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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
4.5 stars
Oh my! What a wonderfully enchanting tale! I was never a huge fan of Peter Pan, but this book made me one. It's such an exciting and captivating journey.
The characters were awesome. So complex and layered. Narration switched between Claire and Peter, but I never got confused by who's POV I was reading. They were both very distinct and fascinating in their own way. When there's more than one POV, I usually have one I gravitate to more, but that wasn't the case here. They were both so great. There's no way I could pick a favorite.
I fully expected not to like Peter. And I didn't to begin with. But as the story progressed, he really grew on me. Yes, he's still that same mischievous, arrogant, selfish boy we all know, but his character growth from the beginning of the story to the end was huge. I couldn't help but like him in the end. I really appreciated the little glimpses of his backstory too. It really helped me understand him better.
I had a blast reading Dust and highly recommend it to anyone who has ever loved fairy tales. It was a great twist on a classic. I'm super anxious for the sequel!
Oh my! What a wonderfully enchanting tale! I was never a huge fan of Peter Pan, but this book made me one. It's such an exciting and captivating journey.
The characters were awesome. So complex and layered. Narration switched between Claire and Peter, but I never got confused by who's POV I was reading. They were both very distinct and fascinating in their own way. When there's more than one POV, I usually have one I gravitate to more, but that wasn't the case here. They were both so great. There's no way I could pick a favorite.
I fully expected not to like Peter. And I didn't to begin with. But as the story progressed, he really grew on me. Yes, he's still that same mischievous, arrogant, selfish boy we all know, but his character growth from the beginning of the story to the end was huge. I couldn't help but like him in the end. I really appreciated the little glimpses of his backstory too. It really helped me understand him better.
I had a blast reading Dust and highly recommend it to anyone who has ever loved fairy tales. It was a great twist on a classic. I'm super anxious for the sequel!
Besides the awkward writing that also took itself WAY too seriously, there was only enough plot to warrant about 25% the length of the book - at most. The twist at the end was about the only truly interesting thing that happened, but I definitely won't be picking up book 2 to find out where it goes. Bummer.
LOOK AT THAT COVER!!!
(I keep looking at it. It's hard not to.)
This isn't so much a retelling as a sort of neo-sequel paying homage to the beloved classic.
The writing itself is above par. The characterization is pretty solid, and the emotional conveyance is raw. But I didn't really feel connected to the characters.
(I keep looking at it. It's hard not to.)
This isn't so much a retelling as a sort of neo-sequel paying homage to the beloved classic.
The writing itself is above par. The characterization is pretty solid, and the emotional conveyance is raw. But I didn't really feel connected to the characters.
Taking a dive into Neverland has never felt so...sad. Lonely. Adventerous. Real.
Kara Swanson's new book, Dust, is a retelling of Peter Pan, taking the innocent story for children and turning into something darker. Something more grown up. Claire Kenton, an orphan and a girl with a gift that she doesn't understand, wants one thing in life--to get her brother back. She doesn't know where he is, or if he's even still alive. All she knows is that he was kidnapped by Peter Pan.
All Peter wants is to return to Neverland. Since a catastrophe that left him and many other iconic characters such as Hook, Tigerlily, and the pixies, stranded in London, he has grown from a boy to a teenager. And he longs to return before he loses his childhood forever.
The narrative of the story launches quickly into Claire's adventures and her search for her brother. Dust is lined with mysteries that left me hungering to know more, and magic that left me smiling. While the tone of Dust is more adult than the story of Peter Pan ever was, it still holds notes of that childlike innocence that draws the reader in.
Swanson's characters are given depth, as each struggle with their own internal battles--Claire suffers from depression and self-hatred. Pan is running from his past. And both are pursuing a path to Neverland for their own reasons.
Overall, Dust is a heavy read, dealing with modern issues with grace and forgiveness. I really enjoyed the retelling but ached somewhat at the childlike innocence taken from it. Still, it was a delightful book, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves Peter Pan, fantasy, retellings, and stories that deal with mental health.
Kara Swanson's new book, Dust, is a retelling of Peter Pan, taking the innocent story for children and turning into something darker. Something more grown up. Claire Kenton, an orphan and a girl with a gift that she doesn't understand, wants one thing in life--to get her brother back. She doesn't know where he is, or if he's even still alive. All she knows is that he was kidnapped by Peter Pan.
All Peter wants is to return to Neverland. Since a catastrophe that left him and many other iconic characters such as Hook, Tigerlily, and the pixies, stranded in London, he has grown from a boy to a teenager. And he longs to return before he loses his childhood forever.
The narrative of the story launches quickly into Claire's adventures and her search for her brother. Dust is lined with mysteries that left me hungering to know more, and magic that left me smiling. While the tone of Dust is more adult than the story of Peter Pan ever was, it still holds notes of that childlike innocence that draws the reader in.
Swanson's characters are given depth, as each struggle with their own internal battles--Claire suffers from depression and self-hatred. Pan is running from his past. And both are pursuing a path to Neverland for their own reasons.
Overall, Dust is a heavy read, dealing with modern issues with grace and forgiveness. I really enjoyed the retelling but ached somewhat at the childlike innocence taken from it. