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Impossible Creatures #2
The Poisoned King
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • THE SECOND BOOK IN THE LANDMARK NEW FANTASY SERIES THAT BEGAN WITH IMPOSSIBLE CREATURES
“Rundell is back with a sequel . . . which offers magical thrills for young readers and adults alike.”—The New York Times
Return to the magic of the Archipelago in the dazzling sequel to the runaway, smash hit Impossible Creatures, hailed as “an instant classic” (Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medal Winner for The One and Only Ivan)!
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 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.
A GOOD HOUSEKEEPING KIDS' BOOK AWARD
“Rundell is back with a sequel . . . which offers magical thrills for young readers and adults alike.”—The New York Times
Return to the magic of the Archipelago in the dazzling sequel to the runaway, smash hit Impossible Creatures, hailed as “an instant classic” (Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medal Winner for The One and Only Ivan)!
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 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.
A GOOD HOUSEKEEPING KIDS' BOOK AWARD
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 11, 2025
657 people are currently reading
12665 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Rundell
41 books2,011 followersKatherine Rundell was born in 1987 and grew up in Africa and Europe. In 2008 she was elected a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford. Her first book, The Girl Savage, was born of her love of Zimbabwe and her own childhood there; her second, Rooftoppers, was inspired by summers working in Paris and by night-time trespassing on the rooftops of All Souls. She is currently working on her doctorate alongside an adult novel.
Source: Katherine Rundell
Source: Katherine Rundell
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 616 reviews
November 24, 2025
The anticipation of a sequel is often more rewarding than when the book finally arrives and doesn't live up to the expectations.. Impossible Creatures was the "must-read' of 2023; a glorious trip into a fantastical world created by Katherine Rundell.
With so many plaudits, it could be easy for an author to be sidetracked from their game and talent and quickly produce a sequel that doesn't have the heart, but Katherine Rundell isn't that type of writer. The Poisoned King is quite simply excellent.
Christopher Forrester is back; this time on a mission to try and understand why dragons are dying- to save them. Back to the Archipelago he travels - time is running out.
But meanwhile other tragedies are taking place: a young princess discovers her grandfather has been poisoned and her father imprisoned for the crime- she needs to save him from death and also prove that another family member is power-hungry and will stop at nothing to gain power- even if it means killing other creatures
So when Christopher and Anya's paths cross they find they need to join resources, knowledge and skills to battle the enemy.
Joined by a sphinx, dragons and magical birds, the two embark on a race against time - battling against a myriad of challenges.
This is book two in a quintet and book three will be published next year. Comparisons have been made to Tolkien, Rowling and Pullman but this is a distinctly Katherine Rundell world. Her prose is spell binding- never playing down to the readership - stretching imaginations through vocabulary and plot
This is another wonderful book for young (and old) - a gripping adventure full of magic, fantasy and Impossible Creatures and one that you can't put down until the final pages.
Undoubtedly another masterpiece in children's fiction - is it too early early to say Children's Fiction Book of 2025?
Very highly recommended
Thank you to Bloomsbury Children's Books and Netgalley fro the advance copy.
With so many plaudits, it could be easy for an author to be sidetracked from their game and talent and quickly produce a sequel that doesn't have the heart, but Katherine Rundell isn't that type of writer. The Poisoned King is quite simply excellent.
Christopher Forrester is back; this time on a mission to try and understand why dragons are dying- to save them. Back to the Archipelago he travels - time is running out.
But meanwhile other tragedies are taking place: a young princess discovers her grandfather has been poisoned and her father imprisoned for the crime- she needs to save him from death and also prove that another family member is power-hungry and will stop at nothing to gain power- even if it means killing other creatures
So when Christopher and Anya's paths cross they find they need to join resources, knowledge and skills to battle the enemy.
Joined by a sphinx, dragons and magical birds, the two embark on a race against time - battling against a myriad of challenges.
