Book Edition: July Review and August Goals

I had an overwhelming urge to recap my book reading for the last four years, and then sanity prevailed. You're welcome. I'm just going to jump right in where I'm at. We can fill in blanks later.

July Review

I'm still continuing my way through The History of the Standard Oil Company by Ida Tarbell. This was supposed to be a read-along with my friend Katie, but she dropped off the face of the earth, and being mildly intrigued, I'm still continuing the Seven Pages a Day Plan... kind of. I have a goal to read 7 pages at least 15 days of the month. I may never finish this book. For July I read 10 of 15 days.

Other Reading Goal was to complete 2 books during the month. I finished 3 books:

Business Boutique by Christy Wright

On Folly Beach by Karen White

The Upside of Falling Down by Rebekah Crane (ebook)

I also started Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen, for a book club that my friend Lindsey started. I had bought this book a few weeks before Lindsey announced her book club, after Christy Wright had the author on her podcast. I think this is a sign I needed to do this.

August Goals

15 days reading The History of the Standard Oil Company by Ida Tarbell

Finish 3 books.

Participate in Book Club.

I plan to post the single reviews for the books I read in July during the month of August. I'm struggling a bit to get back into blogger mode, hang with me. We'll get there.

All the Lasting Things

All the Lasting Things by David Hopson


This was a well-written book with very clear characters. A well-written setup for the fatal secret, this book read quickly and was quite entertaining.



Summary: The Fisher family of Alluvia, New York, is coming undone. Evelyn spends her days tending to her husband, Henry—an acclaimed and reclusive novelist slowly losing his battle with Alzheimer’s. Their son, Benji, onetime star of an ’80s sitcom called Prodigy, sinks deeper into drunken obscurity, railing against the bit roles he’s forced to take in uncelebrated regional theater. His sister, Claudia, tries her best to shore up her family even as she deals with the consequences of a remarkable, decades-old secret that’s come to light. When the Fishers mistake one of Benji’s drug-induced accidents for a suicidal cry for help, Benji commits to playing a role he hopes will reverse his fortune and stall his family’s decline. Into this mix comes Max Davis, a twentysomething cello virtuoso and real-life prodigy, whose appearance spurs the entire family to examine whether the secrets they thought were holding them all together may actually be what’s tearing them apart.

The Moonlit Garden

The Moonlit Garden by Corina Bomann
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was provided to me as a free Kindle pre-release through Amazon Prime.


This book is an English translation from German. There are rough spots as a reader fumbles through poor word choices, however I felt these to be few and far between and not distracting from the story itself.

The story begins with a prologue before the true action starts. I felt the prologue was unnecessary as the mystery of a stranger giving the violin to the main (present day) character to be hook enough.

The romance between the main characters (past and present) were flimsy at best. Passionately in love with a guy she spent minimal amount of time with over a week or two? I didn't find it romantic at all.

The story itself was riveting. Beautiful locations and culture, plenty of historical information as well as entertainment. Once I got through the first 80 pages, I couldn't put the book down (seriously, I got up an hour early one day to make sure I had time to read).



Summary:
Lilly Kaiser had come to terms with her solitary, uncomplicated life after becoming a young widow. So when a stranger delivers an old violin to her Berlin antiques shop and tells Lilly it belongs to her, she’s completely bewildered. Why should she be the one to inherit such an exquisite instrument?
Together with her best friend, Ellen, and handsome musicologist Gabriel Thornton, Lilly sets out to explore the violin’s legacy. From England to Italy to Indonesia, she follows its winding trail. Along the way, she learns of Rose Gallway, a beautiful woman of English and Sumatran descent who lived among Sumatra’s lush gardens more than a hundred years earlier. A celebrated and sought-after musician, Rose once owned Lilly’s violin and regularly played concerts for Sumatra’s colonial elite—until, one day, she simply disappeared.
As Lilly unravels the mystery behind Rose’s story—and uncovers other unexpected secrets—she’ll come to see her own life in an entirely new light. And as each shared discovery brings her closer to Gabriel, her heart might finally break its long-held silence.

Dark Skye

Dark Skye by Kresley Cole
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

At this point, the IAD books are starting to blur for me. The plot arc of the series has become too big for my itty bitty brain to hold. This is my last IAD book. On that note, I will review this as a standalone book.

