My rating: 4.5

Dragons are dying in the Archipelago, and Christopher Forrester is the only person the creatures will trust to discover why. Following a summons from Jacques, Christopher returns to the Archipelago and sets off on the back of Naravirala the Sphinx to discover what is killing off the dragons.

Meanwhile, trouble is brewing in the kingdom of Dousha. When Anya’s grandfather, the king, dies under suspicious circumstances, her father is accused of poisoning him. Anya is forced to flee when her uncle seizes power and threatens her life. In her quest to prove her father’s innocence, she meets Christopher, and they set off together to discover the connections between what’s harming the dragons and Anya’s uncle’s swift ascent to power.

Many of my favorite characters from Impossible Creatures return and play important roles in this sequel, including Nighthand and Irian. Again, they encounter wondrous creatures, both friend and foe. My only wish is that we had seen more of Christopher’s emotional journey on his return to the Archipelago without his friend Mal. This book was primarily centered on Anya and her journey. While she makes an interesting character facing an intriguing conflict, I would have preferred more balance with Christopher’s story. That being said, I loved this adventure and can’t wait for the next book.

Thank you to Random House Children’s and NetGalley for providing the e-arc for my honest review.

A year has passed since Christopher returned to his home, where he has been building a life in America, when Jacques returns and commands him to return to the land and magic of the Archipelago. This time, the dragons are mysteriously dying, and Jacques needs Christopher's help to find the cause. At the same time, Anya, heir to the kingdom of Dousha, is searching for the answer to a mystery: who murdered her grandfather, and why. The answer, it appears, is the same: the dragons, along with Anya's grandfather, has been poisoned.

In keeping with the first volume, The Poisoned King is a wonderful cross between Percy Jackson and Narnia, with, perhaps, a bit more Narnia in this story and bit less Tolkien than Impossible Creatures, but it maintains the same air of magic, fantasy, and honor that permeated the first book. The Archipelago is still not a safe world; rather, it is a world full of danger, which can only be answered with bravery. Recommended for readers of all ages.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Just as I loved Impossible Creatures when I read its ARC last year, I absolutely loved the sequel as well! Christopher, a year older and wiser, returns to the Archipelago at the request of the dragons, in hopes that he can find a solution to a deadly mystery. Simultaneously, readers meet Anya, the young princess of one of the magical isles and a victim of a dastardly plot for the throne. Together, the two young protagonists face all sorts of creatures, both new and familiar, as they work to save their loved ones.

Rundell has once again done a fantastic job of balancing humor and poignancy. The heroes of the story face dangers and challenges far beyond their years, and Rundell manages to sweep readers fully into the emotion of those moments. The world of the Archipelago is as enchanting as ever - and brought to life once again in the book's beautiful illustrations and bestiary.

The end was a little less than satisfying - however, there are 3 more sequels forthcoming. I look forward to jumping into this world again.
Edit Review

I loved Impossible Creatures, and so did my daughter.

We were excited to return to the Archipelago in The Poisoned King. The world still feels magical and it’s filled with mythical creatures, high stakes, and moments of wonder. There are shorter chapters and striking illustrations making it a fast and fun read together.

Christopher returns alongside Anya, and their story blends adventure with themes of courage, knowledge, and choosing your own path.
A few lessons come across plainly, but the heart and excitement kept us hooked from start to finish. This is a great sequel and worth reading both books.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC

Another fun and magical adventure from Katherine Rundell! Following Impossible Creatures, this book brings Christopher back to the Glimouria Archipelago, this time to aid in the mystery of the dying dragons. Along the way to solving the mystery his path gets intertwined with that of Anya, a princess who is trying to free her kingdom from an evil usurper. This book brings back many of the magical creatures that were introduced in Impossible Creatures, plus more, like the wise and helpful gaganas. Christopher and Anya also meet up with some of the wonderful characters from the first book. I highly recommend both books in this series to readers of all ages! It is best to read them in order to fully understand the world of the Archipelago and the fantastic cast of characters found within. I can’t wait to visit this world again (hopefully)!
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books for an early copy of this book!

