This book is a welcome addition to middle-grade fiction! Kids and adults will enjoy it; much like the _Toy Story_ movie series, adults will enjoy the more (or less :D) obscure references that kids might not readily pick up on at first glance.

Of course, one can never go wrong with a Britain setting--especially when it involves Oxford, the Bird & Baby, and the Inklings. Peabody very cleverly expanded on my initial concept of the Inklings, and I loved seeing his take on Lewis, Tolkien, and Sayers. What I wouldn't give to have a run-in with them as a kid! (Or as an adult, for that matter. I still fangirl over enough of their works!)

I particularly enjoyed that Marcus was a vicar, as well as the inclusion of his (and the kids') faith, several instances of praying, and the overall examination of living faith out "at street level," as Paul David Tripp would say. It was present without being too subtle or too over-the-top--a good balance.

Can't wait to see where Peabody takes the series in subsequent books; this one tied up the most important loose ends, while still leaving enough open for more exploration.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

‘”Because you are a remarkable boy, Everett. You’re interested in the world. And it’s far more meaningful to be interested than to try to be interesting.”’

A new middle-grade adventure series that revolves around writing and creativity? Sign me up immediately please! Somewhat reminiscent of Inkheart, The Inkwell chronicles’ first book is a wonderful adventure story full of magic, fantastical creatures and imagination. It is the story of two siblings, Bea and Everett, who are left a magical pen, when there father is assumed dead. They soon find out that they are being hunted by evil ‘blotters’, and start to wonder what their mild-mannered father, a vicar, was involved in. Join the two on their quest to find out what happened to their dad.

Much like any first book in a series, there was a bit of bogginess in needing to explain the magic system in the world J.D. Peabody is trying to create. Overall, there is a good balance of plot and explaining though. Similarly, there is a good balance of drama, adventure and life lessons, in this case a clear ‘believe in yourself and your own strengths’. I am happy I picked this one up and can’t quite wait to see whether there may be more adventures in the Inkwell universe.

There was much to enjoy in this book for all of the grandchildren. The older boys were very impressed by the fathers occupation and the general adventure of the book especially. We all enjoyed the world building and the idea of magic ink worked really well and appealed to us all. We will look forward to the next in the series.

This book follows the story of two siblings as they discover an interesting secret about their father. This leads him to become endangered, kidnapped and in need of rescue. They must work together with newly-found friends to triumph over the villains and fantastic creatures. I would recommend this book to fans of the Harry Potter series, but also to anyone who enjoys reading about creative ideas and finding your worth.

Everett and Bea have gotten used to their minister father's long absences while working on his comic books, but they HATE being left with their grumpy caretaker, the previous minister's wife. After a train accident where their father goes missing (presumably dead), Bea and Everett discover that he is actually a member of a secret and ancient society who are sworn to protect the Ink, which has magical properties. They are whisked away on a journey to find their father, with the help of other people and creatures in the society. While they search, the sinister Blotters (who are attempting to destroy all the Ink in the world) pursue them. Can Everett and Bea find their father so he can set things right, or will the Blotters win and stop all creativity and growth in the world?

This book was fun to read and kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. A lot of world building was necessary, and at times the plot was bogged down by having to explain things. I would definitely say this is a middle grade book, maybe even upper elementary. If you're a fan of fantasy, especially Inkheart, this has a similar feel and you'll love it.

I received this ARC courtesy of Netgalley, in return for my honest and unbiased review.

The Ink of Elspet is the first in a series, The Inkwell Chronicles. It is an exciting early middle grade book, perfect for kids who love adventures and magic.

Everett and Bea live with their father Marcus and a grumpy housekeeper, Mrs. Crimp. Marcus is a vicar and writes the Max Courageous comic books. What makes his comics so vivid and wonderful? He uses Ink, which is a special type of ink that is magic. Ink taps into the Reverend's imagination and creates something wonderful.

But the Ink supply is in danger, because the Blotters are trying to eradicate all Ink in the world. To them, it is the stinkiest, most horrible thing. They use Pounce to dry up any Inkwells they find. Fighting against the blotters are Inklings, authors and artists like Marcus, who use the magic of the Ink to create art, find more Inkwells, and Inkase the blotters.

After Marcus disappears after a train crash caused by a Blotter, Everett and Bea go with the Conductor, Osgood, Dot (Dorothy Sayers), Ronald (J.R.R. Tolkien) and Jack (C.S. Lewis) to find their father and save the last Inkwell, the Ink of Elspet. They fight nightmarish creatures, travel across Great Britain, and find out more about their own Ink-given abilities.

