Common Sense Media Review
Trilogy conclusion satisfies; not as dark as previous book.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
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Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 2 parent reviews
Based on 18 kid reviews
Kids say this book is a dark and complex conclusion to the series, featuring multiple intertwined plots and themes of corruption, which can confuse new readers while still being satisfying for fans. Many reviews highlight its action-packed narrative but warn of the dark violence, mature content, and an overall mood that some find depressing, making it more suitable for older teens and adults.
- complex plots
- dark themes
- suitable for teens
- action-packed
- mixed reviews
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
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?
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 :
- 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 : October 9, 2025
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