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<This is
the middle novel in a trilogy.>
The call to return to the Archipelago comes when
Christopher Forrester wakes to find Jacques the jaculus dragon chewing on his
face. Finally! A summons! He’s joyful to return, but the news is grim. Someone
has a poison strong enough to kill the dragons. Such poison does not exist in
the Archipelago, so it must’ve come from the Outerlands. The great red-winged
dragon Sarkany states that she’ll only trust Christopher because he’s
from the Outerlands and not of the Archipelago. After correctly answering
Naravirala the sphinx’s question (and thus preventing being eaten), he travels
on her winged back. Before making course for Sarkany in Edem (a dragon island),
they detour to save Princess Anya Phoebe Cornelia Argen of the Island of
Dousha, Duchess of the Silver Mountains, Countess of the Winged Forests. The
Argens are the last royal family in the Archipelago. Anya’s dad is being held
prisoner, set up for a murder he didn’t commit, and Anya is about to be
murdered. She’s a 12-year-old with nothing but the clothes on her back, a flock
of royal gaganas at her side, a newly-hatched gagana chick called Koo in her
pocket and a thirst for revenge so strong that her throat burns with injustice.
One wants to save the dragons, the other wants to rescue her father, but both
need the other’s help, as the avarice-filled killer connects them.
Rundell’s
sequel suffers no second-book syndrome in this mythological, magical thrill
ride in a world of creatures both gentle and dangerous, intelligent, cunning
and helpful (depending on the species). The fantastical fantasy adventure
includes corruption in a royal family, dragons of all sizes, retribution and
friends new and old. There’s triumph and new life, grief and peril, advice and
wisdom. It’s emotional, cheeky, high-spirited and fast-moving. With brilliant
illustrations, magnificent world-building, heart-tugging scenes and continuous
adventure, this story is a resplendent return to a wondrous world. As with the
previous story, there is a Guardian’s Bestiary of magical
creatures at the back.
Book
One: Impossible Creatures
