The Crossing of Ingo

The Crossing of Ingo is the fourth and final book in Helen Dunmore's Ingo series, following the adventures of siblings Sapphire and Conor in a world where the ocean realm of Ingo intersects with our own. In this conclusion to the series, Sapphire and Conor must undertake the Crossing of Ingo - a perilous journey to the bottom of the world that no human has completed before. Their Mer friends Faro and Elvira join them on their quest, while they face opposition from those who wish to prevent their success. The journey carries profound implications for both the world of Ingo and the world of Air, as an ancient prophecy suggests their crossing could begin to heal the rift between these two realms. The story combines elements of mythology, environmental awareness, and coming-of-age themes in its exploration of the relationship between humans and the sea.

Readers found this fourth book in the Ingo series more serious and mature in tone than previous entries. Many noted the environmental themes and moral complexity resonated with both young and adult readers. Readers liked: - The deeper exploration of mer-culture and mythology - Character growth and emotional depth - The atmospheric descriptions of underwater scenes - Resolution of ongoing storylines Readers disliked: - Slower pacing compared to earlier books - Less focus on certain popular characters - Some found the ending abrupt or unsatisfying Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon UK: 4.3/5 (90+ ratings) Common reader comments: "The environmental message never feels preachy" - Goodreads reviewer "A more mature conclusion that respects its audience" - Amazon reviewer "Missed the playful tone of earlier books" - Goodreads reviewer "The underwater world remains as magical as ever" - Amazon reviewer

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🌊 Helen Dunmore was also an acclaimed poet, winning the Poetry Society's Alice Hunt Bartlett Award in 1987 🐋 The Ingo series draws heavily from Cornish folklore, particularly the legends of Merfolk and the mysterious sunken city of Ys 🌊 The concept of "Crossing" in the book is inspired by real marine animal migrations, like the epic journeys of humpback whales and sea turtles 🐋 Helen Dunmore wrote over 50 books across multiple genres, including adult novels, children's books, and poetry collections before her passing in 2017 🌊 The series addresses real environmental concerns about ocean conservation, incorporating actual threats to marine ecosystems into its fantasy narrative