Published By: Bloomsbury Children
Pages: 304
Released On: 11/09/2025
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…
*****
Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Children for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I’ll be honest, when I read Impossible Creatures, I enjoyed it, but I didn’t really get the hype around it. It was a good read but I felt it was nothing new. So I dithered over whether to read this sequel or not but I’m glad I did.
First things first, there’s a map, that’s it, five stars.
I felt this was far better than the first one. It had what I expected from a fantasy land but Katherine has filled it with such an array of magical creatures that it feels fresh. I felt towards this one the way I think people felt about the first.
I admit, I remember very little from the first one because it’s been so long since I read it, and so was worried I’d be lost, but whilst she doesn’t go over the previous book, somehow it didn’t matter, I was just absorbed in the story on its own merit, rather than just as a sequel.
It’s dark, let’s not beat around the bush here. I won’t spoil it but it does have some dark, difficult moments that wouldn’t be out of place in an adult book let alone one for children.
The dragon Jacques is my favourite character. Due to my bad memory, I don’t really remember him all that much, but from the very first page he’s in, he steals it. A wisecracking, literal, unabashed dragon who is just fabulous.
In generally I would say it’s paced well, but there were moments that felt drawn out and some that didn’t get enough focus and I wanted more depth from.
It is full of action but isn’t overwhelming, and it’s quick to read – I managed it in a little less than a day.
I’m glad I did for go for the sequel because I found it leaps and bounds better than the first one. For me anyway, I found it more magical, more fun, more emotional, more hopeful, and finally gave me the spark that I was expecting from the first one. And I’m already looking forward to book number three.
Books By Your Bedside 