Book Review : Reckless by Cornelia Funke

Reckless (Reckless, #1)
by Cornelia Funke

Hardcover, 391 pages

Published September 14th 2010 by Little Brown Books

Synopsis

Beyond the mirror, the darkest fairy tales come alive. . . .

For years, Jacob Reckless has enjoyed the Mirrorworld’s secrets and treasures.

Not anymore.

His younger brother has followed him.

Now dark magic will turn the boy to beast, break the heart of the girl he loves, and destroy everything Jacob holds most dear. . . .

Unless he can find a way to stop it.

Review

My first book by Cornelia Funk, and probably my last.

I don't mean to sound critical, but Reckless really reads like a failed fairy-tale mash-up. Needless to say, I'm disappointed.

Characters Introduction:

Jacob really lives up to his last name. He disappears for weeks into the Mirrorworld for adventure and treasure hunting without thinking about the little brother he's left behind.

When Will Reckless follows him beyond the mirror, Jacob is thrust into a race against time before a curse will turn his brother to stone. Suddenly, Jacob knows how much Will means to him. But is it too little, too late?

Will has always believed in his brother, no matter what. But now he's followed Jacob into another world, and a fairy curse threatens to change everything about him. As the curse takes hold, Will burns with flashes of anger—at his brother. Is the curse turning Will into a monster? Or making him stronger?

Clara is studying to be a doctor. In the world beyond the mirror, she may be the only one who can lift Will's curse. But before they can live happily ever after, Clara must survive her trip to fairy tale land.

What's the problem with Reckless?

1. An insubstantial opening. Basically, I really had no idea what is going on at the beginning of the novel and it took me moments to realize the identities of the characters. They felt boring but I forced myself to go through it, since I didn't want to give up so soon.
2. Deeply flawed plot. The story started with Will turning into a Goyl and Jacob wanting to find a cure for his brother. There is no explanation as to why he is turning into one. It felt so strange that I couldn't help but wonder whether this was supposed to make the reader feel excited or bewildered.
3. No chemistry between supposedly "in love" characters. The relationship between Will and Clara seemed so fake, if you get what I mean. I couldn't sense the love between the couple. They did not emanate the feeling that they were in love.
4. Bad fairy-tale mash-up. This story is full of mythical creatures, but anything that is overboard is not good. This case applies for Reckless. Bits and pieces of fairy-tale is mashed up to form a story. Though the concept of Man-Goyl (man of stone skin) is new, but I didn't like it. I still don't. And perhaps I never will.
   
5. Translation. I understand that this book was originally written in German and was then translated into other languages. This explains some of the strange sentence structures and certain weird phrases I encounter in the book.

While I didn't like reading this book, it doesn't mean that it is completely devoid of good elements. The themes of family love, friendship and courage are shown clearly in Reckless.

Rating:

Cornelia Funke was born and raised in Germany, just like Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. In German, “Funke” is pronounced “FOON-kuh” which means spark. Cornelia grew up in a small town which wasn't a very adventurous place so she became a book eater at the age of 5 and loved her walks with her father to the public library from which they both returned with piles of book treasure. Books were, as Cornelia says, her windows and doors to the world. They promised adventure and hundreds of interesting characters she couldn't find in the streets of her home town. Nevertheless she never imagined that one day she'd write books herself. She thought this to be quite a magical skill only performed by very mysterious beings who for sure were either very old or very dead.

Read more at Get Reckless

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Book Review : Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 328 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; 1st edition (June 12, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061214655
• ISBN-13: 978-0061214653
• Available on: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / IndieBound
  

All teenagers have problems, but few of them can match those of Aislinn, who has the power to see faeries. Quite understandably, she wishes that she could share her friends' obliviousness and tries hard to avoid these invisible intruders. But one faery in particular refuses to leave her alone. Keenan the Summer King is convinced beyond all reasoning that Aislinn is the queen he has been seeking for nine centuries. What's a 21st-century girl to do when she's stalked by a suitor nobody else can see? A debut fantasy romance for the ages; superlative summer read.

Wicked Lovely has a gorgeous cover - a girl cupping flowers in her frosty palms. I guess that's why I was so attracted to this book in the first place. You may think I'm shallow - but there's no denying that it really is beautiful. Look, even the font is lovely. But sometimes, we can't judge a book by its cover! A beautiful cover doesn't guarantee an amazing story. That's what happened with me reading Wicked Lovely.

I started reading the book with high hopes, but it was just meh. Even though it was a little boring, I kept on reading - anxious to reach the climax of the story - which never came. Well, it had a climax, but I didn't feel the tension and excitement at all. I just read for the sake of reading, which was actually quite sad since I thought this would be a great book after reading the rave reviews on Goodreads. 7 out of 10 says it's awesome.

Aislinn has a pretty name, and she's a courageous, spunky and witty heroine. She is blessed (and cursed) with the Sight, which means she can see faeries when they are invisible to normal humans. When Keenan, the Summer King approaches her, and faeries start to follow her everywhere, she starts to question the faeries' motive. It turns out that she is the new girl - Keenan's new Chosen one. She has a choice - whether to stay as a Summer girl (a faerie dependent of Keenan to survive) or take the test. If she takes the test, then she will either pass and be the Summer Queen or fail and be the new Winter Girl, and suffer from everlasting cold until another takes her place. However, if she denies Keenan by choosing to be a Summer Girl, then she will live forever and be one of Keenan's harem. Aislinn is between the devil and the deep blue sea for she wanted to be neither; all she wants is to stay as a normal human and have a normal life. But she has no choice at all.

