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!

I am a huge fan of Katherine Rundell. I love the way she weaves words together- she really is a master writer! Just beautiful prose, and a story full of heart, hope and adventure. I would recommend reading the first story first, as this is the second in the sequence and picks up many of the same characters.
This time Christopher is summoned by Jacques to return to the archipelago, where dragons are in danger and a princess flees for her life.

I read this as an eARC, thank you Netgalley and the author and I'm voluntarily reviewing this book.

Christopher, the future Guardian, is awoken by a dragon. The urgency is clear and he travels back once more into the Archipelago to answer the call for his help. Meeting old friends as soon as he has crossed he begins the quest but is very quickly detouring to help save a girl who needs his help. Enter Anya. It quickly becomes clear that both of their quests are interlinked and so an alliance and friendship begins.

I loved the fierce, brave and determined character that is Anya. She was well written and fit into the story perfectly. The familiar friends of Irian and Nighthand were seamlessly blended into the story and gave it depth and continuation of the world building. Christopher and his affinity with beasts carry the story along as they pursue their quest and find help in unlikely places.

I thought the storyline was interesting, it drew me in quickly and I was flicking through the pages watching it all develop.

I really enjoy this world and all the impossible creatures in it. For anyone who wants more details there is the bestiary at the end of the book, which gives images and details of each of the fantastic creatures.

I'm excited to hear that there are more books to come and look forward to the next installment

A excellent sequel to Impossible Creatures with Anya proving to be just as captivating a heroine as Mal. I love the way the creatures have such individual personalities making them instantly recognisable in the story with my personal favourite being Jacques, the tiny dragon but there are so many more who are almost as fascinating. Wit and humour run through the book but there's a strong underlying moral lesson about the corruption wealth can bring. There's danger, bravery, excitement and everything a child could possibly wish for in a story (and many an adult too). It could be read as a stand-alone but I think having read the first in the series gave an added dimension.

I’ve slowly consumed this over a few weeks because it’s so epic, and I really savoured it. Dragons, mythical creatures, regicide, poison and many adventures galore. This is such a rich world with so much happening. I loved the characters and it was so lovely to be surrounded by so many familiar faces! Katherine Rundell just gets storytelling!

Huge thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing for the gifted ARC of the second instalment in the Impossible Creatures series.

Sequels are always risky—especially when the first book is a huge success. Too often the magic fades, the story weakens, or the rush to publish overshadows the writing. But not here. Katherine Rundell took her time, researched deeply, and once again brought this extraordinary world to life with breathtaking imagination.

The Poisoned King is as dazzling as book one—rich, moving, and utterly spellbinding. Though written as a children’s series, it reaches far beyond that. It’s a book for anyone who wants to feel like a child again—safe, loved, and wrapped in the warmth of magic, even when the world feels dark.

Rundell’s writing is masterful, her universe vivid and astonishing. The emotions soar, the wonder never falters. This isn’t just a good sequel—it’s storytelling perfection.

I didn’t doubt Katherine Rundell would deliver in The Poisoned King however I was intrigued to see how the sequel would compare to its predecessor. I was stunned. What a book. The prose, the wit, the suspense, the characters! I savoured each page, and as I neared the end, longed for more.

I seem to be in the minority here but I didn't "love" this book... I liked it but didn't love it. I am still waiting for the series to really kick in and maybe by book four or five, I will be fully immersed in the world but "The Poisoned King" by Katherine Rundell isn't as good as the first book (in my opinion). Thinking this is because I am not the target demographic. Still, definitely a really good read and it is bound to be a hit with the kids.

The Poisoned King - Katherine Rundell due for publication 11 Sept 2025

Here we find Christopher and Jacques off to the Archipelago again on their adventures this time to find out why the dragons are dying. At the same time Princess Anya has her own troubles with an evil Uncle wanting to take over her throne. Both stories overlap with the children joining forces to overcome the challenges they face. Full of strange and delightful fantastic creatures and old friends Nighthand and Irian along to help.

