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Impossible Creatures #3
The Neverfear
Not yet published
Expected 1 Sep 26Return to a world beyond your wildest imagination in the epic third book of the internationally bestselling Impossible Creatures series.
304 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication September 1, 2026
About the author
Katherine Rundell
41 books2,172 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 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 22, 2026
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...
Absolutely brilliant 3rd book in a top quality middle grade fantasy series.
I wrote my review on my blog here: https://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What worked:
Christopher helps a mother unicorn deliver its distressed baby, but there’s an unexpected result. Somehow, touching the infant imbues Christopher with the ability to receive animals’ thoughts and emotions. It comes in handy at times, such as when controlling an injured behemoth, but it also carries potentially dangerous consequences. It affects him physically and can become overwhelming. Readers know this is a significant ability, and it will impact the story before the problems are resolved.
As the book’s title implies, it’s full of unusual and impossible creatures and characters. Jacques is back, and this tiny dragon with attitude is Christopher’s companion and a source of amusement for readers. Companion might be the wrong word, because Jacques constantly questions decisions and tells the humans how they’re doomed. He also has many flowery instructions for Christopher to write in the dragon’s biography. Manticores, Cerberus, and giants are imposing obstacles, or they assist the characters. The author’s imagination will introduce readers to other creatures that they’ve never heard of. The back of the book contains illustrations and descriptions for many of them.
The plot focuses on Irian’s rescue after being kidnapped by bandits. Christopher and Anya are forced to rescue her on their own, since the kidnappers have forbidden them from telling Nighthand, her husband. This restriction enhances the conflict because Nighthand is a berserker and formidable warrior. Christopher and Anya are ordered to obtain three objects that were once part of Hercules’s thirteen labors. They question why the kidnappers want these three specific items and wonder if something larger is happening. The Immortal was an important character in the first book but was absent from the second. The Immortal is reborn as a young boy, and his presence complicates the conflict. A new antagonist, Astor Morax, is introduced, and his evil plans will continue into the next book.
What didn’t work as well:
The plot mostly follows Christopher and Anya, so readers might want to know more about the other characters. However, the author saves a surprise about Anya for later in the book, although astute readers will suspect it. Also, it would be nice to have the illustrations of creatures within the story instead of grouping them at the end.
The final verdict:
Lovers of adventure and uncommon beasts will enjoy this book. Serious dangers threaten this world, and the events come to a dramatic climax, or two. I highly recommend you try this book for yourself, and further, I suggest you start with the first book in the series.
Christopher helps a mother unicorn deliver its distressed baby, but there’s an unexpected result. Somehow, touching the infant imbues Christopher with the ability to receive animals’ thoughts and emotions. It comes in handy at times, such as when controlling an injured behemoth, but it also carries potentially dangerous consequences. It affects him physically and can become overwhelming. Readers know this is a significant ability, and it will impact the story before the problems are resolved.
As the book’s title implies, it’s full of unusual and impossible creatures and characters. Jacques is back, and this tiny dragon with attitude is Christopher’s companion and a source of amusement for readers. Companion might be the wrong word, because Jacques constantly questions decisions and tells the humans how they’re doomed. He also has many flowery instructions for Christopher to write in the dragon’s biography. Manticores, Cerberus, and giants are imposing obstacles, or they assist the characters. The author’s imagination will introduce readers to other creatures that they’ve never heard of. The back of the book contains illustrations and descriptions for many of them.
The plot focuses on Irian’s rescue after being kidnapped by bandits. Christopher and Anya are forced to rescue her on their own, since the kidnappers have forbidden them from telling Nighthand, her husband. This restriction enhances the conflict because Nighthand is a berserker and formidable warrior. Christopher and Anya are ordered to obtain three objects that were once part of Hercules’s thirteen labors. They question why the kidnappers want these three specific items and wonder if something larger is happening. The Immortal was an important character in the first book but was absent from the second. The Immortal is reborn as a young boy, and his presence complicates the conflict. A new antagonist, Astor Morax, is introduced, and his evil plans will continue into the next book.
What didn’t work as well:
The plot mostly follows Christopher and Anya, so readers might want to know more about the other characters. However, the author saves a surprise about Anya for later in the book, although astute readers will suspect it. Also, it would be nice to have the illustrations of creatures within the story instead of grouping them at the end.
