I remember this book being so much cooler when I bought it at the book fair in grade school. I just reread it so that I can get around the reading the other books in the chronicles that Coville finally decided to publish 8 years later. Sheeesh! Anyway, yes, the writing is super simple and a quick read. Don't get me wrong, it's not terrible at all, I'm always game for unicorns and dragons! In fact, I remember loving this book when I was younger. It's just, reading it now, I wish there was more depth to the characters. I hope that happens in the sequels. Also, this is a juvenile fiction book for 3-6th graders.