This is book two in a quintet and book three will be published next year. Comparisons have been made to Tolkien, Rowling and Pullman but this is a distinctly Katherine Rundell world. Her prose is spell binding- never playing down to the readership - stretching imaginations through vocabulary and plot
This is another wonderful book for young (and old) - a gripping adventure full of magic, fantasy and Impossible Creatures and one that you can't put down until the final pages.
Undoubtedly another masterpiece in children's fiction - is it too early early to say Children's Fiction Book of 2025?
Very highly recommended
Thank you to Bloomsbury Children's Books and Netgalley fro the advance copy.
September 30, 2025
“I have a plethora of scholarly magnificence that will interest you!”
I was so eager to get back to Rundell’s richly imagined fantasy world and very excited to hear that Tandem Collective had invited me along for the journey. Thank you for a fun experience, Tandem, and a beautiful, sprayed edges hardback copy, Tundra Books.
My love of Greek myths and Shakespeare was ignited in this can’t-miss adventure. Rundell has captured the perfect balance of heart-pounding peril and soaring adventure with the warmth of friendship and care. She’s peppered her prose with witty dialogue and jokes, and made sure that the pages are filled with short chapters and beautiful illustrations. This Hamlet-inspired murder plot and the quest to save the dragons is beautifully told and a 5-star addition to this series that’s worth savoring.
I love what Rundell highlighted about:
💚 Courage: “To dare is to lose one’s balance; one’s footing in the world. Not to dare is to lose everything worth having.”
💚 Making room for laughter: “It tasted like a clown had farted into an ocean.” “Very fine. Assuming you enjoy the taste of armpit.” “Holds your undergarmentations!”
💚 Love: “Love is the greatest weapon against the world’s cruelties. Add it to your arsenal.”
💚 “It’s not knowledge itself that is evil. Knowledge can bring ruin on nothing. It is what men choose to do with it that you should fear.”
💚 “Do not let men who are not fit to touch the corner of your shoe decide how you feel about being alive.”
💚 “One of fear’s darkest powers is that it makes murky that which would otherwise be clear. It hides us from ourselves.”
📢 I was excited to hear that there are FIVE books planned for the Impossible Creatures series!
My biggest takeaway: Take shelter behind the magnificence of a dagon, but remember to be your own dragon.
I was so eager to get back to Rundell’s richly imagined fantasy world and very excited to hear that Tandem Collective had invited me along for the journey. Thank you for a fun experience, Tandem, and a beautiful, sprayed edges hardback copy, Tundra Books.
My love of Greek myths and Shakespeare was ignited in this can’t-miss adventure. Rundell has captured the perfect balance of heart-pounding peril and soaring adventure with the warmth of friendship and care. She’s peppered her prose with witty dialogue and jokes, and made sure that the pages are filled with short chapters and beautiful illustrations. This Hamlet-inspired murder plot and the quest to save the dragons is beautifully told and a 5-star addition to this series that’s worth savoring.
I love what Rundell highlighted about:
💚 Courage: “To dare is to lose one’s balance; one’s footing in the world. Not to dare is to lose everything worth having.”
💚 Making room for laughter: “It tasted like a clown had farted into an ocean.” “Very fine. Assuming you enjoy the taste of armpit.” “Holds your undergarmentations!”
💚 Love: “Love is the greatest weapon against the world’s cruelties. Add it to your arsenal.”
💚 “It’s not knowledge itself that is evil. Knowledge can bring ruin on nothing. It is what men choose to do with it that you should fear.”
💚 “Do not let men who are not fit to touch the corner of your shoe decide how you feel about being alive.”
💚 “One of fear’s darkest powers is that it makes murky that which would otherwise be clear. It hides us from ourselves.”
📢 I was excited to hear that there are FIVE books planned for the Impossible Creatures series!
My biggest takeaway: Take shelter behind the magnificence of a dagon, but remember to be your own dragon.
September 10, 2025
The Poisoned King takes us back to the Archipelago. This time we meet Anya Argen, a princess from the island of Dousha. Anya's grandfather is king and her father, Argus, his successor. But neither Argus nor Anya are particularly fond of castle life, unlike Uncle Claude. And, at the castle ball, a murder is committed that leaves Argus in chains and Anya running for her life.
