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  • Impossible Creatures
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Impossible Creatures Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Katherine Rundell (Author), Samuel West (Narrator), Listening Library (Publisher)
4.5 out of 5 stars 1,043 ratings

鶹

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#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Two kids race to save the world’s last magical place in the first book of a landmark new fantasy series, from “a writer with an utterly distinctive voice and a wild imagination.” (Philip Pullman, author of The Golden Compass)

“An instant classic from one of the most gifted storytellers of our time, Impossible Creatures is an astonishing miracle of a book.” —Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medal Winner for The One and Only Ivan

A WALL STREET JOURNAL BEST CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, KIRKUS REVIEWS, AND SHELF AWARENESS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

The day that Christopher saved a drowning baby griffin from a hidden lake would change his life forever.

It’s the day he learned about the Archipelago—a cluster of unmapped islands where magical creatures of every kind have thrived for thousands of years, until now. And it’s the day he met Mal—a girl on the run, in desperate need of his help.

Mal and Christopher embark on a wild adventure, racing from island to island, searching for someone who can explain why the magic is fading and why magical creatures are suddenly dying. They consult sphinxes, battle kraken, and negotiate with dragons. But the closer they get to the dark truth of what’s happening, the clearer it becomes: no one else can fix this. If the Archipelago is to be saved, Mal and Christopher will have to do it themselves.

Katherine Rundell’s story crackles and roars with energy and delight. It is brought vividly to life with more than 60 illustrations, including a map and a bestiary of magical creatures.

This audiobook edition includes a downloadable Bestiary PDF to accompany the audio, as well as drawings for each beast.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

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Previous slide of product details
  1. Book 1 of 2
    Impossible Creatures
  2. Listening Length
    8 hours and 55 minutes
  3. Author
    Katherine Rundell
  4. Narrator
    Samuel West
  5. Audible release date
    Sept. 10 2024
  6. Language
    English
  7. Publisher
    Listening Library
  8. ASIN
    B0CTD61XC9
  9. Version
    Unabridged
  10. Program Type
    Audiobook
Next slide of product details

Product details

Book 1 of 2 Impossible Creatures
Listening Length 8 hours and 55 minutes
Author Katherine Rundell
Narrator Samuel West
Audible.ca Release Date September 10 2024
Publisher Listening Library
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B0CTD61XC9
鶹 Rank

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,043 global ratings

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A fun adventure - excited to see where it goes
4 out of 5 stars
A fun adventure - excited to see where it goes
A middle-grade fantasy adventure novel that beautifully captures the essence of childhood wonder! First off, the cover is absolutely stunning! It instantly drew me in and the artwork perfectly captures the whimsical essence of the story. The story takes you on a wonderful adventure with Mal and Christopher full of friendship, love and beautifully described magical creatures ( my favorite being Jacques ) but it also touches on some tough topics like death and grief. I cant wait for the second book and to see where the adventure continues!
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Top reviews from Canada

  • Sheldon A. Wiebe
    5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful!
    Reviewed in Canada on December 10, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Impossible Creatures is captivating. Katherine Rundell is a treasure.

    All I'm going to share about Impossible Creatures is a single example of her ability to nail a scene - our protagonist arrives at his grandfather's house:

    "Frank Aureate's house had clearly, once, been grand - the kind of house that had attics and wine cellars - and paintings of disapproving-women holding small, disapproving dogs - but now it wasn't grand at all."

    Simply enchanting - and that's before we really get into the actual magic.

    Some of the best writing can be found in books for a younger audience. Impossible Creatures is proof of that.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Lexi Fulop
    4.0 out of 5 stars A fun adventure - excited to see where it goes
    Reviewed in Canada on April 15, 2025
    A middle-grade fantasy adventure novel that beautifully captures the essence of childhood wonder!
    First off, the cover is absolutely stunning! It instantly drew me in and the artwork perfectly captures the whimsical essence of the story. The story takes you on a wonderful adventure with Mal and Christopher full of friendship, love and beautifully described magical creatures ( my favorite being Jacques ) but it also touches on some tough topics like death and grief. I cant wait for the second book and to see where the adventure continues!
    Customer image
    Lexi Fulop
    4.0 out of 5 stars
    A fun adventure - excited to see where it goes

    Reviewed in Canada on April 15, 2025
    A middle-grade fantasy adventure novel that beautifully captures the essence of childhood wonder!
    First off, the cover is absolutely stunning! It instantly drew me in and the artwork perfectly captures the whimsical essence of the story. The story takes you on a wonderful adventure with Mal and Christopher full of friendship, love and beautifully described magical creatures ( my favorite being Jacques ) but it also touches on some tough topics like death and grief. I cant wait for the second book and to see where the adventure continues!
    Images in this review
    Customer image
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  • isabella
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
    Reviewed in Canada on March 22, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Good book. A little bit sad
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  • Rylee Connor
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gift
    Reviewed in Canada on March 7, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Got granddaughter several books of 鶹 for Christmas last year…she loves them all
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  • victoria mclean
    5.0 out of 5 stars For an 11 year old
    Reviewed in Canada on February 3, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Got this for my granddaughter for Christmas as she is into dragons, etc. Pre ordered the second book which should be out for Christmas in 2025
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  • OpenedBooks Reviews
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fast-paced epic magical adventure to save the world
    Reviewed in Canada on March 6, 2025
    Katherine Rundell’s Impossible Creatures is a breathtaking fantasy adventure that blends myth and reality, offering readers a thrilling yet thought-provoking tale. At its heart are Christopher and Mal, two young protagonists thrust into a world where they must grow up fast and face their inherited fates. Their journey is more than just a battle against an evil man seeking to drain magic from the Archipelago—it mirrors real-world struggles, where power-hungry individuals exploit our planet, depleting its natural resources and disregarding environmental protection.

