Inkbound: Meticulous Jones and the Shadow Compass

Gr 3-7–Leathley picks up where the first installment left off, in New London on Founders’ Day. Metty and her father, the captain, are going to pick up Faith, Metty’s friend, to celebrate. After gathering Faith, a mysterious grave pops up with Metty’s name on it. The two girls follow it and are eventually led to the headquarters of the League of Shadows, another secret magical society that is trying to recruit Metty due to her powerful family history. To join the League, Metty must successfully complete three dangerous and difficult tasks. Despite her adults telling her not to join, Metty feels that it is the only way to protect her family. This is a fast-paced, engaging read filled with beautiful imagery and high stakes. Leathley adeptly refreshes readers about the events of the first novel while delivering a strong narrative arc in this sequel. Back matter includes a small “Index of Common Fates,” a fun addition to the book and its worldbuilding, as Metty is always looking up people’s fates. Readers will be tearing through the pages to see what happens next for Metty and her crew. Skin tone and race description are minimal; in the first volume, Metty’s father is described as olive-skinned.