Thankfully Christopher Forrester is back to help out along with Nighthand, Irian Guinne, Naravirala the Sphinx, Claude the Jaculus dragon and a whole host of impossible creatures - new and familiar.
I enjoyed The Poisoned King more than the first part of this series but that's probably because I was familiar with the world of the Archipelago. It is certainly a great follow up to Impossible Creatures.
The chapters are often very short which makes the action feel even more breathless and there's plenty of action. Christopher has eased nto his role as guardian and while Nighthand and Irian are negotiating new feelings, Jacques is still dictating his biography.
There is a bestiary included so you can see what all the creatures look like. I think my favourite was the Chimaera (body of a lion mixed with a goat plus a snake with a wicked sense of humour).
A thoroughly enjoyable sequel to the excellent Impossible Creatures. I look forward to part 3 next year.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Bloomsbury for the advance review copy.
Thankfully Christopher Forrester is back to help out along with Nighthand, Irian Guinne, Naravirala the Sphinx, Claude the Jaculus dragon and a whole host of impossible creatures - new and familiar.
I enjoyed The Poisoned King more than the first part of this series but that's probably because I was familiar with the world of the Archipelago. It is certainly a great follow up to Impossible Creatures.
The chapters are often very short which makes the action feel even more breathless and there's plenty of action. Christopher has eased nto his role as guardian and while Nighthand and Irian are negotiating new feelings, Jacques is still dictating his biography.
There is a bestiary included so you can see what all the creatures look like. I think my favourite was the Chimaera (body of a lion mixed with a goat plus a snake with a wicked sense of humour).
A thoroughly enjoyable sequel to the excellent Impossible Creatures. I look forward to part 3 next year.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Bloomsbury for the advance review copy.
September 18, 2025
Middle grade fantasy. I love the mystery going on in this book. A great second book in this series. I love the dragons in this book and what they brought to the story.
July 3, 2025
I have been so impatient to return to the Archipelago despite the heavy grief after the first instalment. I missed Christopher and Jacques so so much and even though it felt like a bit of an effort to let new characters into my heart, Anya and her gaganas are spectacular and precious. It felt like returning to Narnia: a year had passed and Christopher had created a life in the Outerlands, unable to shake the memories of Mal and everything they did together until a particularly tiny and obnoxious dragon summoned him back into the fray. And all it took at the end was for Christopher's name to be uttered by a certain someone and I started to cry. There is something about the way this world has been built and how deeply you are invited to care about it all.
I love how these books do not shy away from rage and fury and sacrifice and bloodshed, that the main characters might be young but they are full of power and the clearest understanding of how to do what is right.
My only criticisms would be that elements of Anya's character felt a bit cliche and parts of the story felt rushed, not in logic but the pacing was so fast I felt a bit bewildered at times towards the end.
This book was also full of the same deliciously smart and blunt sense of humour that makes it feel like you're part of their world for being able to understand it all. And despite all the dangers and the risk of dramatic death, I loved getting to be a part of their adventure especially when it involves saving dragons and dealing with a malicious member of the royal family.
Thanks to Netgalley for making my day with this arc.
I love how these books do not shy away from rage and fury and sacrifice and bloodshed, that the main characters might be young but they are full of power and the clearest understanding of how to do what is right.
My only criticisms would be that elements of Anya's character felt a bit cliche and parts of the story felt rushed, not in logic but the pacing was so fast I felt a bit bewildered at times towards the end.
This book was also full of the same deliciously smart and blunt sense of humour that makes it feel like you're part of their world for being able to understand it all. And despite all the dangers and the risk of dramatic death, I loved getting to be a part of their adventure especially when it involves saving dragons and dealing with a malicious member of the royal family.
Thanks to Netgalley for making my day with this arc.
December 6, 2025
This was a fast-paced and action filled sequel. The characters and world building were fun.