    The novel’s depiction of mythical creatures dying off due to magic being stolen serves as a striking allegory for the destruction of habitats and species caused by climate change. And just as Christopher and Mal carry the weight of saving their world, today’s children bear the burden of protecting our own—a heavy, unjust responsibility. Rundell subtly reminds readers that it’s our duty to lift up the next generation, just as characters like Nighthand and Irian guide and support the young heroes in their quest.

    The pacing of Impossible Creatures is relentless, packed with action and suspense that keeps readers on edge. The ending is both heartbreaking and hopeful, leaving a deep emotional impact and an urgent desire for book two, set to release in September. The inclusion of stunning illustrations and a bestiary enriches the world-building, making it even more immersive.

    This is a book that children can return to year after year, discovering new layers of meaning as they grow. Rundell’s meticulous research and rich storytelling ensure that Impossible Creatures isn’t just an exciting fantasy—it’s a poignant reflection of our present reality. A must-read for young readers navigating a world where they, too, must fight for their future.
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  • Charmaine Louise ONEIL
    5.0 out of 5 stars bedtime story reading
    Reviewed in Canada on January 14, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Jan14/2025-Looks like going to be a very nice book to read to children before going to bed.
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  • Ianp
    2.0 out of 5 stars Good idea, TERRIBLE writing
    Reviewed in Canada on January 26, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a great adventure told terribly; ut feels like it missed at least one round of editing. There are constant run-on sentences, overuse of '-' in awkward places, and an overall lack of any character development that leaves you detached from every character. The grammar structure is such that you often cannot discern who is speaking or acting, and there is so much descriptive language that almost feels sensual about the two teen characters. There's also CONSTANTLY blood; any minor bump or bruise and theres descriptive language about blood.

    I can't believe the hype this book has- it feels like it must be fake to me. This is not a new classic fantasy story.

    Overall this is a pass. My son and I read a lot of books together, and this has been the most challenging one to get through. We finished it (and the story gets interesting about halfway through if you are wondering if you should continue) but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Leebunny
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    We are LOVING reading this aloud as a family. Absolutely gripping, and beautiful and just so, so good. This is going to be a classic. 10/10!
    Report
  • TJ
    4.0 out of 5 stars interesting yet…
    Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Characters, creatures, scenery and chaos. Everything seemed mashed together. People moving from one place to another with a new creature presented here and there. Scrambling seems the best way to describe how I felt when I read this. Beautiful concept, lovely imagery and filled with hope yet I somewhat feel empty after it ended.
    Report
  • Rebecca dow
    5.0 out of 5 stars You’ll have to take it away so your kids will go to bed
    Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    First off, the book itself is beautiful. My daughter that is 11 loved this book. I had to fight her to go to sleep one night because she couldn’t put it down
    Customer image
    Rebecca dow
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    You’ll have to take it away so your kids will go to bed

    Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2025
    First off, the book itself is beautiful. My daughter that is 11 loved this book. I had to fight her to go to sleep one night because she couldn’t put it down
    Images in this review
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  • Sharron P. Cohen
    5.0 out of 5 stars AGE THIS BOOK UP
    Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this book for my grandson, a 9-year-old, which is the bottom of the suggested age range (9+). He's a decently competent reader who has enjoyed reading the "How to Train Your Dragon" series and having the Harry Potter novels read to him. Having read it myself, I plan to hold the book about two years before giving it to him because I think the age range for both reading and comprehension of ideas is closer to 11/12, middle school.

    I found Impossible Creatures beautifully written, though a bit one-adventure-after-another tedious nearing the end. (First the griffin, then the kracken, then the manticores....). But, oh, the end. A very competent 9-year-old reader could probably handle the reading level, but I wonder how many 9 year olds can handle the power ball of duty, love, sacrifice, grief, and the immortal soul that left this cynical 77-year-old weeping.

    Bravo to Katherine Rundell for presenting those concepts to children. Just, maybe wait 'til middle school. Or get ready for some questions for which YOU might not have the answers.
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  • Thicc & Ired
    5.0 out of 5 stars 4.8 / 5.0
    Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This is justified in its hype and awards. My younger son (9) and I (47) loved this.

    He especially enjoyed the fantastic creatures and the writing layout. From my perspective, I appreciated the themes and how difficult events/emotions were handled.

    Overall, very well done and we are awaiting the next book.

    Until Next Time,
    MC
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