This was an engaging read. A lot of history and damaged emotions between the characters, which were sorted out and put away a bit too quickly, but for the sake of moving the plot forward it worked. The characters were bland for the most part. Fortunately the story telling made up for it.

Synopsis: ETERNAL OBSESSION
As a boy, Thronos, prince of Skye Hall, loved Lanthe, a mischievous Sorceri girl who made him question everything about his Vrekener clan. But when the two got caught in the middle of their families’ war, tragedy struck, leaving Thronos and Lanthe bitter enemies. Though centuries have passed, nothing can cool his seething need for the beautiful enchantress who scarred his body—and left an even deeper impression on his soul.

ENDLESS YEARNING

Lanthe, a once-formidable sorceress struggling to reclaim her gifts, searches for love and acceptance with all the wrong immortal suitors. But she’s never forgotten Thronos, the magnificent silver-eyed boy who protected her until she was ripped from the shelter of his arms. One harrowing night changed everything between them. Now he’s a notorious warlord with a blood vendetta against Lanthe, hunting her relentlessly.

CAN THE HEAT OF DESIRE BURN BRIGHTER THAN VENGEANCE?

With their families locked in conflict and battles raging all around them, will Thronos and Lanthe succumb to the brutal chaos that threatens everything they cherish? Or will the fragile bond they formed so long ago spark a passion strong enough to withstand even the darkest doubts?

Recommended Reading:
MacRieve by Kresley Cole
Dreams of a Dark Warrior by Kresley Cole
Lothaire by Kresley Cole

The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I am completely underwhelmed. Did I miss something? What was the plot of this book? What was the struggle? What was the flaw to be overcome? This book had no point, no purpose, other than to host a couple cute sentences of dialogue and few zingy one-liners. The only compliment I can pay to this book is that the sentence structure and word choice were well done.



Summary: Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

The Soapmaker's Companion

The Soapmaker's Companion: A Comprehensive Guide with Recipes, Techniques & Know-How by Susan Miller Cavitch
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a source of great information - there's lots of it, from technique to science. It was a bit dry and hard to follow at times. Recipes are for large batch. Must read it again to take notes for some of the chemistry breakdown. No photos, pictures are hand drawn (note: this is an old book, published over 20 years ago), no relevant information for internet suppliers, etc.

Summary: Basic soapmaking instruction and specialty techniques like marbling, layering, and making transparent and liquid soaps.

Soap Crafting

Soap Crafting: Step-by-Step Techniques for Making 31 Unique Cold-Process Soaps by Anne-Marie Faiola
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A very thorough book on cold process soap making. Explanation and soap recipes were very well setup so that they were easy to understand. Photos were clear and visually appealing. Will be making 29 of the 31 recipes in this book (they're that.good.) and will be using this as a guide for numerous soap projects.

Summary: The Soap Queen, Anne-Marie Faiola, shows you how to make perfect cold-process soap that is better than what you can buy at the store! Simple instructions and great photography walk you through every step of 31 exciting recipes, making it easy to master the techniques you need and produce the soaps you want. You'll find chapters on colors (neon, oxides, mica), molds (milk jugs, yogurt containers, pipes), food (pumpkin, coffee, beer, avocado, oatmeal), and building (embedding soap in soap, funnel pour, swirling). Faiola offers everything you need to make your own soap, safely and enjoyably.

Recommended Reading:
Natural Soaps by Melinda Coss
The Everything Soapmaking Book by Alicia Grosso
Natural Soap Making by Elizabeth Letcavage
The Natural and Handmade Soap Book by Sarah Harper

Faith Seeds

Faith Seeds by Jaye Seay
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This was a quick devotional. Two stars for keeping the devo brief, zero stars for having a message that sticks. I think more could have been done and still kept it to the point. A free eBook, at least.



Summary: Faith Seeds: Volume One contains ten short devotional messages that were designed to ignite your faith. This ebook will help you as you grow in the Word of God. Each message takes only a few seconds to read but will leave you with powerful truths to consider. This ebook will lead you to delve into the living Word and spend some quality time with God.

