Format/source: ebook/Edelweiss
Published: 6 November 2018 (US; out now in Canada)
Publisher: Knopf
Length: 272 pages
Genre: Middle grade speculative fiction
I received a copy from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for my honest opinion.
★★★★
Ethan’s dad is a comic artist whose greatest creation, the mutant superhero Kren, brought him fame and glory. But after his dad’s string of successful books, a tragedy strikes the family and now his dad is completely stuck. If only artistic talent were hereditary. Ethan is stuck on a graphic-novel project of his own at school and won’t own up to the fact that he can’t draw. When one night an ink-blot creation emerges from his father’s sketchbook, the family’s whole world begins to change.
Oppel has delivered us another middle grade novel (to my delight, as I wasn’t much of a fan of his previous book, Every Hidden Thing [young adult historical fiction]). Inkling offers a compelling story that plays to Oppel’s strengths as a writer.
Inkling himself is a delightful character. My cynicism tensely awaited the moment when Inkling would become the villain, but this does not happen. Although Inkling develops autonomy, he cares deeply for Ethan and his family. It’s pretty adorable. Inkling emotes just as much as the human characters. The way Inkling develops his voice through ‘reading’ was also an entertaining process. I read Inkling just about in one sitting – I was quite curious to find out how that little blob was going to turn out!
Inkling explores some thoughtful questions such as the ethics around creativity and where ideas come from, but the conversation never gets too heavy. The plot essentially centers on whether it’s okay for someone to claim Inkling’s work as their own. Some moments, particularly surrounding how Inkling wants to help Ethan’s dad, were unexpectedly poignant.
The Bottom Line
In Inkling, Oppel has once again demonstrated his ability to craft fun and compelling narratives for middle grade readers.
Further Reading
- Read an excerpt
- Author website
- Interview @ The Word on the Street
- Review by Cheryl @ Reading Rumpus
- Review @ Canadian Review of Materials
Awww this sounds super fun!! I’m not sure I would have given it a read unless someone suggested it to me though. I do love supernatural creatures that aren’t human. And love when they emote like a human. While I don’t think animals think and feel the same way we do it doesn’t hurt to feel emotions towards them. It really helps build compassion in kids too. ❤
I find Kenneth Oppel is a greater writer of middle grade – he comes up interesting premises that you might not expect to work as well as they do. That’s a great point re: building compassion that I hadn’t thought of!