I really liked Inkheart. It wasn't the best children's book I ever read, but it was a thoroughly enjoyable read. Funnily enough, everything you said you didn't like about Inkheart corresponds to what I didn't like about the Harry Potter books (gasp!). I think there are very interesting ideas and characters in them, but for the most part they could have been much better done and less cliche.

Perhaps it is a language thing...