Published: 2023
Series: Book 1
Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Magical Realism
Audience: Grades 7–12
Number of Stars: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Goodreads Link: Impossible Creatures
Content Warnings: None.
Publisher’s Summary
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.
Review
Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell is a richly imagined fantasy adventure that is both heartwarming and exciting! It begins when a boy named Christopher rescues a baby griffin from a mysterious, forbidden lake. What seems like a simple act of kindness quickly becomes the catalyst for an extraordinary journey—one that will change his life forever.
Christopher soon meets Mal, the griffin’s owner, and together they set out to uncover the reason behind the world’s fading magic. Their quest takes them across a series of enchanted islands, each filled with wondrous creatures and unexpected allies. Along the way, readers are introduced to a dazzling cast of magical beings and a vividly crafted world that feels both timeless and entirely original. At its core, this is a story about friendship, bravery, and the enduring fight to protect what matters most. Rundell’s lyrical prose and imaginative storytelling make this a standout read for fans of fantasy and adventure.
🎒 Classroom & Curricular Connections
- English/Language Arts (Lyrical Prose): Rundell is known for her mastery of language. Students can analyze her use of metaphors and how she breathes new life into “tired” mythological tropes.
- Environmental Science: Use the “fading magic” as a springboard to discuss Keystone Species. If magic disappears, the entire ecosystem of the Archipelago collapses.
- Creative Writing: Have students research a lesser-known mythological creature and write a “guide entry” for it as if it lived on one of Rundell’s unmapped islands.
