The plot centres around a girl whose father is framed for murder, and she has to rescue him and take revenge on the real murderer. She's a great character, and her story arc of learning that revenge isn't the way is well-written and uplifting. But... the impossible creatures feel like a bit of a sidebar. I was expecting something a bit more original.

I adored Impossible Creatures so when I saw the chance to apply for an ARC through Netgalley I jumped at the chance. Thank you so much Bloomsbury and Netgalley for the ARC copy!

Katherine Rundell is a PHENOMENAL author. This may be a children's book but I devoured it! It was so good to be back in this world again! This is a book for all ages to enjoy. It felt so nostalgic and warm reading this. I also love the details in the book. All the illustrations and descriptions of the mythical creatures are fantastic and great for young readers.

The book is set in a place called the Archepelago (look how fabulous the map is!) At the beginning we meet Anya who is on the run from her traitorous uncle. She gains the help from Christopher who is going to become one of the guardians of the Archepelago.

Anya may be a young girl however she is determined, brave, loyal and incredibly compassionate as well as being a really strong female character. Its so good to see a female portrayed this way in a children's book.

This book has everything you could want in a fantasy book. Adventure, magic, mythical creatures, found family and epic battles.

Its fast paced and keeps you hooked from the start however it isnt rushed and the world building is fantastic. The book also illustrates how money and power can breed vengeance, greed and destruction among the world however it also shows that in the right hands, money and power can be used for good. I also adored the found family aspect!

The ending was so good and heartwarming. It's definitely another book I won't be forgetting any time soon. Its for sure a classic in the making.

This was a fantastic sequel. Me and my little boy really enjoyed this one, we’ve been reading them together. This is one that I could read by myself as an adult and thoroughly enjoy. The plot is perfect and the writing is spectacular.

Katherine Rundell's The Poisoned King is a brilliant sequel to Impossible Creatures. The world building of Archipelago continues to enchant and the characters of Christopher and Princess Anya bring a solid mixture of empathy and bravery.

This sequel is just as superb as the first in the series. I read it in one sitting because I couldn’t bear to put it down. Fantastic creatures, a feisty princess, mysterious dragon deaths and treachery…everything you need for a brilliant story to come together through the pen of Katherine Rundell.

Wow. Another stunning book in a beautiful series by Katherine Rundell. Full of mystery, intrigue and magic, it's a dazzling adventure with a pacy plot. Dragons, deadly secrets, and the fire of revenge - what more could you ask for?

When Christopher is called back to the Archipelago to help the dragons, he jumps at the chance and, after scribbling a note for his dad, leaves immediately.
Meanwhile, Anya's life is changing in ways she never thought possible. When their lives collide, the pair must work together to fight for truth, justice and the fate of the islands and their inhabitants.

Ok, so even writing the synopsis was tricky as I really don't want to give anything away about this book. Having loved the first book in the series, it was with huge amounts of joy that I found myself able to read an early copy of The Poisoned King. I knew it would be good (has anything Katherine Rundell has written not been?!) but I have to say that it blew me away and is quite possibly even better than the first book!

As you would expect, the world building is extraordinary and you find yourself completely transported to the Archipelago and immersed in its world. It was lovely to catch up with familiar characters but also wonderful to meet new ones. Christopher continued to show his allegiance and commitment to the islands and it was great to see him again, however, for me, Anya stole the show (actually I think Jacques may have done that!). She is strong, fierce, determined, and loyal in a way that will fill readers with hope. She is a character that readers are going to love.

The plot itself is completely immersive and I'm so pleased I was able to read the book in only 2 sittings (I started it on a flight and then promptly ignored my family the following day whilst reading it in the sun!). At the end of term, there were parents and children at school who were rather jealous that I'd been able to read this before its publication date and I can say to them (and indeed everybody) that the book is absolutely worth the wait. It's a masterpiece in storytelling that will leave readers desperate for book 3 (coming next year) and with a desperate urge to head to Scotland to see if, just maybe, they can find the waybetween themselves.

Impossible Creatures: The Poisoned King publishes on the 11th September and is a book you have to pre-order.

Thank you NetGalley for this Book.
Oh my where do I begin. This entire series has an infinity rating from me and hello I need book three like right now.
This book is for everyone from middle school till people high in age. It has found family , female rage, funny side characters ( my favourite is obviously Ratwin ), a very small subplot of Romance which was executed perfectly, political intrigue/ treachery. Furthermore it had mystical and fantasticall creatures which reminded me a little of Narnia ( in a good way) . The author combined humour with exceptional writing where at some points I was laughing so hard and in the next I was on the edge of tears. Please do yourself a favour and pick this series up it won’t disappoint you .

