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.

Do not miss!

A Language of Dragons
A Language of Dragons 1
By S.F. Williamson

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication date: January 7, 2025

Print length: 432 pages

ISBN-13: 978-0063353848

Reading age: 15+ years

Book 1 of A Language of Dragons

Grade level: 8 - 9

 

Publisher’s Blurb:

In an alternate London in 1923, one girl accidentally breaks the tenuous truce between dragons and humans in this sweeping debut and epic retelling of Bletchley Park steeped in language, class, and forbidden romance. Perfect for teen fans of Fourth Wing and Babel.

 

Dragons soar through the skies and protests erupt on the streets, but Vivien Featherswallow isn’t worried. She’s going to follow the rules, get a summer internship studying dragon languages, be smart, be sweet, and make sure her little sister never, ever has to risk growing up Third Class. She just has to free one dragon.

 

By midnight, Viv has started a civil war.

 

With her parents and cousin arrested and her sister missing, Viv is brought to Bletchley Park as a codebreaker—if she succeeds, she and her family can all go home again. If she doesn’t, they’ll all die.

 

As Viv begins to discover the secrets of a hidden dragon language, she realizes that the fragile peace treaty that holds human and dragon societies together is corrupt, and the dangerous work Viv is doing could be the thread that unravels it.

 

A War of Wyverns
A Language of Dragons 2
By S.F. Williamson

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication date: January 6, 2026

Print length: 368 pages

ISBN-13: 978-0063353862

Reading age: 13 years and up

Book 2 A Language of Dragons

Grade level: 8 – 9

 

Publisher’s Blurb:

Rebellion happens in the shadows. In the sequel to the New York Times bestseller A Language of Dragons, language is the greatest weapon in a war between humans and dragons—and one translator has the power to change the world. Perfect for teen fans of Fourth Wing and Babel.

 

Who is Vivien Featherswallow?

 

It’s the question on the lips of every human and dragon in Britannia, and even she doesn’t know the answer. Is she the Swallow, the face of the rebellion against the corrupt government and invading Bulgarian dragons? Is she a brasstongue, a translator on the cusp of discovering a new dragon language? Or is she just Viv, the girl who lost the love of her life after playing spy?

 

Viv isn’t sure, but she knows she has to fight back.

 

Armed with a machine that allows her to listen to dragons’ thoughts, a diary with the clues of a never-before translated dragon tongue, and her own need to avenge her lost love, Viv seeks out the elusive Hebridean Wyverns. If she can find them and convince them to join the war, the rebellion might have a chance.

 

Viv will soon realize that while translation is a weapon, it might not help her on her journey to victory—or to finding herself.

 

My Thoughts:

If you haven’t already read the first book in this trilogy, why on earth not? It’s one of the best fantasy books of 2025. Think…Bletchley Park, but with dragons.

 

Of course, this series is so much more than that. It’s about class, and the power of language, and rebellion. And yes, a little bit about love. But not just romantic love. It’s about love of family, love of heritage, and even love of God.

 

Vivien is a flawed protagonist. She’s done some bad things in order to achieve the success that is expected of her. But she knows she’s done bad things, and she feels deserving of every bad thing that comes her way. She is also naïve about how the world really works. She is quick to judge, assuming that she knows what’s what.

 

With this clearly established, then, Vivien’s growth in understanding and purpose is eminently satisfying. After she inadvertently causes the Peace Agreement between humans and Dragons to be broken, she is sent off to Bletchley Park, to join other gifted teens in an effort to decode the ultrasonic language of dragons. She meets teens with different backgrounds and life experiences, and she begins to realize that her ideas are not always right.

 

One of the best parts for me is her conversations with Atlas, a priest-in-training. Their discussions on the idea of forgiveness, and spending one’s life being better, are lovely.

 

I also enjoyed the ideas about language. Words and word choice are important. Language conveys power, culture, tradition, and so much more that is not directly encoded in the words. As we get into the second book, Williamson also introduces the idea that much of the meaning in a translation comes from the translator, trying to convey the intangibles of one language into another.

 

Consider the irony, then, in today’s Instagram story from Williamson. A French publisher is has fired their translators in favor of using Artificial Intelligence.

 

Book 1 ends on a tragic note. It’s not the only death in the book, but it’s by far the most important one.

 

Book 2 starts with Vivien working hard on a new draconic language, as war rages in England. She still has a habit of making snap judgements, but she also continues to grow and learn, including the most important lesson: that she is more than her abilities.

 

In both of these books, there is a cast of interesting, well-rounded characters. Perhaps the most stock character is the principle antagonist, Prime Minister Wyvernmire.

