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A review by hanrutous16
Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell
adventurous
dark
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This is an absolutely fantastic read. The world Rundell creates is imaginative, immersing and beautiful. With a mix of Impossible Creatures where not all are kind and loving and some cause a slow and painful death, it is a world within ours that echos ours.
As an adult reading a kids book, the story was predictable. But that doesn’t detract from the eloquence of Rundell’s writing or the beauty of the world that this book wraps you in. The story itself was quite gripping and even though you could see how it was going to end, the journey to getting there was well worth it.
My biggest question with this book is where it sits for readers. There was a lot of death of young readers, and some very much not-pleasant moments that could scare the more delicate. And the language also felt quite advanced - I only learned what archipelago meant a few years ago, and I learned how to say it while reading this book. But perhaps I am underestimating our new generation of readers as this book has been nothing but popular and well received.
It really is a delightful read with some referencing to the climate crisis for good measure. I would strongly recommend.
As an adult reading a kids book, the story was predictable. But that doesn’t detract from the eloquence of Rundell’s writing or the beauty of the world that this book wraps you in. The story itself was quite gripping and even though you could see how it was going to end, the journey to getting there was well worth it.
My biggest question with this book is where it sits for readers. There was a lot of death of young readers, and some very much not-pleasant moments that could scare the more delicate. And the language also felt quite advanced - I only learned what archipelago meant a few years ago, and I learned how to say it while reading this book. But perhaps I am underestimating our new generation of readers as this book has been nothing but popular and well received.
It really is a delightful read with some referencing to the climate crisis for good measure. I would strongly recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Injury/Injury detail