Review Detail

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!