'Reckless' is a wild fantasy ride

"RECKLESS," by Cornelia Funke, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 400 pages, $19.99 (ages 9-12)

A mysterious mirror, a distant land and magical objects.

Just one of those things would be enough to catch almost any young adventurer's eye. But put all three together, and you've got Cornelia Funke's newest book for middle readers, "Reckless."

Anyone with a last name like Reckless has a lot to live up to. Or, in the case of Jacob Reckless, not live up to.

As with most things in life, timing is everything.

Jacob's father has been missing for a long time. More than a year after his disappearance, Jacob's father's study remains the same, with only Jacob sneaking in when no one noticed. It's there that Jacob finds a clue and a mirror.

It doesn't take long for Jacob to realize the mirror is a portal to another world, one with magic. Jacob returns to the world often, keeping it a secret from his mother and little brother, Will.

But nothing stays a secret forever.

Twelve years after first venturing into the mirror, Jacob, who can be as reckless as he wants in the mirror world, makes just one mistake — getting caught going through the mirror — and everything changes.

The world beyond the mirror is filled with all sorts of amazing things, but there is danger, as well. A war has been waged between the Goyl — people made of stone — and the humans. And the Goyl are winning.

When Will is wounded by one of the Goyl, things look bleak. Infected, he soon begins to change, his body turning to stone. It's a condition no one has ever recovered from, but Jacob won't give up. It's up to him to return his brother to his original form or die in the attempt.

Fans of Funke's other books — "The Thief Lord," "Dragon Rider" and the Inkworld trilogy — won't be disappointed. This imaginative tale is unlike any other.

That said, "Reckless" is a little slow moving, and readers may have to work a little harder to get through the initial chapters. Once part-way in, however, the pace picks up, and the characters become more captivating.

"Reckless" also has a broad appeal. Young readers with a propensity for adventure will enjoy the chase and fight scenes, while readers with fairy-tale sensibilities will appreciate nods to a number of classics.

Funke's attention to detail and fresh storyline will keep most readers interested. Though it's probably better-suited for advanced middle readers.

e-mail: jharrison@desnews.com