Inkspell by Cornelia Funke
MG Fantasy. 635 Pages. 4 Stars
Synopsis:
The captivating sequel to INKHEART, the critically acclaimed, international bestseller by Cornelia Funke, an author who is emerging as a truly modern classic writer for children.
Although a year has passed, not a day goes by without Meggie thinking of INKHEART, the book whose characters became real. But for Dustfinger, the fire-eater brought into being from words, the need to return to the tale has become desperate. When he finds a crooked storyteller with the ability to read him back, Dustfinger leaves behind his young apprentice Farid and plunges into the medieval world of his past. Distraught, Farid goes in search of Meggie, and before long, both are caught inside the book, too. But the story is threatening to evolve in ways neither of them could ever have imagined.
My Review:
Okay. Dude, I read this book I don’t know how many years ago. Sometime in middle school my brother and I made a deal to read a book the other recommended. So, I gave him Eragon and he gave me Inkheart. Naturally, after reading book 1 and went on to read the sequel. (When the third one came out, I got a copy, but somehow never got around to actually reading it; hence re-reading the first two so I can finally finish the trilogy). Inkheart I loved. And rereading it was such a treat! There were a few details that were a little hazy, but otherwise, I remembered most of it.
Inkspell on the other hand…was much the opposite: I’d forgotten nearly everything. You know how people always say they wish they could go back and read a book for the first time again? Well, save one or two vague details, that was me! Oddly enough, even as I reread, there was much I didn’t anticipate. For some reason, I only remembered going inside the book and some line with Finoglio and, of course, I totally ship Meggie and Farid.
Guys. I FORGOT SO MUCH! Now having reread it, I wonder if I didn’t subconsciously block the trauma from my memory on purpose! Stuff happened in this book! Stuff that legitimately took me by surprise, even though I’d read it before! How on earth?! I’m upset. The end of this book is upsetting. How did I not pick up the third book as soon as I got my hands on it?!
There was such much to this enticing sequel. Funke has built such an enchanting world. I loved getting to dive into it a second time. And her characters are so dynamic! Dustfinger has always been my favorite <3 He is so precious and I just adore him. And the dynamics between Meggie and Mo always tug at my heart. Mo is charming and his spellbinding power only grows in this tale. There’s so much of Mo that feels so constant and comforting, like home. I can’t wait to see the arcs come to completion in the next book. Orpheus I remembered vaguely when he came into the story and I was delighted to meet the lovely Cloud Dancer again, whom I remembered as he was introduced. Roxanne is dark and mysterious, but lovely and compelling. And the dynamics between her and Dustfinger and Farid will just break your heart.
The story keeps us engaged and the plot thickens, spiraling out of control. There was some stuff I straight up forgot, so my heart was pounding a little this read through. The magical setting, the fantastic character dynamics that each pair of characters have with such nuance, and the page turning story itself will draw you in.
There is some mild swearing here and there from the adults, no explicit romance, but a delightfully surprising kiss, and some minor fantasy violence. Thematically the story digs into the yearning we have to belong, for home, the dark grief of loss and death, fear, and the deep desire we have for control. The book is MG and I’d probably be fine giving it to a pre-teen or early teen.
More:
Book 1 in the Inkworld Trilogy is Inkheart (5 Stars)
Book 3 is Inkdeath (5 Stars)
I’ve read and reviewed the above on Goodreads. See the links for more info. This trilogy does need to be read in order.
On GraceBought
If you missed it, check out my thoughts on the first book in the trilogy.