Inkbound
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2025

Inkbound

By Philippa Leathley

A girl destined to murder seeks the truth behind her fate and her father's disappearance.

4.1/5 Goodreads · 747 ratings
352 pages
$9.99Save 4%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

On her tenth birthday, Metty receives a magical tattoo marking her as a future murderer. Hidden away by her father, she is later whisked to New London by her aunt. Amidst the city's enchantment, Metty uncovers whispers of the Black Moths, a group possibly linked to her father's vanishing and her ominous destiny. Can she unravel the mystery and change her fate?

From the publisher

Enter an extraordinary magical adventure about family, fate, and finding the courage to be yourself. A remarkable debut!”One of my favorite middle grade books from recent years.” –Jordan Lees, author of The Whisperwicks”An adventure overflowing with magic, brought to life with wit and charm.” –Beth Lincoln, author of The SwiftsOn her tenth birthday, Meticulous Jones–known to her friends as Metty–receives her fate, as all children do, in the form of a magical tattoo on her hand. She hopes that her ink will reveal something exciting: a tattoo that will symbolize travel, or discovery, or adventure. What appears is a skull, balanced in the palm of a violet glove.Metty’s fate is to become a murderer. Metty is swiftly hidden away by her father, Moral Jones, in a remote Welsh farmhouse, with only a miserable housekeeper (who’s terrified she’ll become Metty’s first victim) for company. But when Moral goes missing, his sister, Aunt Magnificent, arrives to sweep Metty off to the glittering city of New London. Metty is mesmerized by the magic and enchantment she discovers there. But when she starts to hear rumors of a mysterious and dangerous organization known as the Black Moths, she wonders if they might be connected to her father’s disappearance–and to her own fate. . . . Fizzing with atmosphere, danger, magic, and mystery, this fantasy will keep kids hooked from the start.A bold heroine and a darkly comic voice make this debut perfect for fans of Nevermoor and the Swifts.Inkbound’s world of magical ink and fate tattoos is utterly unique, yet the writing feels classic.

At a glance
Format
Paperback
Pages
352
Reading age
8–12
Audience
Middle Grade
Lexile
~829L
For readers who can't stop at one

The next favorite is already out there.

Age-appropriate books selected to help their love of reading grow, delivered right to their door.

Find their book club
Bookroo club box with books for growing readers
Your next read

Books that feel like this one

See all similar books
Unsettled
Sale price
$1699

Unsettled

Ages 9–12 · 2021

The Adventure Is Now

Ages 8–12 · 2021

A Snicker of Magic

Ages 9–12 · 2014
Series
Sale price
$899

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

Ages 9–12 · 2009
It All Comes Down to This
Sale price
$799

It All Comes Down to This

Ages 10–12 · 2017

Unseen Magic

Ages 8–12 · 2022

School for Skylarks

Ages 9–12 · 2017
The Verdigris Pawn
Sale price
$1699

The Verdigris Pawn

Ages 9–12 · 2021
The fine print

Book details

Reading levels
ATOS
5.3
F&P level
~T
AR points
11
AR interest level
MG
AR quiz
552931
Publication
Published
January 6, 2026
First published
January 28, 2025
Publisher
Storytide
Edition
Language
English
Type
Chapter Book
Identifiers
ISBN
9780063376526

Surprise a reader with their next favorite book.

Spotted a mistake or something missing? Improve this page.

Are you the author or illustrator? Claim your book.

Bookroo

Book Clubs

Follow Bookroo