Parents' Guide to

Inkdeath: Inkheart Trilogy, Book 3

By Matt Berman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 11+

Trilogy conclusion satisfies; not as dark as previous book.

Book Cornelia Funke Fantasy 2008
Inkdeath: Inkheart Trilogy, Book 3 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 12+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Trustworthy Reviews
Trustworthy Reviews Adult
February 19, 2011
age 12+

Good, book just for children older than twelve.

This book was very well written, however I would suggest that if you read it you are above the age of twelve, here's why: Some of the content, such as violence, mild-swearing, and some situations are inapropriate for younger readers. For example: There is a little more violence in this book than in the rest of the series, and the bad guys just keep achieving a new height of badness. Now keep in mind I like this book, I'm not suggesting that nobody should read this it, I'm just saying that you should be above the age of twelve before you pick it up and flip through the many pages of Inkdeath.
stephloos@aol.com
[email protected] Adult
January 25, 2009
age 11+

My favorite author and book of all time! The best I have ever read!

This is a must-read book. If you like Cornelia Funke, you'll love this book. It has such suspenseful qualities to it that you just want to skip to the end, but know it will ruin it. It keeps you waiting until the next time you open it. Hard to put the book down. There is OK language, just OK, barely. Lots of violence, but not SOO fierce. I'll admit, if you haven't read Inkheart or Inkspell, this will make no sense what-so-ever to anyone. A lot of characters to remember, and places, and names. I made the mistake of waiting until the next year to finish the series, and had to reread the first two books. There is too much to remember for a long amount of time. Lots of magic, but it never bores you. I love the series, and was SOO sad when I finished Inkdeath because it's the end of everything. A lot of things were left open, so I want Cornelia to write another, but as it says, Inkdeath is the final book. Anyone who has a great imagination, loves adventure, suspense, and edge-of-your-seat fun, awesome book! I love the book and encourage anyone eligible to read it. Awesome on SO many levels, and the best book I've ever read by far!
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What's the Story?

In this conclusion to the Inkheart Trilogy, Mo, having taken on the role of a Robin Hood-like character called the Bluejay, makes a deal with Death and allies with Violante to try to kill her father, Adderhead, whom he previously made immortal. Meanwhile Orpheus tries to gain wealth and power by allying with Adderhead, and the Milksop and the Piper kidnap all the children in Ombra to force Mo to sacrifice himself. Includes summaries of the first two books, glossary, and bibliography for the chapter-head quotes.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (20 ):

As with the 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.

Also, 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.

Book lovers will continue to find much to enchant them here, 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?

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the relationship between authors and the worlds they create. Do they really create the worlds, or are they just describing something that exists in some way independent of the author?

  • When an author writes about something, does it become more real? Can authors change their creations at will, or are they in some way bound to its rules?

  • This book is fantasy but does feature some evil villains and gritty violence. Is it easier to read about dark and disturbing things if it's in a work of fantasy rather than in a realistic story?

Book Details

  • Author: Cornelia Funke
  • Genre: Fantasy
  • Book type: Fiction
  • Publisher: Chicken House
  • Publication date: September 6, 2008
  • Publisher's recommended age(s): 10 - 14
  • Number of pages: 683
  • Last updated: July 12, 2017

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