September 21, 2025
I didn’t love this one as much as the first one, but I’m not really loving any fantasy books right now. I probably will re-read this when I am in the mood for a fantasy book and will love it…🤷🏻♀️
October 4, 2025
Not quite as enjoyable for an adult reader as "Impossible Creatures," but still a very solid performance for its actual intended audience of middle grade readers.
September 19, 2025
Katherine Rundell's follow-up to Impossible Creatures is The Poisoned King. As a sequel, it is shorter and leaner, but it still captures the magic of the first book and extends it.
The Impossible Creatures books thus far feel like a positive, delightful mosaic of many of the themes and adventures to be found within both Madeline L'Engle's Time Quintet (starting with A Wrinkle in Time) and the Harry Potter series.
As a side note, I did not expect Rundell to make a case for republicans who see the logical fallacies (if not downright silliness) of any monarchy.
Recommended. And it was a lovely book to read as my 800th documented read on this site.
The Impossible Creatures books thus far feel like a positive, delightful mosaic of many of the themes and adventures to be found within both Madeline L'Engle's Time Quintet (starting with A Wrinkle in Time) and the Harry Potter series.
As a side note, I did not expect Rundell to make a case for republicans who see the logical fallacies (if not downright silliness) of any monarchy.
Recommended. And it was a lovely book to read as my 800th documented read on this site.
December 15, 2025
I enjoyed this as much as the first one, I didnt even miss Mal as much as I thought I would, a lovely story that I read in a day and a half and had a great time. Katherine Rundell might write childrens stories but she writes with a magic that can capture the heart of any age if we let her. And we were all children once. Im not afraid at 52 years of age to say that I adore Impossible creatures and look forward to The Neverfear next year. Come join me.
September 28, 2025
4.5 rounded up
Another whimsical story in a great fantasy world.
Another whimsical story in a great fantasy world.
September 2, 2025
Loved book 1, this wasn't it.
The start was promising. Christopher was a great character but Anya just didn't work for me. We got chapters and chapters of trying to make us care and I just wanted Christopher.
Also, I may be misremembering how book 1 was written, but the prose was so off. It didn't read like middle grade at all.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC
The start was promising. Christopher was a great character but Anya just didn't work for me. We got chapters and chapters of trying to make us care and I just wanted Christopher.
Also, I may be misremembering how book 1 was written, but the prose was so off. It didn't read like middle grade at all.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC
December 13, 2025
4.5 stars.
this world is so completely charming. soon to be a children’s classic series
this world is so completely charming. soon to be a children’s classic series
September 11, 2025
I enjoyed this book it’s part of series had a nice flow
Blurb
I enjoyed this book I couldn’t put it down
Blurb
When Christopher Forrester is unexpectedly woken by a miniature dragon chewing on his face, his heart leaps for joy. For months he's dreamed of returning to the Archipelago – the secret islands where all the creatures of myth still live. But he did not know it would involve a rescue mission on the back of a sphinx, or a plan to enter a dragon's lair. Nor did he imagine it would involve a girl with a flock of birds at her side, a new-hatched chick in her pocket and a ravenous hunger for justice...
Blurb
I enjoyed this book I couldn’t put it down
Blurb
When Christopher Forrester is unexpectedly woken by a miniature dragon chewing on his face, his heart leaps for joy. For months he's dreamed of returning to the Archipelago – the secret islands where all the creatures of myth still live. But he did not know it would involve a rescue mission on the back of a sphinx, or a plan to enter a dragon's lair. Nor did he imagine it would involve a girl with a flock of birds at her side, a new-hatched chick in her pocket and a ravenous hunger for justice...
September 13, 2025
HOLY COW!!!!!! In this sequel to the hit book Impossible creatures, we follow the new character Anya, Koo, and her multiple Gagana’s, from the page I read “the king was poisoned” it had me hooked, it had me guessing and thinking “what will they do now??” I could not put this book down!!!!! I loved it because it was magical, and just awesome!!! 100000000000/10 definitely a million stars but I can’t put that many!! So five stars!!! I highly recommend this!!!
