The Neverfear

Impossible Creatures #3

by Katherine Rundell

The highly anticipated third book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Impossible Creatures series.

Join Christopher for a daring adventure involving a kidnapping, giants, a deadly race, and a shadowy new threat to the Glimouria Archipelago.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens, Animals, Audiobook, Adventure

Audible Audio

First published September 1, 2026

About the author

Katherine 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

Reviews

[Stephen the Bookworm]

" I asked what he required, and he said : loyalty. I should have known even then: it is the virtue most prized by thugs."

Terror is crossing the Glimouria Archipelago; a group of thieves- the Astorians- is spreading fear across the islands. Their leader Astor Morax demands respect and controls through evil ; the power of snakes and a mysterious Tiger. They need to be stopped and what is their goal?

A new Katherine Rundell read is always to be looked forward to and this third book in the Impossible Creatures series is another superb story combining adventure, fantastical creatures, a peppering of humour and our two fearless heroes- Christoper Forrester and Anya Argen .

When their friend Irian Guinne is kidnapped, the two children accompanied by Jacques the dragon and Ratwin the ratatoska embark on an adventure to save her. Travelling on the ship the Neverfear, they are challenged with three Herculean tasks; retrieving whiskers from a three headed dog; taking the belt from the body of a pirate king and tracking down a golden apple protected by a serpent.

Crossing islands, encountering an array of incredible beasts and battling against time ( there is a race which is simply brilliant) the two children face disaster as the bandits get closer to their goal. This is a story of treachery, loyalty and overcoming evil.

It is the richness of Katherine Rundell's imagination, the magical plot and the power of the vocabulary within these stories that make them head and shoulders above many other fantasy adventures. Already a modern classic, this series is getting better and better.

Perfect bedtime reading for 9 yr olds -adults, a great class read or one to shared with young and old. The Neverfear is another edge of the seat read.

I'm already looking forward to Book 4.

Highly recommended but do read the series in order for best impact.... A masterclass in children's fantasy literature.

Thank you to Bloomsbury Children's Books and NetGalley for the advance copy .

[Sawyer Czlapinski]

Thank you to Random House Children's Books for sending me the arc for The neverfear. This book will make you wonder what will happen next, you’ll gasp, get mad, or sad, and genuinely wanna not put this down, this book makes you feel the magic, so overall I loved this. Just amazing!

[David Shepherd]

I’ll open by saying that The Neverfear is a book that again reminds us how children’s literature, at its finest, can speak just as powerfully to adults.

We are taken back to the magical fantasy world of Archipelago for the third episode of Katherine Rundell’s latest episode of Impossible Creatures.

The story has her characteristic combination of lyrical prose and thrilling adventure. She has fashioned a story in which courage is neither innate nor effortless. It is something that is forged through uncertainty, loss, and hope. Her narrative, through her characters, shows the conviction that imagination is not an escape from reality but a means of better understanding it more deeply.

Katherine Rundell’s language is luminous without becoming ornamental. I’ve read her two previous novels in this universe and she continues to demonstrate an extraordinary gift for finding fresh metaphors that illuminate both the natural world and the inner lives of her characters. Descriptions of the landscapes are rendered with almost tactile precision; moments of danger are balanced by passages of reflection that give the narrative emotional depth.

What distinguishes The Neverfear from many conventional adventure stories is its moral seriousness. It doesn’t celebrate fearless heroism; rather, the novel explores vulnerability as a source of strength, suggesting that true bravery lies in acting despite fear rather than in its absence. I seem to recall hearing somewhere that you need to know fear to show bravery and courage. It is facing the fear that is the key element for demonstrating these qualities.

The relationships between the central characters (Christopher and Anya, Nighthand and Irian) are equally compelling, shaped by loyalty, sacrifice, and a profound sense of mutual responsibility.

Although the opening chapters ask readers to surrender themselves to an unfamiliar world, Katherine Rundell rewards that trust with a narrative that grows steadily richer and deeper.

