A review by mkjacobswrites
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

5.0

The best stories are the ones to which the readers relate, so it is no surprise that Cornelia Funke's Inkheart, with its portrayal of the power of words, remains a beloved favorite of bibliophiles across the globe. Fairly long for a young adult novel, Inkheart paints an irresistible picture of the world of possibilities that come from reading stories, particularly when one controls the narrative. From the quotes from other stories at the beginnings of chapters to the poignant sections in the narrative where characters read aloud, Inkheart rests on the basis of the power of fiction stories. 12-year-old Meggie loves nothing more than books besides her bookbinding father, but then she is introduced to a world in which characters move between stories and don't stay between the pages. Nine years previous, Meggie's father Mo -called Silvertongue -inadvertently read his wife into the book called Inkheart and brings out that book's villain Capricorn with his henchmen. Now, since Capricorn is no longer content to allow the talents of Silvertongue and his daughter to stay in hiding, Meggie must find a way to save her family and her world using her powerful voice. With discoveries, adventures, journeys, betrayals, and surprises along the way, Meggie's journey brings her to the ultimate conclusion that "words would be her trade" as she recognizes the power of stories, especially in bringing people together (534).