Inkbound: Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo

By Author / Illustrator
Philippa Leathley
Genre
Adventure
Age range(s)
9+
Publisher
HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN
9780008660925
Format
Hardback
Published
30-01-2025
Synopsis
Enter an extraordinary magical adventure about family, fate and finding the courage to be truly yourself - perfect for fans of Nevermoor, Lemony Snicket and The Swifts.
On her tenth birthday, Meticulous 'Metty' Jones receives her fate, as all children do, in the form of a magical tattoo on her hand. She hopes that her tattoo will reveal an exciting destiny: travel, discovery or adventure. What appears is a skull in the palm of a violet glove - Metty's fate is to be a murderer.
When Metty's father disappears in mysterious circumstances, Aunt Magnificent takes her to the glittering city of New London, filled with magic, wonder and enchantment. But when Metty hears rumours of a shadowy organisation known as the Black Moths, she begins to suspect they are connected to her own dark fate...
'An adventure overflowing with magic' Beth Lincoln, author of The Swifts. 'A fantastic adventure' The Times, Children's Book of the Week. 'A wild feat of extraordinary imagination, fizzing with mystery, magic and humour' Aisling Fowler, author of Fireborn.
Reviews
Beverley
In this wonderful debut novel, we meet the amazing Meticulous 'Metty' Jones. On her tenth birthday Metty receives her fate - a magical tattoo on her hand which she hopes will reveal an exciting future. All Metty wants to do is make her parents proud, but unfortunately her fate reveals that she is destined to become a murderer and will kill someone using magic.
When her father mysteriously disappears, Metty is taken to New London to live with her Aunt Magnificent 'Mag' Jones, her Uncle Rupert, and Mag's ward, a young boy named Sundar, who becomes Metty's close friend. New London is a magical flying city, powered by ink. Determined to find out what has happened to her father, Metty finds herself involved with the Black Moths, a militant group who are causing trouble and disruption in the city. Why are they so interested in Metty - and can she change the fate she has been given?
Inkbound: Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo is a brilliant adventure story, beautifully written and totally engaging. The reader is plunged headlong into Metty's magical world, and the action builds to a truly thrilling conclusion. Metty is a lovely character, she is headstrong and clever and loves her family, even her remote and often absent mother Daphne. She is brave and determined to find her father, even if it means defying Aunt Mag's strict rules and putting herself in danger in the process.
We meet so many other fascinating characters throughout the book - especially the feisty thief Faith O'Connell - as the true story of Metty's fate is revealed in a very clever twist! At its heart, this is a story about family, and about being yourself. Metty's father did not want her to be defined by her fate, he wanted her to choose her own future and be her own 'brilliant self'. Metty comes to realise that, whatever dangers she may face in the future, her family will always be there to support and protect her.
My only disappointment was that my proof copy of the book did not contain the illustrations, so I cannot comment on them. I would have been fascinated to see the maps of New London! I loved this book, and loved meeting Metty Jones. I predict that the book will be a huge success, and I hope it is not too long before we are enjoying Metty's next adventures.
384 pages / Reviewed by Beverley Somerset, school librarian.
Suggested Reading Age 9+