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The Poisoned King

Discover the epic adventure series loved by readers around the world

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The Poisoned King

By: Katherine Rundell
Narrated by: Samuel West
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Bloomsbury presents Impossible Creatures: The Poisoned King by Katherine Rundell, read by Samuel West

The dragons call out, and the ratatoskas tell of murder. Come with us now. There is justice to be done.

Return to the magic of the Archipelago... The Poisoned King is the dazzling second book in Katherine Rundell's epic and bestselling Impossible Creatures series.

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

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...

The unmissable sequel to Impossible Creatures, WINNER of the Waterstones Book of the Year, British Book Awards Children's Book of the Year, Foyles Children's Book of the Year and the Books Are My Bag Readers Award

'A book stuffed full of fantastical, magical delight' – Cressida Cowell on Impossible Creatures

'Readers will seize this with delight' – Philip Pullman on Impossible Creatures

'A masterpiece to rival Tolkien' – Daily Telegraph on Impossible Creatures

'Every sentence sparkles ... Magnificent' – The Times on Impossible Creatures©2025 Katherine Rundell (P)2025 Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Best of 2025 Growing Up & Facts of Life Science Fiction & Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Heartfelt Royalty Dragons
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Critic reviews

Katherine Rundell returns with a perfect fantasy
Rundell is back with a sequel to her runaway middle-grade fantasy hit “Impossible Creatures,” which offers magical thrills for young readers and adults alike.
I love Katherine Rundell and everything she writes. Her books are treasure troves of glittering wisdom and breath-taking plots; her characters leap off the page, singular, passionate, and satisfyingly complex. I defy anyone to not lose their heart to her stories.
An exquisitely written, expertly plotted, emotionally affecting and totally immersive triumph!
A mythical and magical world, the Archipelago is full of colour and opportunity for children to lose themselves in their imaginations. Katherine Rundell delights with this sequel: Exceptional
Few writers today channel the wild heart of children’s literature quite like Katherine Rundell. The award-winning author of Rooftoppers, The Explorer and Impossible Creatures, Rundell has a rare gift: she writes with both intellectual muscle and reckless wonder.
The fantasy world is richly imagined, the dialogue sharp and witty and short chapters drive the pace. This series is pure class.
Dazzling ... the imaginative scope of this series remains colossal
Katherine Rundell's books are an automatic purchase in my house. She is a magician, one of the great storytellers of our time.
A treasure chest of myths
One of our finest authors
Enthralling adventures – a sphinx-back rescue, a harpy-guarded library, a glimpse of a terrifying future – ensue, while characteristically humorous, elegant prose exhorts the reader to defend the frail and precious, remembering that “love is the greatest weapon against the world’s cruelties”. (Imogen Russell Williams)
The second book in the Impossible Creatures series is spectacular. These stories are about so much more than dragons, unicorns and gaganas. They’re about how to live within the chaos and beauty of our miraculous world, and Katherine Rundell is a writer at the top of her game.
All stars
Most relevant
Once again fantastically narrated by Samuel West, Katherine Rundell takes us back to the Archipelago in the company of Christopher and the little dragon with a big personality. We meet Anya, the granddaughter of a reluctant heir to the throne and follow her journey as she flees the castle after her father is accused of murdering her grandfather by her uncle. Christopher is there is find out what is killing all the dragons. Their two purposes collide and they have to join forces and make some serious choices and decisions. Lots of metaphors, allegorical storytelling and humour make this a brilliant books for Holstein and teens.

Storytelling at its best.

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Stunning story and expert narration. Brilliant. Can’t wait for more! Impossible Creatures is truly the heir to Harry Potter…

Superb Adventure

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As always from Katherine Rundell supberb characterisation and storytelling brilliantly narrated by Timothy West. Especially enjoyed the banter, kindness and suppot amongst old and new characters as new bonds were explored in the quest to overcome difficulties.

Outstanding

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Enjoyed return visit to the Magical Archipelago with all its Magical Creatures. Made all the more enjoyable by the excellent story teller, Samuel West.

More Magical Tales

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Beautiful and superb writing that offers such a sharp and concise understanding of the world and emotions to readers young and old. Rundell is never talking down to her audience, only letting you know you're not alone in how you feel. At times the book does race through it's plot, with a number of coincidences moving things along, but I feel you will forgive this as it is a fun, exciting, heart pounding story with characters you love.

Lastly Samuel West's narration is perfect. His array of voices from the biggest to the smallest animal is wonderful. If you listen to this on public transport be prepared to grin like an idiot at Jacques, Coo and Merri to name a few. And never before has the word, Mine, held so much meaning.

The Voices

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