While there are scary elements to this book, the book is appropriate for younger middle-grade readers. Peabody has created a very interesting fantasy world that will make kids want to have their own supply of Ink! I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy of this book!

Middle grade readers who enjoy a lively fantasy will surely relish the first in the Inkwell Chronicles series. Eleven-year-old Everett and his 8-year-old sister, Bea, are devastated when their father, a vicar and adventure comic book creator, disappears while on a train trip to Scotland. The children are suddenly launched on an adventure of their own to find their father, aided by magical creatures and a very special ink that their father uses to create his comic book hero. It seems that this ink can do wondrous things for those who know how to use it for good, but there are those--the nefarious "blotters"--who want it eradicated. Unfortunately, the ink supply is running low, so helping to fine and save the last inkwell is also part of the children's quest. The action rarely stops in this imaginative story, but the underlying message comes through clearly--believe in yourself and your own special talents.

My thanks to NetGalley and Worthy Publishing/Worthy Kids for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

If you're looking for a fun adventure story with creative characters and zany adventures that will capture the interest of young readers, look no further. J.D. Peabody's The Inkwell Chronicles: The Ink of Elspet Book 1 tells the story of Everett and Bea, brother and sister who find an incredible world brought to them through ink. As they race to find and save their father they meet quite an array of characters some good and helpful and others bad and ready to keep them from finding their father.
This book will definitely get the imagination going!

#FindTheInkwells #NetGalley

TW: (minor) body horror, body shaming (not condemned), injury/injury detail, kidnapping.

This is my third attempt at writing this review because the first two times, my annoyance was getting the best of me.

I’m always careful when reviewing MG books because I know I’m not the target audience and there will always be critical filters that I can’t remove, that children usually won’t have. However, in this case, I can’t genuinely rate this any higher.

Aside from all of my technical problems, such as the choppy writing style or convoluted explanation of the magic system, I don’t feel like this was written with much thought to how kids think?

For example, there’s a scene where a kid drinks an entire bottle of ink. It’s magical so it’s fine, but… including that in a children’s book just seems really dumb.

And then there was one of the most disgusting, blatant examples of body-shaming I’ve read in a long while, and I’m super confused on how someone would think that’s okay to give to children. It’s not condemned, nor is it handled with any kind of nuance. And it doesn’t matter that the character is a giantess, because the negative descriptions are all human in nature.

There’s more I could touch on but truthfully, I just want to be done with this book. I’m thankful for the arc, but this is definitely not one I’ll be recommending in the future.

This is a great start to what is a very promising series. The characters are well developed and the pacing of the story is perfect. I loved getting chapters from so many different perspectives. There is also a great balance of action, drama, and comedy. The adults aren't bumbling idiots like you sometimes get in these types of stories and they serve to both guide and support the kids. They actually listen to the kids when they have ideas and encourage them to be problem solvers. Everett's struggles with feeling not as capable and special as his sister is one a lot of young readers can probably relate to - whether they feel that way about their siblings or other kids in their school. I really can't wait to see what happens in book 2!

The Inkwell Chronicles: The Ink of Elspet is a middle grade fiction novel written by J.D. Peabody. It is book one in the Inkwell Chronicles series.

Summary: When Everett and Bea receive a knock at the door telling them their beloved father is dead, they can’t believe it.

They inherit a strange pen from his belongings, and soon after, they find that they are being hunted by strange creatures.

What had their mild-mannered minister father been involved in? Why does everyone want his special pen? And, is he really dead, or is there a slim chance he may have survived after all?

Join Everett and Bea as they meet strange and wonderful characters, use their imaginations to solve problems, and learn how to work together, all while dodging the evil that dogs their every step.

My Thoughts: This book was OK. I read it aloud to my kids, and they enjoyed it. There is definitely plenty of imagination and fantastical creatures involved throughout the book, and that was fun. But, it was a bit disjointed, and dragged a little in parts.

It was so fantastical, but yet not written to make you really believe that such things were possible.

It just didn’t grab me and wasn’t my favorite. I am not sure I would read another in the series.

I would like to thank Worthy Publishing for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you.

Adventure and magic are everywhere in this story. Ink is wielded as a weapon, tool, and shield. Everett and Bea are our two leads characters and they are helped in their quest by many others. Of course there are villains and monsters, too!