Written in My Own Heart's Blood

Written in My Own Heart's Blood by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I know I've read a good book when I'm still dreaming about the book DAYS after I've finished reading. Gabaldon's book is stuck in my head. This is not a bad thing. She has beautiful characters. Even the bad guys are lovely. She writes a lovely story, complex - yes, detailed - yes, and memorable - ohmyyes.

I cried. I laughed. I said "Huh, didn't know that." I squirmed at some of the medical procedures described. I loved. I loved. I loved. I want more. More Jamie, more Claire, more William, more Ian, and more Jem. (I have to confess, I love when the story is told from Jem's point of view so much more than Brianna's or Roger's.)

There are bittersweet moments in the book - after reading Gabaldon's short story about Roger's father - and finding the point in Roger's story where the two stories intersect... it was so sad, and longing, to know what Roger didn't. My kids gave me strange looks when I shouted at the book "He did make it back and he saved you!" Sigh.

I'm ready to read this book again. And again. And again.



Synopsis: WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD is the eighth novel in the world-famous OUTLANDER series. In June of 1778, the world turns upside-down. The British army withdraws from Philadelphia, George Washington prepares to move from Valley Forge in pursuit, and Jamie Fraser comes back from the dead to discover that his best friend has married Jamie’s wife. The ninth Earl of Ellesmere discovers to his horror that he is in fact the illegitimate son of the newly-resurrected Jamie Fraser (a rebel and a Scottish criminal!) and Jamie’s nephew Ian Murray discovers that his new-found cousin has an eye for Ian’s Quaker betrothed.

Meanwhile, Claire Fraser deals with an asthmatic duke, Benedict Arnold, and the fear that one of her husbands may have murdered the other. And in the 20th century, Jamie and Claire’s daughter Brianna is thinking that things are probably easier in the 18th century: her son has been kidnapped, her husband has disappeared into the past, and she’s facing a vicious criminal with nothing but a stapler in her hand. Fortunately, her daughter has a miniature cricket bat and her mother’s pragmatism.


Recommended Reading:
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon
The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness
Edge of Eternity by Ken Follett
Winter Witch by Paula Brackston

Anna Karenina

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Success! There were times I didn't think I was going to make it through this book - and I'll be honest, I skimmed through a lot of the "ranting" sections the last half of the book. I am so glad that I did read this, when the novel stuck to the story it was so well written. Tolstoy had an amazing gift for imagery, for understanding his characters, for creating "drive" in them, it was a very passionately (for late 1800's) and quite shocking story line.

Now for the criticism... this book rants - politically, socially, religiously - it rants. Those were the parts I started skimming as I realized they were just a way for Tolstoy to state his own arguments to what was going on in his life as current events. They really have nothing to do with the story. If you want to read Anna Karenina, and if such a thing exists, find a copy that has only the novel story in it.

Overall, a shockingly good read.



Summary: Leo Tolstoy’s classic story of doomed love is one of the most admired novels in world literature. Generations of readers have been enthralled by his magnificent heroine, the unhappily married Anna Karenina, and her tragic affair with dashing Count Vronsky.

In their world frivolous liaisons are commonplace, but Anna and Vronsky’s consuming passion makes them a target for scorn and leads to Anna’s increasing isolation. The heartbreaking trajectory of their relationship contrasts sharply with the colorful swirl of friends and family members who surround them, especially the newlyweds Kitty and Levin, who forge a touching bond as they struggle to make a life together. Anna Karenina is a masterpiece not only because of the unforgettable woman at its core and the stark drama of her fate, but also because it explores and illuminates the deepest questions about how to live a fulfilled life.


Recommended Reading:
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
Persuasion by Jane Austen

From The Two Rivers

From the Two Rivers: The Eye of the World, Part 1 by Robert Jordan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

An engaging tale, well paced and thought out. Characters were a little flat. Moved along nicely, not too much drama. Good dialogue and expression. I wish I had time for this series.



Synopsis: For Rand al’Thor and his pals, life in the sleepy village of Emond’s Field has been pretty dull. Until the appearance on festival night of Moiraine, a mysterious woman who claims to be an Aes Sdeai—a magician who can wield the One Power. Soon after, the village is attacked by Trollocs—a savage tribe of half-men half-beasts. Rand’s father is nearly killed. But for Rand, the news gets worse. It was not the village the Trollocs were after, Moiraine tells him. It was you, Rand.

