Cornelia Funke Books in Order

Where to Start Your Journey

If you are new to Cornelia Funke, your best starting point depends on the kind of adventure you are looking for:

• For Epic Fantasy Lovers: Begin with Inkheart. It is her masterpiece and a love letter to the power of books, reading, and storytelling.
• For a Quick, Magical Standalone: Read The Thief Lord. Set in the canals and hidden rooftops of Venice, it is a self-contained mystery that perfectly captures her signature blend of childhood innocence and dark whimsy.
• For Younger Readers or Whimsical Adventure: Start with Dragon Rider, which offers a heartwarming quest filled with fantastical creatures.

The Inkworld (Inkheart) Series in Order

The Inkworld series is Funke’s most celebrated work. It tells the story of Meggie and her father Mo, a bookbinder who possesses the rare ability to read characters out of books and into the real world. After a long hiatus, Funke returned to this world in recent years, expanding it beyond the original trilogy.

We recommend reading these books in strict publication order, as they follow a continuous, complex narrative:

1. Inkheart (2003)
2. Inkspell (2005)
3. Inkdeath (2007)
4. The Colour of Revenge (2024 English release; 2023 German release)

The Colour of Revenge (originally published in German as Die Farbe der Rache) is a direct sequel set five years after the events of Inkdeath, shifting the spotlight to the former villain Orpheus and the fire-dancer Dustfinger.

The Mirrorworld (Reckless) Series in Order

The Mirrorworld series is a darker, more mature portal fantasy series that draws heavily on the dark, unfiltered fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm and other global folklore. It follows Jacob Reckless, who discovers a portal behind a mirror in his father’s study to a world where fairy tales are real, dangerous, and technologically evolving.

Note that this series has suffered from significant title changes between UK/US publishers and original German editions, which can confuse readers:

1. Reckless (2010) — Also published in some editions as The Petrified Flesh.
2. Fearless (2012) — Also published in some markets as Living Shadows.
3. The Golden Yarn (2015)
4. The Silver Tracks (2020/2021)

For the complete Mirrorworld experience, you can also read the companion works:

• The MirrorWorld Anthology (2013) — A collection of side stories that expand the lore of the world.
• The Glass of Lead and Gold (2018) — A companion novella set in the Mirrorworld universe.

The Dragon Rider Series in Order

Initially a standalone fantasy novel about Firedrake, a young silver dragon, and his search for the legendary Rim of Heaven, this universe was later expanded into a trilogy. It is ideal for middle-grade readers who love mythology and travel adventures.

1. Dragon Rider (1997 German; 2004 English)
2. The Griffin's Feather (2016)
3. The Aurelia Curse (2021)

Ghosthunters Series in Order

For younger readers, the Ghosthunters series features Tom Golden, a boy who teams up with a friendly ghost named Hugo and a professional ghosthunter named Hetty Hyssop. These books are comedic, fast-paced, and structured as episodic mysteries:

1. Ghosthunters and the Incredibly Revolting Ghost (1993)
2. Ghosthunters and the Gruesome Invincible Lightning Ghost! (1994)
3. Ghosthunters and the Totally Moldy Baroness! (1995) — Also published as Ghosthunters and the Totally Moldy Baron!
4. Ghosthunters and the Muddy Monster of Doom! (1995)

The Wild Chicks (Die Wilden Hühner / C.H.I.X.) Series

In German-speaking countries, Die Wilden Hühner is one of Funke's most famous and beloved contemporary series, tracking a group of young girls as they navigate school, friendship, and growing up. However, its English release has been highly sporadic and incomplete, often appearing under different titles or brandings like "C.H.I.X." or The Summer Gang. The core series includes:

• Die Wilden Hühner (1993) — Translated in some versions as The Wild Chicks or The Summer Gang.
• Class Trip (1996) — German: Die Wilden Hühner auf Klassenfahrt.

Because these editions are frequently out of print in English markets, physical copies are typically sourced through second-hand booksellers.

Must-Read Standalone Novels

While Funke is famous for her expansive fantasy series, her standalone novels are highly acclaimed. If you want a complete story in a single volume, check these out:

• The Thief Lord (2000 German; 2002 English) — A magical mystery about orphan brothers hiding in Venice among a gang of street children.
• Igraine the Brave (2007) — A humorous, empowering tale of a young girl who wants to be a knight rather than a magician, featuring Funke's own illustrations.
• Ghost Knight (2011) — A historical ghost story set at a boarding school in Salisbury, combining medieval history with spooky adventure.
• The Labyrinth of the Faun (2019) — A dark fantasy novelization of the film Pan's Labyrinth, co-authored with director Guillermo del Toro, suitable for older teens and adults.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into Funke’s bibliographical map, keep a few details in mind. First, be aware of age transitions. While Ghosthunters is suitable for early readers, Inkheart transitions into young adult territory with darker themes, and the Mirrorworld series contains intense scenarios and violence meant for older teens and adults. Second, pay attention to the illustrations; Funke trained as an illustrator and has hand-drawn the artwork in many of her books, including Igraine the Brave, giving them a personal touch that is best enjoyed in physical or print-replica editions.