"The Neverfear" by Katherine Rundell

The Neverfear (Sept. 1, 2026) by Katherine Rundell.

<This is the third novel in a series.>

The palace on the islet of Glimt is preparing for the Midsummer Feast. It’s to be a spectacle with food to sate the hunger of humans and non-humans alike, courtesy of Fidens Nighthand (a Berserker). Fidens has no fear and a great imagination, so while some dishes are delightful (like strawberry ice cream or vanilla and berry gâteau), others are best avoided (like steak ice cream or fricasseed chicken gizzards dusted in white sugar). When Vigo Nex shows up unexpectedly with talk of masked, murderous bandits who burn villages and a tiger that jumps out of a mirror, Fidens is immediately on high alert with Vigo so unusually, visibly disturbed. Someone close to Christopher Forrester and Anya Argen is put in terrible danger during an ambush. With threats looming, they do not inform Fidens or the Gardai, nor does he tell Naravirala when she alights upon their boat in the middle of the night. Christopher and Anya, with Ratwin the ratatoska and Jacques the jaculus, embark on a dangerous adventure in a daring race to outwit their enemies and save loved ones.

            Originally a planned trilogy, the Impossible Creatures books have been upgraded to a five-book series, and I am here for it. I’d been anticipating the third book in the high-fantasy, middle-grade mythology adventure. It’s Percy Jackson collabs with The Odyssey with descriptive world-building, an immense plot and propulsive writing that can be laugh-out-loud funny, life-depends-on-it furtive and is all-around transporting. Rundell’s quest-oriented storytelling is brilliant, epic, top-notch, and the protagonists are easy to root for. Just ... beware some of Fidens’ culinary creations. Also worth noting: the Great Carutan Giants are wonderful cooks – they make a really lovely custard, I hear – but they don’t like humans, so beware them, too.

            Book One: Impossible Creatures

            Book Two: The Poisoned King