Impossible Creatures is a stunning children's book that adults and children alike will love and treasure. The stories are short and succinct and the drawings are stunning. 9/10

This book pulled me back to some of the wonderful fantasy books I read as a child. The book was imbued with magic, love, friendship, and hope. The characters were delightful, especially all of the magical creatures. This book will stay with me for a long time and will be a favorite for both adults and children!

I could say a million more things about this book, but all I’ll say it go read this book ASAP!

Thank you to Katherine Rundell, NetGalley, and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell is a Middle Grade fantasy where Christopher, a young boy visiting his grandfather in Scotland, learns that his family are the guardians of a magical realm where magical creatures still roam the Earth. Mal is a young girl who can fly with the help of an extremely long cloak and wants to save the last griffin in existence.

The art in this is so stunning. It’s dreamy and fairy tale-esque and wonderfully drawn to make the most out of the limited color palette. I loved every single piece and how they complimented the storytelling of the prose. The unicorns were especially fantastic and full of movement.

For the story, I loved it. I devoured this book in a single sitting because I had to know what happened to Christopher and Mal and Gilfen, the last griffin. All of the characters feel distinct and fleshed out, with Mal and Christopher feeling like ten-year-olds . Mal’s arc was one of strength and impossible choices while Christopher feels like a fresh take on the portal fantasy-style main character.

Another thing I really liked was the pacing. Everything felt tightly paced but not in a way that felt breathless. Katherine Rundell knows when to let a story breathe and when to give us character moments that enrich their dynamics with each other.

The opening is extremely grabbing and the Voice will not let you go until the end. I cannot recommend this enough for lovers of Middle Grade fantasy and middle school classrooms.

Thank you, Katherine Rundell and NetGalley, for the ARC. I leave this review voluntarily and happily. Also, thank you publishers for your hard work!

I truly enjoyed reading this. The artwork throughout the book was wonderful, and just the details were phenomenal. I couldn't stop looking at them. Not only that, the story was funny, sad, witty, and just a great storyline, and I couldn't put it down. It certainly had me staying up waaay past my regular bedtime as I just got lost into what was happening. Notably that at the very end you get a bestiary! That's wicked!

A book full of magic, magical creatures, adventure, and danger! This book is definitely for young adults who want a fast-paced book filled with lore. Creatures, murder and mystery. Not only that, there's even a slight budding romance between the main characters!

If magic was disappearing and magical creatures were dying, wouldn't you try and figure out why it was happening? Wouldn't you try to help and stop it if you were able to? Read this book to find out what's happening to this magical world and the creatures living in it. Will the creatures continue to die off and the magic vanish completely, or will things get better?

This book was well worth the read and losing some sleep doing it. It deserves the stars I'm giving it.

Oh my goodness, when I say I cried…

I knew I was going to love <i>Impossible Creatures</i> one chapter in. The second chapter only furthered my absolute certainty that Katherine Rundell had entirely captured me with her brilliant writing.

There’s so much to love about this novel, but much of it comes down to the acknowledgement that Rundell is a master of character, plot, and world-building. The fact that she is a phenomenal writer only further enhances the brilliance of this story. <i>Impossible Creatures</i> follows Mal and Christopher on one of the most entertaining and grueling adventures I’ve ever had the pleasure to read. And my goodness, the tears. There were so many tears.

It is downright impossible not to love these beautiful characters, especially the adorable little creatures that pop up throughout the story. Gelifen, Ratwin, and Jacques were such an absolute delight that I was truly in despair when they were not present on the page. Mal and Christopher begin their journey as children, innocent and naïve to many of the worlds ills, and end the adventure with growth and knowledge to span lifetimes. The band of characters they meet along the way are all quirky and wonderful in their own ways, whether they are the sidekicks you live for or the villainous sort you root against.

I do think that parts of this story may hit differently, depending on what sort of reader you are and what you’re expecting from a book that is clearly middlegrade. It’s important to note that there is genuinely a surprising amount of death included for a children’s book. For this reason, I would probably err on the side of reading this to older middlegrade kiddos and young YA readers. Rundell does not shy away from the sadness and cruel realities of such dangerous excursions and it’s important to know that going in. But, if you’re ready to have the tough conversations or a child is ready to work through those kind of emotions, <i>Impossible Creatures</i> truly is one of the best books I’ve ever read.

This was such a strong start to this fantasy series. It had everything that I was looking for and had that children's fiction novel perfectly. Katherine Rundell has a great writing style for this type of book and that the characters worked in this story. It left me wanting to read more in this series and from the author. I loved the illustrations of this book and enjoyed the way this was written.

