Title: Inkheart
Author: Cornelia Funke
Published: June 1, 2005
# of Pages: 500
ISBN: 0439709105
My rating: 2.5/5
One cruel night, Meggie’s father reads aloud from a book called INKHEART– and an evil ruler escapes the boundaries of fiction and lands in their living room. Suddenly, Meggie is smack in the middle of the kind of adventure she has only read about in books. Meggie must learn to harness the magic that has conjured this nightmare. For only she can change the course of the story that has changed her life forever. This is INKHEART–a timeless tale about books, about imagination, about life. Dare to read it aloud.
I am going to make this review super-short, because basically, I did not really like Inkheart. I can’t pinpoint why exactly, because all of my assumptions told me that I would love it – fantasy revolving around a girl, book about books coming alive, a bunch of fun and interesting characters, etc. – but somehow, I didn’t. I never connected with any of the characters, I never became immersed in the story, it just generally did not work for me. Obviously I didn’t hate it – it is a 500 page book that I did finish – there were definitely parts that piqued my interest and kept me raeding. But overall, I never clicked with the story and I can’t say that I’ll be continuing on with the series.
I can absolutely see the merits of Inkheart, however. There IS plenty of action and adventure, I love the fact that the heroine of the story is a young girl, and the concept is wonderful. I would encourage anyone to give the book a try, because like I said, I cannot figure out exactly what about it I didn’t “get”. But overall, for me, Inkheart was just not my cup of tea.
More reviews (all of these bloggers liked the book more than I did) –
- Naida at The Bookworm
- Nymeth at Things Mean A Lot
- Jena at Muse Book Reviews
- Eva at A Striped Armchair
- Becky at Becky’s Book Reviews
- Susan at Bloggin’ Bout Books
- Petunia at Educating Petunia
Now, since I didn’t enjoy Inkheart too much, I won’t be keeping it on my personal bookshelf, which is good news for YOU readers! The other piece of good news for you readers is that I also have a copy of Inkspell on my bookshelf that I don’t plan to read, either. So I will be giving away BOTH books this week! I received both books via Bookmooch, so they are definitely used, but still in decent condition and absolutely readable. I will pick two winners, one for each book, next Monday evening (the 17th). Just leave me a comment on this post, specificing which book you’d rather win – if you’d take either, just say so and you’ll go in for both drawings. Make sure you leave me a valid email address so I can contact you if you win.
Good luck everyone!
I’ve been wanting to read these books. Please enter me! jeanenevarez AT gmail DOT com.
Ooh, sign me up! stephaniedekeyser AT gmail dot com Thanks! 😀
Oh, I’d love the first one. Thank you so much for the chance. 🙂
-Lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com
Heather, I haven’t read this book either but I can’t keep them on my bookshelves at my middle school library!!! Please don’t enter me..I own both of these!!
Thanks for the link. I’d have to agree with you. I missed some connection with the story and didn’t find it to be a story I loved. I don’t plan to read the other two books in the series but I would like to see the movie.
Please exclude me from the giveaway.
Oh how wonderful. I did rink Inkheart and enjoyed it but there were parts that I found more interesting than others. I do want to read the other two books in the series. Sign me up for Inkspell. Thank you!
Sorry to hear that you didn’t enjoy Inkheart but I would love to give it a try. Thanks!
Either of these books would be great! My cousin has wanted to read them 🙂
I’m with you, Heather. I expected to love it. I wanted to love it. But I just didn’t connect with the characters at all.
I have Inkheart, so I’d love Inskspell. And I’m sticking my fingers in my ears and going “La la la la la” so I don’t hear the I didn’t like its. I want to like it!
The worst part of not liking a book, for me at least, is not being able to figure out why! I’d like to give this one a try, and hopefully have a better experience than you did. Please enter me for Inkheart!
I didn’t like it either, and like you, I just couldn’t figure out why. The most plausible reason I can think of is that Ms. Funke’s writing seemed to be kind of, well, “unskilled.” It really is annoying, isn’t it?
I’d like to be entered to win Inkheart! I really loved the movie.
Hi Heather,
If you would be prepared to ship as far as South Africa, then please enter me for either of the books so I can see for myself what they are like.
Thanks.
Carol
My niece is obsessed with these books she is only 9. I would love to win this
I’d love to read either book.
Boy I would read either book. Thanks
I would love to read either!! Thanks!
Looks like a great book…..
I’d be thrilled to get either book. Please enter me!
I would love to win Inkspell since I have read Inkheart.
I would love to read Inkheart.
Thanks
I would like to read either book, Thanks
I’d be happy to read either one. Thanks.
I would love to get the inkheart book for my son
shopannies@Yahoo.com
I’d love to read either book. Thanks for the giveaway!
Hello! I would be a happy camper with either of your books! Please count me in your delightful drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
I would love to win and read either of these books
i’d love to win the book, get me in plz!
It would be great to win this giveaway. I always like to make my own opinion on products.
Hi Heather, I’ve been reading your blog for quite a while now. I’ve heard a lot about both books, and love reading adventure stories with my five year old daughter, so would love to have either. I’m at writehandedleftie@gmail.com.
Thanks!
I haven’t started this series and feel I should definitely give it a shot. I’d love a chance to win either. Thanks!
Mishel
mishtakes AT gmail DOT com
hi, I’m from the Philippines. I wanna join in either books. Though im not actually a bookworm, but I just want to give this a try. I would be glad to be chosen as the next beholder of the book. I haven’t yet seen the movie, but it seems I am interested to watch or read a book of it because I really love fantacy. Maybe I can find time to watch it…
Thank you very much and good luck to all of us who will join… GOD BLESS!
I would love to read this to my kids
I tend to keep an open mind about books, and often what others don’t like…I adore. Please put me on the give away list.
I loved the Inkheart movie and never got the chance to read the actual book. Well either of them listed actually so I would love to sign up for both please. Thanks and good luck for whoever gets it. 🙂
i have read inkspell and i love it i want to read all inkheart books