Inkspell (Inkworld #2)

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 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 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.