This series is magical! I loved seeing how the adventures and characters continue to grow and evolve. I hope this series continues.

A delightful read! Both books in this series have given me the same feeling that reading The Chronicles of Narnia for the first time gave me, decades ago, which is the highest compliment I can think to give. Wonderful character development and quick, but even, pacing. I love how interconnected everything is: each individual’s story, the Archipelago, the Outerlands, all of the different creatures. The story is so carefully crafted and that care comes shining through every sentence. Highly recommend, for both kids and adults!

This is the second installment in the Impossible Creatures series, and it starts shortly after the ending of the first book. Christopher is asked to go back to the Archipelago to help save the dragons, and ends up with a new companion, Princess Anya, and their goals intertwine as Anya finds more leads on who poisoned her grandfather. This book was a great continuation, and I feel this world is richly written and a great book for children and adults alike! I always find myself wanting more of this series!

I had hoped I would like this more than I did, that it would build more on the plot of the first in the series. The creatures and the world Rundell has created are fascinating. I love the very small dragon, Jacques. But this felt a bit like a too-rich dessert to me. The lyrical style of writing, while beautiful, kept me one step removed from the characters, while the plot left me unsatisfied. In both books in the series, an individual villain is defeated, but I didn't have any reason to think that overcoming the villain in this story really mattered for the world as a whole. I don't have a strong motivation to read future series entries.

Beautifully written, not as devastating as the first book in the series, but full of huge emotions and great sentences and sentiments. Some of my favorites:
"The Human creature is such a deceptively simple thing to look at. You can watch someone peel an orange or trip up a flight of stairs, and forget that inside they are both strange and infinite. Take a human by the wrist and you have in your hand a piece of unending longing."
"The day any living thing first opens its eyes to see the world is a stupendous day- whether that thing is a human baby or the smallest pup..."
" It made a difference to have someone to move through the world with again. A friend changed the feel of the universe."

I adore the humor in this series. Even reading the bestiary at the end of the book is a delight for there is great humor in it.

If you haven't read "Impossible Creatures" go do so now so you are ready for the release of this gorgeous sequel.

In this sequel to "Impossible Creatures" Christopher is summoned to return to the Archipelago only to discover that the dragons he's so closely bonded with are all dying. Meanwhile, Princess Anya and her father are accused of poisoning the King by her uncle. Her father jailed and assassins on her trail, Anya runs away and with help from some of the mythical beasts on the island, she meets up with Christopher and they find that they need to help each other in order to save both the remaining dragons and her father's life.

I did not feel that the sequel is as good as the original volume. Predictable plot, but that may not matter to the kids who enjoyed the first volume. It does include a bestiary at the end which the kids will enjoy.

Katherine Rundell has done it again with another wonderful book about The Archipelago.

Jacques the dragon wakes up Christopher one morning to demand that he come back to The Archipelago and save the animals. Dozens have died recently and no one knows why. Horrified, Christopher quickly agrees, leaves his dad a note, and makes his way to the Waybetween on his grandfather's land.

Once he arrives, he finds out that there is another urgent request - Anya, the princess, is in grave danger. He'll have to decide just how much time he can spend assisting her before he must continue on his quest. Anya's grandfather has been murdered with poison, and her father is accused of the crime. She figures out quickly who did it, but if she doesn't leave, she won't be alive long enough to expose them.

Rundell, again, does not shy away from death. This gives her books much more credibility, even with dragons and unicorns and manticores! Rundell understands that children know and understand death and revenge. This book will speak to what they see every day, if on a smaller scale (we hope).

I loved the first book of this series, Impossible Creatures, but I only remembered the bare outlines. I think someone who hasn't read the first book would enjoy The Poisoned King just as much as someone who has.

Thank you to Netgalley and Knopf Books for the advance copy of this book!

