The Poisoned King: Discover the epic adventure series loved by readers around the world

The unmissable new story in the No.1 Sunday Times bestselling Impossible Creatures series, for fans of Philip Pullman, Percy Jackson and Skandar.

When Christopher Forrester is unexpectedly woken by a miniature dragon chewing on his face, his heart leaps for joy. For months he’s dreamed of returning to the Archipelago – the secret islands where all the creatures of myth still live. But he did not know it would involve a rescue mission on the back of a sphinx, or a plan to enter a dragon’s lair. Nor did he imagine it would involve a girl with a flock of birds at her side, a new-hatched chick in her pocket and a ravenous hunger for justice…

Awards and praise for Impossible Creatures
WINNER Waterstones Book of the Year
WINNER British Book Awards Children’s Bookof the Year
WINNER Foyles Children’s Book of the Year
WINNER Books Are My BagReaders Award

‘A book stuffed full of fantastical, magical delight’ – Cressida Cowell

‘I love Katherine Rundell and everythings she writes. I defy anyone not to lose their heart to her stories’ – Maggie O’Farrell

‘Readers will seize this with delight‘ – Philip Pullman

‘A masterpiece to rival Tolkien‘ – Daily Telegraph

‘There was Tolkien, there is Pullman and now there is Katherine Rundell’ – Michael Morpurgo

‘Every sentence sparkles … Magnificent’ – The Times

Impossible Creatures Sunday Times bestseller, December 2023