A fast paced book and a worthy successor to the first one. The chat between the creatures is adorably funny at times and I had to laugh out loud when Christopher woke up to his tiny dragon chewing on his face.

Not a difficult read especially with the short chapters.

As with the first book Katherine Rundell weaves her fictional fantasy story with powerful messages about power, corruption, and good triumphing over evil.

Thanks to NetGalley for a pre publication copy.

Since I happened on Katherine Rundell’s Impossible Creatures in 2023 I have been waiting for the sequel; hoping it would live up to the first instalment.

Katherine Rundell did a masterful world building and this continues in The Poisoned King.

Christopher Forester is summoned back to the Archipelago by the diminutive, but somewhat obnoxious Jacques, the dragon. Dragons are dying out and Christopher needs to find out why and stop it if he can.

We are also introduced to new characters - Anya and her gaganas. Anya is a princess whose grandfather has been poisoned and her father accused of the murder. There’s an evil uncle too…

The two arms of the story take a little while to come together but this enables us to get to know the new characters a little.

Once together the characters join forces, using knowledge, skill and guile to try and overcome the challenges they face.
Clearly this is a book aimed at a younger audience but it is also a nice read for those of us who enjoy fantasy with well crafted worlds and thought out characters.

I’m not a fan of comparing authors to one another; Tolkien, Rowling, Pratchett and Pullman are all giants in the fantasy field. Each have their respective place in history and literature. Katherine Rundell is clearly in the same bracket, with her own style and voice.

This is another great book for young (and old) - an adventure full of magic, fantasy and Impossible Creatures and one that you can't put down until the final pages.

My only criticisms are that the pace towards the end seems too fast and some of Anya’s character features are a little formulaic. Maybe it’s because I’m older and these things would not be an issue for younger readers?

Still, very highly recommended.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy. Look forward to the finished, published, item with the artwork.

My daughter and I loved the first book in this series, and I was excited to read this one.
To be honest, the stories are quite similar. Boy and girl go on adventure with some amazing creatures (to help and hinder).
I found this story a little slower than the first and struggled to care as much about the characters.

A huge thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this EARC!

Katherine Rundell's The Poisoned King is a superb sequel to Impossible Creatures!
As previously more detailed world building in this return to Archipelago, and yet more fascinating creatures.
An easy, brilliant read. 😊

It was lovely to return to the archipelago, with its sumptuous descriptions and an array of mystical and magical creatures. Christopher is woken by flame-challenged but bursting with personality, Jacques, the miniature dragon, with an urgent message to return to the archipelago because the dragons are dying. Christopher, as heir-to-the-protector (his grandfather is the current one) immediately leaves his home in London and dashes off to Scotland to enter the portal near his grandfather’s home. Anya, granddaughter to the titular king, is on the run from the villain who not only killed the king but framed Anya’s father for the murder. Teaming up, the only question is which problem Christopher and Anya should tackle first – save the dying dragons or rescue Anya’s father, facing execution for a crime he did not commit.
I really enjoyed being back in the archipelago and once again I particularly loved the animals, the dragons, the sphinx, the gaganas… Jacques is such a fun character. While it’s devastating discovering the attacks on the dragons, I absolutely loved the flock of gaganas, birds who comfort Anya in her distress, protect her, and would die for her.
There’s a strong message about revenge at the end of the story but the main theme of the book I would say is about love. In particular, the love of Anya for her father, the love between her and her beloved gaganas, the love between Irian and Nighthand the berserker who can’t love and remain a berserker.
The story is also about loyalty, greed, friendship, courage and fear, all encased in immersive prose and a fascinating world. I highly recommend you wallow in the delightful (but not safe) world of The Poisoned King.

This was a good and interesting book. I was pleased Christopher returned in this book. Anya was interesting. However it feels like there should have been a way to bring Mal back or to focus solely on Christopher. It was heartbreaking to read hoping (even if it were a slim possibility) that Mal would return. Interested to see how the next immortal can be a boy as that doesn’t feel like it chimes with the arc of the story.

