Reviews for Westward Eden

The average rating for Westward Eden based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2017-07-01 00:00:00 John Davis Click here to watch a video review of this book on my channel, From Beginning to Bookend. When Jacob Reckless was a boy, he discovered another world on the other side of the mirror in his father's abandoned study. After keeping the mirror world secret for twelve years, Jacob's younger brother finds his way through the mirror and is terminally cursed. Now Jacob and his brother must journey to the most dangerous territories of the mirror world to bargain with untrustworthy creatures to reverse the curse before it's too late. There was no place [Jacob] called home, either in this world or the other. He always yearned for unknown places, secrets revealed, treasure found . . . there was so much he still hadn't seen. The Petrified Flesh makes a departure from the average young adult novel. Instead of frou frou love triangles or a teen girl defying the odds, this book features a young man motivated by grief and a grim world based on the darker aspects of fairy tales, myth and lore. Because of its violent content (children being shot) and creepy characters (a murderer wearing a suit made of human flesh), this book is recommended for a mature audience. How the Dark Fairy would have enjoyed killing her. A poisoned comb, a dress that would eat into her flesh when she put it on in front of her golden mirrors. How she would scream and scratch her skin, so much softer than that of her bridegroom. The mirror world, fraught with war and brimming with dangerous beings, is nonetheless a magical place filled with "crystal caves, black lakes, and petrified forests." With mythical creatures, bustling cities, and unique world rules, Funke offers readers a fully realized fantasy world. Dwarf trading posts could be found in every corner of this world, despite the fact that they were nearly half the size of their human customers. Many cities behind the mirror hired Giantlings, men who claimed their direct descent from the extinct Giants, as guards. [. . .] Giantlings were also vastly popular as mercenaries, despite their reputation for being rather dimwitted. The cave's ground was covered with bones, as all Ogres loved to surround themselves with their leftovers. Some even built music instruments or sculptures from their victims' remains; others recited poetry while they cooked them. Before the story concludes, unicorns will be spotted, adventures will be had, and tragedy will strike. The Petrified Flesh is a morbid delight.

Review # 2 was written on 2018-05-22 00:00:00 Dante Jackson Though not quite up there with the Inkheart trilogy, I still loved this book! Full of magic, danger and fantastical creatures. From Lorelai - mermaid/sirens, bird trees that kidnap their victims, handkerchiefs that can create money, the imagination in this book knows no bounds! Jacob Reckless found access to the Mirrorworld using a mirror left behind in his fathers study when he left them, or disappeared. He spends months at a time in this world, becoming entranced with all its wonders. He manages to keep his two lives seperate, until one day his younger brother Will follows him through the mirror and suddenly everything changes. Will is cursed by the Dark Fairy and Jacob must do everything in his power to protect his brother. A wonderful, magical world and I look forward to continuing with the next book!