Inkspell (Inkheart Trilogy) - Books (Cornelia Funke, Paperback)

Just a few chapters into Inkspell, Mo (a.k.a. "Silvertongue") sagely says to his daughter, "Stories never really end, Meggie, even if the books like to pretend they do. Stories always go on. They don't end on the last page, any more than they begin on the first page." A fitting meta-observation for this, the unplanned second installment in Cornelia Funke's beloved now-trilogy.

Of course, it's that sort of earnest, almost gushing veneration of books and book-loving that made the absorbing suspense-fantasy Inkheart so wonderful in the first place, with that lit-affection getting woven integrally into the plot (Inkheart being both Funke's first book in the series, and the fictitious book within that book, authored by the frustrated Fenoglio, now trapped within the book, er, within the book. Fenoglio, perhaps not surprisingly, self-referentially wishes in Inkspell that he had written a sequel to Inkheart.) Inkspell should serve as a special treat for fans of the first book, as characters from Inkheart who have found themselves in the "real world" (if there is such a thing) find themselves read back into their own mythic, word-spun world--along with some of our favorite "real-world" characters. As with the previous book, Funke's greatest accomplishment here is telling such a rich and involving (and fun!) story, while still managing sweet, subtle commentary on the nature of words and meaning. Expect a tantalizing finale, too--as Funke says, "No reader will forgive me the ending, though, without a part three." (Ages 8 and up) --Paul Hughes

Customer Reviews of Inkspell (Inkheart Trilogy)

Monty

14th July 2008

I'm glad I read it......
I did dither over whether or not to read Inkspell as I found Inkheart a little slow in places but decided to go for it as I can't leave a trilogy hanging......

I'm glad I did, because it's worth the read. As interesting a concept as Inkheart was (reading characters 'out' of books), Inkspell held my attention and imagination better, perhaps because it's more interesting to see what goes on when you read yourself 'into' an imaginary world?

I don't know if it's intentional, but this book seemed to follow the same formula as the first, as far as 'pace' goes. The first third of the book had me turning pages to see what surprises the new world held....the middle third seemed to drop a gear and meander along until it reached the third and final section where the action picked up again. The story is still worth the time spent to read it, but that slow middle bit just knocks a star off for me.

I find myself not liking some characters that I liked in the first book(Fenoglio) and situations (for some reason Farid and Meggie really jar with me as a couple. I don't know why, but they just do), but to even things out though, I found I really missed Elinor (whom I didn't have a lot of time for in the last one) and I'm hoping she gets to join them in part 3..... Swings and roundabouts.

I'm looking forward to the final part, due out towards the end of the year, and recommend reading them in order to anyone starting out as they do follow on from one another.

lyra
bedford uk
8th March 2008

Better than Inkheart
I have to admit I found Inkheart tedious. Having got Inkspell for my daughter I was pleasantly surprised. Now in Dustfinger's world, we lose some of the duller characters and Cornelia Funke writes much better when in full fantasy mode, than when trying to recreate 'reality'. If like me you were half hearted about the first book, be brave, try this one. It's sooo much better. I'll certainly be reading book 3.

giving away free consoles!!!!
cumbria, uk
5th October 2007

number 3 ?
what is the new one called?
and when will it be released? (if not already)

book boffin

10th August 2007

Brilliant! Absolute genius!
I thought that inkheart was absolutely wonderful and I hoped that the next installment in the Inkheart Trilogy would live up to its standards! And it did!

This book hits you from the start, just like the first! This is a truly amazing book where you follow Meggie and Farid into the magical world of Inkheart, in Farid's search for his mentor, Dustfinger. Join them as they journey through Inkheart.

There are plenty of twists and turns in this remarkable book e.g when Meggie meets Fengilo, the orginal author of the book Inkheart, now immersed in his own story! But there are things going wrong in his story that he didn't write and never could have dreamed would come about, which he, with Meggie's help, intends to put right.
But I won't reveal too much!

All I can say is that this is another stunning, compelling book and I cant wait for Book 3! Brilliant!I just can't get enough!

cone
Cumbria, UK
28th February 2007

What a Disappointment
After reading Inkheart, i was expecting this to be as good. Unfortunately, although the plot was quite good and the characters were well developed, it was very dragged out and could have been about a third of the size because barely any of it was action. Will not be bothering with book 3.