Review: Mirrorworld

Hey guys! 

Today is a triple review day, hell yes! I was lucky enough to be sent the first two Mirrorworld books as well as the brand new, third book to review for you guys! I do love Cornelia Funke, but I'm obviously out of the loop because I had never heard of these before the publisher got in touch with me about them! I believe these are revised editions of the originals that where published a while ago, but they where not at all what I was expecting! I think I was expecting them to be for a younger YA audience, but these ended up completely blowing me away! I binge read all three in near enough one go! 

The Petrified Flesh

Rating: 4/5

Buy or Borrow: Buy 

Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

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 things first, as soon as you open the book you get treated to some stunning illustrations, and they're present in all three books. Genuinely, I had to rub my finger across the page because I wondered if the publisher had sent me the wrong copy and I'd been sent one that had been drawn in by the author or something but no, the illustrations are in every book and they're printed on the page, they're just so well done they look like they've been casually sketched in! 

As soon as I started to read the book I was drawn in by Funke's storytelling, and the intrigue and originality that was obvious from the very start. I loved that this book was a little bit dark and a little bit creepy, I think Funke does it very well. I was intrigued to be reading a children's book with a main character who's in his 20's so you can see why I was surprised when I started to read this and it wasn't what I was expecting. I ended up being completely drawn in! It's got some Lord of the Rings vibes, and some Brothers Grimm vibes, and it's SO vivid, the world really does rise up around you. Sleeping Beauty is in here, but I liked how instead of the whole happily ever after, sunshine and rainbows thing, Funke opts to have her still asleep because the Prince never came for her. Seriously, there's these little dark twists that I loved! 

I loved the different POV's each character had a different personality, different motivations and something else to offer the narrative that the others didn't. The switches where pulled off smoothly and kept up with the pace of the book. I'm not entirely sure what age these books are aimed at, but I'm thinking younger children might not like the creepiness, I mean The Tailor even freaked me out and i'm in my 20's. 

I loved the characters, I feel like Jacob is kind of an anti-hero, but I really rooted for him. He wants to save his brother, he might not be all cuddly and sunshiney but he does care about his brother. I loved Fox and I'm not going to lie I shipped her and Jacob SO bad! Fox really intrigued me, her backstory and what she was and could do. Will and Clara I was a bit eh about. Like they where okay, but Jacob and Fox where the characters that I really loved. 

The Petrified Flesh is so darkly magical, and imaginative. It draws you in with the world, and the creatures and the magic, the action and adventure. The intrigue. It really gets the imagination going and it has a completely brilliant ending that leaves you wanting more! 

Living Shadows

Rating: 4/5 

Buy or Borrow: Buy 

Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

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.

After the ending of the previous book, I dove straight in to this one, eager to see what was going to happen next! Time has passed since the ending of the previous book, and Jacob is running out of time. He's tried a few things to save himself, but none have worked and he was one option left. I loved meeting another treasure hunter even if I hated him and wanted to smack him one more than once because hello...Jacob's life is at stake here! I loved the quest vibe to this book, I felt it was more so than the last book and it was a lot of fun! 

There are more creepy creatures, hello Bluebeard. I loved getting to see more of the world of the book, and I loved how well paced the book is. There's plenty of action once again, and the world is vividly built for us. We continue to get more than one POV and I really found myself enjoying the Dark Fairy's pov this time around, I really started to feel for her this book and kind of, maybe started to root for her a little bit along with Jacob and Fox. 

We get SO much Jacob and Fox in this book, I loved it. I'm loving watching their relationship grow and change and develop. Valiant. I still can't decide about him. Half of the time I really want to hit him, like last book I could cheerfully have murdered him. But sometimes it seems that he really does care about Jacob and I just can't decide about him! I really love the characters, each of them has such real, believable emotions that you can relate to them and empathise with them. 

There's more mystery and intrigue as Jacob meets a familiar looking man with a familiar sounding name. There's more magic and mythology and I love mythology so I just drink it up from the page and bask in it, because Funke does it so well! This book builds up really well to book three and once again leaves you wanting more! 

The Golden Yarn 

Rating: 4/5

Buy or Borrow: Buy 

Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

Jacob Reckless continues to travel the portal in his father's abandoned study. His name has continued to be famous on the other side of the mirror, as a finder of enchanted items and buried secrets. His family and friends, from his brother, Will to the shape-shifting vixen, Fox, are on a collision course as the two worlds become connected. Who is driving these two worlds together and why is he always a step ahead?