October 23, 2025
Just as cute as the first! It was even better since I got to see Katharine talk about the book and get mine signed! Can’t wait for the third!
September 19, 2025
“Christopher, take notes! I am about to astonish you!”
Another stunning journey into the world of the archipelago. This felt like reading Narnia, with the Pevensey children receiving the call from their beloved land to go back in its aide.
This story still features Christopher, the archipelago’s protective, but with a new mission - to save the dragons who are dying out. But when he arrives back on the islands, he ends up saving a young princess from being murdered by her uncle’s goons (after he murdered his own father). And soon realize that their missions align.
Beautiful, adventurous, occasionally funny, charming and dark - I so appreciate that Katherine Rundell has complete faith in her young readers to go along on the journey with her.
Another stunning journey into the world of the archipelago. This felt like reading Narnia, with the Pevensey children receiving the call from their beloved land to go back in its aide.
This story still features Christopher, the archipelago’s protective, but with a new mission - to save the dragons who are dying out. But when he arrives back on the islands, he ends up saving a young princess from being murdered by her uncle’s goons (after he murdered his own father). And soon realize that their missions align.
Beautiful, adventurous, occasionally funny, charming and dark - I so appreciate that Katherine Rundell has complete faith in her young readers to go along on the journey with her.
Want to read
May 13, 2025Super excited for this to come out
November 17, 2025
This is a charming book, full of dragons and other magical creatures, villains and danger for the heroine, bravery and my favorite theme: good vs. evil.
Christopher (who we apparently met in Book #1, which I have not read yet) receives a message from a tiny dragon that the dragons in the Archipelago are dying, and no one knows why. Christopher has been summoned through the waybetween to the Archipelago to save them.
In the meantime, Anya is a princess of Dousha, an island at the south of the Archipelago. Her grandfather is king, but until she and her father were summoned to live at the castle, they lived in the forest, friends with the gaganas (magical birds) and tending the plants that her father loved. But her father is next in line to the throne, and has therefore been summoned, so they must go. Anya doesn't enjoy dressing up and minding her manners, but she must, until her world is upended and she flees, saved just in time by Christopher on a flying ... sphinx??
Thus begin the dual adventures of Christopher and Anya as they try to stop the dire events in the castle while at the same time, finding a cure for the dying dragons of the Archipelago.
There is all the adventure one could wish for in a book apparently written for children, but which I thoroughly enjoyed. For me, it was very much a cross between Harry Potter and "The Princess Bride" -- so it was everything I could hope for in a fantasy! I will happily read "Impossible Creatures" to learn Christopher's back story. 5 full stars.
Christopher (who we apparently met in Book #1, which I have not read yet) receives a message from a tiny dragon that the dragons in the Archipelago are dying, and no one knows why. Christopher has been summoned through the waybetween to the Archipelago to save them.
In the meantime, Anya is a princess of Dousha, an island at the south of the Archipelago. Her grandfather is king, but until she and her father were summoned to live at the castle, they lived in the forest, friends with the gaganas (magical birds) and tending the plants that her father loved. But her father is next in line to the throne, and has therefore been summoned, so they must go. Anya doesn't enjoy dressing up and minding her manners, but she must, until her world is upended and she flees, saved just in time by Christopher on a flying ... sphinx??
Thus begin the dual adventures of Christopher and Anya as they try to stop the dire events in the castle while at the same time, finding a cure for the dying dragons of the Archipelago.
There is all the adventure one could wish for in a book apparently written for children, but which I thoroughly enjoyed. For me, it was very much a cross between Harry Potter and "The Princess Bride" -- so it was everything I could hope for in a fantasy! I will happily read "Impossible Creatures" to learn Christopher's back story. 5 full stars.
October 6, 2025
In The Poisoned King, Christopher is summoned back to the Archipelago to aid a dying species. In his quest, he crosses paths with Anya Argen, the vengeful princess of Dousha. As it turns out, their goals aren’t entirely different from one another, so they team up and their journey takes off from there!
