Perma-Bound

"*Starred Review* Readers who enjoyed Funke's Inkheart (2003) are in for a treat with this sequel, a stronger book than its predecessor. In the first volume of the trilogy, a few characters have the ability to ""read"" a character out of a book and into today's world. In this book the process is reversed, and most of the earlier characters are transported to the magical yet perilous and sometimes brutally violent land of the fictional book, also called Inkheart. Young Meggie has longed to visit that world, but once she travels there she realizes the consequences of her choice and the seeming impossibility of putting things right in either place. With the help of Fenoglio, the book's author, who now lives in the secondary world, she connives to turn events toward a good outcome. Though some readers will simply enjoy the adventure story, others will be intrigued by Fenoglio's reflections on the impossibility of controlling what he has created. As before, the book's focus shifts from one group of characters to another as the plot moves swiftly. An indispensable key to the numerous characters precedes the story. Readers will enjoy the many quotes at chapter headings from writers as diverse as Margaret Atwood, David Almond, Kate DiCamillo, Harper Lee, Pablo Neruda, Philip Pullman, J. K Rowling, and T. H. White. In short, a booklover's book." Gr 5 Up-This sequel begins a year after the conclusion of Funke's popular Inkheart (Scholastic, 2003). In this fantasy world, certain readers have the power to bring characters out of books-and send them back. Meggie and Farid, apprentices to the fire-eater Dustfinger, follow him to the Inkworld, the land of the book-within-a-book, Inkheart, after he has been read back into its story by a mysterious man named Orpheus. Orpheus uses his powers to read Mortola and Basta, some of the villains of the first volume, into the story, along with Meggie's parents. In Inkworld, Meggie enlists the help of Fenoglio, the original author of Inkheart, to help create a new future for her parents and herself as palace intrigues, war, and the Silver Prince threaten. The story moves along at a rapid pace, from Farid and Dustfinger's original meeting with Orpheus to Farid's warning of Mortola's return to the shift of action to the Inkworld and the heightening conflict in both worlds. Expanding on the ideas behind Inkheart, Funke explores what might happen if authors try to change the world they have created. Familiar characters and those new to this volume are clearly drawn. This is an involving story that will draw readers smoothly to its conclusion and leave them waiting for the final volume in this projected trilogy.-Beth L. Meister, Pleasant View Elementary School, Franklin, WI Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information. The bibliophilic conceit of Inkheart is taken to new levels when this sequel’s unwieldy ensemble cast is transported into the world of the book. A final showdown in which Fenoglio pits the power of words against the power of death provides a compelling conclusion to a novel otherwise hindered by an overabundance of sneering, indistinct villains and underused heroes. Sampson Davis, George Jenkins & Rameck Hunt (321078) In InkSpell, Cornelia Funke continues to weave her magical story of Inkheart, as Orpheus and Meggie read aloud the words that transport real people into the book. After ten years in the wrong world, Dustfinger finds a voice, Orpheus, who reads him back to his real world of Inkheart. Not to be left behind, Farid finds Meggie and begs her to read him back as well. Meggie yearns to see the Wayless Woods, fire-elves, water nymphs, tiny glass men and the Castle of Ombra. So, Meggie decides to leave her family and read herself and Farid into the book. Then, Orpheus reads the villains, Mortola and Basta, into the story along with Meggie's parents. Mortola plans to seek revenge on them and their daughter for the death of her son, the evil Capricorn. As the story within a story unfolds, we are enchanted by the many new characters introduced to us in Inkspell. The life of The Motley Folk amuses and entertains us. They are led by their king, the Black Prince along with his faithful black bear. We fall in love with Dustfinger's beautiful wife Roxanne. We are saddened by the untimely death of Cosimo, son of the Laughing Prince who is now known as the Prince of Sighs. In the Castle of Night, we are frightened by the tyrant Adderhead, who cruelly governs Argenta with his henchmen, Slasher, The Piper and Firefox. Fenoglio, the author of Inkheart, can't foresee the results of his words. We are spellbound by the deadly and disastrous events that take place as the story takes on a life of its own. Fenoglio asks, "We're none of us immortal; even the finest words don't change that do they?" How he proves himself wrong mesmerizes the reader to the very last word. Cornelia Funke leaves fantasy readers wanting what Farid promises Meggie, "This story will have a happy ending. I swear." I don't know about you, but I'm going to hold the author to that promise. Reviewed by Theresa Sidwell Collection Development Librarian If you like this book, you might also enjoy... ...other fantasy fiction: Castle In The Attic by Elizabeth Winthrop (047052) Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling (131551) Lampfish Of Twill by Janet Taylor Lisle (173078) Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (177503) REM World by Rodman Philbrick (251252) Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L'Engle (336103) ...other books by Cornelia Funke: Dragon Rider (081845) Inkheart (156324) Thief Lord (297129)