This new force isn’t limiting its influence to just Jacob’s efforts – it has broadened the horizon within MirrorWorld. Jacob, Will and Fox travel east and into the Russian folklore, to the land of the Baba Yaga, pursued by a new type of being that knows our world all to well. 

And thus we come to the third book. I wasn't entirely sure if this was a trilogy when I started to read these book, but as the book progressed I had to check because I was like...if this is a trilogy and it's going to end like I think it is then I'm going to be really mad. But it's all good because I believe there's going to be a fourth book yaaay! 

There's a map at the front of this book, which just ratcheted up my excitement because we're getting to see even more of this world that Funke has created and I was so excited! We get to meet more new characters, some of which I could have done without. Yes I'm looking at you, ship botherer. There's more magic, more vividness and more exciting twists! We get to meet Jacob's father finally, although I really wanted to punch him for what he did! He's lowkey destroying such a fantastically magical world with all his machines, and then he's such a damn coward and then leaving! HATE HATE HATE. There's a twist involving the shadowy dude from the last book, Spieler, we get to see Will again, as well as a certain treasure hunter. Now. I kinda liked the way Nerron was warming up to Will, but I didn't really like Will this book, I'm not going to lie. Maybe because I'm so pro-Jacob and because I've really started to like the Dark Fairy! I just felt like in the first book I could empathise with him, but this book he just seemed so selfish and whiney and it bugged me. 

There was so much angst for my ship it was hard to handle and then had that man....the one I won't name because UGH, coming in and messing with my ship and ugh. I mean...it all worked out in the end but still. I can't deal with angst! I'm so stoked my ship are finally together though, I've been waiting for it and watching the books build up to it so it's really satisfying to see it all work out! Especially with the information in this book about a certain golden thread....

The ending of this book...I can't even! I'm just really not over it because I could see both the Dark Fairy's side of things and Kami'en's side, and I could see what was going to happen and I empathised with her SO SO much and I was like NO DON'T DO IT. But she did...and then Will happened and then the ending and Kami'en and damn. I just couldn't deal. I'm so badly in need of the next book! I mean Fox and Jacob got their happy ending but no-one else did really! I'm like 99% sure we're heading to the book's version of Canada (because of our new human character and where he's heading) next which should be exciting and there's so many questions yet to be answered! I'm genuinely so excited for the next book! I've read Inkheart and I loved it but I just wasn't expecting these books to be how they are!  

The Blackthorn Key

The Blackthorn Key
Rating: 5/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy 
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher!

London, 1665. Fourteen-year-old Christopher Rowe is apprenticed to master apothecary Benedict Blackthorn. In Blackthorn's shop, Christopher learns the delicate secrets of transforming simple ingredients into powerful medicines, potions and weapons. His beloved master guides him with a firm, steady hand - instilling him with confidence and independence that prove increasingly vital as Christopher learns of a mysterious cult preying on the most learned men in London. The murders are growing closer and closer to home and soon Christopher is torn from the shop with only a page of cryptic clues from his master and the unambiguous warning: 'Tell no one'. 

Helped by his best friend, Tom, Christopher must decipher his master's clues, following a trail of deceit towards an unearthly secret with the power to tear the world apart.

Guys this was so good! Seriously I enjoyed every single page! I've been reading some pretty heavy books recently and this was such a nice break, it made me laugh but at the same time it had a complex plot going on and really kept up the intrigue so I was turning pages as fast as possible! I ended up reading it in one sitting after telling myself "I'm just going to read the first couple of chapters". 

I'm a history nerd and the bend of history and fiction was perfect, just enough history and research to give the book an authentic feel. Although I could have done without some of the smells that where described and could practically smell wafting off the page! You can easily disappear inside the world of the book, there's no boring pages and pages of historical showing off about how much research the author has done. There's a fair bit of history in the book but like I said....it's not overly done and is there to bring the world to life and make it authentic. I found the Author's Note particularly interesting as well as I had completely forgotten about the differing calendars and so on. 

The Blackthorn Key is fast paced, with a quest like vibe, a National Treasure for kids kinda thing. I enjoyed the different clues and trying to work them out along with the characters in the book, as well as work out who the main enemy is. I was completely wrong! The book was full of adventure and humour. I definitely chuckled a fair bit as I was reading, mostly at Christopher and Tom's antics.

It's got to be said, the book had a lot of heart to it with Christopher's relationship with his Master and then his friendship with Tom. It was also kind of sad and heartbreaking in one or two places, but this was balanced out with the humour. Christopher was a likeable character, his sarcasm was spot on and you liked him from the beginning. As you got to know him more, you felt for him more and more as he was struggling in the aftermath of his Masters death. You ended up rooting for him, and your connection to the character meant that there where some pretty intense scenes of suspense. Bridget the pigeon also deserves a mention I think! Christopher's bird BFF who kept turning up all over the place! It was a sweet touch. 