What worked:
The story has an effective hook right from the beginning as page one informs readers a black doglike creature tries to eat Christopher while page two lets us know someone is trying to murder Mal. Details aren’t shared until a little later but readers are immediately captured by curiosity. The early chapters alternately tell the stories of the two characters until their separate paths converge. All kinds of animals are drawn to Christopher like a magnet which leads to teasing from classmates and strange stares from adults. Mal also has a connection with animals and she defies her father’s wishes by flying into the air with her magical coat. A baby griffin eventually brings the two characters together and adds an adorable animal to the cast.
The plot begins as an adventure to find out why magical creatures are dying in the Archipelago. They all need the power of the glimourie, magic emanating from the first tree, but it’s slowly disappearing. All signs point to the absence of the Immortal, the caretaker of the tree. An Immortal will always exist as its death will result in a new one arising somewhere in the Archipelago. An innovative twist arises as the Immortal isn’t always human. Consequently, no one knows where to find the new Immortal or what form it will take. Will it be a centaur, dryad, another human, or something else entirely? Christopher and Mal must locate the new Immortal to save the glimourie from disappearing.
Young readers will be delighted to see all kinds of mythical, magical creatures such as unicorns, mermaids, and manticores. Some of the animals are safe and helpful while others, like the kraken, are aggressive and can destroy ships or eat humans. Christopher and Mal are assisted by a Berzerker whose ship is navigated by a small creature called a ratatoska. Along the way, the kids face a dragon that threatens to eat them but later becomes an ally. The survival of all creatures, both in the Archipelago and the Otherworld, depends on Mal and Christopher succeeding in their quest. Ironically, some of the beasts don’t know that killing the pair will result in their own deaths.
What didn’t work as well:
The plot doesn’t have everything work nicely and neatly as in many other books. Young readers might be surprised and upset when some characters are seriously injured or die in the course of events. A couple of main characters are among the casualties. However, the real world doesn’t always work out as people plan and this story is a reminder. The loss of characters helps to stress the importance of the conflict and adds suspense to the book.
The final verdict:
The author develops an imaginative story that blends magical creatures with a dire quest for survival. The narrative is written with highly descriptive, colorful language that adds to the reader’s pleasure. This book will be a sure hit and I highly recommend you give it a shot.

Wow, I absolutely adored this fantastical & adventurous novel! The prose was beautiful and gave me such a lovely feeling of nostalgia for the fantasy stories I read as a child. I feel like Impossible Creatures is going to become such a special book for so many young readers!

Follow Christopher and Mail as they travel Archipelago to find out why magical creatures are dying. They make friends along the way, that help and protect them. Katherine Rundell had done it again with her wonderful fantasy book. I laughed, cried and routed for the characters and the mythical creatures. I enjoyed Rooftoopers and this one didn’t disappoint. This was a quick read and I read it in a few days.

Impossible Creatures by Katherine Randell is a delightful children’s book full of mystic creatures and two heroes that are on a mission to protect the Archipelago, where the magical creatures live. The main characters, Christopher and Mal, are lively children who are brave as they face down several challenges in their quest. It’s an action packed story with new creatures and adventures in each chapter.
This is a wonderful book for your middle grade age children and adults alike. There’s a bestiary of the creatures at the back of the book with beautifully rendered illustrations. There will be a special edition for the first printing which sounds lovely as a collector’s item on your bookshelf.

Thank you Random House Children’s and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s for this DRC.
Mal is from the Archipelago and Christopher is from the Outside. The instant they meet they know they will do anything to the magic of the Archipelago that keeps the magical, impossible creatures alive and safe. An impossibly engaging adventure quest with Berserkers, sphinxes, naiads and more, this book is one you won’t want to put down.
The first two short chapters had me squirming in my seat with excitement. I loved every moment whether I was excited, tense or crying! I hope to read more in this world.
#ImpossibleCreatures #NetGalley

...So I went and bought the fancy stenciled-edge edition from Waterstones. Oops, hand must have slipped. Don't tell the husband. :)

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's for the ARC.

Christopher never understood why animals were drawn to him until a summer trip to stay with his grandfather in Scotland leads him to discover his family are the Guardians of the Gateway to The Archipelago: a magical group of islands where mythical creatures still exist. But something is very wrong in The Archipelago. Creatures are dying and disappearing, migrating from their traditional habitats, and becoming increasingly violent. When he meets Mal, fleeing for her life with a baby griffin, he decides to work with her to discover why and hopefully find a way to fix it before everything is lost.

I loved the way this book was designed. The sketches gave it an old scientific journal feel, and it very much had The Lion, Witch, and The Wardrobe vibes. It was so imaginative and detailed, bringing in creatures I had never even heard of and I have read a lot of fantasy and mythology.