I received an electronic ARC from Random House Children's Books through NetGalley.
So often a sequel does not measure up to the original. This is absolutely not true with this book. Christopher and Jacques are back for further adventures. They must figure out who is killing the dragons and prevent more from dying. Once they set forth on their quest, they learn from Naravirala that a young girl needs their help and is important to their journey too. I love how the Sphinx weaves in and out of the story. Readers will become part of the journey and feel they are part of the adventures. Characters old and new connect to save Anya' kingdom, and more importantly, her father's life. I appreciate how Rundell shows readers how much bitterness, anger, and the need for revenge can change a person as young as Anya.
The book flows smoothly and Rundell's descriptions of the mythical creatures is superb. I love the Bestiary included at the end.
Middle grade and older readers will be glad the second book has released and look forward to more.

This was a stunning sequel to Impossible Creatures. Katherine Rundell has managed to capture all the wonder and magic that the HP books brought to my childhood, but infused with more hope and goodness than those books every managed.

The human characters are wonderful, the world of the Archipelago is fascinating, but it is the vast array of magical creatures that take center stage. They are majestic and wise and funny by turns, startling and regal in their inhumanity.

I was absolutely captivated as I read and hope there are more adventures of Christopher and Anya to come.

*Thanks to Knopf Books for Young Readers for providing an early copy for review.

it's hard to read the digital - the illustrations are right over the writing. i got frustrated and decided to wait until I had the actual book in hand (I'm already planning on purchasing it - I loved the first title so very much).

THE POISONED KING – IMPOSSIBLE CREATURES, Book 2

Written by – Katherine Rundell
Illustrated by – Ashley Mackenzie

‘There is a secret place in our world that is carefully hidden from us by magic. It’s a wild magnificent of a place: a land where all creatures of myth still live and thrive . . . . To us they’re half forgotten and we’re long ago dismissed as children’s stories.

‘But we have not destroyed them; they survive.’

I Love the story and the characters!

Anya—My Heart!

‘What do you do with the knowledge that so many human souls are so bitter and so weak? Where could she put it down, the horror she had carried ever since? It was so heavy, and she was so tired.’

Highly Recommend!

If, like me, you struggle with picturing or forget what a mythical creature looks like, their traits, there is a bestiary located in the last few pages of the book.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books (Knopf Books For Young Readers), for providing me with an eBook ARC of THE POISONED KING at the request of an honest review.

Ages: 10 and up

Scheduled For Release, Though Subject To Change: September 11, 2025

I loved this! I will definitely be buying this series for my niece this christmas.

The world is so interesting. Im in awe of the creativity it takes to come up with all of the animals and kingdoms. I really enjoy the writing style, its good for kids but in a cerebral enough way that doesnt feel adolescent.

This was a wonderful second book! The characters remain lovable and the this book will be flying off the shelves I am sure! Such a great story I couldn't put down

I read "The Poisoned King" as a stand alone title. I missed the first book in the series and I have to say that this book stands alone.

Rundell created a story that breaks out quickly and carries the strength of its characters. A strong and willful heroine, Princess Anya, leads the story supported by Christopher Forrester a guardian in training from Book 1. This book is is targeted for middle grade readers but I can see it being read to younger ages. Adults will also find the characters, settings, and a diabolical plot all entertaining and worth the read time.

This Archipelago series definitely stands out as a new magical venue for readers of all ages

As much as I enjoyed reading Impossible Creatures, this second book in the series takes Christopher's adventures to a whole nother level of excitement and creativity. In addition to the various mythical beasts that Christopher encounters, he has a new "partner in crime," Anya. Initially, they each have their own separate goals to be reached but they soon realize that, ultimately, they are both aiming to achieve the same results. There are evil villains along with their confederates, but also many others who are determined to help both Christopher and Anya. There is a very satisfactory ending followed by an illustrated "Bestiary" that describes and imaginatively illustrates the many creatures found in this novel. I have just found out that instead of a trilogy this will now be a five-book series. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this series as soon as each book is published. It can't happen fast enough for me!