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ljbooks1's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
I cannot believe that I am giving Cornelia Funke, ie one of my absolute favourite authors since childhood, a low rating.
I just don't know what happened with this book. I couldn't connect with the characters, I wasn't really interested in the story, I hated the romances and the plot just seemed to be everywhere. I also think some of the translation did not go great into English as some of the sentences were clunky and confusing.
I'm really disappointed that I did not like this one as I was looking forward to meeting a new character or characters that I absolutely adored as I do with Dustfinger in Inkheart and Twigleg in Dragonrider.
Very sad about this one.
I cannot believe that I am giving Cornelia Funke, ie one of my absolute favourite authors since childhood, a low rating.
I just don't know what happened with this book. I couldn't connect with the characters, I wasn't really interested in the story, I hated the romances and the plot just seemed to be everywhere. I also think some of the translation did not go great into English as some of the sentences were clunky and confusing.
I'm really disappointed that I did not like this one as I was looking forward to meeting a new character or characters that I absolutely adored as I do with Dustfinger in Inkheart and Twigleg in Dragonrider.
Very sad about this one.
ravensviewca's review against another edition
4.0
Got this out as a portal book, for research. Story was OK, but I didn't really get caught up with the characters or plot. Quit half way through. Have other books to focus on instead. 2*
June/14 Update - got for a book club. Seemed familiar as I read it - I wonder why? ;-) Liked it much more this time. Maybe in a better mood? Less other books? Review to follow. Now 4*
June/14 Update - got for a book club. Seemed familiar as I read it - I wonder why? ;-) Liked it much more this time. Maybe in a better mood? Less other books? Review to follow. Now 4*
shelflifewithirene's review against another edition
4.0
If your childhood was in any way similar to mine, then you'll know Cornelia Funke as the author of several of your favorite childhood books: fun, easily readable books for girls, like The Summer Gang, or fantastical tales like The Thief Lord and (which can still be read by, like 10 year olds), or even the Inkheart trilogy. All these books are ultimately for younger readers, and so there's never really a doubt that the story is going to end well (not even in Inkdeath - at least as far as I remember ;D).
Not so with Reckless.
When this book was first published, I was 18, and since I had loved Funke's books so much as a child, I picked it right up. And boy.
It was nothing like I remembered Funke's books too be. Which is because it is an adult novel. And while it doesn't have sexually explicit scenes, it's defintifely Funke's darkest story yet (that is, speaking as someone who hasn't read the other books in this series yet).
At the time, it wasn't for me, so I hurried through it, put it down and had forgotten the contents pretty much the next day. I didn't pick it up for another, like, four years, and when I moved out, it went - with some of my other books - into a box in my mom's cellar. And there it stayed until approximately a week ago, which is when my mom and I moved the boxes from her cellar to my room in my dad's house. I unpacked the boxes and rediscovered all the treasures, some of which I had almost (or entirely, heh) forgotten about.
Reckless was one of those books. And since I had only a faint memory of the plot and a vague feeling of dislike - and I had no book for the train ride home - I decided to reread it.
And what shall I say? I like it much better now! The idea is pretty great, the setting & worldbuilding too and I love the idea of the Goyle as a people. What I still don't like is the fact that Clara and Fox basically just string along with Jacob - I felt like they weren't really contributing anything to save Will, or even downright disagreed with Jacob and tried to stop him or come up with alternative solutions. I hope this is different in the other books. Also, this books reads kinda like a written-out script - you really notice that Funke worked together with a director on this book (on the other hand side, that of course makes it easy to imagine this book as a movie or tv show).
In summary: great book. I already ordered the sequel from the library.
Not so with Reckless.
When this book was first published, I was 18, and since I had loved Funke's books so much as a child, I picked it right up. And boy.
It was nothing like I remembered Funke's books too be. Which is because it is an adult novel. And while it doesn't have sexually explicit scenes, it's defintifely Funke's darkest story yet (that is, speaking as someone who hasn't read the other books in this series yet).
At the time, it wasn't for me, so I hurried through it, put it down and had forgotten the contents pretty much the next day. I didn't pick it up for another, like, four years, and when I moved out, it went - with some of my other books - into a box in my mom's cellar. And there it stayed until approximately a week ago, which is when my mom and I moved the boxes from her cellar to my room in my dad's house. I unpacked the boxes and rediscovered all the treasures, some of which I had almost (or entirely, heh) forgotten about.
Reckless was one of those books. And since I had only a faint memory of the plot and a vague feeling of dislike - and I had no book for the train ride home - I decided to reread it.
And what shall I say? I like it much better now! The idea is pretty great, the setting & worldbuilding too and I love the idea of the Goyle as a people. What I still don't like is the fact that Clara and Fox basically just string along with Jacob - I felt like they weren't really contributing anything to save Will, or even downright disagreed with Jacob and tried to stop him or come up with alternative solutions. I hope this is different in the other books. Also, this books reads kinda like a written-out script - you really notice that Funke worked together with a director on this book (on the other hand side, that of course makes it easy to imagine this book as a movie or tv show).
