"The Poisoned King" by Katherine Rundell

The Poisoned King (Sept. 11, 2025) by Katherine Rundell.

<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

"Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell

Impossible Creatures (Sept. 10, 2024/US edition) by Katherine Rundell.

<This is the first novel in a trilogy.>

The day that Christopher Forrester saves a drowning baby griffin from a hidden lochan (lake) near his grandfather’s property changes his life forever. That his grandfather doesn’t bat an eye when Christopher rushes in with a baby griffin is telling. Christopher learns of the Archipelago, a cluster of unmapped islands (though there is a map and a bestiary of magical creatures in the book) where magical, mythological creatures live, sometimes on their own islands and sometimes amongst other humans. Christopher is from the Otherworld (actually, the UK), his grandfather is a guardian and Malum (Mal) Arvorian is not. Christopher’s about to be attacked by a kludde (it has fire for ears) and would be eaten face-first if not for Mal’s shout. She’s just come through the waybetween (like a portal) and needs Christopher’s help. They meet Fidens Nighthand (“You may call me Nighthand: I don’t answer to Fidens.”) the Berserker, Ratwin the ratatoska and Irian Guinne, a marine scientist stationed at the University of Alquon in the west of Antiok, who’s part-nereid (though she doesn’t advertise this fact). They consult sphinxes, negotiate with a small dragon and battle krakens, karkadanns and manticores. Mal is desperate to save the Archipelago. The magical creatures are dying. Gelifen, the baby griffin, is thought to be the last griffin. The glimourie (or magic) is fading. The truth is dark, and somewhere in the Archipelago is an Immortal who has no idea he or she is the Immortal.

            I first saw the UK version advertised one-and-a-half years ago when I was in the UK and knew it’d be a book I’d love. Fast-forward a year later when the US edition was planned to release, and I was first on the list to read my local library’s copy. As soon as I read the first page, I ordered my own personal copy and returned the library copy, so it could move onto the next patron!

            And I was right, I DO LOVE this story where there is a portal into fantasy, magic and mythology. Rundell’s middle-grade trilogy starter is wildly imaginative, the writing fresh, and the characters are well-developed, showcasing courage, hope and strength, but vulnerability, too. For the most sensitive of readers, a beloved character does die, and it caught me so off guard that I teared up. The story sizzles with energy, roars with adventure and blazes with fireworks of creativity. It is thoughtful and takes kids seriously. It is unforgettable and epic; it is easily a new classic.

            P.S. Gelifen is my favorite. Jacques the jaculus (the smallest dragon) is my spirit animal: small, extremely fierce and breathes fire enough to overcome a giant manticore!

            P.P.S. I could really use the tooth of a sphinx.