Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Thrilling sequel pits kids and dragons against killer.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
THE POISONED KING finds Christopher Forrester and his friends facing new challenges in the Archipelago. Dragons are dying in droves, and no one knows why. In the wake of Book 1's events, Christopher, back in Scotland is grief-stricken but diligent in his Guardian responsibilities, and quickly agrees to return and help. Once there, he and his magical-being friends face an even more urgent problem—saving a kid from being killed. That would be Princess Anya, 12, whose evil uncle, bent on seizing the throne, has just murdered her grandfather the king, framed her father for the crime, and is now sending soldiers out to kill her. This may or may not have anything to do with the dragons, but Christopher and some unlikely allies are soon speeding to the rescue.
Is It Any Good?
Katherine Rundell's brilliantly imaginative, wildly adventuresome, heartstring-tugging sequel to Impossible Creatures brings humans and magical beings together to stop whatever's killing dragons. And also to protect a 12-year-old princess, whose grandfather, The Poisoned King, was murdered by an evil uncle who's now trying to kill her as well. With many moments of deadly peril, luminous triumph, deep grief, and sweet wisdom, it's a thrilling, emotional ride—much enhanced by Ashley Mackenzie's dynamic visuals.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about stories involving mythical and magical beings from many traditions who still live on, in a world outside of our own. What stories do you know of people from our world going to a world like that, and how do they turn out? How does the world of the Archipelago, seen in The Poisoned King, fit it that genre, and how do you like it?
Greed, and whether it's a good idea, is a strong theme of storytelling going back at least to King Midas, and is important to this story. What other stories do you know with a greed theme—and how do they turn out for the greedy ones?
If you could see the future that would result from a choice you were making, would you want to? Do you think it would change your decision?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Ashley Mackenzie
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Adventures , Fantasy ( Dragons , Magic , Monsters , Unicorns ) , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy , Integrity , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Alfred A. Knopf
- Publication date : September 11, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 12
- Number of pages : 304
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 25, 2025
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