In summary: great book. I already ordered the sequel from the library.
bookishbanterwithmimi's review against another edition
3.0
Shot me now because even with all the hype I never really could get through Inkheart. I tried several (SEVERAL) times and even completed the series on my shelf just so the beauty could pull me in but I don't know why I just couldn't get over the half book hump.
With that being said I went into Reckless with zero expectations. I judged a book by it's cover because it was beautiful and it was about to rain so I had to get my butt out of the library and home.
I will admit that Reckless took a long while to finally sink into and then I just had to try to sink back in every few pages... I wish the initial character building was stronger, especially for Will Reckless. It felt like I was missing an important aspect to make him "human" and easy to sympathize with.
I liked Fox's character quite a bit and possibly even Clara, so there is that redeeming quality. They were probably the most complex characters built, for me, next to Jacob Reckless, and that's saying something.
For me, Jacob was also one of those characters that I followed, even enjoyed, but never sympathized with unfortunately.
I did make it through the book and I did enjoy aspects of the novel so I gave it three stars. Will I be picking up Fearless (Mirrorworld # 2)? Probably, curiosity did kill the cat, after all.
So if you really enjoyed the Inkheart Trilogy, I think the Mirrorworld Series is for you. If not, I might just skip it.
With that being said I went into Reckless with zero expectations. I judged a book by it's cover because it was beautiful and it was about to rain so I had to get my butt out of the library and home.
I will admit that Reckless took a long while to finally sink into and then I just had to try to sink back in every few pages... I wish the initial character building was stronger, especially for Will Reckless. It felt like I was missing an important aspect to make him "human" and easy to sympathize with.
I liked Fox's character quite a bit and possibly even Clara, so there is that redeeming quality. They were probably the most complex characters built, for me, next to Jacob Reckless, and that's saying something.
For me, Jacob was also one of those characters that I followed, even enjoyed, but never sympathized with unfortunately.
I did make it through the book and I did enjoy aspects of the novel so I gave it three stars. Will I be picking up Fearless (Mirrorworld # 2)? Probably, curiosity did kill the cat, after all.
So if you really enjoyed the Inkheart Trilogy, I think the Mirrorworld Series is for you. If not, I might just skip it.
kellymcgatha's review against another edition
3.0
This is an example of book in which the back story is far more interesting than the actual plot. Funke started the book in the completely wrong place. There was such a rich and fascinating story hidden in the summary at the beginning. The idea of a boy discovering a world where fairy tales are real and then becoming a treasure hunter and seeking treasures such as a lock of Rapunzel's hair or the oven door of the witch's house in Hansel and Gretal--that, Cornelia Funke, should have been your story. That, for me, was far more fascinating then the complicated plot. There was nothing in the story that made me care about the characters or even want to finish the book (though I did). The only thing that kept me going were the tiny moments of summary that refered back to adventures Jacob had before the "real" story began. And I loved the darkness Funke brought to the old fairy tales-the image of Sleeping Beauty's castle was amazing. If only the entire story was that way.
And I know every writer has his or her own writing tick, but Funke uses the phrase "as if" far too many times. It was there in Inkheart and it was in this book again. I once counted it three times in one paragraph. I suppose it could be a translation issue, but I doubt it.
Cornelia Funke: I gave you a second try and it will be my last. Once again good concept, very poor execution. I keep going back and forth between two and three stars. In the end I think I have to go with three because I loved the original concept.
And I know every writer has his or her own writing tick, but Funke uses the phrase "as if" far too many times. It was there in Inkheart and it was in this book again. I once counted it three times in one paragraph. I suppose it could be a translation issue, but I doubt it.
Cornelia Funke: I gave you a second try and it will be my last. Once again good concept, very poor execution. I keep going back and forth between two and three stars. In the end I think I have to go with three because I loved the original concept.
merleita's review against another edition
4.0
The worldbuilding in this was great, but most of the characters didn't really connect with me. There's a lot of telling rather than showing and a rather forced love triangle. Fox was the one exception, as I found her relationship with her different forms complex and interesting (reminded me of some queer allegories, although I doubt that was intentional). I thought the romance was the weakest part of the Inkheart trilogy and that is also the case here. Like Inkheart though, this book excels at showing a dark yet enticing fantasy world. The world behind the mirror is filled with dark fairy tale things and makes it very clear that it will kill anyone who doesn't know precisely what they are doing. I'm not sure if I'll read more of this series, but I enjoyed this book well enough.
nmarie523's review against another edition
1.0
Jacob Reckless has traveled through the mirror in his father's study far too often. One of those times he makes a mistake and his younger brother Will follows him through. Jacob and Will were attacked by Goyls and now Will's skin is being taken over by jade. Which makes him hunted by Goyls and the Dark Fairy. Jacob must find a way to save him and keep Clare, Will's love, and Fox, Jacob's companion, safe in the process. But will the price be too high?
The story and the book begin slowly. The backstory and setting take a while to set up, but I spent the first few chapters trying to figure out what was happening. I wasn't compelled by the story to continue. However, once it got going, the action and adventure were interesting. Many fairytale elements here.
The story and the book begin slowly. The backstory and setting take a while to set up, but I spent the first few chapters trying to figure out what was happening. I wasn't compelled by the story to continue. However, once it got going, the action and adventure were interesting. Many fairytale elements here.
rebecca_stark's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75