Customer Reviews
Gentle humor and playful use of fantasy and chivalric conventions will appeal to a wide range of readers 
2008-08-19
Members of Igraine's family are perfectly happy to spend their days locked away in crumbling Pimpernel Castle's tower, composing magic spells using their valuable singing Books of Magic. Igraine, on the other hand, would prefer to wear her great-grandfather's chain mail and spend her days riding horses and fencing with enchanted opponents in the castle's courtyard. She dreams of adventure and of life as a knight. "Incantations, spells, lists of ingredients for magical powders and potions --- learning all that by heart gave her a headache."
Igraine just may get her chance for adventure when a few surprising events coincide. First, the menacing Osmund and his henchman (known as the "Spiky Knight" because of his dangerous-looking armor) move into nearby Blacklock Castle. Could Osmund have his eye on Igraine's family's precious Books of Magic? Second, an error in a magic spell turns Igraine's parents into swine, so they're certainly not going to be able to help save the Books of Magic. Perhaps it's up to Igraine, suited up in her brand-new suit of armor, to save the day --- and prove herself as Igraine the Brave --- after all.
Cornelia Funke has become well known in the United States for her Inkworld trilogy of novels that include INKHEART, INKSPELL and INKDEATH (to be published early next year). Now, a number of the earlier books by this popular German author is being translated for her many American fans. IGRAINE THE BRAVE was originally published in Germany in 1998 but has been newly translated into English.
This book is full of the kind of imaginative, fantasy-filled details that have drawn so many readers to Funke's other novels --- such as the family of water snakes that live in the castle's moat, or the desire of Igraine's fledgling magician brother to protect the castle's mice, which keep popping up in the most surprising places.
Although aimed at a younger audience than that of Inkworld, its gentle humor and playful use of fantasy and chivalric conventions will appeal to a wide range of readers. Igraine herself is a familiar character --- the young girl who must find her own path when she feels out of place in the world she is born into --- but she is portrayed with compassion and sensitivity. Heavily illustrated with Funke's own whimsical, cartoon-like drawings, IGRAINE THE BRAVE would make an excellent read-aloud book for younger readers as well as an ideal adventure story for newly-minted fantasy fans.
--- Reviewed by Norah Piehl
Cute; Not her best 
2008-07-05
I love Cornelia Funke and am always amazed by her work. This book was different from her others with big illustrations, and a bit of silliness. It was more of a children's book than her others have been, but still had the great themes of bravery and integrity in it. Definitely worth reading.
Knights, Magic, Quests, and Little Singing Books 2008-06-13
Cornelia Funke has a winner with Igraine the Brave. Just right for the lovers of fairy tales, magic, or fantasy, on the sweeter side of "Harry Potter". Igraine is a spirited and loyal heroine, who uses her brain and her skills to help the people she cares about. The narrative was tight and engaging, with just enough whimsy to remind me of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles and some of Lloyd Alexander's light-hearted quest tales. This book is readable for any kid who can tackle the likes of Ramona Quimby or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Igraine's Tale 2007-12-19
Today I am reviewing one of my favorite books called Igraine the Brave. The author of Igraine the Brave is Cornelia Funke. My book takes place in kind of a fairy-tale setting with castles and plains and woods. The main character of my book, as you may have already guessed, is Igraine. The book starts on her twelfth birthday. Also, there is her brother Albert, her two parents, and a nasty, chubby man named Osmond. In this story, Igraine wants to become a knight, but her parents have had a hard mistake with their magic abilities. So she must set off on a journey to help them regain their rightful shape. But when she returns, something awful has happened to the castle.
My favorite part of the book was probably the end. This book does not start very exciting, but as any person that reads all the time will know, it gives you a very good feeling. This book is suspenseful, entertaining and, in the end, surprising. Although anyone can read this book, I don't really recommend it for boys, and I think girls ages 9 through 12 should read this book. I think this is a book that will stand out in your memory, so, Read It!!