Rand and his friends are forced to flee. But his escape will bring him face to face with the Dark One...the most powerful force of evil in the universe.


Recommended Reading:
Trail of Blood by  Lisa Black
Son of a Witch by Gregory Maguire

The Book Thief

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I'm a few weeks late writing this review. That really has nothing to do with the book. I've had this book for several years, hesitant to read it because it's a book narrated by DEATH. Well, book club pushed me to move past that.



This was a look at death in a different perspective. This was life in a different perspective. This was a beautiful story about the power of words. Healing, love, destroying, hate. A wonderful, entertaining story that sucks you in with every word.


Summary: It's just a small story really, about, among other things, a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery.

Set during World War II in Germany, Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can't resist: books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids - as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.


Recommended Reading:
The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing by M. T. Anderson
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Tears of a Tiger by Sharon M. Draper
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Divergent by Veronica Roth

Curses!

Curses! A F**ked Up Fairytale by J.A. Kazimer
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This was a very quick read. At times originally funny, but for the most part I found the humor to be forced. It was lacking the natural wit of authors such as Jasper Fforde or Gregory Maguire. Characters were somewhat well written, but lacking a motivational plot. I think with some practice and work in plot and voice development, this author may have promise.

Summary: I'm no hero. In fact, up until a couple of days ago, I was the villain. Kidnapped maidens, scared kids, stole magic tchotchkes—until I got into a little scrape with the union. Now I'm cursed with the worst fate in New Never City—no matter what I do, I gotta be nice.

So when a head-case princess named Asia barges into my apartment and asks me to find out who whacked her stepsister, Cinderella, I have no choice but to help her. And I'm more than willing to head back to her parents' castle and do some investigating if it means I can get into her black leather cat suit. Except this twisted sister has a family nutty enough to send the Biggest Baddest Wolf running for the hills—and a freaky little curse of her own. . .

Recommended Reading:
The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow by Rita Leganski
An Expert in Murder by Nicola Upson
The Hum and the Shiver by Alex Bledsoe

The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud

The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud by Ben Sherwood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an enjoyable and fast read. The characters were authentic. A well written book.

Summary: The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud tells the haunting story of a young man who narrowly survives a terrible car wreck that kills his little brother. Years later, the brothers’ bond remains so strong that it transcends the normal boundaries separating life and death. Charlie St. Cloud lives in a snug New England fishing village. By day he tends the lawns and monuments of the ancient cemetery where his younger brother, Sam, is buried. Graced with an extraordinary gift after surviving the accident, he can still see, talk, and even play catch with Sam’s spirit. But townsfolk whisper that Charlie has never recovered from his loss.

Into his carefully ordered life comes Tess Carroll, a captivating, adventuresome woman training for a solo sailing trip around the globe. Fate steers her boat into a treacherous storm that blows her back to harbor, to a charged encounter with Charlie, and to a surprise more overwhelming than the violent sea itself. Charlie and Tess discover a beautiful and uncommon connection that leads to a race against time and a desperate choice between death and life, between the past and the future, between holding on and letting go.

Luminous, soulful, and filled with unforgettable characters, The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud is one of those rare, wise books that reveal the mysteries of the unseen world around us, gently transforming the worst pain of loss into hope, healing, and even laughter. Suspenseful and deeply moving, its startling climax reminds us that sometimes tragedies can bring about miracles if we simply open our hearts.


Recommended Reading:
The Man Who Ate the 747 by Ben Sherwood
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Evermore by Alyson Noel
The Other Daughter by Lisa Gardner
The Art of Mending by Elizabeth Berg
The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Millie's Fling

Millie's Fling by Jill Mansell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was the perfect Chick Lit read. A main character that I liked - she was smart and funny and kind. Secondary characters that weren't always likeable, but made the story interesting. A plot that was shallow but well written. Witty and smart banter. I loved this book for entertainment value alone, but that it was so well written just blows me away. Adding this author to my Must Read list.