Emulating the first book, The Poisoned King is fast-paced, action-packed, told in 3rd person, and accompanied by more gorgeous art (I am particularly fond of The Guardian’s Bestiary at the back)!
*note: I do maintain that this series is more on the mature side of middle grade as it contains violence and death.
What a thrilling new adventure! I really felt Rundell did the world of The Glimouria Archipelago justice in this sequel! Still full of the whimsy and adventure that book one offered!! Plus notes on friendship, loyalty and hope that Rundell does so well!
I especially loved the commentary on politics and on societal expectations— I didn’t expect it to be so thought provoking!
I also loved that beloved characters from book one made appearances as well: team Neverfear, Jacques, the kankos!! And I loved the new characters we got to meet: the gaganas, Meri, Argus!! Such a special cast!
Though I found this sequel to be much more predictable this time around (and a touch cheesy at times), I loved the writing, the journey and the messaging! Would highly highly recommend!
Thank you to Tandem Collective for having me on #ThePoisonedKingReadalong!! And to Tundra Books for my gorgeous copy! 🫶 To Katherine Rundell, apparently you don’t miss— I was skeptical at first (not all sequels are as good as the first), but book two exceeded my expectations! 👏
#tundrabooks #tandemreadalong AD-PR PRODUCT
Emulating the first book, The Poisoned King is fast-paced, action-packed, told in 3rd person, and accompanied by more gorgeous art (I am particularly fond of The Guardian’s Bestiary at the back)!
*note: I do maintain that this series is more on the mature side of middle grade as it contains violence and death.
What a thrilling new adventure! I really felt Rundell did the world of The Glimouria Archipelago justice in this sequel! Still full of the whimsy and adventure that book one offered!! Plus notes on friendship, loyalty and hope that Rundell does so well!
I especially loved the commentary on politics and on societal expectations— I didn’t expect it to be so thought provoking!
I also loved that beloved characters from book one made appearances as well: team Neverfear, Jacques, the kankos!! And I loved the new characters we got to meet: the gaganas, Meri, Argus!! Such a special cast!
Though I found this sequel to be much more predictable this time around (and a touch cheesy at times), I loved the writing, the journey and the messaging! Would highly highly recommend!
Thank you to Tandem Collective for having me on #ThePoisonedKingReadalong!! And to Tundra Books for my gorgeous copy! 🫶 To Katherine Rundell, apparently you don’t miss— I was skeptical at first (not all sequels are as good as the first), but book two exceeded my expectations! 👏
#tundrabooks #tandemreadalong AD-PR PRODUCT
December 19, 2025
Secondo capitolo della saga "Creature impossibili" di Katherine Rundell, autrice inglese spesso paragonata alla Rowling.
In questo libro ritroviamo Chistopher, il giovane guardiano della Via di Mezzo, che ritorna nell'Arcipelago per scoprire cosa sta succedendo ai draghi che stanno morendo senza una ragione.
Durante questo viaggio incontra Anya, una giovane principessa, che deve salvare il padre accusato dell'omicidio del re, suo nonno.
Fra i due ragazzi si instaura un rapporto di amicizia, fiducia e solidarietà, un legame molto forte che li unisce fino all'inaspettato epilogo.
È un'avventura appassionante e ricca di emozioni. Consigliato a chi ha voglia di immergersi in un mondo fantastico pieno di creature magiche e meraviglia.
In questo libro ritroviamo Chistopher, il giovane guardiano della Via di Mezzo, che ritorna nell'Arcipelago per scoprire cosa sta succedendo ai draghi che stanno morendo senza una ragione.
Durante questo viaggio incontra Anya, una giovane principessa, che deve salvare il padre accusato dell'omicidio del re, suo nonno.
Fra i due ragazzi si instaura un rapporto di amicizia, fiducia e solidarietà, un legame molto forte che li unisce fino all'inaspettato epilogo.
È un'avventura appassionante e ricca di emozioni. Consigliato a chi ha voglia di immergersi in un mondo fantastico pieno di creature magiche e meraviglia.
