I read the first two of the trilogy (Inkheart and Inkspell) while student teaching (2007-2008). The third book was not yet released. I just read the third book (February 2010). I liked, not loved, Inkheart. Inkspell was okay. And, while Inkdeath started slow - especially after having not read the other two recently - I really enjoyed it by the time I was finished. I think it did a lovely job of fully developing the characters, the plot, and themes that were not explored in-depth in the earlier two. This being said, I feel the climax was anti-climatic. There was a lot of rising action and I kept waiting for something big to happen. But what happened was what was expected and over in too quick.