The final verdict:
Lovers of adventure and uncommon beasts will enjoy this book. Serious dangers threaten this world, and the events come to a dramatic climax, or two. I highly recommend you try this book for yourself, and further, I suggest you start with the first book in the series.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review
MAPS!
I'm going to start a petition that means if an author writes a series and there's significant time between releases, there should be a page just reminding the reader of what happened in the previous book because I'd all but forgotten everything that had happened in the series so far.
Having said that, I immediately felt taken in by this book, the characters, the magical animals, that it didn't necessarily matter whether I remembered everything that had come before.
I didn't particularly enjoy the first book. It's was okay but it didn't feel like anything new. But the second book I really liked.
Once again, the little dragon Jacques is my favourite character. He's so witty and funny and rude and outspoken and I just love him.
This series has got better and better and I can see this being a future children's classic.
I could see this as a TV series or film series. It's got a similar filmic quality that Narnia has.
There's magic and dragons and sphinxes and chimeras and centaurs and all manner of wonderful magical creatures that are wonderful.
It's got quite a lot of chapters and they're all relatively short which I like. It helps add to the fast paced nature of the story and helps it go by really quickly.
I read that Katherine plans this to be a series of five books so we've got at least two more which is exciting. Like I said, I didn't overly like the first one but I enjoyed the second. And then this one. So by the time we get to the fifth book it should be really thrilling.
It's not an overly long book but nor is it really short, but it is enjoyable and so easy to lose yourself in that it zooms by and I read it in one night.
I really enjoyed the link between Christopher and the animals. It's a subplot that has gone through the series but it's explored more in this one which was relaly good.
It had a different tone to it than the others but I can't quite put my finger on it. It felt a bit flat. The plot is a bit like join the dots. A bit like "he went there then she went there and he did this". And because it's the third book, she doesn't need to do the character development any more and I missed that. It's the characters who make this series and I found them lacking somewhat here. Still very enjoyable and I'd highly recommend it but it was lacking a certain something.
MAPS!
I'm going to start a petition that means if an author writes a series and there's significant time between releases, there should be a page just reminding the reader of what happened in the previous book because I'd all but forgotten everything that had happened in the series so far.
Having said that, I immediately felt taken in by this book, the characters, the magical animals, that it didn't necessarily matter whether I remembered everything that had come before.
I didn't particularly enjoy the first book. It's was okay but it didn't feel like anything new. But the second book I really liked.
Once again, the little dragon Jacques is my favourite character. He's so witty and funny and rude and outspoken and I just love him.
This series has got better and better and I can see this being a future children's classic.
I could see this as a TV series or film series. It's got a similar filmic quality that Narnia has.
There's magic and dragons and sphinxes and chimeras and centaurs and all manner of wonderful magical creatures that are wonderful.
It's got quite a lot of chapters and they're all relatively short which I like. It helps add to the fast paced nature of the story and helps it go by really quickly.
I read that Katherine plans this to be a series of five books so we've got at least two more which is exciting. Like I said, I didn't overly like the first one but I enjoyed the second. And then this one. So by the time we get to the fifth book it should be really thrilling.
It's not an overly long book but nor is it really short, but it is enjoyable and so easy to lose yourself in that it zooms by and I read it in one night.
I really enjoyed the link between Christopher and the animals. It's a subplot that has gone through the series but it's explored more in this one which was relaly good.
It had a different tone to it than the others but I can't quite put my finger on it. It felt a bit flat. The plot is a bit like join the dots. A bit like "he went there then she went there and he did this". And because it's the third book, she doesn't need to do the character development any more and I missed that. It's the characters who make this series and I found them lacking somewhat here. Still very enjoyable and I'd highly recommend it but it was lacking a certain something.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's Books for the ARC.
The blurb reads: The highly anticipated third book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Impossible Creatures series. Join Christopher and Anya on their next daring adventures in the magical Archipelago!
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 burning villages are spreading throughout the Archipelago, but worse is still to come: Christopher and Anya are ambushed and one of the people closest to them is put in terrible danger.
Now Christopher must face fearsome giants, win a daring race, and outwit deadly enemies, all to save the people he loves most...
