Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke

SYNOPSIS:  Meg's storybook adventures continue in the final book in the Inkheart trilogy, as she and her family try to find a happy ending in the Inkworld.  However, it seems everyone is working against them, including the story itself.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  Frankly, this book got quite dark and violent before the end, so I would definitely reserve it for older readers.  That being said, I felt like the second and third book in this series extended a story that had already come to a satisfying conclusion.  For me, the rest of the story just dragged on.  As soon as the characters would conquer one problem, another would rise up, and they were back at square one.  Also, I was a little annoyed at the impermanence of death in the book.  It got a little tiring believing a character was dead, only to have them pop up again.  In all honesty, I would recommend reading Inkheart, and then stopping there.

RATING:  PG13 for Violence and Gruesome, Frightening Imagery and Mild Sensuality

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults

STARS:  2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Howl's Moving Castle, The Demon King