Inkbound Meticulous Jones And The Shadow Compass - Philippa Leathley

 

Metty is spending Founder's Day at the parade with her father and Faith when a tombstone bearing her name appears, followed by another and another.  Following the trail leads Metty and Faith to an underground cathedral and a group known as the League of Shadows who are desperate for Metty to join them, all she has to do is complete three tasks.  Before she can make a decision, Aunt Mags appears and drags Metty away, but she isn't to be put off, especially when someone threatens to tell the world about Sundar.  Metty feels like joining the League of Shadows is the only way to help, so she vows to complete the challenges before the next full moon.  It's a race against time and one Metty isn't certain she can make but she's going to do everything in her power to try.

I was woefully late to the party with The Skull Tattoo (you can read my review here) but I quickly learned the error of my ways, and Philippa's visit to school last term ensured that Inkbound fever was rife amongst the children!  It will come as no surprise then that my pre-ordered copy of Meticulous Jones And The Shadow Compass jumped my reading pile when I picked it up.

Following the events at the end of The Skull Tattoo, Metty is clearly nervous but she is also a Jones and one with fierce determination running through her bones.  She is not to be put off once she has an idea in her head, even if Aunt Mags and her father are telling her to stop (in fact, this spurs her on more than anything!).  The challenges she faces push her to her limits, especially as it's a race against time for more than one reason.  The plot unfolds in an exciting mix of adventure, jeopardy and twists - but exactly who can Metty trust?

Usually, when I begin a book on a Sunday evening during term time, it takes me until at least the following weekend to finish it; however, I found myself grabbing every spare minute I could to read just a few more pages, such was the gripping plot (yes, this did mean I stole some reading time whilst eating my lunch, and numerous children saw me reading as I walked down the corridor before school in the mornings!).  The tension and the excitement ooze through the pages which is what makes the book unputdownable.  I gobbled it up in a few short days and I'm now desperate for book 3!  Several children in school are also reading The Shadow Compass at the minute so Metty book chats in my office are currently a regular occurrence - I love that!

Out now, I think it's safe to say that Inkbound: Meticulous Jones And The Shadow Compass is a grippingly brilliant read and Inkbound fever is, once again, sweeping the school!