 

The only reason not to read these books RIGHT NOW is that book two ends on a cliffhanger, and you’ll have to wait another year for the conclusion.

 

Or you can just have the pleasure of reading them again.

 

Possible Objectionable Material:

Minor cursing. Frequent use of the “f” word. Smoking, drinking. One character is gay. It’s war and many—humans and dragons—die. Children are hunted by dragons. Dishonesty. Child abuse—not shown. Families are separated. Classism. Attempted sexual assault. Kissing.

 

Who Might Like These Books:

Those who like stories about dragons, alternate histories, language, dystopian governments.

 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing ARCs in exchange for my honest opinion.

 

#NetGalley #YAbooks #biblioquacious #bookbloger #dragons #ALanguageOfDragons #AWarOfWyverns #trilogy #SFWilliamson #HarperFireBooks

 

 

A Fateless Chosen One

 

Fateless
By Julie Kagawa
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication date: July 15, 2025
Print length: 400 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1335448804
Reading age: 13 - 17 years
Grade level: 7 - 9
 

Publisher’s Blurb:

Deep in the forgotten city of the Deathless Kings, an ancient relic of untold power waits—for one bold enough to steal it.

When seventeen-year-old Sparrow joined the Thieves Guild she made a vow of binding loyalty to their cause. So when a mission comes along from The Circle, a group of mysterious, dangerous beings who control the Thieves Guild from the shadows, Sparrow is determined to cement her place in the guild.

What ensues is a death-defying adventure that has Sparrow and her band of thieves venturing into the heart of the forgotten city of the Deathless King. The fate of Sparrow, her companions, and Raithe, the enigmatic yet alluring assassin Sparrow is forced to join forces with during their quest, all hang in the balance as they find themselves battling ancient forces within the tombs and facing the unwavering hold of fate.

Perfect for fans of Alexandra Bracken and Sabaa Tahir, this new fantasy trilogy from New York Times bestselling author Julie Kagawa will sweep listeners into a bold and exciting new world, where a twisted game of destiny has far-reaching consequences.

 My Thoughts:

This book follows some of the YA fantasy tropes: A chosen one. A romance. Found family. Honestly, the blurb is a little misleading. Sparrow doesn’t lead “a band of thieves” into the underground city, and they actually do very little battling in the tombs. It’s what happens after Sparrow’s quest to the underground city that really matters, and it’s what forces her to run from all she has known and team up with people who become her friends—and more.

 Sparrow has always been taught to count on no one, that the only person she can truly rely on is herself. Her people believe that the fate you are born to cannot be changed. So having to see herself as anything but a thief is a big lift. Luckily, she is able to develop both the humility and the hope to do exactly that.

 There is one thing that bugs me a bit—the romance between Raithe, the equivalent to an elf, who has lived for centuries, and 17-year-old Sparrow. Age gap much?

 This book doesn’t tread a lot of new ground. There are elves and dwarves, although the names of those races are slightly different. There are battles and adventures. But don’t take this to mean that it’s not worth the read. It most definitely is, and I look forward to the next book in the series.

 Possible Objectionable Material:

Mild swearing. Drinking. Fantasy creatures. Stealing. Dark blood magic. Battles, complete with blood, injuries, and death. Kissing.

 Who Might Like This Book:

Anyone who likes the Chosen One trope. Those who like magical realms and adventure.

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

 #Fateless #NetGalley #JulieKagawa #HarperColllins #BookReview #YAFantasy #ChosenOne

The Magic of Tea

 

A Magic Steeped in Poison

The Book of Tea #1

By Judy I. Lin

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (March 29, 2022)

Hardcover: 384 pages

ISBN-10: 1250767083

ISBN-13: 978-1250767080

Reading age: 13 - 18 years

Grade level: 7 – 9

Publisher’s Blurb:

I used to look at my hands with pride. Now all I can think is, "These are the hands that buried my mother."

For Ning, the only thing worse than losing her mother is knowing that it's her own fault. She was the one who unknowingly brewed the poison tea that killed her―the poison tea that now threatens to also take her sister, Shu.

When Ning hears of a competition to find the kingdom's greatest shennong-shi―masters of the ancient and magical art of tea-making―she travels to the imperial city to compete. The winner will receive a favor from the princess, which may be Ning's only chance to save her sister's life.

But between the backstabbing competitors, bloody court politics, and a mysterious (and handsome) boy with a shocking secret, Ning might actually be the one in more danger.

 

My Thoughts:

As with so many young adult fantasy books, this one starts with a character who leaves home in an attempt to redeem herself. Ning feels responsible for the death of her mother and illness of her sister. After all, she’s the one who served them the poisoned tea. When the opportunity comes to compete for a boon from the princess, Ning seizes the chance as a means of saving her sister.

