I loved being back in the world of the Archipelago with the characters we came to know and love in the first book as well as the addition of new characters. I continue to love the world building in this series and the magical creatures that we are introduced too. The friendships and found family element is beautifully written and you can’t help but fall in love with all the characters. The plot was fast paced and easy to follow and the side quests kept you guessing. I’m looking forward to the next book.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for a copy of this arc.

The Poisoned King is the second in the Impossible Creatures series by Katherine Rundell and sees Christopher return to the magical Archipelago, called there to help save the dragons which are mysteriously dying out. On his return he meets Anya, a princess native to the Archipelago, who is trying to find out who murdered her grandfather and framed her father for the crime. The two team up to solve both mysteries, helped by a sphinx and a host of familiar faces. Christopher, the hero from the first book, is still an important figure but Anya is the main character in this one and both are wonderful.

I loved the first book in the series and was excited to be given the chance to read the sequel, and I’m even happier to say that it doesn’t disappoint at all. Katherine Rundell has a beautiful writing style and the action is fast paced and well plotted, with references from Hamlet to a host of legendary creatures. These books are written in a style that would fit in with the classics of children’s literature through the ages, set in a world that feels recognisable but magical, and I’m sure will be read by children for many years to come. There are strong messages of friendship, courage in the face of danger, resilience, and not letting anger and the need for revenge overcome you, but the tone is never lecturing, only inspiring for children in the manner of J R R Tolkien or C S Lewis (the stories remind me especially of Narnia).

There are beautiful illustrations throughout the book and a glossary of all the magical creatures to be found, really helping to create a whole magical world. This is a wonderful book for children, highly recommended and I’m already looking forward to the third.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review. This review has been posted to Goodreads and Waterstones and will be added to Amazon on publication day.

I really enjoyed The Poisoned King and found myself preferring it to the first book in the Impossible Creatures series. This instalment is fast-paced, with a storyline that flows smoothly and keeps the reader engaged throughout.

The story continues to follow Christopher, Mal and their companions as they face new dangers and challenges in a richly imagined world where magical creatures are very much alive. Rundell builds on the foundations of the first book, raising the stakes while weaving in adventure, loyalty, and the complexities of friendship. Without giving away any spoilers, the book takes readers deeper into the Archipelago, introducing fascinating new elements of its history and politics that add real depth to the plot.

Although I don’t usually read fantasy, I had heard such great things about this series that I picked up the first book before diving into this one. I found myself enjoying The Poisoned King much more - partly because I already knew the characters and settings, which helped me follow and appreciate the story on a deeper level. While I think this book could be read on its own, readers would miss out on some of the important backstory and character development from Impossible Creatures.

I would definitely recommend this series to children, as well as to fantasy readers of all ages. It’s an exciting, imaginative adventure that balances action with heart. I’m very much looking forward to seeing where Katherine Rundell takes the story next.

Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ), Bloomsbury Children’s Books, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy and the opportunity to review this book.

My 10 year old daughters review;

I absolutely loved this book! It picked up right where the first one left off, and it was so much more intense. The first book was about escaping, but this one is all about confronting your fears.

My favourite character was Anya. She’s an adventurer at heart, always climbing and exploring. She’s also a bit of a daredevil and very brave!

My Review;
An absolute masterclass in middle grade fiction. The prose is exceptional, the characters are beautifully drawn (I’m in love with Jacques) and this book gives ALL the feels.

The attention to detail in the series is amazing! Love the added Guardians Bestiary at the end which just brings the book to life even more.
Christopher is such a hero and Anya was just as amazing as Mal from the first book.
I love the friendships, the world building the animals the characters, everything. This is just a wonderful series which is true escapism.

After the first book of the series I knew this would be incredible and the children are busy reading it a second time themselves. Katherine Rundell is a great author who has the talent to inspire young and old alike to read. We have already ordered a copy for our carefully curated family bookshelf.

Huge thank you to the publishers for my copie .

What totally wonderful incredible adventure this book is .I felt totally captivated lost in this amazing world for a while .

I can't say I didn't like anything I loved the characters , the plot , being in this world helped my forget real life for a while .

Katherine writing is wonderful.

5 adventurous stars

Having not read the first book it took me a while to get into the language of the book and grasp the storylines. Once I did I was hooked as I have been with all of the books by Katherine Rundell.

