Reckless I: The Petrified Flesh

I would like to start off this review by mentioning that I grew up reading Cornelia Funke, especially the Inkheart trilogy. That being said, I put aside my love for Inkheart to be able to give Reckless an honest and unbiased review.

Jacob Reckless found access to the Mirrorworld using a mirror left behind in his fathers study when he left them, or disappeared. He spends months at a time in this world, becoming entranced with all its wonders. He manages to keep his two lives seperate, until one day his younger brother Will follows him through the mirror and suddenly everything changes. Will is cursed by the Dark Fairy and Jacob must do everything in his power to protect his brother.

For a multi-dimensional tale, it is complex, a world of fantasy much darker than the fairytales I grew up on. Magic and magical items conveniently solved problems as they appeared, with no apparent system to them, and with no explanation as to how the magic worked. I love the concept of magic, I just prefer magic with a little more reason. Despite this, I really enjoyed the story, and the characters had a good depth to them.

For years, Jacob has been escaping through his father's mirror into the world on the other side. He's become a renowned treasure hunter and made a life for himself on the other side. But when his little brother follows him through and gets attacked, everything changes. How far will he go to save Will and make things right?

As soon as I saw that this story was being rewritten/republished, I knew I had to read it. If there's one book from my childhood that I will forever adore, it was Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. And let me start by saying that Mirrorworld captured me just as quickly and easily as anything that Cornelia Funke writes!

Mirrorworld is essentially a mashup of all the fairytales and lore, but with its own twist and a new species. I really enjoyed the twists that Mirrorworld had to offer, and it was so easy to become hooked into the story because of it. I also really enjoyed Jacob as a main character and I loved seeing him evolve throughout the story and sort of become a different kind of brother in the end.

I do have to say that at first, I was very confused by the story as it felt like we were thrown into it without any backstory or explanation. But maybe that's what entering Mirrorworld is supposed to be like! I do wish that we'd gotten more of a look inside the character's minds. I felt like I still didn't know them very well at the end of the story.

Overall, I adored this book and I can't wait to get back into the Mirrorworld series! If you like unique fantasy worlds with a lot of adventure, this world is for you!

Details:
Reckless l: The Petrified Flesh
By: Cornelia Funke
352 Pages
✨Revised & Updated
Available June 1, 2021

“It was like a black cloak woven from freedom and danger, it’s darkness filling the rooms with the whisper of forgotten stories, of people who had lived in them long before…”

First and foremost, Cornelia Funke was one of my favorite childhood authors growing up. The Inkheart trilogy had my heart from such a young age.
Now, I am so happy to announce the new and updated Reckless l: The Petrified Flesh which is the first of another series!

The story is set in Germany and follows Jacob Reckless on his journey into the Mirrorworld. After their father disappears, Jacob finds access to this other world. For years he comes and goes, fearlessly seeking out treasure and adventures. But when a deadly curse has been spoken upon his brother, Will…Jacob must risk his life, or his brother will be turned to stone forever. For once, in his years of adventure he is afraid. With a shapeshifting Fox as his companion, and the unlikely companions he acquires along the way. This darker side of fantasy that Funke opens up to us will completely leave you spell bound!

This book made me feel so young again. It brought together so many different fairy-tale aspects – reminders of Stardust, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and so many more. I will admit I was so excited to read this, that I read it in one sitting. The stunning imagery sucks you into the heart of this fantasy and you just won’t be able to escape.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

This book has me so conflicted. In a good way. There are times it jumps around a bit too often, making me lose track of where we are and which character is talking. The setting and plot is very interesting, once I goty footing, I feel in love with the old timey fairytale vibe this book gives off. Definitely worth a read!

Welcome to a whole new world, ala Funke! This author has once again created a world that is as beautiful and enchanting as it is dark and dangerous. While I didn’t fall as deeply in love with the characters as I did those in the Inkheart trilogy, I nonetheless found myself fully invested in the tale. I’m looking forward immersing myself in the next installment.

Reckless I: The Petrified Flesh is a wonderful new YA fantasy book from Cornelia Funke. This is the same author who gave us The Inkheart trilogy, so you know you are in for a fun ride. The story follows Jacob on his quest through the mirror to help his brother who is turning into a jade Goyl. The main core of characters are very well-written. At times there does really enjoyed it and am thrilled that this will be a series.

This is a phenomenal, fast-paced, action packed fantasy. Funke does not disappoint with the tale of Jacob and Will Reckless. I am a sucker for a good fairy tale, and I love that this first book sets up a world where all the fairy tales intertwine. Learning all the little intricacies of the different cities and types of magical beings really transports the reader and allows for an immersive experience without getting bogged down with too many descriptive details. I can’t wait to read what happens next!

I loved Inkheart so I wanted to read more by Cornelia Funke.

