The Neverfear (Impossible Creatures 3) by Katherine Rundell

What worked:

Christopher helps a mother unicorn deliver its distressed baby, but there’s an unexpected result. Somehow, touching the infant imbues Christopher with the ability to receive animals’ thoughts and emotions. It comes in handy at times, such as when controlling an injured behemoth, but it also carries potentially dangerous consequences. It affects him physically and can become overwhelming. Readers know this is a significant ability, and it will impact the story before the problems are resolved.

As the book’s title implies, it’s full of unusual and impossible creatures and characters. Jacques is back, and this tiny dragon with attitude is Christopher’s companion and a source of amusement for readers. Companion might be the wrong word, because Jacques constantly questions decisions and tells the humans how they’re doomed. He also has many flowery instructions for Christopher to write in the dragon’s biography. Manticores, Cerberus, and giants are imposing obstacles, or they assist the characters. The author’s imagination will introduce readers to other creatures that they’ve never heard of. The back of the book contains illustrations and descriptions for many of them.

The plot focuses on Irian’s rescue after being kidnapped by bandits. Christopher and Anya are forced to rescue her on their own, since the kidnappers have forbidden them from telling Nighthand, her husband. This restriction enhances the conflict because Nighthand is a berserker and formidable warrior. Christopher and Anya are ordered to obtain three objects that were once part of Hercules’s thirteen labors. They question why the kidnappers want these three specific items and wonder if something larger is happening. The Immortal was an important character in the first book but was absent from the second. The Immortal is reborn as a young boy, and his presence complicates the conflict. A new antagonist, Astor Morax, is introduced, and his evil plans will continue into the next book.

What didn’t work as well:

The plot mostly follows Christopher and Anya, so readers might want to know more about the other characters. However, the author saves a surprise about Anya for later in the book, although astute readers will suspect it. Also, it would be nice to have the illustrations of creatures within the story instead of grouping them at the end.

The final verdict:

Lovers of adventure and uncommon beasts will enjoy this book. Serious dangers threaten this world, and the events come to a dramatic climax, or two. I highly recommend you try this book for yourself, and further, I suggest you start with the first book in the series.