Shades of night

Katherine Rundell’s Impossible Creatures fantasy series has been billed as “the next Harry Potter” publishing sensation, with millions of copies in print and a seven-figure movie deal in the works. The Neverfear, third installment in a five-book saga, brings the series’ two protagonists into a fuller recognition of their powers and introduces a villain who will probably dominate the remaining two volumes.

The Poisoned King introduced a new protagonist, the princess Anya who was falsely accused and threatened with capture in the early chapters. Though her goal of revenge was at odds with Christopher’s, they soon joined forces in a higher mission. Allies from the first novel carried on into the second, including the swashbuckling sea captain Nighthand, Ratwin his squirrel-like mate, Irian the gentle but resolute scholar, and Jacques the 3-inch dragon.

The Neverfear raises the stakes as Irian is kidnapped and Christopher, Anya, and their allies embark on a quest similar to the labors of Hercules to get her back. But the kidnapping is secondary to a darker threat that could destroy the Archipelago along with all its memories. Serious themes are leavened with humor (including the slightly scatological kind) and a sweet, chaste romance between two of the adult characters.

Aside from a couple of mild swear words, the series is worth a fantasy lover’s time for its high literary quality, complex characters, and passion for “the hearts and minds of a tumult of living beings.” Also its moral core: As Chrisopher discovers the power of his connection to animals he is warned, “All power, no matter how good, carries the risk of evil.” Only by respecting the integrity of all life will he keep temptation in check—a challenge for the next volume in the series.