A very fantastical middle grade adventure based on actual history. I loved the writing style of this one and how imaginative the story was. The whole magic system is based on imagination and the creative process. I think that children who enjoy writing or art will love it. Everett and Bea, our protagonists, were also very likeable and fun to follow as they discovered more about the Ink. The only drawback I saw in this book was related to the creative world of the story. As an adult reading this, I found the detailed, twisty worldbuilding hard to follow. I imagine it would be a bit confusing for a young reader. Other than that, I thought this book was quite fun.

I was sucked in from the first moment I started reading this book. Everett and his younger sister, Bea, go off in search of their father who has gone missing after a train crash and is presumed dead. Bea is pretty sure he's not and Everett is willing to believe her. Their father is their only living parent if he still is alive. A minister and also a comic book writer, he chronicles the adventures of Max the Courageous, Everett's favorite comic book hero.

Sometime after, a stranger gives them a briefcase of their father's containing a pen and a bottle of ink. That leads them on a trail of adventures through England and Scotland. Sometimes in tunnels underneath. They discover that the ink has magical qualities, and can draw them in and out of circumstances. They meet helpful Inklings and evil Blotters and learn about Inkcasement. (I loved J.D. Peabody's play on words!)

Everett feels like his younger sister is more talented than he is, and he finds himself envious of her.
He believes she has some magical qualities like some of the Inklings. It is fun to watch him grow as he learns that everyone has gifts, all necessary and important, although different from each other.

I was impressed with this debut novel and think students in middle grades will jump all over this series! It had elements of Inkheart and Harry Potter for me, and I think it'll keep kids turning the pages until the end.

What worked:
The existence of Ink is the foundation for this series. It’s a magical resource found inside the earth, but its essence is creative energy. It enhances the innovative ideas of Inklings, those able to use it, so you can probably guess famous authors, artists, and inventors in history enjoyed increased levels of creativity using Ink. The main conflict pits blotters bent on eliminating Ink from existence against Inklings scrambling to protect the last Inkwell called Elspet. An additional antagonist is included, but he’s solely hoping to profit from the last remaining Ink on earth. His role forms a subplot that will probably become more prominent in the book’s sequel.
While Everett is the main character, his younger sister Bea is quite interesting. She’s daring and adventurous, and she loves to challenge herself with Houdini-like feats. Her escape talents and lock-picking skills come in handy during sticky situations. She jumps at the chance to ride on the back of a giant homing pigeon. However, the author balances that spirit with the innocence of an 8-year-old child, as her sole motivation is to find her kidnapped daddy. Bea learns she has a rare ability to hear the mysterious Ink that proves to be an asset in the quest to save her father and the last Inkwell. Bea and her brother are joined by several other Inklings with unique personalities and talents that enhance the story.
Everett questions his role in the quest to save Elspet since he’s the only one in the group unable to manipulate Ink. He’s especially upset when he discovers his little sister has a rare Inkling talent, so he tries to mask his inabilities from the others. His self-image drops even more, and his anger grows, when others receive magical pens while he’s given a pair of sticks. It’s so unfair! However, readers will easily predict the sticks are special, and Everett will have a more important role than he ever imagined. His internal conflict with self-worth rages on for most of this book.
What didn’t work as well:
The story switches settings to cover characters in different locations. It can sometimes muddle things and distract from main events, although the author’s desire to cover multiple problems and points of view is clear. The scene changes are typically a few pages long, so the majority of the plot focuses on the adventures of Everett and Bea.
The Final Verdict:
Creativity is magic. The concept of Ink is imaginative and new, so readers will appreciate novel ideas blended with entertaining characters. The line between evil and good is clear, and the end goals to save Elspet and the father are easy to follow. Overall, I recommend you give this book a shot.

The Inkwell Chronicles: The Ink of Elspet is a well-written story. Its characters are believable and interesting. The novel focuses primarily on two children, Everett and Bea. Everett is more the focus of the story. He suffers from self-esteem because he can’t use the ink like the other characters. He learns that “everyone has a place in this world “ when he finds out that he has a skill that complements the others and aids them in their quest. This lesson will resonate with almost all grades, which is why I would recommend it to my students.
The Inkwell Chronicles also describes the characters and settings well, so that the reader can “see” the action. For example, it details the interior of the “rabbit hutch,” which is a room off of a pub. Its name suggests an enclosure that is secure but is also an escape route much like a rabbit hole.
Overall, I really liked this book and look forward to the rest of the series. However, I do wonder where the plot line will go.

Thanks to NetGalley and Worthy Publishing for an ARC.

4 out of 5 stars.

Ev and Bea are brother and sister, children of a widowed vicar. This vicar is no ordinary vicar, though. He is a comic creator, author and illustrator of Max Courageous comics. Ev loves the comics and thinks his father is a genius. Bea is a budding escape artist and likewise adores her father.