I loved this story and need more! I can't imagine Will staying in the human world for too long. And I HAVE to know what happens with Jacob and Fox.

Reckless is a fast paced and action packed fantasy - the setting is unique, a world where all fairytales cross paths and the experience is completely immersive for the reader.

I was very excited to start a new series by Cornelia Funke! Like many, I first fell in love with the Inkworld, but quickly found myself intrigued by the Mirrorworld. Reckless I: The Petrified Flesh, follows Jacob Reckless as he desperately seeks to undo a curse turning his younger brother’s skin to jade. With the help of Fox, a shapeshifter, Jacob races to find an impossible cure. For the Dark Fairy has seen Will in her dreams and she has plans for him…

This was a great introduction to the Mirrorworld! My favorite thing about the book is the expansive world-building, with a very thoughtful attention to detail. Jacob and Will battle not only to stop the curse, but to reconcile their past. The world is filled with dangerous whimsy, devious monsters, and creative magic. I would recommend this book for middle grade fans who love magical world-building, sibling stories, and fairytales with a bite. I look forward to seeing what happens in the next installment! Reckless I: The Petrified Flesh is available now. Thank you so much to Cornelia Funke, Pushkin Press, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on the publication date and I will publish it on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble etc

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of Reckless I: The Petrified Flesh by Cornelia Funke.

I will say right away that this was not the book for me. It was not one that I found particularly enchanting or thrilling. However, that being said Funke's writing was enough to have me finish the book even when I knew it wasn't a book for me.

The writing and the lore of this book shows that this rewrite of a book was well deserved as I had no questions and felt immersed in the world that Funke created. Jacob Reckless kept the story going with his morally grey character and need to save. It is nice to see the 'hero' of the story not being perfect and making both mistakes and choices that aren't perfect for everyone. A good story that others will love.

Excellent story! Characters are awesome and honestly its just everything you expect from the author. I can't believe how quickly I finished this one. I'm not normally a real speed reader but this one was so enjoyable I finished it quickly.

This book was received as an ARC from Pushkin Children's Books in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I loved everything about this book. The story, the characters, the climax, the theme and the ending. I would say this comes between J.K. Rowling's Ickabog and Chronicles of Narnia but for YA enthusiasts. It's always something new and exciting to discover a secret world but the world is cursed and your loved one has followed you into it and in order to save them, you must risk it all even for your life. That is what Jacob had to do for his little brother who could not leave his side. Also as I was reading, I couldn't help but sport elements to of Maurice Sendak's Where The Wild Things Are with the wild ogres and creatures in this magical world so that made it even more fun for me to read. I know our teen book club will love this book and be excited to discuss it when finished.

We will consider adding this title to our YA collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

I actually ended up purchasing this book myself, I am a huge fantasy reader and knew I just had to have this in my collection. This story truly felt like a magical fever dream and I mean that in absolutely the best way possible. It was so imaginative and I am a huge fan of fantasy stories that are a bit darker so I really enjoyed the fact that this book featured the darker side of magical realms. My heart absolutely went out for Jacob, but also grew along with his journey. I truly think that this book made me nostalgic as I grew up with stories written by Cornelia Funke, but I feel like after reading this book, her stories seemed to grow along with me and my taste (I mean obviously she didn't write the story with me in mind haha) but I still felt an instant connection to this book that simultaneously reminded me of my childhood but also was still fresh and new. I would absolutely adore for this world to eventually be adapted into a movie or a show. I just think it is brilliant and I would love to be in this world longer. Which is why I cant wait for more books in the series to come out. But also in a weird way I feel like I already saw this book in movie format as the descriptions were so vivid and so amazing and it played like a movie in my head. I mean part of me would kill for the mirror just to be inside this world, but the more realistic part of me is very thankful that I cant be tempted. The incorporation of Grimm fairytales throughout and the overall message of young using fear to grow truly is just a small slice of what made this book unique to me. I can honestly say Cornelia Funke could write anything and I would absolutely adore it, but this in particular was amazing.

Thank you to NetGalley, Cornelia Funke, and Pushkin Press for the opportunity to read Reckless I: The Petrified Flesh in exchange for an honest review.

I have had the pleasure of meeting Cornelia Funke, and she is such a joy! I have also read most of her books. Even though I have had Reckless since it came out, it is one of the few I never got around to reading. The English version of Reckless was actually released in 2010, and after seeing the reception of the novel, Funke decided to revise and republish the novel. I compared the pages of this version (English 2021) with that of the 2010 version and not a single page is the same. All the information and the story is the same, though the details and ways the characters are presented and developed are more elaborate.

