Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell

The day Christopher saved a drowning baby griffin from a hidden lake would change his life forever. It's the day he learned about the Archipelago, a cluster of unmapped islands where magical creatures of every kind have thrived for thousands of years—until now. And it's the day he met Mal, a girl on the run who desperately needs his help.

Mal and Christopher embark on a wild adventure, racing from island to island, searching for someone who can explain why the magic is fading and why magical creatures are suddenly dying. They consult sphinxes, battle kraken, and negotiate with dragons. But the closer they get to the dark truth of what's happening, the clearer it becomes: no one else can fix this. If the Archipelago is to be saved, Mal and Christopher will have to do it themselves.

Hardcover, 368 pages

Published September 10, 2024 

by Knopf Books for Young Readers

4.5/5 stars

Impossible Creatures, deemed to be the children's book to read this year, so I grabbed a copy. 

This was such a fun read. An adventurous story with 2 likeable characters and a whole cast of characters/creatures - the appendix was great with descriptions of each along with illustrations. Speaking of illustrations, they were wonderfully done throughout the pages.

Impossible Creatures is a multi-­layered story. As Mal and Christopher meet they develop a friendship and embark on a quest. Its not just an adventure story though. You've got these 2 with some baggage - grief, loss and the hardships of life. They are now running from someone who wants Mal dead and she has no clue why. It reminded me a little of Narnia, but on a different level.  

Though this is tabled as children literature, this adult quite enjoyed herself. Suffice to say I will be on the lookout for the sequel, The Poisoned King next September.  

This book was part of my 2024 reading off my shelf challenge