As everyone should know by now, I absolutely love Reckless by Cornelia Funke. My love for it goes deeper than it just being a great book, which you can read about here. As much as I adore the book, I've never reviewed it. So, I decided to do just that. I'll review Fearless in a few days (I plan on listening to the audio-version while I'm at work tonight.)
Title: RECKLESS
Author: Cornelia Funke
Rating: 5 stars!
Summary:
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.
I've been a big fan of Cornelia Funke's book since I read her Inkworld Trilogy. Reckless definitely did not disappoint. I loved seeing different fairy tales dropped throughout this book, and the darker theme of the overall story. I think the summary of the story is a bit harsh to the Goyl. That could be because my favorite character, Hentzau, is Goyl. Humans, for decades, have hunted and killed the Goyl just because of their stone skin. Now, the Goyl have become the hunters and are making their strength known throughout the world that had for so long been ruled by humans, who were, honestly, just as ruthless when it came to their stone 'cousins'. Now our main character's, Jacob Reckless, younger brother is turning into a Goyl, and Jacob will do anything in his power to stop the stone from consuming his brother's skin.
Jacob had more fear in him than most heroes I've read, but I liked that. It was nice to see someone be brave despite how afraid they were. I also liked seeing the protective shell he'd built around his heart start disappearing as the story went. I loved the sibling relationship (mainly because my sister and I are really close), and how far he'd go for his brother.
Will's transformation was a very good way to show the differences between the humans and the Goyl. We got to see the softness that Will had slowly turn to coarseness and anger. I liked that two true loves saved him in this story. The true love between siblings and the true romantic love he had with his girlfriend, Clara.
From what I've seen, Fox has been the fan favorite. She was a very strong female side character, and that is so nice to see in a book. A lot of female characters are damsels, and it was a nice change. I loved having a shape shifter in the book as well. It showed that no skin stays the same behind the Mirror.
I personally loved the Dark Fairy and her love for the Goyl king. She was also a very strong character, and I'm so looking forward to reading more about her in the 3rd book!
Hentzau was, by far, my favorite. I'd talk too much about him. So, go read the book!
The plot was fast-paced, and you don't want to put the book down. The first time I read Reckless, I refused to sleep until I finished it. I've read it four more times since then, and I always find something new in it that makes me love the story even more!
<3
