Review

Inkheart

Common Sense Media says

Lengthy but rich fantasy great for book-loving tweens.
Age
9
Quality
 

  • Each chapter begins with a quote from another children's book, both foreshadowing the chapter and giving pleasure to bibliophiles. And the whole thing is a paean to books, authors, reading, and especially reading aloud.
  • Tweens get messages about family loyalty, loving books, and fighting for good.
  • Brave bibliophile Meggie is a stalwart heroine.
  • Not much actually described, but much threatened, hinted at, and assumed. Guns and knives are prominent. Several kidnappings.

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that, while this is fantasy, the villains are really quite wicked, and Meggie is often in mortal danger. There's an edge to the villainy here that some kids find enthralling, others disturbing. Book-loving kids and their parents will enjoy the literary references and celebration of books in the lives of the heroes.


This review of Inkheart was written by
Age
8

Most useful reviews by all members

Teen, 17 years old
April 9, 2008
 
great book but...
first of all i'll say that i loved the book!! a really great story and everything and im glad i bought it! but one thing that i didnt like was all the swearing. in my family we never swear so whenever i came across a sw it would always kinda jolt me out of the story and it got anoying...swearwords take the innocence out of reading...other than that the story was great! i liked the book a lot, but i liked the sequel way better as it was more exciting and way less swear words! u mite wanna go thru the book b4 u read it to ur kid. all in all a great story tho!

Teen, 15 years old
April 9, 2008
 
I hated it.
Great Author terribly boring book. It was waay to violent and evil. Spooky as well for anyone under 11. A big big big disapointment.

Kid, 9 years old
March 30, 2009
 
BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN
The begining of the book is murky and doesn't really make sense but keep reading! It is an amazing book about mo a.k.a. silver tounge and he transports a boy named Farrid to their world ( IN THE BOOK !!!) I have read all 3 books and they leave me breathtaken! I just keep wanting more and more of that kind of writting. The downs about it are that there is alot of cursing, killing ( knives, rifles, and so on..... ) I still highly recomend it!

Kid, 11 years old
June 25, 2010
 
Best possible Start for a Series
Awesome book mixed with real places. You can't get better that that!

Teen, 14 years old
December 28, 2009
 
Amazing
I loved Inkheart. Amazing! I love how the author makes you get lost in the book Page turner i couldn't put it down

Kid, 12 years old
September 9, 2010
 
Very good book
I absolutely loved this book. There's a lot of drama, a lot of action, and perfect villians (Basta is awesome). I felt that there were a few parts that got a bit boring, but for the most part, it's an excellent read. I would highly recommend it to fans of fantasy.

Kid, 11 years old
December 2, 2010
 
Really awesome book!
Really loved this book from the moment I picked it up. Very exciting and suspenseful. Only a few cuss words. I hope everyone loves it as much as I do!

Kid, 9 years old
December 27, 2010
 
One of my favorite books!
This is truly an amazing book I love to read over and over again!

Teen, 14 years old
October 13, 2011
 
wonderful, kid-friendly fantasy that celebrates reading is a winner!
Inkheart is original and satisfying. The length may be a little discouriging to kids, but will be rewarded for reaching the 500 plus page ending that is wonderful. Not only is the end great, the trip to get there is just as original and fun. The book is written masterfully and is one of my top all favorite children's book. The story tells of a man who has the gift to read anything or anyone out of a fantasy. And one night he reads out one of the most horrific villian on earth Capricorn. 12 years later, the memory of this terrible chapter in his life, will come flooding back, not only terriizing him, but his wonderful child Maggie. The story is fresh and filled with twists you won't see coming and will gasp in surprise with the characters, and moan in pain when one is hurt. The characters are realistic and in one beautiful three paged chapter will get to know one a little bit too well. The magic is exciting and every page screams a book lover's cove. The book is stunning, but is also disturbing. The violence is presence, but it doesn't take from the story. Guns are shot off and used repetitivly sometimes so much its annoying. The bad guys are mean and cruel and almost win in the end. Kidnappings happen and knives are used. Some guards of Capricorn shoot at servant's skirt to see a little bit of un-menchables. The banter between Mo and Maggie is realistic and sweet, the perfect relationship. Characters say the d word and one character says suck. I can't wait to read the sequel, and any other magical tales erupting from this german author's head.

Kid, 11 years old
July 15, 2011
 
Inkheart Rocks!
Really good book!

(by Rick Riordan)

Modernized Greek myths meet fast-paced adventure.

(by Ingrid Law)
Newbery Honor Book is moving and thought-provoking.
(by Joanne Harris)
Thrilling epic for experienced fantasy readers.
(by Steve Augarde)
Lyrical, exciting intro to violent fantasy beings.
(by J. K. Rowling)

Potter sequel is a creature-packed page-turner.