 

Of course it’s not that simple. She’s competing against people with far more experience at tea magic than she has. In fact, she’s not even technically her mother’s apprentice in the art—her sister is. And Ning is from a small province, and is ignorant of the ways of the court, so naturally she finds herself in trouble—more than once!

 

Add in a mysterious—and attractive—young man, and the plot gets even more complicated.

 

Ning’s ignorance and innocence, coupled with her need to save her sister, often cause her to trust the wrong people. She stumbles into court intrigue and ends up facing her own execution, only to be saved at the last minute.

 

I liked Ning as a protagonist. Her combination of self-doubt and determination was endearing.

 

I also loved the idea of tea as a conduit for magic. I don’t like tea—it’s just flavored hot water—but the magic system here was really intriguing. The book is influenced by the author’s Taiwanese culture and mythology.

 

This book is part 1 of a duology. While it’s not exactly a cliffhanger, it definitely leaves you wondering how things will be resolved. Good thing I already have book 2!

 

Possible Objectionable Material:

Violence. Poisoning. A little kissing. Magic. A polytheistic society. Same-gender couples.

 

Who Might Like This Book:

If you like YA fantasy, I see no reason you wouldn’t like this book. If you like stories influenced by East Asian culture, that’s a bonus.

 

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my opinion.

 

A Venom Dark and Sweet

The Book of Tea #2

By Judy I. Lin

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (August 23, 2022)

Hardcover: 352 pages

ISBN-10: 1250767105

ISBN-13: 978-1250767103

Reading age: 13 - 18 years

Grade level: 7 - 9

 

Publisher’s Blurb:

A great evil has come to the kingdom of Dàxi. The Banished Prince has returned to seize power, his rise to the dragon throne aided by the mass poisonings that have kept the people bound in fear and distrust.

Ning, a young but powerful shénnóng-shi―a wielder of magic using the ancient and delicate art of tea-making―has escorted Princess Zhen into exile. Joining them is the princess' loyal bodyguard, Ruyi, and Ning's newly healed sister, Shu. Together the four young women travel throughout the kingdom in search of allies to help oust the invaders and take back Zhen's rightful throne.

But the golden serpent still haunts Ning's nightmares with visions of war and bloodshed. An evil far more ancient than the petty conflicts of men has awoken, and all the magic in the land may not be enough to stop it from consuming the world...

 

My Thoughts:

Picking up from the previous book, this one is told in two points of view: Ning’s first person and Kang’s third-person. I like this, as it gives us the opportunity to see Kang’s conflict more clearly.

 

And he is conflicted. As the adopted child of his soon-to-be-emperor father, he yearns for his father’s approval. But he is not blind to the plotting that takes place to bring his father to the throne. He knows something’s up, and hopes earnestly that his father is not responsible for the poisoned tea that initiated the action of the previous book.

 

Ning is a little less naïve, but nonetheless earnest. Having healed her sister of the poison’s effects, she understands somewhat the evil force behind what is happening, and is determined to fight it, despite her relative insignificance.

 

This is a book of faith in the gods, that they will put a person in the right place to help achieve their ends in the battle against evil. Ning learns to have more confidence in her gifts and in the people she is with.

 

The resolution of the conflict is logical and pleasing as Ning works together with others to bring it about—even though the risks are great.

 

Possible Objectionable Material:

Magic. Multiple gods. Same-gender couples. Violence, none of it graphic.

 

Who Might Like This Book:

Those who like East Asian culture and mythology, fantasy in general.

 

Thank you to the publisher who provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my opinion.

Romance Two Ways

 The Valet’s Secret
By Josi Kilpack
Publisher: Shadow Mountain (March 8, 2022)
Paperback: 288 pages
ISBN-10: 1629729892
ISBN-13: 978-1629729893
 
Publisher’s Blurb:

York, England, 1819

 As a once happily married woman, Rebecca Parker had a good life, but now widowed, working for a living, and her only child grown, she feels invisible, tired, and lonely. That is until the day a valet speeding by on a horse nearly runs her off the road. Mr. Malcolm Henry is apologetic, gentle, and handsome. She’s instantly drawn to him, which is why, rather than stopping him from kissing her, she kisses him back, reigniting a nearly forgotten passion. But love at first sight only happens in fairy tales―never to an ordinary woman like her.

 She sees Mr. Henry again and feels the possibilities growing until, while working in the kitchens during a dinner party, she sees the valet she kissed sitting at the right hand of the baroness. Mr. Henry is not the earl’s valet; he is the heir to the earldom―Kenneth Winterton.

