Christopher Forrester lives in England, but is sent to visit his eccentric and hermit-like grandfather in Scotland. The correlations with Narnia begin at once and keep coming. IMPOSSIBLE CREATURES which live in a hidden Archipelago are soon frolicking around the Scots glen, and a girl about Christopher’s age named Mal Arvorian follows, seeking her pet baby griffin.
Mal has a coat that helps her to fly, but to my mind, she doesn’t fly half enough in the tale that follows. She’s being chased by a pale-haired murderer, and once she and Christopher are both in the Archipelago the strange man chases both of them. The pair run through town and land on a boat, desperate to escape. The company on board at first doesn’t seem much safer, but gradually the kids and crew, with Captain Fidens Nighthand, come to an understanding.
The murderer is just the ignition point for the action, because of course in a fantasy, there’s a quest involved; and a world-saving endeavour, requiring bravery, skill, luck, and a whole lot of magic beasts. Yes, sphinxes, centaurs, dragons large and tiny, a kraken, and many that seem newly made up, as well as more familiar dryads, unicorns, and sea dwellers, grace the journey. A "Guardians Bestiary" is included within the first pages of the book with drawings and descriptions of the different creatures. I was delighted because if you see a picture of a kraken, it’s extremely likely there’ll be one in the tale.
Katherine Rundell is a celebrated British author of children’s books, and while IMPOSSIBLE CREATURES may be a formulaic fantasy, no doubt it’s because this formula works. She has invented sufficient beasties to look independent from Narnia, which stuck to literary tradition in its zoology. Young readers will have a great time with the breathless escapades and finger-nipping animals, but they need to be prepared to grow up a little during the telling, as Christopher and Mal grow. Some parental comforting may be required at one point.
I can see this younger YA story as an allegory, which may inspire young people to save nature locally and consider the wider environment. IMPOSSIBLE CREATURES or not, some are scary and some sweet, just like in real life.
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