For Harry Potter Fans (part one)

So if you are a Harry Potter fan and you are wondering what to read now that Harry Potter is over- I am going to offer you three choices. These books are not like Harry Potter in the sense that none of them are about kids going to magic school. All three of these books are very different in writing styles and themes. Only one of them is suitable for grade school readers. I am recommending these three books because they are 1. All of them are a series (two are trilogies) 2. All of them promote the same kind of friendship as Harry Potter 3. All of the main characters are outcasts in their own way 4. All of the books contain some kind of magical or fantasy element.



Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

Inkheart is the story of 12 year old Meggie. I love Meggie so much because she loves books. In fact I would say she more than loves books, she adores them. Cornelia Funke's writing in this book is amazing. As it draws you in as you learn that Meggie's father Mo can read characters to life from stories. It is obvious from her writing that the author respects and adores books as much as Meggie does. She even starts each chapter out with a quote about words or books. I love this story because as they set off to find the author of Inkheart the story becomes a world within a world. The suspense in this book is from the start and keeps you going until the end. The imagery in this book is amazing and will make you excited to read the second book, Inkspell (the third is not release yet). This is by far the most magical of the three and the least realistic. A book about the occult and sorcery it is not (although the villains are pure evil).

Quick Review:
Stars: **** out 5


Summary: Meggie is a 12 year old girl who loves books and lives alone with her father Mo. When a strange visitor, Dustfinger, shows up at Meggie's house-Meggie learns that Mo can read characters to life. Mo read Dustfinger out of the story Inkheart and read Meggie's mother into the story. Mo also release Capricorn, a villain who likes to murder people. Meggie, Mo, Dustfinger and Meggie's great aunt Elinor set off on an adventure to find the author of the book Inkheart so that he might re-write the ending. On their pursuit to find the author they are hunted and captured by Capricorn's henchmen.


If you like: Harry Potter and other magical stories, The Book Thief (Meggie and Liesel are the same in some ways) , If you share a great love for books.


Smut Rating: I would rate this book a PG for the violence in this book. I would compare it to the violence in any fantasy type book. I would for sure recommend this book for grades 4 and up because Capricorn the villain is just a wee too violent for younger ones. There are also some minor cuss words in the book.