Inkdeath

by Cornelia Funke

Where to begin. I was introduced to the first book in this trilogy, Inkheart, a couple years ago and was hooked practically from the first words. I read Inkspell as soon as I could get my hands on it and then I ran into a problem; this last installment wasn't due to come out for a while and I waited in suspense to resolve these characters to their fates. I wasn't disappointed.

Cornelia Funke has a very engaging writing style and this series also illustrated a depth to her imagination, somewhat like standing in between two mirrors and seeing your reflection going on and on forever. The very idea that Inkdeath and its predecessors is built upon, that reality can be sucked into a work of fiction and become a new reality, is mind boggling. Her characters are very three-dimensional and I loved the fantastical creatures she created to inhabit the Inkworld.

I do wish that Meggie's part in this last book had been bigger and I kept wishing that she was older so that her slow romance could lead to a bigger end. Also, I was a bit irritated with Resa. Her character just rubs me the wrong way for some reason and I wanted her and Meggie to have a more natural relationship in the end. As for Mo, I was bothered at first by his dual personalities, but as his struggle to find Mo amidst the Bluebird and Silvertongue brought him through his misery it seemed more fitting as the whole picture fell into place.

The ending may have been a little anti-climatic. It seemed a little too easy. I did find it interesting to see the development of Jacapo and his relationship with his mother, though. Loose ends seemed to be well tied up at the conclusion, with just enough space left for a spin off, maybe. Dustfinger and Brianna, Meggie and Farid, the death of Mortola and the Piper; relationships and unresolved conflicts received their crossed Ts and dotted Is and the story ended happily.

Wonderful and well-written. I will add this to my bookshelf.

The Princess

by Lori Wick

I don't even want to write about this book. The story was fine, but it was just lacking all the way around. It read like a 102 page juvenile fiction novel.

The language and dialogue were very stiff and I felt that the characters were TOO good. A Christian faith was the central theme, which I don't normally mind. However, it was just a little too much in this book. Nothing seemed natural or genuine. Also, there were four active generations and it was quite confusing at times.

As love stories go, this one was predictable, but sweet. It was overshadowed by Wick's need to force everything instead of just letting things flow. I liked the philosophy of choosing to love someone and making room in your heart. The characters were likable, but as I said, they didn't seem to have any faults. I did not enjoy that Wick made up a country within the real world. For some reason it just didn't work for me and there was nothing truly original or unique about the imaginary country that made it necessary; it could have been England.

The Princess is one I might skim through again, but definitely not a favorite.

Mr. Knightley's Diary

by Amanda Grange

I was looking forward to reading this after I read Mr. Darcy's Diary, but this perspective was a little dull. Unfortunately, I don't have too much to say beyond that.

I will comment on the fact that Knightley came across a little less agreeable than I had remembered him. He was slightly condescending at the beginning, seeming to think that his was always the right point of view.

That's about all I have to say. The book was pretty true to the original story, but lacking and lifeless. I got through it and enjoyed parts of it, but overall I could have missed this one and not missed much.