- Illustrated Chapter Books
- Ages 8–12
- Fantasy
Arkspire 2: The Order of Misfits
Book 2 of 3 in ArkspireView the full series
A lively sequel that turns Juni's discoveries into a full misfit rebellion against Arkspire's ruling Arcanists. It is best read after book 1, with more team dynamics, more danger and the same illustrated comic pace.
- Best for8–12
- FormatIllustrated
- Length384 pp
- Read aloud~5 hr25 min
The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Conversational
- Comedic
Tone
- Adventurous
- Funny
- Exciting
- Suspenseful
Themes
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
Juniper Bell has survived one deadly Arcanist trial, but that does not mean Arkspire is safe. The five Arcanists still control the city, and Juni's Order of Misfits has one huge mission: bring them down. With Cinder beside her and a growing group of allies to protect, Juni has to keep moving through a city built on magic, prestige and lies. But confidence is not the same as being ready, and rebellion is much harder when enemies are powerful, friends can be frightened, and the truth keeps changing. The Order of Misfits expands the first book's magical city into a bigger, more dangerous adventure. Jamie Littler's illustrations and humour keep it accessible, while the series arc becomes more focused on loyalty, teamwork and standing up to corrupt power.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
- 1
- 3
- 5
- 7
- 9
- 11
- 13
- Best fit · 8–12
- Read aloud · 7–12
- Independent · 8–12
Prose load
Moderate
Visual support
Moderate
Reluctant-reader friendly
Very
Read-aloud quality
Strong
Works well for
- Reading aloud
- Reading together
- Gift-buying
- Reluctant readers
Preview before sharing if a child is sensitive to: violence, scary imagery.
Bedtime suitability
2 / 5 · Better outside bedtime
Sensitive-child
3 / 5 · Mostly fine
Graphic intensity
1 / 5 · None
Best for
- Series continuation
- Illustrated fantasy
- Misfit team
- Funny adventure
- Rebellion story
Avoid if
- Has not read book one
- Wants cosy magic
- Very sensitive to peril
Particularly good for children who are…
- Making friends
- Reluctant reader
- Low self esteem
In the classroom
How it works in school.
A funny, fast-paced fantasy-adventure series — a great reluctant-reader pick and classroom-library favourite.
A book children love that happens to support school — never a stand-in for the texts a class is taught with. Reviewed for the classroom · June 2026.
Why it lands
Why they love it.
Why kids love it
The specific shift is the rebellion forming — Juni's misfit team coming together, the city's Arcanists pushed back against for the first time. A reader who liked book one gets the satisfying upgrade from individual survival to organised resistance.
- Going on a quest
- Friendship and belonging
- Magic powers
- The underdog winning
- Making a difference
Why parents love it
The Arkspire sequel where the team locks in — Juni's Order of Misfits acquires its proper shape, the rebellion against the Arcanists becomes the actual plot. Best read after the first book; the rebellion only matters if the corruption already does.
- Shared humour
- Quick to read
- Conversation starter
In the series
Arkspire.
3 books · open the series →
About the author & illustrator
Jamie Littler.
If you liked this
Three ways out of this book.
If you liked this, try…
Lateral matches. Same shelf, different texture.
Come into this from…
Easier or preparing reads — perfect lead-ins.
Where to go next…
Escalation reads — a step up in scale, silliness, or stakes.
More like this…
Books that share themes and topics with this one.
Buy or borrow
Pick up a copy.
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- Waterstones ↗
- Amazon UK ↗
- Hive ↗
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