The book has a very nice murder mystery at it's heart. There's lots of threads to it because not everything is as it seems, so it's actually quite complex. These other threads slowly reveal themselves and the plot definitely thickens until you're trying to put all the clues together but still not quite managing to puzzle it all out. There where some surprising twists to the story and then a huge end reveal that had me shouting at the book! 

All in all The Blackthorn Key was a fun read with plenty of action and adventure to keep you turning the pages, and complex undertones that gives the book an edge. 

Poppy Pym And The Pharaoh's Curse

Poppy Pym and the Pharaoh's Curse
Rating: 4/5 
Buy or Borrow: Buy 
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher 

Poppy Pym has grown up in the circus, eating candy floss for breakfast and learning about lion taming ... until her circus family decides she needs a more traditional education, and they send her to boarding school. At first, Poppy has trouble fitting in at St Smithen's, a school that is very different from the circus. But when an ancient Egyptian ruby comes to the school and dangerous accidents start occurring, it's up to Poppy to save her new home and solve the mystery of the Pharaoh's curse!

Well this book was a fun read, and a fun mix of different themes! We've got a boarding school, a circus, a mystery and some Ancient Egypt thrown in there all blended together to make an entertaining read! You all know I can be lured by anything involving Ancient Egypt and I loved the echoes in this book from real history. If you don't know what I'm talking about take a look at Tutankhamen and his "curse", you might find it interesting. 

Poppy Pym was an easy read, and fast paced, easily read in one sitting. There's plenty of action and plenty of humour thanks to the colourful cast of characters, particularly Poppy's circus family! They where a lively and interesting bunch! The mystery kept you intrigued as you tried to put the pieces together and work out who the culprit was. Overall it was a very well written, entertaining book with a fantastic heroine that will keep you laughing the entire way through! 

The Copper Gauntlet

The Copper Gauntlet
Rating: 5/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy 
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

Callum Hunt’s summer break isn’t like other kids’. His closest companion is a Chaos-ridden wolf, Havoc. His father suspects him of being secretly evil. And, of course, most kids aren’t heading back to school in the magical world of the Magisterium . . .

It’s not easy for Call, he's struggling to deal with the revelations of Iron Trial . . . and it gets even harder after he checks out his basement and discovers that his dad might be trying to destroy both him and Havoc, I mean...what else could all the creepy ritual paraphernalia be for? 

Call escapes to Tamara's house where he find out Aaron has been there all summer being celebrated as the Makar...the weapon against the enemy. Upon their return to the Magisterium things only intensify. The Alkahest-a copper gauntlet capable of separating certain magicians from their magic-has been stolen. The Mages think it's the Enemy of Death....but Call knows it isn't. He knows exactly who's taken it but he can't believe it. 

Call, Aaron, Tamara and Jasper. Yes you read that right, Jasper, head off on a mission to retrieve the Alkahest but it would seem all isn't as it appears. The closer they get to their goal, the more dangers present themselves. But it couldn't be the Magisterium sending them...could it? Call and his friends are getting closer and closer to a dangerous truth, one Call doesn't want his friends to find out. 

As the mysteries of the Magisterium deepen and widen, bestselling authors Holly Black and Cassandra Clare take readers on an extraordinary journey through one boy’s conflict -and a whole world’s fate.

This is a satisfying sequel to the first book, it has to be said! I loved the first book, I couldn't not love anything Cassandra Clare writes! This episode was a lot more action packed than the first, we don't spend a lot of time in the school, it's mostly in the world above as they go about their quest. We also get an interesting look at Tamara's family. I got some definite Harry Potter vibes off this book, but it's not actually anything like Harry Potter. We dive straight back in to the world and the action straight away, and the book keeps up a fast pace throughout. 

The world continued to be rich and original and exciting, it really does suck you in and I was kinda sad we didn't spend much time in the Magisterium this time, I love that place! The lichen and the toadstools etc. Either way, whether you're in the school or not, the book is so well written and atmospheric that you get lost in the world, and even the real world has it's own magical quality. 

I continue to love the magic in the book, the levels at the school, how the magic works, the wristbands and the different gems. We learn about a different gem in this book, but it's a spoiler alert so I'll leave you to read and find out yourselves! We also learn a lot more about Chaos magic and how it works and what it can do and so on, and we see a proper elemental, like....not a little lizard. 

