The Poisoned King

By: Katherine Rundell

Narrated by: Sam West

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • THE SECOND BOOK IN THE LANDMARK NEW FANTASY SERIES THAT BEGAN WITH IMPOSSIBLE CREATURES

“Rundell is back with a sequel . . . which offers magical thrills for young readers and adults alike.”—The New York Times

Return to the magic of the Archipelago in the dazzling sequel to the runaway, smash hit Impossible Creatures, hailed as “an instant classic” (Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medal Winner for The One and Only Ivan)!

Christopher Forrester woke to find a dragon chewing on his face—and his heart leapt for joy! He’d been dreaming of going back to the Archipelago, the secret cluster of islands where all the creatures of myth still live, and here was his summons.

But there is a poison spreading in the Archipelago. Rooting it out will involve a daring rescue mission on the back of a sphinx, a stealthy entrance to a dragon’s lair, and a death-defying plan to save a prisoner held in the heart of a castle. At the center of this storm is Anya: a small girl with a flock of birds at her side, a new-hatched chick in her pocket, and a ravenous hunger for justice.

Katherine Rundell’s second thrilling installment in the Impossible Creatures series involves castles, dragons, and revenge—the things of which great stories are made.

A GOOD HOUSEKEEPING KIDS' BOOK AWARD

Critic reviews

"Rundell is back with a sequel....which offers magical thrills for young readers and adults alike." —The New York Times

"A brilliantly imaginative, wildly adventuresome, heartstring-tugging sequel in a series destined to become a classic....With many moments of deadly peril, luminous triumph, deep grief, and sweet wisdom, it's a thrilling, emotional ride." —Common Sense Media

★ "A spectacular return to a magical world." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "Rundell’s ability to render the nobility and pathos of the human experience will take readers on a profoundly affecting journey that they will remember long after the book is closed." —The Horn Book, starred review

"A high-energy and imaginative sequel....Rundell expertly shapes another magical adventure in The Poisoned King." —Shelf Awareness

Lovely story!

Sam West’s narration is so good in this series! Really brings the animal characters to life.

I loved the dragons Jaq is best

that there isnt another book out I want more Christopher is a cool character

Love the story!

Really thought this and Impossible. Creatures would be something else entirely, but it has been a wonderful adventure so far. The story line allows for the tale to continue book after book, introducing us to new adventures, creatures, old friends and more daring feats in a land most of us dream of at one point or another. Can’t wait for the next one!

Deeply satisfying

This is a terrific continuation of the story and an expansion of the universe. I loved it.

Better than the first one!

Fantastic narration! Our family loved this one and the first! The characters and imagery are so vibrant.