The Poisoned King by Katherine Rundell

I loved this second installment in the Impossible Creatures series, maybe more than the first because I knew what I was getting in to and I wasn't disappointed. Christopher Forrester is unexpectedly woken by Jacque, a small dragon chewing on his face, and his heart leaps for joy. For months he’s dreamed of returning to the Archipelago – the secret islands where all the creatures of myth still live. Jacque has an urgent message to return because the dragons are dying. Christopher, as heir-to-the-protector (his grandfather is the current one) immediately leaves his home in London and dashes off to Scotland to enter the portal near his grandfather’s home. Anya, granddaughter to the titular king, is on the run from the villain who not only killed the king but framed Anya’s father for the murder. Teaming up, the only question is which problem Christopher and Anya should tackle first – save the dying dragons or rescue Anya’s father, facing execution for a crime he did not commit. The story is also about loyalty, greed, friendship, courage and fear, all themes that middle schoolers are already well versed in, and still enjoyable for those of us well beyond that point. The story is encased in immersive prose and a fascinating world and I eagerly await the next one.