Criticisms? The only thing I would say is that as the series progresses, there doesn’t seem to be an overall campaign plot moving the story onward. Each instalment seems like a separate episode in the Archipelago rather than a step forward in an overall saga. That being said, the reader does need to be familiar with the previous instalments as the characters are developed as the series progresses and references are made to previous events.

The final movements in the story are exhilarating and deeply moving, leaving an emotional afterglow that lingers beyond the final page. They also leave unanswered questions, hopefully to be resolved in the next instalment…so maybe we are going to get a reveal in the next episode that ties things together.

In summary, The Neverfear is an elegant, humane, and beautifully crafted work that continues to confirm Katherine Rundell as one of the most accomplished writers of contemporary fiction for young (or older!) readers. It’s a joy to read, as are the previous two books. I’ll be looking forward to the next chapter in 2027.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for the ARC and chance to read and review The Neverfear. As always, the review is based on my opinions and not influenced by NetGalley or the publisher. It would be good to have the illustrations in the ARC rather than having to refer to the books on my shelf.

[Ryan]

4.5/5

[Skye Elder]

Never in my life have I read a book that made me cry, laugh, frustrated, worried, squeal out loud, and literally any emotion you can think of, until I read this book.
First of all: THE PLOT!!?!!!!?!? OMG it was so surprising and yet expected at the same time!! I literally gasped out loud.
And then the characters were just amazing(maybe not the Astorians)and I loved the character development+the secrets that were discovered at the end!
And the storyline is just perfect!
And literally “Happy days,” as Argus Argen said, echoed in my head as I read the final pages to this book.
LOVED reading this! and literally cannot wait till the fourth one comes out!
Definitely would recommend reading this, but just make sure your schedule is clear!

[katayoun Masoodi]

i like these people and this world and really like the writing. though be warned that this is definitely middle grade and the goods and the bad are clearly defined. so a fun adventure, in a fun world

[Mimi Schweid]

AHHHH, my pre-order arrived on release day!!! AHHH. I know I have library books I need to focus on but ahhhhhhhhhh.

Alright, let's goooo. Can't wait to have my heart destroyed by yet another Impossible Creatures
book!!

Full RTC.

"The only thing stronger than fear is love, unceasingly and excellently given, and today we celebrate that love. We remember today that there is no such thing as too much joy."

This book was such an exciting story. I truly love how this store doesn't pull punches. I'm so excited for what's to come next.

[Batya’s Books]

Rundell transports us back to the magical world of the Archipelago in the 3rd installment of Impossible Creatures. As always, the book is full of adventure and wit, both flatulent and erudite.

While I enjoyed this installment, as with the second book, I found myself wondering what the connection between the books is, as there does not seem to be an overall plot moving the books forward. Though the adventure was fast-paced, and though I truly adore Rundell’s writing, the lack of clear motivation for the plot made it difficult for me to motivate myself to keep reading. The books read more like disconnected adventures in the Archipelago rather than a coherent storyline.

Nonetheless, I’m sure my daughter will enjoy this new installment just as much as the first two, and that we will remain loyal readers for years to come.

[Tom]

Whats there to say ? Katherine writes lovely childrens tales but stories where even adults can become children again for a while

[JC]

Combination of audio (Audible) and physical (owned hardcover). Reading these books makes me feel like a kid again, in the best way possible. With the second book, I found myself comparing it to the first (which was better?), but now I don't even wonder which is my favorite...I genuinely love them all equally. Highly recommend if you love animals and beautiful, creative storytelling.

[Cole Plunkett]

I say this every time, and I will keep saying it: Rundell is an absolute master of her craft. I feel so lucky to get to read these books as they are coming out before they inevitably become children’s classics. I’m FURIOUS that I must wait another year for the next one

[Nate Hipple]

It was good, but not particularly interesting or original enough to ever slip into great. Well, except for the Barnes and Noble edition. That cover with those printed edges and illustrations? Absolutely gorgeous.

[Brian]

Audiobook narration 'saves' these. Pretty well written and short, easy reads, but has to be one of the most derivative, unoriginal book series made.

[Chelsea]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy

The Neverfear by Katherine Rundell is the third in the third person-POV middle grade epic fantasy series Impossible Creatures.

