The planets aligned and conspired to get me to read this one. First, Joey’s review on Bookworm impressed me enough to put it on my “to-read” list. But, the exact same day (see what I mean about planets aligning?) my daughter brought it home from the library. She never got to read it.
I absolutely loved this book. I had read Cornelia Funke’s first book, Thief Lord, and wasn’t all that impressed. It was good, but it just didn’t captivate me. So, while I was aware of Inkheart (and her most recent one Dragon Rider) I just wasn’t impressed enough to pick either one up. So, thanks Joey.
First and foremost, this is a book-lovers book. I think that’s what I enjoyed most about it. I loved the way the characters loved books. I loved the fact that there were little quotes at the beginning of each chapter from books that I’ve (mostly) read. (Though my husband spoiled this one for me — to a certain extent — by mentioning that Stephen King did that too. Ugh.) I loved that the whole premise of the book is that characters could be brought into this world from books. (There’s a great little bit near the end about Tinker Bell…) Probably, if I really thought about it, I would find plot holes and loose ends, and if I really wanted to be a spoil-sport, would complain that then ending was messy. But I didn’t care. This book had me captivated from the first page, and I couldn’t wait to pick it up again after I’ve put it down. If my daughter didn’t have to return it, I would have started it again right after finishing. And I never do that.
The Book Nut 
I loved this book too. Much better than Thief Lord, although I liked that one too. When I read classics, there are a lot more references in them to other books, or at least it seems that way to me. The trouble is that a lot of the books they referred to then aren’t available now.
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I don’t know what it was, but this book just didn’t do it for me. Rebecca loved it and went on to read <>Theif Lord<> and wants to read her most recent book as well (i.e. the book that they just recently translated to english). However there was something predictable and pretentious about this one that didn’t captivate me. Maybe <>Thief Lord<> would be better.
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Yep, I agree, I think Inkheart is the best. There’s a sequel now too, but I haven’t gotten to it yet.Do you like Phillip Pullman? That’s my new find this week. Sally Lockhart–so fun to read mysteries.
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So, Wayne, what did Rebecca think of the other ones?? I’m thinking about getting Megan Dragon Rider for Christmas…(I suppose I’d better think faster, right?)Laura — actually, I don’t particularly like Phillip Pullman. Granted, I’ve only read three books by him, the first two of the His Dark Materials and I was a Rat. Not much to go off of. While I thought his idea for the Golden Compass was good, I’m just not drawn into his worlds. So, I’ve not sought him out. You’ll have to let me know what you think.
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Oh that’s right, the rat was a Phillip Pullman. I’ve started The Golden Compass but am not far. I’m really liking Sally Lockhart, though–very Sherlock Holmesish. It’s not great lit, but it’s absorbing and good winter reading–foggy London.Dragonrider seems to be aimed at a younger audience than Inkheart.
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Oh gosh, Joey will be so pleased. I’m glad you liked it. I read the first 2 chapters, but he keeps leaving it at school so I haven’t been able to finish it.I think I’ve written about His Dark Materials before. Summary: some really cool ideas, but major flaws.
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this is one of my favorite books by corneila. i liked it alot better than theif lord, which had a bad ending in my opion. dragon rider was also good, but had a sense of overdone-ness to it. i’ve read the sequel to this, inkspell, and its just as good and i wait with baited breath for the next book. 🙂
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