I enjoyed this book!! While I didn't love it as much as the previous books in the series, it was so much fun getting to step back into the world of the Archipelago! I love all of the new creatures that've been introduced in this novel, as well as the new villains. (You also get some chapters from the villains' POV, which I loved!!) Christopher's new ability was fascinating to read about as well. I did feel a bit like this book was more lacking in terms of character development than the previous books though. Though I feel like this might be because most of the character development has already happened in the previous two books. But all in all, it was still a wonderful read full of humor and heart! I especially loved what Ratwin said about the Neverfear! Four out of five stars from me!
The blurb reads: The highly anticipated third book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Impossible Creatures series. Join Christopher and Anya on their next daring adventures in the magical Archipelago!
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 burning villages are spreading throughout the Archipelago, but worse is still to come: Christopher and Anya are ambushed and one of the people closest to them is put in terrible danger.
Now Christopher must face fearsome giants, win a daring race, and outwit deadly enemies, all to save the people he loves most...
I enjoyed this book!! While I didn't love it as much as the previous books in the series, it was so much fun getting to step back into the world of the Archipelago! I love all of the new creatures that've been introduced in this novel, as well as the new villains. (You also get some chapters from the villains' POV, which I loved!!) Christopher's new ability was fascinating to read about as well. I did feel a bit like this book was more lacking in terms of character development than the previous books though. Though I feel like this might be because most of the character development has already happened in the previous two books. But all in all, it was still a wonderful read full of humor and heart! I especially loved what Ratwin said about the Neverfear! Four out of five stars from me!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
" 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 .
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 .
June 16, 2026
The stakes are higher than ever as we return to the Archipelago with Anya and Christopher and their assortment of magical friends!
When Irian is kidnapped and Teren threatened Anya and Christopher must team up with friends old and new to complete the labors of Hercules to free her. Along the way they discover there is a new villain whose henchmen have been bringing destruction and death to numerous islands. They must use their wits and emerging abilities to overcome this evil and save Irian before its too late!
I loved all the new creatures we got to meet! The illustrations and backstories for them are so much fun! The stakes are higher than ever but the magical creatures merely assist the children and help them to grow. I like that the series has become a little darker, more mature, as it continues.
Christopher’s new power was something I hadnt seen before in any fantasy series, so that was neat. Also the reveal that Anya was part Berserker. It was nice to see how their friendship has progressed and their trust in each other has deepened.
I thought this would be the final book in the series but it looks like there will be another. I will be awaiting news!
When Irian is kidnapped and Teren threatened Anya and Christopher must team up with friends old and new to complete the labors of Hercules to free her. Along the way they discover there is a new villain whose henchmen have been bringing destruction and death to numerous islands. They must use their wits and emerging abilities to overcome this evil and save Irian before its too late!
I loved all the new creatures we got to meet! The illustrations and backstories for them are so much fun! The stakes are higher than ever but the magical creatures merely assist the children and help them to grow. I like that the series has become a little darker, more mature, as it continues.
Christopher’s new power was something I hadnt seen before in any fantasy series, so that was neat. Also the reveal that Anya was part Berserker. It was nice to see how their friendship has progressed and their trust in each other has deepened.
I thought this would be the final book in the series but it looks like there will be another. I will be awaiting news!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Every book in this series has left me with one regret, that I did not have this book when I was a child looking to turn the pages on a great adventure. Like the previous two book, we rejoin Christopher as he journeys back to the archipelago for another visit, new exploits and more magical creatures. Anya and Christopher face a new villain in this volume (and we even get some pov chapters from them). There is plenty of action, more world building, and, of course, superb illustrations. Though this plot is somewhat contained to this book, I would suggest reading the series in order, since so much character development and world building was established through the prior two books. This was definitely an enjoyable third visit to the Impossible Creatures series and its world and I look forward to returning for even more adventures, and magical bestiary additions. (4.5/5)
I received advanced digital access to this book thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Random House Children's, Knopf Books for Young Readers) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
I received advanced digital access to this book thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Random House Children's, Knopf Books for Young Readers) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Oh Katherine you have done it again! The Neverfear is everything it should be and more. If you haven’t read the first two books in the Impossible Creatures series then go and do so, they are brilliant. This book follows on so seamlessly from the first two and the adventures start straight away.
