Inkheart (2003) by Cornelia Funke is a unique fantasy-real world book littered with magic, creativity and loss. In her book, Funke creates a world that is both fantastical and relatable for the reader.
Inkheart tells the story of a booklover named Mo and his 12-year-old daughter, Meggie. Their house is stacked full with books: a dream come true for a booklover bachelor — but probably a nightmare for his future wife. Shortly after a call from a mysterious visitor, though, a series of adventures ensue, all centering around a particular book: Inkheart.
The fate of Mo and Meggie’s family becomes intertwined with this book. But Meggie soon finds that there is a lot more to the story she didn’t know about.
I give this book a five star rating. I especially enjoyed Funke’s metaphors and imagery. She doesn’t just tell the story, but she immerses you in the world. This book is perfect for readers ages 10-16.
More Books Like This
If you like Inkheart, you may also like its sequel, Inkspell (2005).
There aren’t many books like Inkheart, but a possible similar book might be The Neverending Story (1983) by Michael Ende, translated by Ralph Manheim.
– by Abbie Call
Read more: Magyk Book Review.
Abbie Call – Cannonville/Kirksville, Missouri
Abbie Call is a journalist and editor at The Byway. She graduated in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in editing and publishing from Brigham Young University. Her favorite topics to write about include anything local, Utah’s megadrought, and mental health and meaning in life. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hanging out with family, quilting and hiking with the dog she’s getting soon — fingers crossed.
Find Abbie on Threads @abbieb.call.