Mirrorworld #1 The Petrified Flesh

Presenting Mirrorworld #1 The Petrified Flesh by Cornelia Funke.


Here is the summary of the book:


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.

REVIEW ==

On a whim i requested to read The Petrified Flesh from Netgalley because really the author's Inkheart wowed me. Mirrorworld for all instants and purposes is a well written and well thought out book. But I am ashamed to admit that I just lost interest in it halfway. Being the only issue with the book ..... and it was a major issue was that, they don't take time to focus on the character of Jacob Reckless and this world behind the mirror that we are just supposed to believe is there. Overall there was this info-dump in every page that just served me loosing interest.

Of course there were things to appreciate about this tome as well. The world behind the mirror..... Is in anyway not new to us Fantasy-fanatics(Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell definitely did a better concept of it). But this sprawling world is a definitely a thing of marvel. But Funke adds some more in this, this world is vaguely telling of the stories of Brother's Grimm. This 'Mirrorworld' is a land where every Fairytale slash Fantasy is a true event. And Jacob and Will Reckless can be compared to the Grimm brothers but its a just a loose interpretation on my behalf and may or may not be true.

But all these mixed signals aside. The story manages to find its legs halfway into the book. And while it may feel more than late enough for a reader to be put off of this book. I stuck to it like glue till the end because really things had finally started to turn interesting and I really wanted to know if Jacob is able to cure his brother of the curse or not.

In all fairness. I definitely wasn't invested enough in the characters or their plight to keep behind the series and follow. But i will of course not stop anyone looking to read this series. Maybe you will find something I didn't in this book.

"A proven formula of fantasy but somehow loosing to hit its mark"

Genre :     Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy, 

Publisher: Breathing Books

Release Date: 11th October, 2016

My Copy: publisher & netgalley

Rate:             3/5 (Liked It)

Buy:         Amazon | Book Depository 

Spindle Fire #1 Spindle Fire

Presenting Spindle Fire #1 Spindle Fire by Lexa Hillyer.


Here is the summary of the book:


A kingdom burns. A princess sleeps. This is no fairy tale.

It all started with the burning of the spindles.

No.

It all started with a curse…

Half sisters Isabelle and Aurora are polar opposites: Isabelle is the king’s headstrong illegitimate daughter, whose sight was tithed by faeries; Aurora, beautiful and sheltered, was tithed her sense of touch and her voice on the same day. Despite their differences, the sisters have always been extremely close.

And then everything changes, with a single drop of Aurora’s blood—and a sleep so deep it cannot be broken.

As the faerie queen and her army of Vultures prepare to march, Isabelle must race to find a prince who can awaken her sister with the kiss of true love and seal their two kingdoms in an alliance against the queen.

Isabelle crosses land and sea; unearthly, thorny vines rise up the palace walls; and whispers of revolt travel in the ashes on the wind. The kingdom falls to ruin under layers of snow. Meanwhile, Aurora wakes up in a strange and enchanted world, where a mysterious hunter may be the secret to her escape…or the reason for her to stay.

REVIEW ==

Fantasy.... Such a fantastic bounty. Yikes..... *LOL* Sorry before I go off on a tangent and start spouting nonsense. Fantasy, Fairytales, Folk-lores and the like have always been the stepping stones to a different world. A brand new world, every new book at a time. Not only do they offer us a magnificent escape from the mundane but there is still loads that can be learned from such stories. The meaning of family, friendship, sacrifice, wonder, dread..... there is a plethora of emotions contained within such stories.

Likewise, Spindle Fire is just the same. A re-invention, re-telling of Sleeping Beauty. Something old ..... and lots of New. Spindle Fire tells us the story of two sisters Aurora and Isabella. Half-sisters but never far from each other. When tragedy strikes as we are familiar with the story of the Beauty who slept. Aurora sleeps and Isabella scours the land for a Prince who might wrestle with the thorns that imprison Aurora in its deep slumber. All the while strengthening their defenses against the marching Faerie Queen and her army..... But of course Aurora herself is not one to stay down, all the while looking for a way to be free of that enchanted world.

Spindle Fire has loads to recommend itself for. All the while there is a lot it seems to fall short of. I did love the author for reinventing Sleepy Beauty. But this story is much more than a fairy tale retelling. There is conflict, treachery, vicious and vivacious Fae and all the pesky little human feelings that stop this book from being just a re-telling. It is really not. At the same time it also felt lack-lustre. Having read more than enough re-tellings, and re-inventions of these popular tales, the modern readers (and I) have pretty much saturated it all and are on the lookout to read something new, to feel something new.

Maybe this was just the beginning. Yes there is a sequel coming out soon. And I will check that out as well and maybe what felt lacking but be rectified when we get to know more of this wonderful world Lexa Hillyer created within the pages of Spindle Fire.

"A few spells short of spellbinding but definitely packs a punch"

Genre :     Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy, Re-telling, Romance

Publisher: HarperCollins

Release Date: 11th April, 2017

My Copy: publisher & edelweiss

Rate:             4/5 (Really Liked It)

Buy:         Amazon | Book Depository