Quick Review - Book #6 - Inkheart - by Cornelia Funke

     Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

    **Spoiler alert!**

    The basic premise of this book is truly original to me. When the father of the lead character reads a book out loud, he is able to transport characters or objects unto our reality. When his daughter was young, he read a book called "Inkheart," and transported an evil ruler and a number of his minions unto our world, and transported her mother out of it!

    This is a well written book, and I can understand why it is on so many YA reading lists. The premise is interesting, and she fleshes out her characters well.

    This is also a tribute for book lovers. This book is about books, the characters written in the books, and people who love books. The father of the main character is a bookbinder, and he has passed his love for books to his daughter, Meggie. He is hiding his dark secret, that he is able to read books out loud, and make the characters not just come to life, but actually appear in our world. There are a number of evil characters that he brought in, and this is years later and they have gained power. 

    This seems just a shade too violent for the bottom end of YA. I'd go with 12-13 for the lowest end of this book. There are no real adult situations, it just feels a little heavy with how the some of the characters prefer to deal in violence. 

    Also... a slight down note. The author doesn't completely develop the idea of bringing characters into our world [side note-- he also transports characters into the books... and he has no control over who comes in or out!]

    The book feels a bit wordy. I think some diligent editing would have accomplished wonders to make the book move along. I also think she could have developed the idea further, or at least explored the ramifications of crossing into another existence. 

    I did enjoy the book, though... I guess that is the book lover in me. The quibbles that I have with the book are basically minor, and except for getting a little bogged down towards the end (they get captured... again?) it was an enjoyable read. 

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    Now... on to book #7! - The Story of Earth - by Robert Hazen. 

    The story of the basic building atoms... molecules... from the start of the Earth to growth and change over 4+ billion years. Hazen is a researcher into how molecules form life.