Inkdeath facts for kids
Inkdeath Book cover
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| Author | Cornelia Funke |
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| Original title | Tintentod |
| Country | Germany |
| Language | German |
| Series | Inkheart trilogy |
| Genre | Fantasy, Bildungsroman |
| Publisher | Germany Cecilie Dressler UK Chicken House United States Scholastic |
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Publication date
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28 September 2007 |
| Pages | 683 / 699 on hardcover edition |
| Preceded by | Inkspell |
| Followed by | The Color of Revenge |
Inkdeath (German title: Tintentod) is a fantasy novel for young adults written by Cornelia Funke. It was published in 2007. This book is the third part of the exciting Inkheart series, following Inkheart and Inkspell. It continues the adventures of characters who can bring stories to life.
Contents
Story Summary
The story of Inkdeath begins a few weeks after Inkspell ended. The main goal for Farid and Meggie is to bring Dustfinger back to life. Dustfinger had died at the end of the previous book.
Life in the Inkworld
In the Inkworld, the evil Adderhead rules the southern lands. He can't die, but he is slowly becoming weaker. His brother-in-law, the Milksop king, and his helper, the Piper, control the village of Ombra. They make people pay high taxes and take what they want from the villages.
The Folchart family – Meggie, Resa, and Mortimer (Mo) – along with a new baby on the way, live on a quiet, forgotten farm. Farid, who lost his special fire powers when Dustfinger died, now works for Orpheus. Orpheus is a tricky character who promises to read Dustfinger back to life. However, Orpheus treats Farid like a servant.
Fenoglio, the author of the Inkworld stories, has stopped writing. He is annoyed because Orpheus keeps changing his stories. Fenoglio also gets tired of Orpheus asking about the "White Women."
Trouble in Ombra
Ombra is in danger from the Adderhead's men. They have hurt many young men and often kidnap children. These children are forced to work in dangerous mines. The only hope for Ombra is a hero known as the "Bluejay." This character was created by Fenoglio and is now Mo's secret identity. Mo, as the Bluejay, is always in trouble.
Meanwhile, Orpheus tries to bring Dustfinger back. He sets up a meeting where the Bluejay is supposed to bring Dustfinger back to life, but die in the process. Mo agrees to this plan. He calls the White Women, who take him to the world of the dead.
The World of the Dead
Mo spends three days in the world of the dead. During this time, Meggie thinks her father is gone forever. She becomes very angry with both Farid and her mother, Resa. In the world of the dead, Mo meets Death itself. Death makes a deal with Mo: Dustfinger and Mo can return to the living world. But Mo must finish what he started. He has to write three special words in the White Book. This book is what makes the Adderhead immortal. If Mo fails, Death will take him, Dustfinger, and Meggie. This is because Meggie was partly involved in creating the White Book.
Mo wakes up from the world of the dead, and Dustfinger is with him. Both Mo and Dustfinger are now almost fearless. Dustfinger no longer has his scars. They become very close friends.
The Bluejay's New Role
Mo starts to enjoy being the Bluejay. He doesn't want to leave the Inkworld, even though Meggie and Resa want him to. Meggie feels distant from Farid and starts to like another young man named Doria. Doria is part of the Black Prince's robber group.
The story gets more exciting when the Piper kidnaps almost all the children of Ombra. He plans to take them to the mines, where they will surely die. Mo, now known mostly as the Bluejay, cannot let this happen. He frees the children by offering himself instead.
Mo discovers that Violante, the Adderhead's daughter, wants to help him. She is known as Her Ugliness. Violante helps Mo get back to the robbers' camp safely. She keeps her help a secret from the Piper and her son, Jacopo. Jacopo admires the Piper and supports the Adderhead.
The Final Confrontation
The Piper goes after the children. The Milksop king chases the robbers. But Fenoglio saves them by writing giant human nests high up in the trees.
Mo secretly goes with Dustfinger, Violante, and her child soldiers to the castle in the lake. The White Book is kept there. At the same time, Orpheus tries to join the Adderhead's side, hoping to be on the winning team. But Mo has some tricks ready. Orpheus is also bothered by visits from Mortola, who still wants her dead son, Capricorn, to return.
The Bluejay and Dustfinger face problems at the castle. Their plans go wrong. Mo, Dustfinger, and Brianna (Dustfinger's daughter) are all captured. For Brianna's safety, Dustfinger briefly betrays Mo. Then, Resa arrives as a Swift bird. She saves Mo from losing his mind and reminds Dustfinger of his loyalty. Resa and Dustfinger search for the White Book but can't find it.
The Bluejay is captured again by the Piper. He is forced to create a new White Book for the Adderhead. But Jacopo betrays his grandfather, the Adderhead. He gives Mo the original White Book. This allows Mo to write the three special words, which finally kills the Adderhead.
The End of the Story
Inkdeath ends with Orpheus running away to the northern mountains. Fenoglio starts writing again. Farid decides to travel with his fire powers back, and he asks Meggie to join him. Meggie, who is now in love with Doria, says goodbye to Farid and wishes him well.
Violante, now called Her Kindliness, becomes the ruler of Ombra. A new Folchart child, a boy, is born in the Inkworld. He dreams of visiting the world where his parents and sister were born, a world with cars and flying machines.
See also
In Spanish: Muerte de tinta para niños