The thing I loved about Call in the first book was that he wasn't perfect, he's got problems with his leg and can't do half the things he wants, and I thought it was unique for a main character to not be all super fit and muscly and active. While I liked Call, I did find him a bit...trying at times. In this book he's a lot less bratty, he's grown as a character and was a lot more likeable. Calls really struggling in this book with the revelations from the previous one and he's kind of analysing his own behaviour to see if he's an "Evil Overlord", the way he did it and it was written was actually quite humorous although sad at the same time because of how it was making Call feel. I really felt for him this book and was rooting for him. I know a lot of people might look at him negatively because of the times he resents Aaron, and you see it a lot in this book as he's struggling with who he really is and everyones all about Aaron and only cares about Aaron, rather than looking down on him for it, I could see where he was coming from. 

I loved the friendships between the three in the first book and those friendships where really tested in this book and it was sad to read. His friends didn't have the reactions I was hoping for which added some angst and conflict and made the book emotional. Although, not everything was hunky dory at the end, Aaron was hard to read, there could be some upcoming conflict between Aaron and Call. Tamara really divided my opinion in the book to the point she was annoying me, like after she did that thing and was bleating on about "you can tell me anything" like really? 

Jasper was in this book a surprising amount. I really didn't like him in the first book, I kept waiting for him to scream "MY FATHER WILL HEAR ABOUT THIS!", but at the same time I could understand him and where he was coming from and I actually wanted to see him more in the second book...which is this book...and he was in it loads...so yay! I wasn't expecting it really! Jasper isn't a complete douche, you get to know him more this book and understand what he's dealing with at home and how his snark is a reflex. He was actually quite nice once or twice and sort of came to seem like one of the gang, although in true Jasper fashion he's not getting all touchy feely about it. I really want to like him, but everytime I start to he does something a bit harsh and I'm like whhhhyyyy! 

There's lots of threads to the plot again which keeps the intrigue up as you try to work out what's going on,  and who's  behind what. There's plenty of twists and turns, some I did half guess at or see coming, but then others where completely surprising and I didn't see coming, so it was an equal balance that kept you guessing. Then there's another huge plot twist at the end which is game changing to say the least, and there's a nice new mystery ready for the next book. 

The Copper Gauntlet is a strong sequel, showcasing character growth and adding even more to the characters. More's been added to the world, and more intrigues to get you excited for the next book. I easily read this in one sitting because once you get started, it's kind of hard to find a place to put it down! 

The Imaginary

The Imaginary
Rating: 4/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher!

One day when Amanda opens her wardrobe, there's somebody in it. Somebody only she can see his. Name is Rudger and he's her imaginary friend and her best friend. But when the sinister Mr. Bunting arrives at her door, it turns out he can see Rudger as well. Mr. Bunting hunts Imaginaries and....well....eats them. He's quite attached to his own imaginary friend you see, and in order to keep seeing her he has to eat Imaginaries. Mr. Bunting sniffs out Rudger, and after an accident, Rudger is left all by himself and running for his life. Rudger needs a friend to believe in him and see him otherwise he'll fade, but can he get back to Amanda before he fades away?

It has to be said, this book is so incredibly beautiful, the end papers, the illustrations, all are so incredibly gorgeous it took me ages to read this because I kept stopping to stare at them! I mean, I don't usually read books like this, for this age range, but I couldn't resist the pretty! Beneath the dust jacket is even gorgeous!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was so unique to me, I've never read a children's book before that covers imaginary friends, and it was so unique with the whole Library thing and them choosing their friends and everything, and it was so CUTE! It's a book about friendship and imagination, and it's so beautifully written. There's the lightheartedness of friendship and trust and hope and imagination, then there's the sinister baddie and his really creepy sidekick, and the shadowy parts, I think the pink dinosaur called Snowflake also helps to alleviate the creepiness.

The book is funny in parts, but also has plenty of tension and is a liiiiittle bit ominous in parts! The story is kind of like Pringles, once you start you can't stop and you eat up the illustrations and the words. I seriously couldn't stop reading, and it resulted in a later night than usual. I determined to only read a couple of chapters, but the next thing I know it's 1am and I've finished it! I'll be lending it to my mother as well to take to work and read to the kids there I think!

For younger kids, this might be a good idea to read in the sunlight, swiftly followed by an episode of a TV show, I'm not really down with the kids so I have no idea what's occurring in the world of kids TV, all I know is Pokemon! Elder kids should have no problem reading this after nightfall! I'm so astounded by the detail and the quality of this book still to be honest! It's the best I've seen and it's the first from this age range that I've felt a compelling need to read!

FYI the hardback edition will make a really lovely gift! Just saying!