By Rosalind
What more could go wrong? Young leisure readers will love the zany aspect of this story. 2007-12-04
Cornelia Funke's IGRAINE THE BRAVE tells of a nearly-twelve-year-old who dreams of becoming a famous knight, but life at the family castle is boring - until the nephew of the baroness-next-door shows up. Osmund plans to capture the castle and steal Igraine's magic singing books just as her parents mistakenly turn themselves into pigs. What more could go wrong? Young leisure readers will love the zany aspect of this story.
ingraine the brave 2007-12-04
Princess Igraine dreams of becoming a famous knight just like her great grandfather, but the truth is, life at the family castle is rather boring. Until the nephew of the baroness-next-door shows up. He's got a dastardly plan to capture the castle and claim as his own the wonderful singing spell books that belong to Igraine's magician parents. To make matters worse, at the very moment of the siege, her mom and dad botch a spell, turning themselves into pigs! Aided by a Gentle Giant and a Sorrowful Knight, it's up to Igraine to be brave and save the day--and the books!
Igraine the Brave 2007-10-18
Funke, Cornelia. Igraine the Brave. Scholastic Inc. 2007, c1998
This book adeptly combines fantasy and humor and it was great fun to read. Twelve-year old Igraine lives in Pimpernel Castle with her family who use and guard the "Singing books of Magic." She is terribly bored, "nothing exciting ever happens here." Her parents and brother are magicians but she wants to become a knight and have some adventures. She already wears the too large mail shirt that belonged to her great-great-grandfather and practices her sword skills with a dummy that she magically brings to life whenever she needs an opponent. It is the day before her birthday, and her parents and brother are working in the Enchanted Tower making a present for her when unexpectedly, a friend gallops in with the news that Osmund the Greedy wants the magic books and is going to attack the castle and, if this is not bad enough, shortly a magic mistake turns her parents into pigs. To change back to human form, Igraine's parents need hair from a giant so Igraine sets off to find a giant. She gets the hair and also meets the "Sorrowful Knight of the Mount of Tears" who returns with her to help save the castle from attack. Black and white illustrations created by the author are found throughout the book. 4th-6th graders, mostly girls I suppose, will giggle their way through this quick read.
Wonderful retelling of Night's Tale--with a twist 2007-10-15
Cornelia Funke is one of my favorite writers for children and young adults. In 2006 The Thief Lord found life in film, and in 2008, Helen Mirren will star in my favorite Cornelia Funke novel, Ink Heart. Ms. Funke is German-born and crossed the pond in 2005 to reside in the United States with her children.
Igraine is the daughter of the great magicians Melisande and Sir Lamorak the Wily of Pimpernael Castle and sister to Albert, magician in training. Igraine is the only member of her family who is not interested in magic. Her interest lies in becoming an accomplished and famous knight. Alas, an impossible fete for a girl living in her time.
Life isn't terribly exciting at Pimpernael castle. There have been no attacks since Igraine was born. But life at the castle is about to change. Osmund, nephew of the Baroness of Darkrock, has plans to attack the castle and steal the famous Singing Books of Magic.
Just before Igraine's twelfth birthday, there is a slight problem with a spell-and her parents turn into pigs. As pigs they are unable to make magic. But parents-turned-pigs don't dampen Igraine's birthday celebration. She is delighted with her gift of a silver suit of armor, complete with helmet.
But life turns serious in short order. Osmund is on the march and all are in peril. With the help of a Giant, a Sorrowful Knight, Sisyphus the cat (who is able to speak after a sprinkling of red magic powder) and brother Albert, Igraine will attempt to defeat Osmund.
Igraine the Brave is the retelling of a Night's Tale with a twist. It's a delightful story filled with whimsy, magic and fantasy. The good are really good and the bad are evil. Courage and determination are celebrated and hope is never far away. Middle Readers will enjoy curling up with this book, and I think that it's a great book to read to the younger children.
Armchair Interviews says: Igraine the Brave is a must read. And check out Cornelia Funke's other novels. They are stunning.