Christopher and Anya feel slightly more mature than they did in the last book, but still feel like middle grade protagonists. There is no point where any details felt like it tipped into YA territory and every theme (including grief and failure) is at an age appropriate level for most middle grade readers. As the series continues, I think it is fair to expect it to grow up with its readers at least a little bit, but I don't think it will ever leave middle grade territory.

There are several references to Greek myths, including Hercules and Hippolyta, which is great timing for the release of the Odyssey film directed by Christopher Nolan. While this wouldn't sit next to any Greek myth retellings, it could sit on a display of books that have those references at school libraries. The myths are explained more than classic German fairy tales that are brought up, but not in great detail, creating a kind of middle ground that won't bore readers who are familiar with those stories while not leaving readers who are completely unfamiliar with them in the dark.

As with the previous books, the focus is a lot more on the adventure rather than worldbuilding or characters. Anya and Christopher feel fleshed out, but there isn't a ton of internal monologue and information about them comes up mostly when needed. The young readers who gravitate more towards that classic style will continue to be happy with the series while readers who heavily prefer internal monologue might struggle with this a bit. The distance of the prose itself, both in terms of how much we see of the characters’ interiority and how much the reader is held back in general, would serve a classroom setting well to showcase the pros and cons of different writing styles and why authors might pick one over the others.

I would recommend this to young readers who love big adventure stories and educators looking for different styles of books to put in their classroom libraries

[Skip]

Characterized as the final book in the Impossible Creatures trilogy. Christopher has grown more powerful, able to communicate mind-to-mind with magical creatures in the Glimouria Archipelago. But masked bandits are torching villages and killing animals on various islands. During an ambush on Glimt, the scholar Irian Guinne is kidnapped by forces loyal to the malevolent Morax, who seeks to control the child Immortal. To rescue Irian, Christopher and former princess Anya Argen must complete three impossible tasks demanded by her captors and not alert her mate, Fidens Nighthand. Ratwin, Jacques the tiny Jaculus dragon and they set sail take the Neverfear. Their quest involves some of the of the Labors of Hercules, facing grave danger. The journey forces Christopher to develop as a strategist and Anya to step up as a fierce warrior to face a three-headed Cerberus, obtain a gold apply, win a dastardly race, and pluck a feather from a firebird, and ultimately protect the Immortal from Morax when Nighthand leaves to rescue Irian from a vengeful Carla Venasque.

[Eve Pen]

Rating - I could rate this anywhere between a 3 and a 4, but I always round down, so 3 it is.
Fans of Impossible Creatures rejoice! Rundell has returned with a third novel, the Neverfear.

Plot Summary:
Christopher and Anya embark on yet another adventure, this time to rescue their mentor, who has been kidnapped by an unknown captor. They must complete several Herculean tasks to get her back. There are several plot lines going on at the same time: Christopher & Anya's, Irian's, and Fidens Nighthand's.

Thoughts:
- I found Christopher to be a bit insufferable in the beginning. It seemed like he thought of himself as Anya's knight in shining armor and was always asking to do tasks for her, when she was perfectly capable herself. By the end of the book though, he seems to realize what a talented warrior she is.
- I couldn't tell that Christopher and Anya were close friends. They didn't appear to interact very much other than what was necessary for their mission. I wish there had been some meaningful conversations between them or even just some banter.
- also, all the characters mostly optimistically marched towards their death? And everything coincidentally seemed to work for them.

Positives:
I admire Rundell's ability to go from sweet to dark so quickly. One minute you're at a party, and the next someone's being tortured.
- Katherine Rundell's world-building is top-tier. I love when authors create new traditions, foods, and culture for their world and this book does just that. I also adored all of the food descriptions (even some of the questionable dishes).

- I thought some aspects of it were very predictable, but I'm older than the target audience, so it may work for middle grade readers.

Overall, I think Rundell crafted a compelling and immersive world, but the characters and plot fell a bit flat. I still enjoyed it though!

Thank you to Random House Children's Books for providing me with an advance reading copy of this book via Netgalley!

[Michelle (Bamamele.reads)]

Thanks so much to PRHAudio for the free audiobook. All opinions are my own.

