Impossible Creatures: The Poisoned King

When Christopher Forrester responds to a desperate plea from a miniature dragon to help the world of Glamourie, he does not hesitate. The dragons are dying; Christopher is a Guardian. He finds himself once again involved in high adventure and jeopardy. Anya, princess of Argen, is on a quest, her heart full of revenge. Revenge on her uncle who has murdered the old king and will execute her father. Together they form an uneasy alliance as they search for an antidote to the poison that is killing the dragons – and others. It will involve sphinxes, magical birds, karkadams, manticores and the last griffin. It is a race against time; will they succeed? Will Anya get her wish?

For those who have already experienced the magical Archipelago of Glamourie this will be a welcome return – and up to every expectation. For those coming to this world for the first time, it will be a vivid experience. While The Poisoned King is the second in a series, in many respects it can stand alone providing an introduction and hopefully encouraging the reader to go back to the first book. Rundell keeps to her storytelling template which allows young readers to feel confident as they follow the twists and turns. The adventures are distinct, the characters also distinct – the link is Christopher. Each book is built round a particular moral dilemma. Here it is Anya’s unswerving desire for revenge – a thread that provides motivation and sense of urgency. But what might be the consequences? Enriching the whole is Rundell’s imagination. We are in the world of the medieval and mythical bestiary. We meet truly terrifying creatures. There is nothing cosy about the situations facing the young protagonists. Rundell’s style is immediate, accessible, crystal clear, inviting the reader to continue the reading journey. Descriptions are concise, dialogue ensures the narrative moves at a pace; the reader wants to turn the page. The title decorations by Tomasliv Tomić add just the right amount of visual relief, a reminder of this world, while the map at the beginning and the Guardian’s Bestiary at the end provide all the information required to place the geography and the creatures met within the pages. The author is not breaking the mould, but taking well tried motifs she has created something fresh and exciting which will be enjoyed by contemporary readers. It will be interesting to see how the world of Glamourie develops.