Jacob Reckless found his way into the Mirrorworld. In this world, he is a treasure hunter for fabled items, such as a glass slipper or Rapunzel's hair, and holds company with a shapeshifting girl named Fox. When his younger brother, Will, finds his way into the Mirrorworld as well, Jacob must put his alternate fantastical life on hold. Will gets attacked by Goyl, human-like beings with stone skin. The Goyl were cursed by a Dark Fairy (that Jacob happens to know), and when Will starts becoming a Goyl, Jacob must find a way to revert the curse that is turning his brother into one of the stone people.

Clara, a friend of Will's, also finds her way to the Mirrorworld and joins Jacob on the quest to save his brother. Along the way, they must avoid more Goyl, make the right deals with the right beings, and be very careful how they approach a situation, lest they be killed or become Goyl themselves.

This is a fantastical journey that could be find for middle grade or high school readers. There are a few bits of older teen content, though the whimsical magic and fantasy of the book almost has a bit of a Narnia feel to it that will take its readers on a fantastic adventure.

Thank you for providing me with this ARC!

As someone who has kind of moved on from the YA category, I found this story very fun and enjoybale! the writing was great and I loved the characters a ton!

mythology, worldbuilding and a riveting tale of two brothers! I adored it! I wouldn't say it is one of my favorites, but I would definitely recommend to a younger audience!

I’ve been a big fan of the Inkheart trilogy growing up and at first I was a bit conflicted that I was not going to enjoy Reckless as much. I certainly did enjoy it. I loved how the story was full of magic and I especially enjoyed our main character Jacob Reckless. I enjoyed how eerie and creepy some of the magical creatures Jacob and his brother Will encounter in their quest. I will continue to read the series especially during the fall season. I enjoy reading creepy fantasy books especially during the spooky season. I would definitely recommend this series so my students.

Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for giving me a free ARC.

I loved the magical word Funke was able to portray within this book. The characters were very well thought out and enjoyable to read. The story kept me engaged and interested the whole. Being a big fan of fantasy and YA this book was very enjoyable for me to read and I look forward to reading more books by Funke in the future.

I received a free eARC of this titled through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I liked this book. It was a fast paced read. There was really only one chapter of prologue before the story takes off. There were some parts that did not quite make sense in the beginning until they were eventually explained. However, this book takes you on a fantastic journey through a world of dark, twisted fairy tales and what happens to the world after those stories die.

The characters were fairly well developed. I did a little research and discovered this was a revised edition of the original novel. The author added more to the character depth and story world, apparently, than can be found in the original. Fox is probably my favorite character. Even though at times she comes off as only doing what Jacob says, she really had a mind of her own and wants to do what she can to protect the ones she loves.

All in all, a good book which I would recommend if you are craving a story with unexpected ending results.

In this first Volume Jacob and Will travel to a hidden world that will test their bond as brothers. Will falls victim to a curse that slowly transforms him into stone and it is up to Jacob to find a way to lift the spell of an evil witch before it is too late!

I was extremely excited to get the chance from NetGalley to read and review this title because I had previously read several of Cornelia Funke's amazing works. If you've never read or heard of Cornelia Funke but really enjoy fantasy and science fiction pick up this book. From the first few pages you will be blown away and drawn into another world.

#RecklessIThePetrifiedFlesh #NetGalley

Wasn't what I was expecting, but I really enjoyed it. I've had a few Cornelia Funke books on my TBR for years now and I am not disappointed that this was my first one. I felt connected to the story, the characters, and my surroundings. I was transported into the pages and I thoroughly enjoyed my adventure. Would recommend.

Cornelia Funke can really pull you right into the story right from page one. The characters and settings were so vivid I felt like I could reach out and touch everything.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. My review is my own and not influenced by others.

I absolutely adore Cornelia Funke and her writing. The initial blurb for this book really captivated me. I enjoyed a MC who wasn't female, which to be honest, really shocked me. I grew up reading Inkheart and I absolutely love CF for her world building skills. This world was complex and layered, and I loved how well it was written and executed. I would recommend to anyone.

4 stars
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. I have fond memories of reading and listening to Cornelia Funke’s books with my children. I liked being transported to this magical realm and experiencing the first installment of a new journey. I’m looking forward to the continuation of their adventures in the next book!

This book is filled with magic, mystery and danger. There was a whole bunch of cool and creative creatures in this book that made you want to live in this world because nothing is impossible. I can't wait for the next book!

I grew up reading Cornelia Funke's fantastical stories, such as the Inkheart series and Dragon Rider, so I was excited to finally be able to dive back into her magical realms. Reckless follows our titular character, Jacob Reckless, who discovers a portal into another world through a magickal mirror. I expected this to follow the path of C. S. Lewis' "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," and was pleasantly surprised that this book carved its own path. I was just as entranced with this story as Jacob was with the world he discovered.

this was a wonderfully done first entry in the reckless series by Cornelia Funke, I really enjoyed going through this story and getting to learn about this universe.