Christopher and Anya are back and still looking after all the creatures on the Islet of Glimt but are charged with travelling to the City of Scholars to seek council from the Flying Senate accompanied by Ratwin and Jacques. They travel on the ship, the Neverfear and are challenged to complete three Herculean tasks after the kidnapping of their friend Irian.
This book moves very quickly and draws the reader straight back into the story. Katherine certainly knows just how to entertain her audience. Her characters are so real and it is so easy to get invested in them. They are so interesting and fun that their stories leap out of the page and into the mind and become a part of you. These books can be loved at any age from about 8 onwards, they are a delight for adults and children alike. Out at the end of July, make sure you get a copy. It is so worth it.
Christopher and Anya are back and still looking after all the creatures on the Islet of Glimt but are charged with travelling to the City of Scholars to seek council from the Flying Senate accompanied by Ratwin and Jacques. They travel on the ship, the Neverfear and are challenged to complete three Herculean tasks after the kidnapping of their friend Irian.
This book moves very quickly and draws the reader straight back into the story. Katherine certainly knows just how to entertain her audience. Her characters are so real and it is so easy to get invested in them. They are so interesting and fun that their stories leap out of the page and into the mind and become a part of you. These books can be loved at any age from about 8 onwards, they are a delight for adults and children alike. Out at the end of July, make sure you get a copy. It is so worth it.
June 25, 2026
I think these books will go down in history as modern day children’s classics and it is so well deserved.
The series of books so far has been fantastic and each one highly anticipated. The Neverfear was another great follow up, after the Poisoned King (which was one of my favourites), I couldn’t wait for this one so I eagerly and easily devoured it in a matter of days.
The pacing is so great and by now, we’ve really come to love our characters and familiar faces. From the feisty Jacques to loyal Ratatoska’s, there’s so much in this book to love. The sense of loyalty and found family is so heartwarming and I’ve really grown to love the set of characters we’ve been introduced to. This one was a a super exciting read, with plenty going on and all the action you could need to keep you reading.
What can I say except roll on book 4!!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
The series of books so far has been fantastic and each one highly anticipated. The Neverfear was another great follow up, after the Poisoned King (which was one of my favourites), I couldn’t wait for this one so I eagerly and easily devoured it in a matter of days.
The pacing is so great and by now, we’ve really come to love our characters and familiar faces. From the feisty Jacques to loyal Ratatoska’s, there’s so much in this book to love. The sense of loyalty and found family is so heartwarming and I’ve really grown to love the set of characters we’ve been introduced to. This one was a a super exciting read, with plenty going on and all the action you could need to keep you reading.
What can I say except roll on book 4!!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
June 27, 2026
DRC via Edelweiss.
Nothing less than 5 stars for my favorite middlegrade series! Katherine Rundell has once again written a story that is wildly entertaining for kids & adults alike.
This 3rd installment incorporates Greek mythology a bit more heavily than the first two, and I enjoyed reading how it interacted with the general lore of Glimouria. The characters are still perfectly strange and lovable, and Rundell’s descriptions are always clever and pithy. Anya remains my favorite, and her character development was very cool to see in this one. Can’t wait to see what she and Christopher get up to in the next book!
Nothing less than 5 stars for my favorite middlegrade series! Katherine Rundell has once again written a story that is wildly entertaining for kids & adults alike.
This 3rd installment incorporates Greek mythology a bit more heavily than the first two, and I enjoyed reading how it interacted with the general lore of Glimouria. The characters are still perfectly strange and lovable, and Rundell’s descriptions are always clever and pithy. Anya remains my favorite, and her character development was very cool to see in this one. Can’t wait to see what she and Christopher get up to in the next book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this!!
I love different pov’s with a passion
avoiding spoilers -> I enjoyed Christopher’s new ability and the constant world building
the humor and heart within the book was really well done.
my daughter also thought t was so cool I got to read it first hehe
I love different pov’s with a passion
avoiding spoilers -> I enjoyed Christopher’s new ability and the constant world building
the humor and heart within the book was really well done.
my daughter also thought t was so cool I got to read it first hehe
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Katherine Rundell's Impossible Creatures books make me want to sail around the magical Archilpelago on a magical boat with Ratwin and Jacques the very tiny (but very mighty) Jaculus dragon.
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