Anya is a princess who would much rather be living free in the forest with her beloved father, her birds and the other woodland creatures than in the palace.

When events take a tragic turn and she is forcibly parted from her father she vows to change this.

Christopher is called upon to help save the dragons and joins forces with Anya in a quests. Another excellent book and I now need to read part one

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC

I had been looking forward to reading 'The Poisoned King' since I finished the first book, and Katherine Rundell did not disappoint. This book had me laughing, crying, constantly on the edge of my seat, wondering what would happen next. I never wanted to leave this amazing world Rundell has created!

In this delightful sequel to middle grade hit Impossible Creatures, Christopher returns to the Archipelago, this time to help Anya, a princess at the centre of a dastardly plot.

This book has the same imagination and humour as the previous one. We are introduced to new creatures and meet up again with old friends.

A recommended read for fans of imaginative middle grade fantasy.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a delightful story, I have not read the first book and will make sure I do so. Lots of creatures, adventure, potions and poisons. A great story and a great read.

I /adored/ this!! Impossible Creatures became one of my favourite reads of all time when I first read it, so my expectations for the sequel were high! The Poisoned King absolutely met them- such an engaging read with lovable characters and an ever growing cast of wonderful magical creatures!

When a first book is so well loved the introduction of a new main character is sometimes hard to pull off I think, but I love Anya so much. I was so emotionally invested in her journey- I felt her pain and I was proud of her growth.

And the ‘impossible creatures’ themselves! The magical creatures in these books are so well developed, feel so real, feel like full characters. They jump off the page and feel so real and vivid. An absolute joy.

Also, Jacques is one of my favourite characters of all time possibly. What an icon. Made me laugh out loud multiple times. Love that tiny, majestic dragon friend!!!

Overall, this is a wonderful follow up to the first book that I’m sure will be well received by both children and adults alike. Can’t wait for the next adventure!

Thank you so much to Bloomsbury Children’s Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

There is always a slight trepidation in reading a sequel to a book that you loved. Having devoured Impossible Creatures (and then read it again to my class, who also loved it), the opportunity to read an advance copy of The Poisoned King was impossible to turn down. But would it live up to expectations?

I needn't have worried. From the start, when Jacques returns to lead Christopher back to the Archipelago, you are drawn back to the world. The dragons are dying and Christopher's help is needed to find out what is going on.

Elsewhere in the Archipelago, Anya, a young princess is facing her own worries. Her grandfather has been killed and her father has been imprisoned for the murder. Can she prove who the real killer is?
When Christopher and Anya's missions collide, they must work together to save the dragons and each other.

The Poisoned King sees the return of favourite characters and creatures and introduces new ones. The world is so beautifully created that you really feel a part of it. The pace of the story doesn't drop and all of the parts are woven together to create a magical, mythical adventure.

As sequels go, this is close to perfection.

Thanks to the publishers and Net Galley for this advance copy - I will be buying a physical copy to join Impossible Creatures on my bookshelf.

What a great sequel! I loved every page! It is wonderful to see the story continue in such an interesting way!

Can I give this 10 stars please?
What a great sequel The Poisoned King is. I loved Impossible Creatures and this is even better.
Back we go to the Archipeligo with Christopher who is once again on a mission to save dragons before it is too late. On the way he encounters Anya who has a few problems of her own. Together, with the help of several magical creatures, they embark on strange adventures that take them further into the Archipelago but time is running out.
Full of magic, mystery and enchantment there is none stop excitement throughout the book. It is definitely for reading just one more chapter under the bedclothes at night. Unputdownable is the best word to use. I cannot wait for the next one.

A great return to The Archipelago!

Upon being summoned by Jacques, Christopher returns to The Archipelago for a new adventure.

Despite Mal's (obvious) absence in this book, the addition of Anya plays well against Christopher's character. The missions of the two protagonists are engaging and well-written. The glossary of the creatures found in the stories is helpful to the reader, especially when coming across a beast they have not before heard of.

I'll be buying a physical copy of this for my classroom when it is released.

