Book Review - Fearless by Cornelia Funke

Happy Wednesday, blogospherians! Before I begin, I gotta let you know that tickets for UtopYA Con 2014 went on sale yesterday. Be sure and hoof it over there to get yours A.S.A.P.! They go FAST! Today, I bring you another book review of one of my favorite authors, Cornelia Funke. If you've followed the blog for a while, you'll probably remember my review of Reckless, the first book in the Mirrorworld series. If not, click the title and go check it out. Fearless, the book for today, is the second installment. I gotta tell you, it was one hell of a read! So, grab your coffee, strap in, and let's get going!

First, about the book that's on the chopping block today:
Title: Fearless
Author: Cornelia Funke
Genre: YA Fantasy
Length: 400 printed pages
Links to Amazon: Kindle $8.89 Hardcover $13.98 Paperback $7.50

Description from Amazon:
Jacob Reckless returns once again to the Mirrorworld--filled with profound characters, extraordinary creatures, and epic life-or-death treasure hunts that could only come from the mind of the master storyteller of our generation, Cornelia Funke.

Jacob Reckless has only a few months left to live. He's tried everything to shake the Fairy curse that traded his life for his brother's--legends such as the All-Healing Apple, the Well of Eternal Youth, the blood of a northern Djinn. And yet hope after hope is extinguished. After months of fruitless searching, Jacob journeys through his father's mirror one final time to deliver the bad news to Fox.

But there they hear of one last possibility--an item so legendary that not even Mirrorworlders believe it exists: a crossbow that can kill thousands, or heal one, when shot through the heart. But a Goyl treasure hunter is also searching for the prized crossbow. Jacob must find it first--and somehow convince Fox to do whatever it takes to save him.

Now that you know all about it, it's time to give you my review!

From a reader's perspective:
Ahhhhh how Fox and Jacob drive me crazy with their relationship! I love these two characters most from the series so far. They're frustrating, adorable, and concern-worthy. Sometimes, I want to reach in the pages and give them both a good shake. An introduction to a new kind of Goyl brings fun and tension as Jacob travels on his quest to save his own life. I adore the interweaving of known fairy-tales throughout the story. It brings a whole other level of coolness to the tale. Most enjoyable, perhaps, was learning more about the wily, cunning character known as Fox. It was great to get to know about her family and what she went through before she met Jacob. She gained a new level of endearment through the reveal. World-building in this series is phenomenal. It'll make you want to step through your own mirror. I can't wait for the next book in the series. There's a major twist in this book that will leave you with your mouth hanging open.That's all I'm going to say on that front.

From an editor's perspective:
Pronouns were still rocky, but I'm guessing it's because this book was translated from German. Ah well, something I can easily overlook when engrossed in a tale. Other than that, the book was grade A.

My Rating:
1 Star for phenomenal world-building
1 Star for making me bite my nails off from worry
1 Star for giving me characters with flaws that I care about
1 Star for shedding new light on a character that's endearing
1 Star for leaving me with my mouth hanging open in the end
Overall, 5 out of 5 stars. A most excellent read.

Ya'll come on back tomorrow for one more review this week. Then we'll be hoofing it into more about writing, grammar, and those sorts of things. I have some very cool stuff to bring you!

Don't forget to check out the author interview with Felicia Tatum, the feature post for this week, while you're here! She has an awesome giveaway going on.

Also, be sure you check out the post from yesterday about OMC's book auction to benefit the Spina Bifida Association. It's a great cause and you'll get some wonderful stuff to read!

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

New TBR List

Happy Thursday, good people of the blogosphere! Today I'm bringing you all a list of the books on my TBR list. Again, I'll read more than one at a time so you'll probably get a flurry of reviews in a month or two. Links below will take you to the Amazon buy page for Kindle. Here we go:

Indie books:

Depression Cookies by Tia Silverthorne Bach

I've been wanting to read this book for a while.

I've already become enamored with the main characters and I can't wait to read more.

The Awakening by Angella Graff

I've had this one for a while. I know if I get into it, I won't be able to put it down.

