The much-lauded British title Impossible Creatures, first in a new fantasy series by Katherine Rundell (Cartwheeling in Thunderstorms), arrived in the United States as a number one Kids' Indie Next List choice and an immediate bestseller.
Animals have always been drawn to Christopher Forrester. The boy is spending a reluctant holiday with his grandfather at his remote lakeside cabin in Scotland, when an injured baby griffin appears beside the lake. Christopher's grandfather has no choice but to reveal the family secret: they are the guardians of the passageway to the Archipelago, a "riotous, glorious place" where humans live alongside mythological creatures.
Impossible Creatures is a bold and unforgettable start to a captivating series. Rundell creatively uses the hallmarks of British children's literature to develop a standout fantasy--the dangers are real, the narrative voice sophisticated, and the array of creatures dizzying. Black-and-white spot art and full-page illustrations by Ashley Mackenzie (The 66th Rebirth of Frankie Caridi) ground the story in a reality that features cozy kitchens as well as flying coats. Impossible Creatures places itself in a class all its own. --Kyla Paterno, freelance reviewer