Inkbound

Starred review from October 7, 2024
Like every child before her, Meticulous “Metty” Jones is set to be “fated”—a magical tattoo will appear on her hand and reveal her destiny. When, on her 10th birthday, her tattoo manifests as a black skull held in a violet glove, her future seems set: she will murder someone via magic. A year later, she is obsessed with figuring out whom she will kill, much to the terror of the staff of the remote Welsh estate where she has been sent to live in isolation by her beloved father. After he vanishes on Metty’s 11th birthday and insidious persons begin pursuing her for reasons she does not understand, her aunt Magnificent arrives and whisks her away to New London, a floating city powered by magical ink. There—with the help of her illegally alive gargoyle, Pumpkin, and her aunt’s mysterious ward, Sundar—Metty embarks on a quest to find her father. Lush writing, breathtaking action sequences, and a darkly comedic tone imbue Leathley’s series opening debut with verve, while ethical questions relating to fate and magic add depth to the innovative setting. Characters cue as racially diverse. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8–12. Agent: Hannah Sheppard, Hannah Sheppard Literary.

November 1, 2024
An English child fears she's doomed to become a murderer. In Leathley's debut, ink is precious. The expensive fluid powers flying cities and enables wealthy citizens to perform enchantments. On their 10th birthdays, children are tattooed with symbols representing their future traits or occupations. But Meticulous "Metty" Jones' tattoo--a skull, signifying death and murder, held by a gloved hand, signifying magic--horrifies her parents. Convinced she'll someday commit murder via magic, Metty resolves to avoid magic altogether--but that doesn't stop the house staff from treating her like a future killer. What's the point of being good if everyone thinks she's evil? When her father disappears, Metty vows to find him and maybe even change her fate. But New London is fraught with unrest, and Metty is targeted by the Black Moths, a militant group that's violently protesting citizens' unequal access to magic. But why are they interested in Metty? Though a late-appearing twist muddies a central theme of the story, readers will root for mischievous, wryly witty Metty. Creepy and whimsical details bring the setting of this third-person series opener to life, and while the primary villain is somewhat two-dimensional, the portrayal of Metty's relationships with her quirky friends and family members, including her divorced parents, blends together secrets, humor, and heartache. Metty's dad is olive-skinned; her mum has "skin like starlight." Final art not seen. A page-turning exploration of family ties, self-perception, and the powerful effect of labels. (index of common fates)(Fantasy. 9-12)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

November 1, 2024
Grades 4-7 In a world where magic is strictly controlled, New Capitals are literally popping up. These floating cities allow residents to use magic freely, as long as they can afford the ink that most acts of magic require. Meticulous ("Metty") Jones is whisked away to New London after her beloved father, Captain Moral Jones, vanishes on her eleventh birthday. Being suddenly in the care of her estranged Aunt Mag and living in the ancestral Jones family home, Metty is flooded with questions about her family's history and the role she's to play in its future. The latter has been an obsession for the girl since last year's "fating," when she received the magical tattoo that marked her as a future murderer (devastating!). Leathley's imaginative debut reads like a rollicking blend of Harry Potter and Beth Lincoln's The Swifts (2023). Political tensions thrum within New London, adding layers of intrigue to Captain Jones' disappearance, and Metty's personal journey toward taking charge of her own fate anchors the narrative. A winning fantasy that blends creativity, action, and substance.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

January 1, 2025

Gr 5 Up-Leathley creates an addictive, fast-paced world of magic and breathtaking imagery in her series debut. Like all the children in her world, 10-year-old Meticulous Jones gets fated on her birthday; a magical tattoo appears foretelling her future. Metty ends up with an ill-fated one-to become a murderer. Frightened by her fate, her father takes her to the secluded Welsh countryside. Things are boring but fine, until her father goes missing. As Metty tries to find her dad and not succumb to her fate, she gets closer to her aunt and learns about their family history. This book is filled with memorable characters who are mystical and alluring. It's also both plot- and character-driven, with a strong narrative flow that makes it an easy and engaging read. Despite the fantasy, it includes topics relevant to everyone in everyday life. For example, the magic ink that runs the new cities seems to be abundant; however, the government and city officials hike the prices way up so this resource is inaccessible for nearly everyone else. Readers will be shocked by the twists and turns and eagerly await what happens next. VERDICT A fun, refreshing, and occasionally dark story recommended for fans of Harry Potter.-Autumn West

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