I was absolutely delighted to be sent this! So wonderful to reunite with familiar characters and creatures in the Archipelago and to be introduced to others. This second book in this utterly engrosssing sequence does not disappoint - lots of suspense and intrigue (with some humour too!). A triumph of storytelling.

5/5 ⭐️
“Fear is a fair exchange for love (…) Fear has wisdom in it, if you treat it well.”

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the ARC of this book.

Unsurprisingly this was a great sequel to Impossible Creatures.
The new characters were as delightful as the returning ones.
I half expected a Narnia-style time jump that would allow us to have the Immortal back to the same age but I do understand why we did not. And I’m more than glad to have met Anya and her flock. The link to The Odyssey was also a nice touch!
Cannot wait for the audiobook version so I can have Sam West back in the Archipelago.

Impossible Creatures is one of the best middle grade fantasies I have ever read and yet, somehow, Katherine Rundell manages to outdo herself. I devoured this book. I read nearly all of it on one train journey because I genuinely could not put it down. If the first book was sorrow, this book is hope.
Christopher has grown so much over the course of the two books. Even though there is a time jump, his growth still feels very realistic and gradual. Anya is a fantastic addition to the cast. She is a wonderful character who grows so much over the course of the one book. And Jacques is probably my favourite character, maybe of all time.
I adored this and I will be waiting with bated breath for book three!!!

As a teacher, I’ve used many of Katherine Rundell’s books as part of our curriculum and love her style. She has a very clear style of writing which I enjoy and think is a great example to children (learning to speak correctly and write well).

I enjoyed this book more than the first in the series to be honest. I found this one really fast-paced and action packed in a way that was easier to follow than the first. I liked how we revisited events and met people from book 1.

The characters, as in all her books, are likeable and rebatable for children. They would feel what the characters feel and the added bits of humour always go down well with my middle grade children.

I look forward to putting this in our library when it is released and building the hype for book 3-5!

The Poisoned King is a brilliant sequel to the first book, I actually enjoyed it even more, which is a rare thing. The book is beautifully written, the characters are magical and interesting (and I very much appreciate the glossary of magical characters at the end of the book!), the storyline was great, I love the dialogue and it was fast paced. I read the first book together with my 9 year old, and I she will definitely want to read this book too.

It follows Christopher as he returns to the Archipelago to help save the dragons, and introduces a new character / storyline via Princess Anya of Dousha and her quest to save her father, along with old favourites - Jacques (the Jaculus dragon), Nighthand, Irian, Naravirala and my personal fav Ratwin.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my opinion (which is all my own).

I absolutely loved Impossible Creatures and couldn't wait for the follow-up, though felt it was some act to follow. As it turns out, my only criticism is that it wasn't nearly long enough. I could have read four, five times as much! I'm not going to rehearse the plot details, more appreciate the quality of the writing. It is an extraordinary feat of imagination, sure, but I really think what sets it apart is the warm humour that runs through it. The character of Jaculus, the tiny dragon (with a big chip on his shoulder) is a truly marvellous creation.

Now, how long until part three??

Impossible Creatures returns with the second instalment: The Poisoned King. With dragons, murders, and kick ass characters, what is not to enjoy? A great adventure in the Archipelago. Hoping there will be a book there!

Another excellent trip to the Archipelago. I loved this as much as Impossible Creatures and especially liked the edition of Anya, Gallia and Koo.

I look forward to recommending this to my Year 7s.

What a wonderful follow-up to the first book and this one I enjoyed more than the first one. I read this in an afternoon and didn't want to put it down. I'm hoping there will be more. My thanks to netgalley and the publisher's for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

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.

In this sequel, Christopher is summoned back to the the Archipelago when the dragons start mysteriously dying. He also helps a young princess avenge the murder of her grandfather the king.

This author never fails to achieve! Old characters are skilfully developed, new characters add extra depth. The writing is beautiful, the plot fast moving, the whole keeps the pages effortlessly turning. Wonderful

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Poisoned King by Katherine Rundell is a stunningly written adventure filled with magic, danger, and heart. The writing is lyrical and atmospheric, making it easy to get swept away in the world from the very first page.

Even without reading the first book, I was fully pulled into the story. The characters are bold, brave, and beautifully complex, and the pacing kept me hooked right through to the final chapter. Rundell has crafted a story that’s both emotional and exciting—a perfect blend for YA and teen readers alike.

As soon as I finished, I knew I had to go back and find the first book. This is definitely a series I want to own as a full collection—one I’ll revisit and recommend to anyone who loves fantasy with depth and heart.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this gem!