Mal and Christopher were great protagonists: brave and strong, but not afraid to do what needed to be done despite their fear. They were very much children at times, finding the joy in the creatures and the magic—Mal has a coat that allows her to fly!—but also touched by grief and the serious nature of their quest.

This was such a great read for all ages!

Absolutely adored this engaging middle grade fantasy novel about forgotten magical creatures and the dark magic that threatens them.

Mal is such a unique character, and her world of myths and lore was so interesting. Christopher is a great friend to her, and grows enormously throughout this book, along with a host of side characters that I grew to love just as much as the main ones.

The magical creatures all felt real and kept me eagerly reading as Mal and Christopher explored this magical world.

Highly recommend Impossible Creatures, though the happy but also sad ending will make you cry.

What a great, fun book! The characters are lovable. The plot is action packed. Each page is a new adventure. The descriptions are vibrant. Kids are going to love this book!

Katerine Rundell brings in the epic adventure, and the journey is remarkable! In this children’s fiction book, Christopher and Mal are on a race to save the last magical place.

Readers will laugh, cry, and sit on the edge of the seat for this fantasy.

British bookseller Waterstones (like Barnes and Noble in the US) crowned “Impossible Creatures” the 2023 Book of the Year and that wasn’t limited to just a children’s category. Indeed, here is a magical adventure for adults, too, akin to a first time reading Rowling, Tolkien, or Pullman. Apparently this is the first tale of at least a trilogy. All ages will delight in the incredible bestiary, in a story led by two older children: Christopher, who has discovered his grandfather is the guardian of the “waybetween” — a portal betwixt our world and the Archipelago where the last remaining magic or “glimourie” remains; and Mal, a Archipelago girl who fosters her world’s last baby griffin and owns a flying coat. Mal knows that all is not well — the mythical beasts are dying out, gray soil is spreading, and the magic is fading. She recruits Christopher to join her in a quest to discover why. There’s also a murderer after her who knows there’s something special about Mal, even in a world of incredulous things.

We are treated to Christopher and Mal’s adventure with green gossiping squirrel navigators, silver centaurs, emerald scaled flying horses, smugglers and scholars. Christopher and Mal team up with Nighthand (a “Beserker”) and Irian (a sea scientist). All four must solve the riddles of sphinxes to get critical information to proceed. The story is thrilling and yet beset in shadows — there’s a sort of environmental disaster underway that’s causing the death of the mythical beasts. If you loved Harry and Hermione, Lyra Balacqua and Pantalaimon, Frodo and Bilbo and all their adventures (some dangerous), you’ll surely love Christopher and Mal, too.

5 stars! I can’t wait for the continuation, although this one wraps up neatly. I read an ARC with unfinished illustrations (the US edition will be illustrated by Ashley MacKenzie; the UK version had bestiary art by Tomislav Tomic) — I’ll definitely want to eventually compare the two books (like the differing Harry Potter artwork of Mary GrandPré and Jim Kay). Don’t miss this next great addition to children’s fantasy!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Petroc, the centaur, and Erato, the dryad, have green eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO In magical forests, anything is possible. Especially the bunnies following Christopher who leave a trail of new grass as they hop or the abandoned palace overrun with wild roses instead of destructive vines.

Thank you to Random House Children’s/Knopf and NetGalley for a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

I was not expecting to be sobbing over a children’s book, but here we are.
This book is absolutely stunning. It’s got magic, mythical beasts, a quest, found family, and a beautiful message about love and sacrifice. The characters are both charming and flawed, and so very real. The setting is magical, and the world building is great. But this is so much more than a whimsical story. There is real heartbreak and loss here and yet it’s handled so beautifully. Like I said, I’m crying like a baby over this book, and to me, there is no higher recommendation. You’re never too old for a well-written magical tale.

Many t thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the preview. All opinions are my own.

Impossible Creatures is a story of whimsey and magic and, of course, impossible creatures. This is a wonderful tale of two children who set out on a quest and bring the readers along for the adventure. Its a story to bring out the child in all of us, perfect for preteens but engaging enough for adults who love tales of fantastic creatures and journeys to magical places. And the Guardian's Beastiary at the end could give Newt Scamander a run for his money. This book is a complete story but bears a gift of a hint at the end that Christopher will visit Mal in the Archipelago in the future and I'm ready to return so I'm hopeful that this becomes a series of stories as vivid as this one.
The publisher's description of the print run actually makes me want to start my holiday shopping early because it sounds like a great holiday gift for booklovers of all ages with "a foil and embossed jacket, full-color designed endpapers, red stained edges, and a red case cover with gold stamping."
(4.5* rounded up to 5*/5 for the illustrated Beastiary included).
I received advanced digital access to this book thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Random House Children's, Knopf Books for Young Readers) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.