But when their father goes missing on a business trip, Ev and Bea realize there's a lot more to their father than meets the eye. With an impressive cast of Inklings, who work to protect a magical ink that draws out the creativity in people, to Blotters, who work on the other side, trying to close the wells and hate the smell of ink, the kids go on an adventure and learn more about themselves as well.

I wish I had this book when I was a child. I adore the storyline. There were some plot holes and at least one unresolved issue, but the unresolved issue might be something no one else noticed, but all in all it was a magical little tale. It is a book-loving child's dream.

I could hope that this was the beginning of a series, but I think it is a standalone.

*****3.5*****
This book is so cute! I really enjoyed Peabody’s creativity in putting this story together. It reminded me of Jasper Fforde’s Thursday Next series where metaphorical or symbolic terms and ideas become literal.
Everett and Bea are the children of Marcus, a reverend and comic book writer! They live in a house next to the church, and they get along pretty well despite being a few years apart. Everett loves to read Max the Courageous (MC, as Ev calls the main character), his dad’s comic series, and Bea loves to practice her escapes, like Houdini. One day, Marcus goes off on a trip, and the children are told of a terrible train crash—their father is presumed dead. The children have to move on with their life, but then, they’re given a briefcase with their dad’s pen and a bottle of ink in it. What happens next begins the main plot and action of the story.
The story is filled with magical and imaginative details and ideas: Ink that does more than write, Blotters who fight the Fomentori and Inklings (which includes Dot, aka Dorothy Sayers, Jack aka C.S. Lewis, and Ronald aka JRR Tolkien), Inkasement, and other fun ideas and concepts.
The story is filled with action as the children go on their quest and meet various characters involved in this centuries-old battle between good (Inklings and Fomentori) and evil (Blotters and other creatures designed by a bishop at the request/demand of an evil king). Along the way, Everett, the main character, learns about himself and to accept his weaknesses as he comes to learn his strengths. Not everyone is the same, and it’s okay to praise others for what they can do without feeling bitter, resentful, or sulky about not being able to do it yourself.
My only two complaints are that the book is a little long with a bit too many episodic mishaps and resolutions and that the ending becomes a summary and sounds more like an adult telling a child a bedtime story than the conclusion to a book featuring MG main characters.
Overall, I liked the book and the lessons/themes. The book is a Christian book—the characters pray and reference Bible verses—but it’s not preachy at all, and anyone can enjoy and appreciate it, whether they’re a Christian or of a different faith or not a believer. I appreciated the references as a Christian myself because there aren’t many contemporary books that give value to faith and include simple actions we take every day without making a big deal out of them or drawing too much attention to them—just like eating, prayer is a part of our lives, and it’s not something to make a big deal out of in one way or the other.
I recommend this book to middle grade readers who like fun and adventure and to adult readers who enjoy books with literary and historical references (the book takes place in the 1950s) and with creativity and imagination.
Thank you to Net Galley and Worthy Publishing for providing me a free digital copy of this book.

This was a creative take on the shaping of the world of imagination. Bea and Everett go on an adventure to aid their kidnapped father. I enjoy books where the characters themselves grow through the experiences they go through, and this book delivers just that. Having a story take part in our world with a magical twist to it really feels like we are experiencing the world through the eyes of a creative person and what they wish it would be. I liked the length of the chapters, allowing me to stop when I needed to, but not when I wanted to! If it was when I wanted to, I would have read the book in one sitting! The aspect of Ink shaping the world was mind blowing for me, reading a book where the ink is in fact shaping the world! It was a clever hook and definitionally hooked me! The puns reminded me of Piers Anthony which made me a fan of the author and I will be seeking out more from them in the future.

📖 ✍️ Book Review ✍️ 📖

I received the ARC for The Inkwell Chronicles: The Ink of Elspet via @netgalley in mid-May and let me tell you, give it ALL the stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

In this debut middle grade title, you’ll meet siblings Everett and Bea and you will follow them on their journey to be reunited with their father. Everett, as your narrator, provides the personal growth plot point that we all love about reading middle grade books, while encountering a truly unique world that connects with other beloved middle grade stories without feeling like you’ve read something like this before!

I highly recommend this title (due to be released in September 2022) for those readers who love:
🖊 strong personal growth arc
🖊 authentic sibling bond
🖊 magical realism
🖊 non-stop adventure

I truly loved this story and power read it! I’m excited for this to be leased into the world in September and will most definitely be looking out for the next installment of The Inkwell Chronicles 💛