Review: Inkdeath

Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



"Inkdeath" (Inkheart3) by Cornelia Funke wallows in negatives - pain, agony, grief, resentment, jealousy, revenge, uncertainty. Bookbinder Mo has taken on the outlaw Bluejay identity, and protects wife Resa and daughter Meggie living on the run with the Black Prince, robbers, refugees and Motley Players. Each wants the others to return to the mundane world, while they sneak off alone on an ill-planned mission/ rescue in the fictional Inkworld. Aunt Elinor is "wallowing in misery" p113 "stuffing herself with the words on the age like an unhappy child stuffing itself with chocolate." p114 until she convinces Darius to read them inside the book too.
The plot feels like a tangled skein dropped into mud. Carefully colored individual strands snarl and tug. Orpheus uses his powerful read-to-life ability for evil against Dustfinger. Once we know the White Ladies of Death will bargain, death loses sting. So many quick cameos. Old author Finaglio writes up a couple of quick saves. Magpie poisons bodies and minds. Resa learns more than herbs from her. The final savior is unexpected.
Feelings overflow, almost poetry. I'd like to see more Chris Riddell-like illustrations. "The words danced with the pictures and the pictures sang for the words, singing their colorful songs." p109
How does Farid write his name on p119 if he doesn't know his letter AI on p120?



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