Impossible Creatures, Beautiful Books

 

Impossible Creatures
Impossible Creatures #1
By Katherine Rundell, illustrated by Ashley Mackenzie
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication date: September 10, 2024
Print length: 368 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0593809860
Reading age: 9+ years
Book 1 of 5: Impossible Creatures
Grade level: 5 - 6

 Publisher’s Blurb:

The day that Christopher saved a drowning baby griffin from a hidden lake would change his life forever.

It’s the day he learned about the Archipelago—a cluster of unmapped islands where magical creatures of every kind have thrived for thousands of years, until now. And it’s the day he met Mal—a girl on the run, in desperate need of his help.

Mal and Christopher embark on a wild adventure, racing from island to island, searching for someone who can explain why the magic is fading and why magical creatures are suddenly dying. They consult sphinxes, battle kraken, and negotiate with dragons. But the closer they get to the dark truth of what’s happening, the clearer it becomes: no one else can fix this. If the Archipelago is to be saved, Mal and Christopher will have to do it themselves.

Katherine Rundell’s story crackles and roars with energy and delight. It is brought vividly to life with more than 60 illustrations, including a map and a bestiary of magical creatures.

 The Poisoned King
Impossible Creatures #2
By Katherine Rundell, illustrated by Ashley Mackenzie
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication date: September 11, 2025
Print length: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0593809907
Reading age: 10+ years
Book 2 of 5: Impossible Creatures
Grade level: 5 – 6

 Publisher’s Blurb:

Christopher Forrester woke to find a dragon chewing on his face—and his heart leapt for joy! He’d been dreaming of going back to the Archipelago, the secret cluster of islands where all the creatures of myth still live, and here was his summons.

But there is a poison spreading in the Archipelago. Rooting it out will involve a daring rescue mission on the back of a sphinx, a stealthy entrance to a dragon’s lair, and a death-defying plan to save a prisoner held in the heart of a castle. At the center of this storm is Anya: a small girl with a flock of birds at her side, a new-hatched chick in her pocket, and a ravenous hunger for justice.

Katherine Rundell’s second thrilling installment in the Impossible Creatures series involves castles, dragons, and revenge—the things of which great stories are made. The splendors within are brought to life with fifty illustrations, including a map and a bestiary of magical creatures.

 The Neverfear
Impossible Creatures #3
By Katherine Rundell, illustrated by Ashley Mackenzie
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication date: September 1, 2026
Print length: 336 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0593809945
Reading age: 10 years and up
Book 3 of 5: Impossible Creatures
Grade level: 5 – 6

 Publisher’s Blurb:

It’s the Midsummer Feast on the islet of Glimt, and on this magical moonlit evening, the word on everyone’s lips is bandits. Reports of masked men wreaking havoc are spreading throughout the Archipelago.

Christopher and Anya have faced danger before; they think they are prepared for this threat—until they are ambushed and someone very close to them is kidnapped.

Their frantic quest to pay the ransom will take them on a wild journey across Glimouria. Together they must face giants, duel with pirates, and race against deadly karkadanns.

But just when they think they might succeed, there will come the most Herculean task of all . . .

 My Thoughts:

Originally planned as a trilogy, this will now stretch to five books. Disney has purchased the movie rights—with Rundell involved in the script.

 Good signs, right?

 These are beautiful books, about love and friendship and overcoming fear. The prose is gorgeous, but not so elevated that its target audience won’t understand. (Though there is the occasional British terminology.) (Also, neither the author nor editors appears to know the difference between “sliver” and “slither.” Grrr.) Bonus points when Nighthand attempts to write love poetry and ends up copying Robert Burns and William Shakespeare.

 With the third book being published, I re-read the first two in preparation, and they stand up well to re-reading. I was able to read all three in about a week; the plots keep things moving and you want to keep going and find out what happens next. How will our characters overcome the newest obstacle?

Our protagonists are about 12 years old, and the deep love between them is the love of friends. There’s no “attraction” or crushes. Just admiration for who each other is. In a world and time where kids are so often shown they must already be pairing up, so I really appreciate this. There is a hint of romance however, between two of the adult characters. To see the big and blustering berserker Nighthand blushing and faltering is so sweet. I love how this is played.

 The child protagonists are not too perfect to be real. They have faults and are sometimes impatient. That said, I’d have liked to see more character development for them. In the third book, both Christopher and Anya have items or abilities that could give them great power, and could tempt them to make poor choices. But they sail on past those challenges and make good choices. Maybe in two remaining books we’ll see them have to make deeper moral choices.

 Past the midway point, we are set up for continuing conflict as our core characters continue to pursue and root out the evil that is trying to overtake Glimouria. Will they succeed? What will they lose to get there?

 And there is loss. Book one saw the deaths of two beloved characters. One was senseless—not in the sense of serving the plot, but in the sense of WHY. The other was crucial and important and still heartrending.

 There are some wonderful secondary characters in these books, too, particularly Ratwin, Jacques, and Naravirala.

 I’ll be waiting to read what happens next.

 Possible Objectionable Material:

Past deaths of mothers mentioned. Murders and attempted murders. Fighting, sometimes with injury. Other types of injury, some from humans, some from creatures. Mythical creatures and magical items, not all of which are good. Drinking (adults), sometimes to excess. Disobedient children. Farting. A Creation story. Very peripheral mention of a woman marrying her maidservant. Children run around without (human) adult supervision. Very mild cursing, occasionally by children.

 Who Might Like These Books:

Those who like supernatural creatures, stories about friendship, vivid characters, and the battle for good to prevail.

 Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing advanced reader copies in exchange for my honest opinion.