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Summary and Reviews of Inkspell by Cornelia Funke

Inkspell by Cornelia Funke

Inkspell

by Cornelia Funke
  • Critics' Consensus (4):
  • Readers' Rating (39):
  • First Published:
  • Sep 1, 2005, 635 pages
  • Paperback:
  • Jun 2006, 688 pages
  • Rate this book

About This Book

Book Summary

In this spellbinding follow-up to Inkheart, Funke expertly mixes joy, pain, suspense and magic.

Although a year has passed, not a day goes by without Meggie thinking of Inkheart, the book whose characters came to life. But for Dustfinger, the fire-eater brought into being from words, the need to return to the tale has become desperate. When he finds Orpheus, a crooked storyteller with the magical ability to read him back, Dustfinger leaves behind his young apprentice Farid and plunges into the medieval world of the past. Distraught, Farid goes in search of Meggie. Before long, both are caught inside the book, too. And the story is threatening to evolve in ways neither of them could ever have imagined.

Like Inkheart, Inkspell features the special touches that transform Funke's novels into keepsakes. Each chapter begins with a surprisingly relevant literary excerpt and concludes with a charming line illustration by the author herself. And this, the second book in the trilogy, also includes a hand-drawn map of the Inkworld and, as a helpful reference for readers old and new, a "dictionary" of characters. Silvertongue, Fenoglio, Crookback, Firefox: The entire epic cast is described in detail.

Orpheus took the sheet of paper back with an awkward smile. "I can't promise that it'll be the same time of day there," he said in a muted voice. "The laws of my art are difficult to understand, but believe me, no one knows more about them than I do. Fore instance, I've discovered that if you want to change or continue a story, you should use only words that are in the book already. Too many new words and nothing at all may happen, or alternatively something could happen that you didn't intend. Perhaps it's different if you wrote the original story ---"

"In the name of all the fairies, you're fuller of words than a whole library!" Dustfinger interrupted impatiently. "How about just reading it now?"

Orpheus fell silent as abruptly as if he had ...

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Reviews

Media Reviews

Booklist - Carolyn Phelan
Like many other fantasies, this will appeal to a broad age range, though the writing is far less child-centered than it is, for example, in the Harry Potter series. Grades 6-12.

Kirkus Reviews
Funke delivers more than enough action, romance, tragedy, villainy and emotion to keep readers turning the pages-and waiting for the sequel the cliffhanger ending promises. Ages 10+

School Library Journal - Sharon Rawlins
This 'story within a story' will delight not just fantasy fans, but all readers who like an exciting plot with larger-than-life characters. Grades 4-8.

Publishers Weekly
In this spellbinding follow-up to Inkheart, Funke expertly mixes joy, pain, suspense and magic. Ages 8+

Reader Reviews

cloey stewart

Ink spell
This book is very full of action, love, and hope. When I start reading it i just cant stop and time goes by too fast. I really love this book and I could read it a thousand times over!
Avery

Inkspell
Amazing second book but I prefer Inkheart and Inkdeath but still amazing all the same!
scrabble

best book ever
This book was wonderfully written and was the best book I've ever read.
Viv

Inkspell
This book had me on the edge of my seat! when Dustfinger died, I was really sad. Other than that, fantasy lovers will adore this book!

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Read-Alikes

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If you liked Inkspell, try these:

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    About this book

    It isn't easy being the rather overlooked and unhappy youngest sibling to sisters named for the other six days of the week. Sunday's only comfort is writing stories, although what she writes has a terrible tendency to come true...

  • Seeker jacket

    Seeker

    by William Nicholson

    Published 2007

    About this book

    More by this author

    A coming-of-age story about courage, friendship, desire, and faith.

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