A review by motherbooker
Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell

5.0

There are a few occasions when I've read a children's book and wished that it had been around when I was a kid. My younger self would have bloody loved this one. There were so many amazing creatures and characters. I can just see myself getting absorbed in this story. I mean I was absorbed in my mid-30s. This is an absolutely wonderful book. It manages to be sophisticated without being too difficult to follow. It has silliness and humour but it also has emotional depth. It doesn't talk down to the reader and appreciated that children can crave something more than fart jokes and caricatures. It's the kind of book that children and parents can read together and both be equally invested in.

The story setup is pretty simple: a human boy finds out about a magical world and has to do whatever it takes to save it. However, it manages to tell this story in a refreshing way. It has shades of Philip Pullman and Neil Gaiman. The world-building is incredible and detailed yet the story never seems to stop. There's plenty of lore and context to get through but it's told so succinctly. It doesn't feel like those fantasy novels where you're constantly wading through the various mythology of the fantasy world. The pacing makes it such an easy read and perfect for younger readers and the chapters are a great length for reading a few per night.

The story is a warm and cosy tale full of cute creatures. However, there are also dark themes and dark moments. It isn't a one-dimensional book. The story touches on death and grief. The young protagonists are put into dangerous situations. However, it is still perfectly child-friendly and I think Rundell does a great of balancing the different tones. We know how capable she is of handling these things by now. You can also tell that none of the darker moments are included on a whim. They serve a purpose and add to themes.

Katherine Rundell understandings young readers. Okay, she understands readers in general but she really understands children. She isn't afraid to acknowledge that children face hardships. She will include difficult decisions and heartbreaking moments in her story. Yet, she's always quick to follow it up with some fun and adventure to ensure reading remains enjoyable. Rundell writes books that people want to read and, more importantly, books that they want to reread. Her characters have depth and experience character growth. Her stories are engaging and varied. Her world-building is up there with the best fantasy writers. This book really is as good as everyone says.

I'm sometimes asked why I read children's books as an adult. Writers like Katherine Rundell are the reason why. Her books are clever and beautifully written. She also writes books that remind you what reading should be about. She captures the excitement and joy of picking up a book as a child and wanting to dive in. You experience those feelings again. That feeling of being lost in a story and never wanting it to end. I'm looking forward to seeing what she writes next, obviously, but I'm just as excited to read this one again.