 Heartbroken, angry, and betrayed, Rebecca does not trust Lord Winterton and refuses to accept his apology. But when Lord Winterton proves he is as kind and gentle as “Mr. Henry” was, she finds herself willing to give him a second chance. But will he take a chance on her? He needs a wife to help him in his place in society, and nothing about Rebecca s life does that . . . except how he feels when she is with him.

 Trust, love, loneliness, and passion collide in this story about a man who will risk it all to fight for the woman he loves and a woman who does not believe in fairy tales―until she finds herself living in one.

 My Thoughts:

I. Loved. This. Book.

 If you generally trust my opinion on books and that’s all you need to know, then stop reading and go put it on hold at your library, or buy it at your favorite local bookstore.

 If you want to know more, read on.

 It was so refreshing to read a romance novel about people in their 40s, rather than their late teens/early 20s. People who were both widowed, and didn’t realize how lonely they were until they met someone like them.

 Of course, it wouldn’t be much of a book if Kenneth had been truthful from the beginning. And it wouldn’t have been much of a book if they hadn’t both had social expectations to try to live up to, which of course prevents them from thinking they could be together.

 Thank goodness for meddling old baronesses.

 Near the end, it begins to resemble the “Cinderella” fairy tale, enough that I was quite worried—there wasn’t enough time for a big plot complication and a happy resolution.

 The characters here are well drawn, the dialogue natural, and the plot complications believable. It wasn’t completely without editing issues, but it I read an ARC, so hoping they were fixed by publication time.

 Possible Objectionable Material:

Deception. Loss of spouses. A fair bit of kissing. An abusive parent.

 Who Might Like This Book:

Anyone who enjoys “proper” (i.e., clean) romance, particularly of the regency period. Those who enjoy seeing mature characters fall in love.

 Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my opinion.

 

A Far Wilder Magic
By Allison Saft
Publisher: Wednesday Books (March 8, 2022)
Hardcover: 384 pages
ISBN-10: 1250623650
ISBN-13: 978-1250623652
Reading age: 14 - 18 years
Grade level: 7 – 9
 
Publisher’s Blurb:

When Margaret Welty spots the legendary hala, the last living mythical creature, she knows the Halfmoon Hunt will soon follow. Whoever is able to kill the hala will earn fame and riches, and unlock an ancient magical secret. While Margaret is the best sharpshooter in town, only teams of two can register, and she needs an alchemist.

Weston Winters isn’t an alchemist―yet. He's been fired from every apprenticeship he's landed, and his last chance hinges on Master Welty taking him in. But when Wes arrives at Welty Manor, he finds only Margaret. She begrudgingly allows him to stay, but on one condition: he must join the hunt with her.

Although they make an unlikely team, they soon find themselves drawn to each other. As the hunt looms closer and tensions rise, Margaret and Wes uncover dark magic that could be the key to winning the hunt―if they survive that long.

In A Far Wilder Magic, Allison Saft has written an achingly tender love story set against a deadly hunt in an atmospheric, rich fantasy world that will sweep you away.

 

My Thoughts:

This is not an easy book. It starts a little slow. Several things are unexplained, and we have to do the work to infer their meanings through context. But as the plot gets rolling, the book grabs your attention and forces you to keep going.

 Set in a sort of alternate universe United States (New Albion) in some time around the 1930s-ish, this story of lonely Margaret and ambitious Wes deals with some pretty heavy issues. Wes is the equivalent of an Irish Catholic immigrant, while Margaret’s father was the equivalent of a Jew. And both of those cultures are recipients of hatred, prejudice, and injustice. The story tackles questions of bystanders failing to stand up for the oppressed, and the answers are realistic.

 Wes and Margaret have a pretty typical hate-to-love relationship. Would they have fallen for each other had they not been thrown together by circumstance? Hard to say.

 A lot is made of a traumatic experience Margaret had in her mother’s lab, but when it is revealed exactly what happened, it seems a bit overdone. I mean, I get that her mother was dabbling in some pretty hard-core alchemy, but why was it so traumatizing? That could be better developed.

I do have concerns about the suggested reading level. I teach 9th Grade English. Admittedly, I specifically teach reading intervention. But I think the complexity of the prose here might be a bit inaccessible for the lower end of the recommended demographic.

All in all, I found this a satisfying read.

 Possible Objectionable Material:

Prejudice, racism, killing things, fistfights, swearing (a couple of F words), masturbation, unmarried sex. Parental abandonment. Magic (alchemy). There is a sex scene, but it is not described in detail.

 Who Might Like This Book:

Those who like magic, slow-burn romance, and people who want to change the world—especially when it comes with a dose of social justice.

 Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my opinions.