Impossible Creatures (Impossible Creatures #1) [S0005]

2025 PB with minor wear. Illustrated and featuring beautifully designed stenciled edges depicting a creature from the book. #1 New York Times Bestseller • The first book in the landmark new fantasy series that continues with The Poisoned King • A Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and Shelf Awareness Best Book of the Year. "A glorious fantasy adventure . . . Brimming with intelligence, inventiveness and generosity of heart."-The Wall Street Journal. (One of the Best Children's Books of the Year). Two kids race to save the world's last magical place in this instant classic from "a writer with an utterly distinctive voice and a wild imagination." (Philip Pullman, author of The Golden Compass).

The day that 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, in desperate need of 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. Katherine Rundell's story crackles and roars with energy and delight. It is brought vividly to life with more than 60 illustrations, including a map and a bestiary of magical creatures.

From recent Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "The writing is incredible and the plot thrilling. The magical world is enthralling. If you don't believe in fantasy, you will after reading this book. We cannot recommend this book highly enough. If you choose it, get ready for an thrilling adventure. This book involves danger, love and magic."; "It's very rare, at the ripe age of 32, that a book can transport me back to being tucked up in my childhood bedroom exploring the impossibly imaginative worlds of Tolkien, Rowling, Pullman and Gaiman, but Rundell has achieved it. A devastatingly emotional and magnificently creative story - I immediately want the next one!"; "As a children's book, this one is well-deserving of a 5-star and Waterstone's Book of the Year award. With a beautiful map of the Archipelago and an illustrated Bestiary, Impossible Creatures was a magical tale of love, courage and friendship. It has all the timeless tropes that work so well in such tales that are filled with mythical creatures and wonder, but yet felt refreshing at the same time. Highly recommended."