Bloomsbury Publishing PLC on Thursday said it has launched one of the year’s most awaited children’s novels, Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell.

The London-based publisher said the hardback achieved the highest ever level of pre-orders for a hardback by the author, beating her previous biggest first week sale of The Golden Mole. The book will be also published in the ebook format and as an audiobook.

Impossible Creatures is the first book in a fantasy trilogy, with Bloomsbury expecting the novel to become a bestseller.

Bloomsbury Chief Executive Officer Nigel Newton said: ‘The phenomenal demand for fantasy fiction has helped drive record sales. Bloomsbury has a rich tradition in this genre and we have high expectations for Katherine Rundell to continue this trend. We are naturally overjoyed to see such widespread excitement around her latest novel.’

Bloomsbury Publishing shares were 0.5% lower at 414.00 pence each on Thursday afternoon in London.

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