Summary:
When Millie saves bestselling novelist Orla Hart's life and loses her boyfriend in the process, one wonders if the rest of the book can be as entertaining and eventful as this dramatic opening but for Millie Brady the fun has only just begun
Millie decides that a man-free summer is just what she needs but Orla, who wants Millie to be the heroine of her next novel, is determined to find her the man of her dreams. As far as Millie is concerned, the only man worth thinking about is Hugh Emerson but for Hugh, whose wife tragically died in a horse-riding accident, "dating is not on the agenda". Millie's determination not to fall in love with the young widower forms the centrepiece of the novel but Jill Mansell also delves into the shenanigans of Millie's best friend Hester and her eventful love life; Orla and her cheating husband; Millie's man-eating mother; and the leather-clad, sex-mad Lucas Kemp who runs a kiss-a-gram service.
Set against the backdrop of the tranquil Cornish countryside, the story is void of coldly beautiful, career-obsessed women; gorgeous men with flash cars and flashier wallets. Instead, Mansell has created a believable and diverting cast of characters, and even dares to portray sex as something other than mind-blowing:

Since carrying her into the bedroom, Lucas had stripped himself naked, launched himself at her, had sex and then rolled over with a groan of contentment.
In one hundred and eighty seconds flat.
Oh, and he had told her she was great.
Unbelievable.

This is an addictive, warm and funny read bursting with clever one-liners and sparkling dialogue. Mixed with a healthy dose of realism, the will-they-or-won't-they element will have you gripped until the end. Reading Mansell is never an idle fling; her ever-growing collection of bestsellers, including Kiss and Good at Games, demands a life-long love affair. --Amy Gallagher


Recommended Reading:
The Traitor's Wife by Susan Higginbotham
Love on a Dime by Cara Lynn James
Danger in the Shadows... by Dee Henderson
The Secret by Beverly Lewis
A Cold Day for Murder by Stabenow
An Offer You Can't Refuse by Jill Mansell

Breakthrough

Breakthrough!: How the 10 Greatest Discoveries in Medicine Saved Millions and Changed Our View of the World by Jon Queijo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book much more than I expected to. I found the subjects interesting and told clearly in personal stories.

Summary: The unforgettable life-or-death stories behind antibiotics, vaccines, DNA, X-rays, and more. What happened, how it happened, and what it means to you today. A colorful cast of characters whose discoveries were often driven not only by personal tragedy, curiosity, and hard work, but petty bickering, dumb luck, and a healthy dose of humor. For anyone interested in science, medicine, and beyond...

Why are you alive right now? Chances are, you owe your life to one of the remarkable medical discoveries in this book. Maybe it was vaccines. Or antibiotics. Or X-rays. Revolutionary medical breakthroughs like these haven’t just changed the way we treat disease, they’ve transformed how we understand ourselves and the world we live in. In Breakthrough!, Jon Queijo tells the hidden stories behind 10 of history’s most amazing medical discoveries. This isn’t dry history: These are life-and-death mysteries uncovered, tales of passionate, often-mocked individuals who stood their ground and were proven right. From germs to genetics, the ancient Hippocrates to the cutting edge, these are stories that have changed the world—and, quite likely, saved your life.

Poison Princess

Poison Princess by Kresley Cole
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I snuck this one in. I read it in less than 24 hours - which hasn't happened in awhile. It is so easy to fall into a Kresley Cole book. If you haven't checked her out yet, DO.IT.NOW.

I had no clue where this book was going, what was going on, and I loved every second of it. The main character was vain and immature (she's barely 16 and believable!), but yet had values that I often find missing in YA novels. Yeah, there's bad language, sex, and drinking in the story, but completely believable.

The hero is moody, and silent, passionate, and... dang... I wish he wasn't 18! Or, you know, fictional.

The second book in the series is out, but I'm stalling on reading it. I'm still enjoying the trip the first book put me on. A big emotional, brainy read-trip. Loved it!

Summary: Sixteen-year-old Evangeline "Evie" Greene leads a charmed life, until she begins experiencing horrifying hallucinations. When an apocalyptic event decimates her Louisiana hometown, Evie realizes her hallucinations were actually visions of the future—and they're still happening. Fighting for her life and desperate for answers, she must turn to her wrong-side-of-the-bayou classmate: Jack Deveaux.

