Impossible Creatures

by Katherine Rundell

 ★★★★★

My thoughts

Impossible Creatures is hands down one of my favourite books published in recent years. It is crammed full of magic, mythical creatures, adventure and heart-racing moments that kept me turning the pages quicker than my dog's wagging tail! Even the first page had me hooked - who wouldn't be gripped by a mysterious murderer knocking on someone's door?!

Katherine Rundell is a spectacular story teller and this book really is something special. I found the characters to be very likeable and the setting is magical - I think I even started to believe that the Archipelago was a real place after only a few chapters! The storyline is very unique, but contains plenty of familiar (and some unfamiliar) mythical creatures that bring danger and suspense to the plot. And don't worry if you're not clued up with mythical creatures - Katherine provides a mini profile for many creatures before the story even begins (Karkadanns, Ratatoskas, Griffins, Hippocamps and many more!).

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It really is a magical experience that transports you to a brand new world where adventure waits. What a brilliant story to share with your family and such a catalyst for your imagination!

Dive Deeper

Key information

Author: Katherine Rundell 

Illustrator: Tomislav Tomić

Release Date:14th September 2023

Book type: Chapter, 326 pages, hardback

Reader level: Confident reader

Series: 1 of 2 (sequel due 2025)

Overview

Impossible Creatures follows the entangled stories of two main protagonists, Christopher and Mal, who live in two very different worlds yet have one thing in common: they are being hunted by a murderer.

Christopher is a young boy, staying with his grandfather in the Scottish Highlands. He may be considered an ordinary child if it were not for his magical relationship with animals who follow him wherever he goes. Shortly after arriving at his temporary home, Christopher discovers that his grandfather is a guidarian of the gateway between earth and the Archipelago - a world filled with mythical creatures and the source of all life. Also known as the Glimourie, this magic sustains both the human world as Christopher knows it, as well as the entire Archipelago and every human and mythical creature within. 

Mal is a flying girl with an adorable pet griffin. She lives beyond the gateway, in the Archipelago, and is faced with a devastating truth: the Glimourie is fading and the Archipelago is in grave danger. Knowing that only one person is capable of saving her world, Mal travels to the Highlands to convince Christoper to return to her home and help her solve the mystery.

Before long, Christopher finds himself at the heart of the Archipelago, faced with the unfathomable challenge of finding out why the Glimourie is fading and how to restore it. Along their journey through a truly magnificent world, Christopher mythical encounters creatures beyond his wildest imagination while battling against an evil like no other. 

Can Christopher really be the answer to the Archipelago's prayer, or will the magic run out before he can save the world?

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