The author's writing flows smoothly throughout the story, and the lettering at the start of each chapter is gorgeous. But sometimes the storyline confuses me and I had to re-read the passages. I know Keenan has to break Beira's cold spell, but who made the rules / curse in the first place? How did Beira kill her husband and why?

I felt disgusted at the mere thought of Keenan keeping uncountable pretty human-girls-turned-faerie as his harem. I know he's the Summer King, but is it necessary to have so many concubines? And he beds them when he is in a bad mood and needs to 'relax'. I mean, WTH?! He just approaches a pretty girl and say, "I choose you." and she's all his?! Although the author did try to make him sound sympathetic (his needing a Summer Queen to break the cold spell and all) I still felt that he is untrustworthy. For all the girls who've been chosen earlier, no matter from which perspective I see it, I observe that their lives are ruined. In other words, they are to become Keenan's wives/concubines for eternity - whether they like it or not. How am I supposed to sympathize his condition (powers being limited by evil mother)? To me, he just sounds like a sexual predator.

And, although Seth is sweet and protective towards Aislinn in many ways, I still felt unsure about his true self, because he is a playboy. He has uncountable casual relationships / one night stands with girls whose names he might not even remember. He likes (or loves) Aislinn so much that he decides to abstain from sex for 7 months. He even got tests regarding his 'health' to prove that he is clean from sexual diseases like STD, HIV etc. and shows Aislinn the reports. Crazy.

My favourite character in this book is probably Donia. She is the Winter Girl - one who took the test and failed. Even though she suffers from extreme coldness and feels pain whenever she is near Keenan, in her heart she still loves Keenan. She has a beautiful, melancholic appearance which made her seem fragile. She still has mortal feelings although she has been a faerie for a long time, and she respects Seth for his willingness to protect Aislinn. She gives me an impression of an ethereal creature.

As a conclusion, Wicked Lovely didn't turn out to be as captivating as I'd expected, but it still has some good qualities. I don't hate it, but I don't love it either. A mix of adventure, romance, and fantasy, this story will appeal to readers who love reading about faeries.

Rating:

Note: Parents need to know that, while there's nothing graphic, there is discussion of sex, virginity, first times, STDs, and other sexual content. There's also a bit of swearing, alcohol, and drugs. Parental guidance recommended for teenagers below the age of 16.

Melissa Marr grew up believing in faeries, ghosts, and various other creatures. After teaching college literature for a decade, she applied her fascination with folklore to writing. Wicked Lovely was her first novel. Currently, Marr lives in the Washington, D.C., area, writes full-time, and still believes in faeries and ghosts.

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Book Review : Beastly by Alex Flinn

Beastly by Alex Flinn

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen (October 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060874163
• ISBN-13: 978-0060874162

Synopsis

I am a beast. A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog, but a horrible new creature who walks upright – a creature with fangs and claws and hair springing from every pore. I am a monster.

You think I’m talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It’s no deformity, no disease. And I’ll stay this way forever – ruined – unless I can break the spell.

Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and a perfect life. And then, I’ll tell you how I became perfectly beastly.

Review

This book is a charming retelling of the story of Beauty and the Beast. The author added some twists and turns to make the story differ from the original version. And this is what that makes it an enjoyable book.

Kyle Kingsbury is the son of a famous and wealthy newsman, and he also has what it takes to make girls swoon over him - good looks. His life is perfect, yet deep inside, he isn't. When he plays an evil trick on a fat, ugly girl named Kendra, he is cursed to become what he really is - a beast. He is given a chance to reverse the curse - he must fall in love with a girl who loves him back within 2 years. Or else, he will remain as a beast forever.

The story is set in a modern New York, and this is definitely refreshing. After Kyle turns from a handsome, popular kid into an ugly, terrifying beast, his father tries to bring him to seek medical help, but they come to no avail. At last, Rob Kingsbury decides to refrain his son in a secluded area so that no one would notice his presence.

To me, Kyle isn't really a bad guy, he just likes to act like he is. I always think that there is still some goodness in him. At first, he denies the beauty of a rose and think of it as a cheap, ugly flower, but when he becomes a beast, he cares for the roses he planted as if they were his treasure.

This story tells us not to judge someone based on their appearance, but rather what they really are on the inside because what you see is not necessary real. Looks do not determine everything, so even if you don't have an attractive mien, that doesn't mean that you're going to be despised and shunned by others. As time goes by, others will learn to see the goodness/evil in your heart. If you have a kind, caring heart - then you are beautiful.

Will Kyle finally find his true love and break the curse? Will he change his attitude towards the better side? Will he learn to observe the beauty in his daily life? Read this book to find out.

I'll end my review with a quote from Beastly:

"Those who do not know how to see the precious things in life will never be happy."

Rating:

Alex Flinn was born in a small town on Long Island, New York. She started writing at an early age. She now lives half a mile away from her old middle school, in Palmetto Bay, a suburb of Miami, with her husband, Gene, and daughters, Katie and Meredith.

You can watch the Beastly movie when it comes out!