We imagine that a world of fairy tales is a place of imperiled princesses, magical saves and happily-ever-afters. But in Cornelia Funke's mind, the world of fairy tales is a surprisingly grim place with countless magical dangers, and it serves merely as the backdrop for an epic fantasy tale all of her own. While it could use a little more buildup, "Reckless" is an effective introduction to the Reckless Brothers and the mirror-world they dwell in. 
 For many years, Jacob Reckless has been exploring the Mirrorworld, where he has become a famed hunter of magical treasures. But then his brother Will (get it? Jacob and Will?) is scratched by one of the stone-skinned Goyl, and begins growing a skin of jade -- which makes him a legendary Goyl that the Black Fairy has prophesied can keep the Goyl king from coming to harm. But as Will's humanity slips away, Jacob is determined to save him from this curse. 
 So along with a shapeshifting fox-girl and Will's girlfriend Clara, the brothers set out across the land to first find witch's berries that could possibly break the curse, and then the Red Fairy in hopes that she can undo her sister's magic. But when Will is snatched away by the Goyl, Jacob must come between warring kingdoms and fight the ultimate evil magic in order to save his brother... but he may be too late already, 
 The fairy tale background of "Reckless" actually has a lot less to do with the story than you'd expect. There's a distinct lack of happy endings (the mummified corpse of Sleeping Beauty), and most of the fairy-tale elements are used more to drive the story or be used by Jacob (a strand of Rapunzel's hair) when he's in a bind. The world itself is a much colder, darker, crueler place than you'd expect, and yet it also gives the fairy tale elements a grimmer (get it?) and more realistic tone. 
 And Funke adds plenty of her own ideas, like the lake-born fairies or the stone-skinned, subterranean Goyl. Her writing is strong and more adult-themed, with the shimmering fantastical moments (a fairy transforming into a willow tree) related with strong, smooth prose. And the story itself is rather dark -- there's also no shortage of tormented romance and splashes of blood here, and Funke never lets you forget that Jacob's quest is probably doomed, and that even if he can find a cure for the petrified flesh, his brother may not want to be cured. 
 The biggest problem is the first few chapters. After a years-ago prologue, Funke flings us headlong into the quest for a cure after it's already started, and fills in the explanations for a few decades of mirror-travel as she goes along. It's very confusing and hard to follow for awhile. 
 This is especially notable because Jacob is not a hero that you immediately and easily attach yourself to; despite his apparent youth, he's a grizzled veteran of many magical quests, with a grim determination to save his brother at all costs -- including the possible loss of his own life. Will is a pretty nondescript character since he's half-Goyl by the time we meet him, but we do get some development for the shapeshifting girl-fox who is devotedly in love with Jacob, as well as the cruel but lovelorn Black Fairy and the desperate Empress. 
 "Reckless" has some flaws -- mainly a too-fast introduction that explains too little -- but the darkly rich fantasy world and solid characters make it an engaging read. And of course, the door is wide open for more Reckless adventures.