October 15, 2025
There is nothing in this world like being woken up by a 3 inch dragon clinging to your nostril, demanding the respect it deserves, and that you get yourself up and return to a magical world. For Christopher Forrester it is, if not exactly expected, to be conceived of.
What a delight to reenter Rundell’s world. The tone and magic felt encompassing. I Believe the audio reader’s voice added to the magic. There is new danger in the Archipelago and a new protagonist to champion, Anya. A reluctant princess with major family problems. We get more Jacques, the best of dragons, across all worlds - just ask him.
I love every minute of my time here. I will say the evil in the book lacks nuance, but that is not a problem with books for younger readers. Rundell meets them right where they are.
What a delight to reenter Rundell’s world. The tone and magic felt encompassing. I Believe the audio reader’s voice added to the magic. There is new danger in the Archipelago and a new protagonist to champion, Anya. A reluctant princess with major family problems. We get more Jacques, the best of dragons, across all worlds - just ask him.
I love every minute of my time here. I will say the evil in the book lacks nuance, but that is not a problem with books for younger readers. Rundell meets them right where they are.
October 26, 2025
This is the best series I’ve ever read. I love everything about it.
October 22, 2025
"She must be her own dragon now."
July 6, 2025
always worry that a sequel will not be as good as the first book. Poisoned King is just as good as Impossible Creatures. The storyline has a different arc with Princess Anya instead of Mal. Christopher goes back to the Archipelago at the summons of Jacques because the dragons are dying. In the process he finds that he needs ot prevent Anya's death. Nighthand and Irian return in this story to again assist Christopher. I am excited to share this with my book club students when it releases.
November 26, 2025
Beautiful, spectacular, stunning book. Anya is such a compelling & amazing character. All the richness & beauty & profoundness of the first book was multiplied many times over in this one.
I noticed this in Impossible Creatures as well as The Poisoned King: the books read as if the author truly, and deeply, was in love with the story, world, and characters when she wrote them. I do NOT often read books where it feels like the author is in love with their stories, but I absolutely see it in the Impossible Creatures series. It is such a beautiful thing, to read something that was so loved by its creator. So much about these two books are so fantastically different from most other books I read. There is truly a sense of utter beauty in them. I will be recommending this series for a very long time.
I noticed this in Impossible Creatures as well as The Poisoned King: the books read as if the author truly, and deeply, was in love with the story, world, and characters when she wrote them. I do NOT often read books where it feels like the author is in love with their stories, but I absolutely see it in the Impossible Creatures series. It is such a beautiful thing, to read something that was so loved by its creator. So much about these two books are so fantastically different from most other books I read. There is truly a sense of utter beauty in them. I will be recommending this series for a very long time.
August 16, 2025
I had hoped I would like this more than I did, that it would build more on the plot of the first in the series. The creatures and the world Rundell has created are fascinating. I love the very small dragon, Jacques. But this felt a bit like a too-rich dessert to me. The lyrical style of writing, while beautiful, kept me one step removed from the characters, while the plot left me unsatisfied. In both books in the series, an individual villain is defeated, but I didn't have any reason to think that overcoming the villain in this story really mattered for the world as a whole. I don't have a strong motivation to read future series entries.
Review based on a DRC received through NetGalley.
Review based on a DRC received through NetGalley.
October 26, 2025
Having loved the first book in the Impossible Creatures series, I was really excited for this one. Sadly it missed the mark slightly for me, I didn’t feel the emotional connection I felt first time round and, even for middle grade fiction, I thought the story lacked complexity and the characters were bland. Not sure if I will read more in the series.
September 14, 2025
Sometimes books don’t live up to the hype. A flight of dragons could drop from the sky bearing copies of this book in their flaming jaws and it would feel an appropriate level of hype. Ratatoskas should herald its arrival across the archipelago.
The Poisoned King is an exceptional sequel. I’ve just put it down and feel like I can finally breathe, after dabbing the tears from my eyes.
