins. Will Pete be able to withstand the wiles of the rather bodacious, but innocent Shaughnessy, or the experienced and stunning Theresa? Will flesh and desire win out over love and morals? Can they save the wondrous Unicorn from the Necromancer?
There is only one way you'll find out - read the book, and escape into a familiar but so very different world for a time.
Review Originally Posted at www.linearreflections.com
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Summary: My favorite book of all time
Review: I bought this book originally back in 1983-1986, I'm not sure which printing. It quickly came to be my favorite and I was heartsick a few years ago when it was lost during a move. Recently, I was able to get another copy. The fact it had such an impact on me as a teenager only adds to the enjoyment now. I don't think books read when you are younger should be given less acclaim than books read as an adult. I still like reading my old copy of A Wrinkle In Time, which I first read in grade school. Find a copy of this book, paperback or e-book and read it. Maybe you won't care for it, but it just might carry you to a fantasy world of a boy, his unicorn, and their spectacular adventures. It well could become your favorite, too.
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Summary: One of my all-time favorite books!
Review: I was, as a teenager, completely obsessed with unicorns. I picked this book up strictly because of the cover, expecting to read it once, probably enjoy it, and stick it on a shelf. Instead, I fell into a wonderful world, with great characters who have stuck with me over my turbulent high school years, my highly depressed college years, even now into my so-called adulthood. I read my copy to pieces, literally. The writing was crisp, the dialogue real, and the dilemmas faced by Pete and Ariel are just as compelling in my memory now, over 15 years later, as they were the first time I read it. I have recommended this book very often - in fact, I was telling a friend about it last night! I can't imagine anyone not enjoying this book.
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