Well, here goes!

Looping in Limbo by Ginney Etherton

Another one I've had for a while.

It caught my eye from a sample and the main character seemed interesting.

Trade pub books:

Fearless by Cornelia Funke

This is book two of the series I reviewed yesterday.

I'm very excited to find out what happens to Mr. Jacob Reckless.

I hope you all come back for the reviews.

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Book Review - Reckless

Happy Wednesday, good people of the blogosphere! I don't know if you're a reader like I am; but I read many books at once. Because of this, I often finish many books at once. One of the books I've been reading, alongside my Indie selections, is written by one of my favorite authors, Cornelia Funke. She hasn't put much out there since writing the Inkheart series (which I devoured). I was super stoked when I found her Mirrorworld series and bought book one, Reckless, right away. Book two just released last month and I can't wait to dive in. Today, I bring you my review.

Title: Reckless
Author: Cornelia Funke
Genre: YA Fantasy
Print Length: 400 pages
Purchase at Amazon: $8.99 (Link goes to free Kindle preview)

Book Description from Amazon:
Ever since Jacob Reckless was a child, he has been escaping to a hidden world through a portal in his father's abandoned study. Over the years, he has made a name for himself as a finder of enchanted items and buried secrets. He's also made many enemies and allies--most important, Fox, a beautiful shape-shifting vixen whom Jacob cares for more than he lets on.

But life in this other world is about to change. Tragedy strikes when Jacob's younger brother, Will, follows him through the portal. Brutally attacked, Will is infected with a curse that is quickly transforming him into a Goyl--a ruthless killing machine, with skin made of stone.

Jacob is prepared to fight to save his brother, but in a land built on trickery and lies, Jacob will need all the wit, courage, and reckless spirit he can summon to reverse the dark spell--before it's too late.

First off, let me say how much I love the cover for this book. Cornelia Funke also illustrated it and the interior layout is a thing of beauty. I look at a lot of trade published work for ideas about design and this one sparked my brain into overdrive. Well, let's get to the meat and potatoes, shall we?

I'll be honest, because Cornelia Funke is one of my favorite authors, I didn't even bother reading the description before I picked this book up. It sucked me right in with the adventure and action scenes but I was able to put it down now and then and read something else for a while. That probably won't happen with book two because of the way book one ended.

From a reader's perspective:
Jacob Reckless is true to his name. He's impulsive, stubborn, and a risk-taker. But love for his brother, Will, makes Jacob likeable as a main character. If you love fairy tales of old and would like to read some new spins on them, this book is for you. Like all good spin-offs, Reckless gives each tale a little twist so the outcome you read about isn't what you were told. This astonished me and I felt a kinship with Ms. Funke as I read her take on some of the classics like Sleeping Beauty and Hansel and Gretel. After writing The Bird, I know how difficult it is to make the connections to older stories believable. Action and suspense abound in this book. Chapters were kinda short, which was offputting at first, but something I grew to appreciate as I read on. In true Funke form, she doesn't waste words on a lot of description, so flow was smooth. Will and his girlfriend have an interesting relationship, and I can't wait to see if their characters get developed more in book two. I also adored Fox for her nippy ways, fierce devotion to Jacob, and desire to hide. She seems damaged somehow, but that was an unresolved mystery left hanging. World building was out of this universe amazing.

From an editor's perspective:
I found a few errors, but nothing that would throw me out of the story or keep me from reading more. One or two in most books is to be expected.

My rating:
+1 Star for making Jacob irritating and endearing all at the same time.
+1 Star for giving me fairy-tale lore with a new twist.
+1 Star for awesome world building.
+1 Star for making me try stepping into my own mirror.
+1 Star for lack of errors and beautiful formatting.

Overall, 5 out of 5 stars. This was a book I could really sink my teeth into. Recommended for all those that love a great fantasy.

Don't forget to pop over and enter to win a copy of Chasing Memories by Tia Silverthorne Bach. You only have until midnight on Friday, June 21, 2013.

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo