Inkspell (Inkworld #2)

Reader reviewed by Mairi

At the end of Inkheart, the evil Basta swore to get even with Mo, Meggie, Dustfinger, and Farid, a promise that Farid thinks he follows up on at the most awkward time. The mysterious Orpheus reads Dustfinger into the Inkworld, but keeps Farid and the only known copy of Inkheart behind in this one at Basta's request. Frightened and lonely, Farid goes to Meggie and asks her to read him into the Inkworld as well, but Meggie will only agree if she can go as well.

I read this book after Inkheart and before Inkdeath, of course. As to how I was introduced to the series, I don't really remember- it was four or five years ago, I'm tempted to say. I do know, though, that I loved it at once.

The Inkworld books are readable at any age, and Inkspell is excellent despite holding the awkward place in the middle of the trilogy.

Reader reviewed by Roberta

What a great story. My favorite part of this story was the concept. The lead character, Meggie and her dad have the ability to read a story and as they read it some of the things in the story come out into their world. The not so good part is that the good and the bad come out. This story left me in the edge of my seat. Meggie must read the story differently then how its written in order to save the day. This book will capture ones imagination.

Reader reviewed by snickers

this was a very confusing book with lots of twists and turns. it made me interested and i love that dustfinger dies at the end its so fitting. read the book because everybody needs some good confoosing. this book had a good but sad ending. i can tell you that all the detail are running together (i mean i only read this book what 3 months ago and now i dont remember anything)                                                                       

Reader reviewed by MssJos

In my opinion, the sequel to InkHeart is even better than the original! The story continues as Dustfinger (the mysterious stranger from InkHeart) finally discovers a way to return to his home in the Inkworld, however, his departure from this world has dire consequences for everyone involved in his story.

Farid, Dustfinger's apprentice, finds Mo and Meggie (14 now), to tell them of some news that may prevent Dustfinger's homecoming from being a happy one. Determined to help save Dustfinger (and curious to see the Inkworld for themselves), Meggie and Farid soon find themselves in the Inkworld. Soon after, Mo and and Resa (Meggie's mother) join them.

Between trying to stay alive, battling against evil forces, and being reunited with her father, Meggie manages to find time to fall in love with Farid. Even adult readers can appreciate the excitement of that first love and a few stolen kisses.

InkSpell takes readers on a roller coaster ride as they follow Meggie, Mo, Farid, and Dustfinger into the tragically and beautifully captivating Inkworld. Funke does an amazing job implementing Shakespearean influences into her characters, both good and evil. InkSpell explores not only love, but the complexities of familial relationships, friendships, and rivalries.

As with InkHeart, I don't believe I would use this in my classroom as a teaching novel, but I would definitely recommend it to my students. I began reading InkDeath the moment I finished InkSpell (if you've read InkSpell you know why!) The InkHeart series truly draws readers in to the Inkworld, sometimes slowly and deliberately and other times so suddenly and unexpectedly the reader barely has time to catch their breath!

Reader reviewed by Jinxie

Dustfinger is back! He has come to meet a man named Orpheus because he can read out of books, too. He's not as good as Maggie or Mo, but he can still do it. Orpheus reads Dustfinger into Inkheart and leaves Farid, Dustfinger's apprentice out. Farid must find Maggie and Mo to get back into the book. Maggie finally reads herself in along with Farid, which is unusual. Farid falls in love with Maggie. In the end, the book is continued...something tragic happens...read and find out what it is!

Reader reviewed by EshInoBi


This book was appealing. I liked it more than the first book in the series, Inkheart. I wish I were in Inkheart. Or Inkspell. Anything, I'll do anything to get into books. I loved this book. I felt wonderful, and I feel as if I'm exactly like Meggie, always reading, and rebellious at times. I found this book very interesting, and Farid has his best interests at heart. If I could choose to go into any book, it wouldn't be this book, as there are amazing books, but this book nearly makes it to the top. I can't imagine how crazy, how wild, how full of imagine the third book, Inkdeath, will be. I am greedily waiting, Inkdeath, always waiting. I love riddles. This book had a few, and for that, I was happy. I hope everyone will get a chance to notice, cherish, and read this book with their heart. Start reading it, now!

Reader reviewed by Megan

Back to the story, Inkspell picks up where Inkheart leaves off. Meggie has learned that she can read things out of books too, just like her father. This time, she reads them all into the book. Her father gets shot and her mother gains her voice back. However, her father is taken prisoner by the prince, and it is up to the group of them to rescue him. They do, but only at a price: Farid is killed. Dustfinger then, to save Farid's life, makes a deal with the White Women and trades his life for Farid's. An awesome second book to a trilogy!

Reader reviewed by Mary

Often, people think that sequels are never as good as the original. However,this book is excellent, even better than Inkheart. It carries on the story of Meggie. Dustfinger has been searching for a way to get back into the book. And finally he's found a way. Unfortunately, Basta's still wants to murder Meggie and Mo...


Cornelia Funke's writing is lyrical and flows well. The main characters are all well-developed and the plot flawless.

Reader reviewed by Amanda

Meggie, Mo, Resa, Elinor, and all the others are all getting used to life again after their discovery of the power of Inkheart and the reading aloud ability that both Meggie and Mo possess. Their encounters and subsequent imprisonment by Capricorn are nothing but bad memories and Meggie is learning to love having her mother around just as much as does Mo. Unfortunately, when Farid, a friend of the family from the previous book, arrives at Elinor's house with news that Dustfinger had a man read him back into the InkWorld, Meggie and Farid devise a plan to go after him. Using the paper that had been read to send Dustfinger back, Meggie reads herself and Farid into the story.


The dangers that Farid and Meggie face are enormous and incredibly exciting for the reader. Meggie is entranced with the Ink World, not quite believing she is finally there after hearing so many wonderful stories from her mother. When she finally realizes that her parents have come after her and the the danger that is being faced Mo and Resa, Meggie has to figure out a way to save Dustfinger, Farid, and her family and the cliff hanger at the end will have you itching for more.


The sequel to Inkheart was not quite as exciting to me as the first book, but I did still have a good time reading it and look forward to more from Cornelia Funke. The description of the Ink World and everyone/thing in it is beautiful and makes a reader like myself want to be there too! I can certainly see the appeal to Meggie and Farid! If you've read Inkheart, you'll enjoy Inkspell as well.

Reader reviewed by Meg

Wow.
Thats all i have to say about Inkspell. It is so good. Cornelia Funke always finds a way to make the parts where nothing is really happening exciting. She makes eveything seem SO REAL, even the faries and magic! This is one of my absolute favorite books.
I am greatly Anticipating Inkdeath, the final book in the Inkheart Trilogy and the new Inkheart movie that is coming out.

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