I just absolutely adore this series. It’s Middle Grade that’s seriously perfect for all ages. In every single book I get emotional and teary. The danger, the action, the heart, the characters, and the creatures are all just so amazingly well done. It’s beautiful, and just squeezes my heart in the best way. I thought this might be the last book, but sounds like we’re getting another one next year!

I also can’t recommend the audio enough. Samuel West does such a fantastic job with all the characters, and I particularly love his creature voices. lol though this is the rare occasion I want to listen at over 2x.

[Leslie Penka]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book has become a cherished part of my son and me’s reading journey. Every single book in the series has received a five-star rating from him, and I wholeheartedly agree.

This installment was particularly thrilling, with high stakes and an action-packed plot that kept us on the edge of our seats.

I can’t express enough how much I love this series.

I wholeheartedly recommend it and will be purchasing a physical copy to add to my collection of the books I already own from the series.

[Emily]

I will truly never get over the loss of Mal Arvorian in the first book, and I think because of her, no book in this series will top the first for me. Also, in my opinion, the first book was less plot-driven and more prose-driven, and the subsequent books have been much more plot heavy.

That being said, I really, really love Ratwin and Jacques, and of course Irian and Nighthand 😍😍😍 and I love being in this world with these characters. It’s gonna kill me to wait until 2028 for the next one, but I hope that means it’s gonna be amazing ❤️

[Audrey]

The third book in the Impossible Creatures middle grade fantasy series, about a hidden archipelago containing the world's magic and its magical creatures, continues to build on the very solid foundation established in books 1 and 2. Main character Christopher continues to grow, and in this one, some established secondary characters, particularly the continuing deuteragonist from the previous book, Anya, get great chances to shine. I think I enjoy each book in this series more than the one before it.

[Emily]

Another fun addition to the series. I was feeling a little let down by this book, but the last quarter or so saved it for me and I was happy! There is also the promise of a 4th book.

Content-wise, this story is fine if you were good with the previous two!

“Bloody hell”
“Damn” (once)
“My arse” x2

One content item of note below (slight spoiler)…
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
A man has a snake slithering around under his skin, and it eventually shoots out of his mouth.

[Renee]

Love this author's unique storytelling voice, the lyrical writing, the humor, the embedded wisdom, and the unforgettable characters---especially the savvy animal companions. AND I was happy to hear the announcement that this is not the end of a trilogy, but that book #4 is coming out in 2028! . . . Also, it seems the delay is because Katherine Rundell is writing the screenplays for the 1st two movies in the Disney movie series. (No release dates yet!)

[Trigger Warning Database]

Trigger & Content Warnings

Alcohol consumption mentioned
Body horror & loss of autonomy (possession)
Fantasy violence & fight scenes, including hand-to-hand combat & sword violence
Kidnapping & captivity with threats of drowning & starvation
Animal self-injury (consensual horn removal for magic)
Animal attack (tiger, snake, mouse)

[Scott]

This book series continues to be fantastic. Out of the 3 so far this one is the most adventurous of the bunch, but that doesn't stop it from producing a lot of heart. Very interested to see where this series goes next.

[Sarah Abbey]

Another delightful read. This series is so good.

[Laura]

I love the characters in this series! The world Rundell has created is truly magical. As I think I've said with the other books, I wish they were longer!

[Kyra Dawkins]

4.25 stars

This series never ceases to fill me with wonder. The first book is still my favorite, but this was beautifully crafted.✨

[NrsKelley]

I just absolutely love these books. I know they are published for children but I find myself sucked into them as well. I sat down and read this one in under 3 hours. I’m looking forward to continuing to read anything by Katherine Rundell.

[Sarah Street]

I’m obsessed with this entire series! It’s a modern day Narnia without the allegorical nonsense. The magical creatures are wonderful. The narrative is dynamic — short chapters and rich dialogue make for can’t-put-it-down reading.

[Vonprice]

Review of advance copy from NetGalley

Absolutely brilliant 3rd book in a top quality middle grade fantasy series.
I wrote my review on my blog here: https://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home...