I loved book one although it broke my heart several times and led me to read this with trepidation. Katherine Rundell never stays clear of difficult moments and shows the full range of human- and other species’- emotions. I loved how Rundell’s child characters are complex; full of heart and courage of all sorts; and not reliant on adults. Which is often just as well.
That said, Nighthand and Irian Guinne are as wonderful as ever and are involved in some interesting side plots with epic potential, but the best scenes are stolen by Gallia and Koo (royal Gagana birds) and the beloved, diminuitive dragon, Jacques, whose pomposity matches his pride, matches his loyalty and devotion.
There is plenty of epic action. There be dragons and some cameos by some incredible, impossible creatures. There’s the same emotional heft as the first book, but also the same threads of humour and light that mean you do not succomb to despair!
In this series, Katherine Rundell shows us that we vould all become guardians as brave as Christopher and Anya, and Mal Arvorian before them, to save the wonders of our world. Her writing is witty, precise and conjures up awe in the scenes she presents. Rundell is a passionate advocate for children’s literacy and access to books & references to reading, libraries and children’s literature are abundant throughout this series.
The Poisoned King is an exceptional sequel. I’ve just put it down and feel like I can finally breathe, after dabbing the tears from my eyes.
I loved book one although it broke my heart several times and led me to read this with trepidation. Katherine Rundell never stays clear of difficult moments and shows the full range of human- and other species’- emotions. I loved how Rundell’s child characters are complex; full of heart and courage of all sorts; and not reliant on adults. Which is often just as well.
That said, Nighthand and Irian Guinne are as wonderful as ever and are involved in some interesting side plots with epic potential, but the best scenes are stolen by Gallia and Koo (royal Gagana birds) and the beloved, diminuitive dragon, Jacques, whose pomposity matches his pride, matches his loyalty and devotion.
There is plenty of epic action. There be dragons and some cameos by some incredible, impossible creatures. There’s the same emotional heft as the first book, but also the same threads of humour and light that mean you do not succomb to despair!
In this series, Katherine Rundell shows us that we vould all become guardians as brave as Christopher and Anya, and Mal Arvorian before them, to save the wonders of our world. Her writing is witty, precise and conjures up awe in the scenes she presents. Rundell is a passionate advocate for children’s literacy and access to books & references to reading, libraries and children’s literature are abundant throughout this series.
September 6, 2025
I adored middle grade fantasy novel Impossible Creatures last year, and I’m happy to say I loved this sequel too! If you’re not familiar with the series, it’s set in a fantasy world full of magical creatures that can be accessed through a few points in our world, as Christopher discovered in the last book. This book picks up a year after Impossible Creatures ended, when Christopher is summoned back to the Archipelago to help the dying dragons. This one also introduces a new character, Anya, a young princess of an island kingdom who finds herself in trouble when her grandfather is murdered and her dad accused. Christopher and Anya team up to help solve both problems, along the way encountering both characters and creatures old and new.
Once again, it was a fabulous adventure story, and once again it got me to cry before the book ended! I mostly don’t read middle grade any more as both of my kids aged out of it, but there are certain books that are so wonderful they can be enjoyed just as much by a solo adult reader - and these books are that kind! So while I also highly recommend to kids maybe 8+ and their parents (there is some heavy stuff in both), I also recommend to adults with or without children who love old school fantasy. Maybe even deserving to be discussed in the same breath as Harry Potter or Percy Jackson. And I hope there will be a sequel!
4.25 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my e-ARC (out 9/11/25); all opinions are my own.
Once again, it was a fabulous adventure story, and once again it got me to cry before the book ended! I mostly don’t read middle grade any more as both of my kids aged out of it, but there are certain books that are so wonderful they can be enjoyed just as much by a solo adult reader - and these books are that kind! So while I also highly recommend to kids maybe 8+ and their parents (there is some heavy stuff in both), I also recommend to adults with or without children who love old school fantasy. Maybe even deserving to be discussed in the same breath as Harry Potter or Percy Jackson. And I hope there will be a sequel!
4.25 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my e-ARC (out 9/11/25); all opinions are my own.
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