Inkdeath: Inkheart Trilogy, Book 3 (by Cornelia Funke)

First, don't even think of trying to read this without having read the first two books in the trilogy. Even for those who have read them, and even with the summaries and glossary provided, it can be confusing, what with a hundred or so named characters and numerous criss-crossing plot lines. While fans of Meggie may be disappointed that she is no longer at the center of the action, which has mostly shifted to the adults, series fans will find the same virtues (and vices) here: a big fat book with lots of action and gritty violence (though it's not as dark as Inkspell), skipping around among characters and plotlines, and plenty of imagination and description.

As with the two previous books, there's not much narrative discipline, and the editing is flabby. But readers who have made it this far won't care about that, and some may even prefer it that way. Booklovers will continue to find much to enchant them, including chapter-head quotes from classic and modern prose and poetry for children and adults, with a helpful bibliography in the back for those who'd like to read further. And although this is the end of the trilogy, Funke has left enough plotlines open to continue the series, if she chooses. Inkwar, anyone?