Review: Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke
This is the final entry in Funke's Inkheart Trilogy. This review assumes you've read the first two books. If you haven't, you might want to skip to my thoughts.
My Summary. Inkworld is still spinning out of control. And Orpheus doesn't help matters when he rewrites the story to coddle to those with power and to make himself wealthy. He also hopes to control the White Women and bring back Dustfinger while destroying his worst enemy, the Bluejay, who is also Meggie's father. Meanwhile, Fenoglio is also rewriting the story in his struggle to make things right; he is especially motivated after the Adderhead comes up with a cruel scheme to help capture the Bluejay and force him to repair the White Book. Family dynamics, magic berries, giants, and words all play a part as the story comes to its conclusion.
My Thoughts. Inkdeath is full of action, and there are several story lines that must find closure. The focus of this novel shifts from a girl and her family to the wider political issues of Inkworld. I was much less enchanted with this entry than I was with the first two books. Although the conflict among the different factions is well developed, I was disappointed that some of my favorite characters and their interpersonal relationships were pushed to the side. My interest dwindled as I made may way through the book. Some aspects of the plot seemed to be forced; other subplots seemed to add nothing in particular.
If you've read the first two books, you must, of course, finish out the story. I tried this book on audio, and that may have affected my enjoyment. However, I am a fan of audiobooks, and the reading by Alan Corduner was very well done. I'm not quite sure what was missing here, but I'm not sorry to see the end of the trilogy.
The unabridged audio edition (Listening Library) was read by Allan Corduner, who did a fine job. Sadly, he had to come behind Brandon Fraser, who read the previous book, and I could help but feel thrown off by the new characterizations.
I read this book to meet a number of challenges (listed below). To learn more about a challenge, click on the title above the progress bar in the left margin.
Published by Scholastic, 2008
ISBN-13: 9780439866286
Challenges: A-Z Author, Cornelia Funke, Young Adult, Winter Reading, 100+, Audiobooks, Support Your Library, 999
YTD: 10
Rating: C+
17 comments:
I really agree with you, Beth. I don't think it was just the audio. The story overall is much less enchanting and I think it was the focus on the wider political world that you mentioned. I think Funke's world got too big for her to effectively continue the interpersonal relationships and keep hold of the plot at the same time. It's a shame. I really liked the first two.
I haven't read any yet, so I'm lightly skimming through your review. I plan to go with audio for this series as well. Since the challenge won't end until way later, I've put this series on the back burner. Now all I need to do is avoid the movie...lol!
I have the first book of the series on my TBR - I'd like to get through the entire series this year. It's too bad the wrap-up isn't of the calibre of the first two.
I have heard that the 2nd book of the series is the best one of the three. Would you concur?
Of course, I have not read the first one (although I did buy a copy the other day)- and probably won't for quite sometime - but I am very intrigued by the storyline.
Meghan, glad to know that wasn't just me or the audio.
J. Kaye and Belle: don't be too put off. It's just that the first two are so good, I had high hopes for this one.
Molly: you are exactly right. The second book is the best and features one of my favorite characters.
I've been wanting to read this trilogy - I'm sorry to see it doesn't end so great.
I read Inkheart soon after it first came out but I haven't read the other two in this series yet. I'd like to re-read the first one first but I have yet to do so lol.
I'm reading this within the next week or so. Thanks for the review although now I'm sorta prolonging starting it. It took me a while to get into Inkspell and it looks like the same might happen with this one. :(
My daughter is reading Inkspell for the second time (to prepare for the movie) and is about to move on to the second one. She is trying to convince me to read them too, but so far I haven't. My best bet would be audio...its really disappointing they couldn't wind it up a little better.
I really need to read these, especially now that the movie has come out! I'm sorry that the last book wasn't as good though, that's always disappointing!
*covering eyes and not reading review till I finish all three books*.....but I am marking this review of yours to come back to when I finish the books! I have a feeling that our tastes are similar enough that our opinions will likely match up. ;)
I am glad to read that review. I wasn't sure if I was going to keep reading the books or not. I have read the first one. I think I may just keep going. Thank you.
Personally I loved the first one of the series the best. Then again, it seems I always love the first book of a series the best, so maybe I'm just preprogrammed that way or something.
Finally getting around to read the other carnival posts. I have read Inkheart but not the rest of the series. I also find that listening to a book sometimes takes the enjoyment out of the book experience.
I agree. I actually could feel a strange pushing feeling on my chest where my heart is when I read Meggie's and Farid's breakup. I've been visiting many sites trying to find somewhere I can email Cornelia and tell her to WRITE ANOTHER BOOK! (an aside one of course) to give Orpheus the end he deserves, Violante the rule she deserves, Meggie's brother the name he deserves and Meggie and Farid the relationship they deserve (Doria could always go with Brianna, since he needs a wife).
Just finished reading these books and I heartily agree with you about the inter-personal relationships.
I did think that it was a faster moving book than Inkspell and I liked that the ending was clean.
I did also like that Mo chose Doria instead of Farid. I did think that it was odd though that the author slipped that out so obviously in the moddle of the book, instead of leaving us guessing till the end.
If you are interested, you can read my review here:
http://nishitak.wordpress.com/2009/12/06/inkdeath-a-book-review/
I couldn't agree more with your opinions, my heart practically shattered at the break up and I think it kind of ruined The third book for me personally after all that meggie and farid had been through together :(
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