Captivating, heart felt and heart racing. Another triumph from Russell, can't wait for the next in the series.

4.25 stars

I liked this book far better than the first one of the series! The author seems to trust her readers more, because I found the prose beautiful and often insightful (which is what I want to see in a children’s book!) without being preachy or overly pretentious.

The plot wasn’t anything groundbreaking, but it kept me interested and never lagged. We got to meet plenty of new creatures - my favorite part about this series. The characters are fun and we get a good mix of new and old, though I do hope to see more character growth in future books.

I don’t know if this is a cultural difference (author is British, I’m American) or what, but this series has some pretty dark moments for a children’s book?? Nothing overly explicit or troubling for younger readers, but I don’t remember this kind of tone in my books growing up.

My biggest complaint is an odd one… I wish the author would stop including a chapter opener revolving around eating snot lmao. What a weird thing to include twice! And the characters are far too old for that…

Anyway, very happy with this book overall. I was considering not continuing the series after how the first one ended, but I’m glad I gave it a second chance.

I discovered the first book with my daughter who was 8 at the time, a book we read together at the same time, taking a chapter each and it was nothing short of a joy. A pleasure I wished for again, and outside of Harry Potter, I have been unable to engage her to do so until now.

With the same wonderfully imaginative storytelling, Katherine Rundell has again captured my now 9 year olds heart, and mine with the returning characters. With so much happiness as she discovered Ratwin again, we sped through this 2nd book which in itself has a much faster pace and feel.

Frantic, fun, full of emotion, this is what reading is all about. Perfect Fantasy for the young, and not so young,

What a sequel!! What a book!!

This book is a five star read. Katherine Rundell is an author capable of using words to wield magic for the reader.

The storyline is magical, thrilling and emotional. The magical beasts are wrought with character and detail. Christopher, Fidens Nightand, Irianne Guinne, Ratwin and Naravirala all return to make for a warm return for the reader. But not before they meet Princess Anja who is caught up in royal intruige. Anja is not the kind of princess you'd find in a fairytale and her personality is fierce and passionate.

Katherine Rundell treats children with the respect they deserve, so the story is filled with real risk, which you'll know if you've read book 1.

I personally adored the dragons, Christopher is 'summoned' back to the archipelago by Jacques, the smallest dragon around to try help figure out why dragons are unexplainably dying.

This book is an exciting read filled with heart. I loved that the next book is in the works for next autumn. But in the meantime I hope to be able to share my love of this series with otherbreaders, young and old alike.

4.5 stars

I'll be honest, when I read Impossible Creatures, I enjoyed it, but I didn't really get the hype around it. It was a good read but I felt it was nothing new. So I dithered over whether to read this sequel or not but I'm glad I did.

First things first, there's a map, that's it, five stars.

I felt this was far better than the first one. It had what I expected from a fantasy land but Katherine has filled it with such an array of magical creatures that it feels fresh. I felt towards this one the way I think people felt about the first.

I admit, I remember very little from the first one because it's been so long since I read it, and so was worried I'd be lost, but whilst she doesn't go over the previous book, somehow it didn't matter, I was just absorbed in the story on its own merit, rather than just as a sequel.

It's dark, let's not beat around the bush here. I won't spoil it but it does have some dark, difficult moments that wouldn't be out of place in an adult book let alone one for children.

The dragon Jacques is my favourite character. Due to my bad memory, I don't really remember him all that much, but from the very first page he's in, he steals it. A wisecracking, literal, unabashed dragon who is just fabulous.

In generally I would say it's paced well, but there were moments that felt drawn out and some that didn't get enough focus and I wanted more depth from.

It is full of action but isn't overwhelming, and it's quick to read - I managed it in a little less than a day.

I'm glad I did for go for the sequel because I found it leaps and bounds better than the first one. For me anyway, I found it more magical, more fun, more emotional, more hopeful, and finally gave me the spark that I was expecting from the first one. And I'm already looking forward to book number three.