With his mile-long rap sheet, wicked grin, and bad attitude, Jack is like no boy Evie has ever known. Even though he once scorned her and everything she represented, he agrees to protect Evie on her quest. She knows she can't totally depend on Jack. If he ever cast that wicked grin her way, could she possibly resist him?

As Jack and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have gotten the same call. An ancient prophesy is being played out, and Evie is not the only one with special powers. A group of twenty-two teens has been chosen to reenact the ultimate battle between good and evil. But it's not always clear who is on which side.


Recommended Reading:
Transforming Pandora by Carolyn Mathews
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins
Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan
A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies
Death and the Girl Next Door by Darynder Jones

Cleopatra's Daughter

Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'd never read a book on this time period before. I was more into the entertainment than historical accuracy. This book had intrigue, many interesting characters, and a decent plot that kept the story moving. I enjoyed it very much.

Summary: At the dawn of the Roman Empire, when tyranny ruled, a daughter of Egypt and a son of Rome found each other...

Selene's legendary parents are gone. Her country taken, she has been brought to the city of Rome in chains, with only her twin brother, Alexander, to remind her of home and all she once had.

Living under the watchful eyes of the ruling family, Selene and her brother must quickly learn how to be Roman – and how to be useful to Caesar. She puts her artistry to work, in the hope of staying alive and being allowed to return to Egypt. Before long, however, she is distracted by the young and handsome heir to the empire...

When the elusive ‘Red Eagle' starts calling for the end of slavery, Selene and Alexander are in grave danger. Will this mysterious figure bring their liberation, or their demise?


Recommended Reading:
Child of the Morning by Pauline Gedge
Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn
The Murder in the Tower by Jean Plaidy
The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran
Poison by Sara Poole
Lily of the Nile by Stephanie Dray

Inkdeath

Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love the characters in this series, and the storylines through all three books... but oh man, am I glad they're done! This book could have done with about 200 less pages. There were parts of the story I didn't understand "why" and just wanted to get on with the story. It was the plot that wouldn't stop twisting and turning, even though the reader can clearly see the ending.

Synopsis: Ever since the extraordinary events of Inkspell, when the enchanted book Inkheart drew Meggie and her father, Mo, into its chapters, life in the Inkworld has been more tragic than magical.

The fire-eater Dustfinger is dead, having sacrificed his life for his apprentice Farid's, and now, under the rule of the evil Adderhead, the fairy-tale land is in bloody chaos, its characters far beyond the control of Fenoglio, their author. Even Elinor, left behind in the real world, believes her family to be lost - lost between the covers of a book.

Facing the threat of eternal winter, Mo inks a dangerous deal with Death itself. There yet remains a faint hope of changing the cursed story - if only he can fill its pages fast enough.

Inkdeath - the captivating final tale in the Inkheart trilogy.


Recommended Reading:
Inkspell by Cornelia Funke
Queste by Angie Sage
The Fire Eternal by Chris d'Lacey
Stargazer by Patrick Carman
The Time Paradox by Eoin Colfer
The Sorcerer of the North by John Flanagan

Inkspell

Inkspell by Cornelia Funke
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

What is this?? I finally finished a book!

This was an easier read than the first book of the trilogy. The story moved at a faster pace and there were some twists I didn't expect. Some parts of the story weren't as developed as I would have liked them to be. Characters stayed true to the first story - although Dustfinger seemed to be more softhearted and not as mysterious. I wasn't quite sure what the point of Elinor and Darius in the story was, so that was a struggle to read through. Very well written for being told from so many point of views.

Synopsis: Although a year has passed, not a day goes by without Meggie thinking of INKHEART, the book whose characters became real. But for Dustfinger, the fire-eater brought into being from words, the need to return to the tale has become desperate. When he finds a crooked storyteller with the ability to read him back, Dustfinger leaves behind his young apprentice Farid and plunges into the medieval world of his past. Distraught, Farid goes in search of Meggie, and before long, both are caught inside the book, too. But the story is threatening to evolve in ways neither of them could ever have imagined.


Recommended Reading:
Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
Firestar by Chris d'Lacey
The Prophet of Yonwood by Jeanne DuPrau
Flyte by Angie Sage
Magyk by Angie Sage