Review: Inkspell by Cornelia Funke

In Inkworld, the printed word has power: Authors control the lives of their characters, and special readers have the ability to take people and creatures out of one story and put them into another. Have you ever wanted to walk in the land of your favorite book? Once there, you may change your mind.

Inkspell is the second in a YA fantasy trilogy. This review assumes you've read the first book, Inkheart. To read just my recommendation, skip to below the asterisks.

Fourteen-year-old Meggie knows that being in someone else's story is not always a good idea. Even so, she dreams of entering into the book Inkheart, where there are blue fairies and kings and castles. When Farid begs Meggie to send him to Inkworld so he can join his mentor/friend Dustfinger, Meggie can't resist. She leaves all she knows and loves and goes with the boy into the book. The children could not have known the string of disasters that this would set off.

Inkworld's stability is threatened by the introduction of people who were not in the original story and by the resurrection of characters who had gone missing or who were presumed dead. Furthermore, there seems to be too many authors--or is it no author?--and Inkworld's future is uncertain. Will Fenoglio, the author of Inkheart, be able to stop the war, mend soured relationships, and heal the injured? Can Mo, or even Orpheus, help? After reunions, kidnappings, murders, and deceptions, the book comes to a surprising end, and we're left with a cliff-hanger. Fortunately, the last novel, Inkdeath, has already been published so I won't have to wait long to see what happens.

* * * * *

This trilogy will be a delight for anyone who believes in the power of words. The settings are so vividly described that I have a clear picture of each forest, house, and farm. Funke's characters grow and change and make mistakes. They love, they hate, they cope or not. And I hardly know how to describe Dustfinger, who is one of the most complex and conflicted characters I've come across. He is now one of my favorites.

The unabridged audio edtion (Listening Library) was read by Brendan Fraser. He was absolutely perfect for this book and especially for Dustfinger. One of my favorite audios.

Inkspell includes a map, charming pen and ink drawings, and glossary of characters. Don't miss this trilogy.

Published by Chicken House, 2005
ISBN-13: 9780439554008
Challenge: 25 Books
Rating: A+