Review Detail

Diving back into the Inkheart series with a book set five after the events in Inkdeath was different as I am much older than I was when I read Inkheart for the first time. Cornelia Funke's writing style is as excellent as ever, with a nice mix of flowery, picturesque descriptions and a general undertone that smells of dark fairy tales. Funke is so wonderfully fluid and easy to read, but without becoming too simple or childish. As with the previous books, it creates an adventurously scary atmosphere, which works very well for both a young and an adult audience. The characters and the world are still written with much love, especially regarding Dustfinger, Orpheus, and the Black Prince, who act here as the three main characters. Dustfinger still has that sad but also somehow beautiful melancholy. Orpheus is such a wonderfully evil character that you love to hate. And the Black Prince is still that Robin Hood-like man who wanders through the world with charm and an underlying sense of mystery. The Inkworld is still that entertaining fantasy world with a touch of fairy tales and a hefty dose of fantasy, and it really feels like coming home.