Disney has placed its bets on Katherine Rundell's "Impossible Creatures" series as its next major fantasy franchise, acquiring the film rights and highlighting Rundell as the first author since J.K. Rowling to top children's bestseller lists in both the U.S. and U.K. Originally envisioned as a trilogy, the series has expanded to five books under a seven-figure publishing contract, a testament to its considerable hype, particularly following the release of its third installment, "The Neverfear."
"Impossible Creatures" transports readers to the Glimouria Archipelago, a hidden realm where mythological creatures still exist. This setting, inspired by Rundell's childhood in Harare, Zimbabwe, blends elements of real-world zoology with mythology and classical literature. The narrative draws parallels to epic journeys and classic tales; the first book echoes "The Odyssey," while the second is based on "Hamlet."
"The Neverfear" specifically follows Christopher Forester, a boy with a profound connection to animals, who tends to mythical creatures on Glimt island alongside the former pirate Nighthand and the scholar Irian Guinne. When Irian is abducted, Christopher and Princess Anya embark on a quest to gather rare components from various magical creatures across the archipelago to meet the captors' demands. The story balances whimsical encounters, such as a near-disastrous attempt to collect whiskers from a giant's pet Cerberus, with darker themes, including the potential for abuse of magical mounts in competitive races, reinforcing the series' through-line of respect for animals and nature.
Rundell subtly weaves in literary and philosophical layers. Nighthand's humorous attempts at Shakespearean poetry and a reimagining of the Ship of Theseus paradox offer moments of both levity and deeper contemplation. The Ship of Theseus narrative, concerning Nighthand's continually rebuilt boat, serves as a metaphor for resilience and growth through failure, offering comfort to Christopher during a challenging time.
The series also introduces the concept of the Immortal Child, a reincarnated infant possessing all of humanity's knowledge. This character acts as a clever subversion of the "chosen one" trope, functioning as a valuable MacGuffin whose inherent worth is recognized independently of any heroic actions.
While "The Neverfear" largely succeeds, its primary antagonist, Astor Morax, bears a resemblance to Lord Voldemort, with a snake under his skin and ouroboros bracelets controlling his minions, reminiscent of Death Eater tattoos. The book's focus on Morax's lieutenants leaves room for the villain to develop further personality in subsequent installments.
Overall, "The Neverfear" provides a rich fantasy adventure experience. The novel's descriptive prose immerses readers in a world where trees roost at night and adventurers create unique ice cream flavors. The heroes demonstrate growth, mutual support, and the capacity for sacrifice and confronting difficult truths. The book concludes with a bestiary, a fitting addition to a series that includes delicate illustrations by Ashley Mackenzie. "The Neverfear" is set to be available at major booksellers on September 1. Rundell is reportedly working on the screenplay for the "Impossible Creatures" film adaptation, making her books a worthwhile read to understand their cinematic appeal.