The Poisoned King

Illustrated by Ashley Mackenzie
Look inside
Best Seller
$19.99 US
RH Childrens Books | Knopf Books for Young Readers
12 per carton
On sale Sep 11, 2025 | 9780593809907
Age 10 and up
Reading Level: Lexile 640L | Fountas & Pinnell Z
Sales rights: US,OpnMkt(no EU/CAN)

See Additional Formats
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • 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)!

*This spectacular book features foil and embossing on the jacket, full-color designed endpapers, and brilliant stained edges*

A GOOD HOUSEKEEPING KIDS' BOOK AWARD WINNER


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. The splendors within are brought to life with fifty illustrations, including a map and a bestiary of magical creatures.
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
"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

About

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • 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)!

*This spectacular book features foil and embossing on the jacket, full-color designed endpapers, and brilliant stained edges*

A GOOD HOUSEKEEPING KIDS' BOOK AWARD WINNER


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. The splendors within are brought to life with fifty illustrations, including a map and a bestiary of magical creatures.

Photos

additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo

Praise

"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