These books are such a phenomenal introduction to epic fantasy for children. I read this with my kids over the span of two weeks and my middle grade reader was obsessed! He was a little hesitant following the heartbreaking ending of the first book but the ending of this one was much more fulfilling for him. He enjoyed the new creatures most of all. (Of course)

Personally, I very much enjoy this author’s world building and the ways we got to experience the characters growth throughout their adventures. Anya’s character undergoes some important changes and I really appreciate where she stands by the end of this novel. Gotta love a strong FMC.
It was such a great feeling to able to enjoy this world filled with magic, fast-paced adventure, passion, wit, and wonderfully vivid imagery with my kids. Thank you for the opportunity.

The Poisoned King is the second installment of Katherine Rundell's Impossible Creatures series.
The first book, released in 2024, was capitivating. It is not often I reread a book but this one has
been taken from the shelf a number of times. Christopher, a kind and empathetic boy who has a
deep connection with animals, becomes friends with Mal, a headstrong, sharp witted girl.
Collecting a band of courageous misfits as they go, they must save the Archipelego and the host
of magical and mythical creatures that call it home. Throughout the first book, the reader is
taken on a fast paced adventure, travelling across the archipelego, and they experience, through
the complex characters and their relationships, joy, darkness, anticipation, sadness and hope.
When a book is so powerful, it can be a difficult task to write a sequel. Children do not suffer
fools gladly, and communicate quitely clearly where their loyalties lie when it comes to their
literature. They do not tend to stick with a book if it is not providing them with what they seek -
adventure, acknowledgement, respect. Rundell is an author who knows children well. If you
ever have the pleasure of hearing her speak, you may find, as I did, that she has an ability to pull
you right back to your childhood as though you have been caught up in the words she casts like
spells! It is not nostalgia that Rundell plays on, but the desire we all have for adventure and
hope.
The Poisoned King returns us, and Christopher, to the Archipelego. The book begins with our
favourite jaculus dragon and a warning. Princess Anya, another child for whom animals are at
least as important as humans, joins the fray. Raised on philosophy and mathematics and
ancient gagana songs, she knows her mind and has a thirst for justice, a common theme in
Rundells writing.
"The great dragons are dying, in their dozens. Nobody knows why."
"Elsewhere in the castle, a man was being murdered."
The Poisoned King is ultimately an ode to friendship and loyalty. There is something in the way
that Rundell writes adults and children and the relationships they build. You can tell that she
has not ever fully left beind the adventure and mystery of childhood and for that reason she is
able to blend adults and children without creating an imposing adult voice in the books, which,
in the hands of a less deft writer, may feel clunky. Rundell's respect for children and childhood
is evident in the quality of writing and the breadth of vocabulary she uses. Nothing frustrates me
more in a childrens book than an author who speaks down to their audience. This is not
something one would ever have to worry about with Rundell. It is not surprising that she has
been compared to Tolkien and Pullman.
Impossible Creatures - The Poisoned King is out on September 11th in all good bookshops. I
recommend your local independent bookshop, or if you prefer, the local library. Thank you to
@NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy before my preorder arrives

THE POISONED KING is another classic-feeling adventure tale. We have an evil uncle, a desperate quest, and some potion making. There are new lands to explore in the archipelago but the tone here is more one of exploring a place that's somewhat known than one that is completely new. It helps that there are familiar faces and creatures returning, springboards for the forays into the newer parts.

IMPOSSIBLE CREATURES wrapped up feeling more like a standalone with potential for companion novels and THE POISONED KING certainly feels like that. This is a new adventure with a new villain. Several of the cast of IMPOSSIBLE CREATURES return but the lead is a new character. Plus, once again, the story wraps up at the end without any dangling plot threads and the villain dealt with.

While Christopher is present in this book (and the first few chapters are from his perspective), Anya is the main character. The rest of the book follows her perspective and her emotional journey around revenge and forgiveness. I found it interesting to see someone else's view on this world and she certainly has the most emotionally at stake here. It was another thing that made this book feel like a companion rather than a sequel.

I suspect this trend will continue with the next instalment, though I would like to see more Christopher, particularly as the end hints at a new relationship starting (or being rekindled) for him!

I think this was a beautiful expansion of the world of the Archipelago! I actually love that, this time, we shifted focus from Christopher to our new heroine, Anya. And what a heroine she is, even at only 12-13 years old or so (based on one line saying that I’m 5-6 years she’ll be 18). I loved the new creatures, new adventures, return of old favorite characters. It was still a little slow to start. It only really picked up around the 40% mark but it’s short, so once it gets going it really really picks up. Will be picking up a physical copy!