The Colour of Revenge: Inkheart 4 (hardback)

By Author / Illustrator

Cornelia Funke

Genre

Fantasy

Age range(s)

Publisher

Chicken House

ISBN

9781913696184

Format

Hardback

Published

10-10-2024

Synopsis

After five happy years, Meggie, her father Mo and the fire-eater Dustfinger, along with a host of new friends, feel safe and settled. But arch-villain Orpheus has found an unexpected way to wreak his revenge on the Inkworld! He has corrupted an artist to create bewitched portraits that will see the heroes fade to grey - Dustfinger, his brave stepson, Jehan, and his enigmatic friend Lilia, must come together to find a way to save them all!

This is the Colour of Revenge . . . A brilliant new stand-alone novel that returns to the beloved world of the Inkheart trilogy - over 14 million copies sold worldwide! Features gorgeous new illustrations from Cornelia Funke herself. Cornelia Funke is the critically-acclaimed, internationally bestselling author of Dragon Rider and The Thief Lord. Inkheart is a major feature film from the makers of The Lord of the Rings, starring Andy Serkis, Paul Bettany and Brendan Fraser!

PRAISE FOR THE INKHEART SERIES: Return to the world of Inkheart ... 'It's great to have this wonderful writer back on our shelves.' David Almond. 'I don't think I've ever read anything that conveys so well the joys, terrors and pitfalls of reading' DIANA WYNNE JONES, author of Howl's Moving Castle 'One of the outstanding children's novels of the year.' THE TIMES 'A breathtakingly fast-moving tale.' THE INDEPENDENT '... a rollicking good tale that pulls you swiftly through its pages.' THE TELEGRAPH

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Reviews

Sue

For five years, Mortimer Folchart, the bookbinder, and his daughter, Meggie, have enjoyed living in peace with their family and friends, leaving past events behind them. However, Orpheus Gemelli is determined to wreak revenge on those he believes betrayed him. With the help of an artist, he traps them all in a grey book, making them disappear into ink and paper. But things do not go quite according to plan and Dustfinger, his stepson Jehan, and a young girl called Lilia must save them all.

Anyone who has read the Inkheart trilogy knows what an incredibly complex, richly detailed and absorbing world filled with unforgettable characters Cornelia Funke created. The Colour of Revenge takes readers back to the Inkworld - and it was such a joy to return.

For those who have not read the previous books, a summary is given at the beginning of the book along with a list of characters to help them orientate themselves. The summary is written by Orpheus, allowing the reader to understand his motivation and desire for revenge, cleverly setting the scene and instantly piquing interest. However, although this story can be read as a stand alone, I cannot believe anyone will be able to resist reading the others!

Cornelia Funke is a powerful writer, depicting all sides of human nature, and does not shy away from portraying darker emotions, violent deeds and their consequences. The dark power of words, the all encompassing destruction of the desire for revenge, the ease with which some slide form one evil deed to another is all here - and yet so is the power of love, the strength of the bonds of family and friendship, the colours of affection.

The Colour of Revenge is an absolutely compelling and engrossing read. Although pitched at 9+, I personally would recommend it to older children - those aged 11 years and above - to immerse themselves fully in this world and its characters. Will there be another Inkheart book? I hope so. I thought there would be no possibility of a return after Inkdeath and I was obviously very mistaken…so here’s hoping!

352 pages / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher