A boy named Christopher visits his reclusive grandfather and witnesses an avalanche of mythical creatures, revealing that his grandfather is the guardian of a gateway to the Archipelago, a magical cluster of islands where mythical beings thrive alongside humans. However, the protective barrier has weakened, allowing these creatures to break through. Soon, Christopher meets Mal, a girl with a flying coat who is being pursued by a killer while searching for a baby griffin. Together, they embark on a quest across the wild beauty of the Archipelago, where sphinxes hold secrets and centaurs commit murder, in search of truth with unimaginable consequences for both their worlds. They confront themes of power, knowledge, and the demands of love. The narrative is described as a marvelous, imaginative fantasy filled with style and sparkle, a fierce adventure brimming with imagination. The author, Katherine Rundell, is a bestselling writer known for her acclaimed children's novels, winning multiple prestigious awards. Having spent her childhood in Africa and Europe, she studied at Oxford and became a Fellow of All Souls College, while also engaging in Renaissance literature and adventurous rooftop climbing.
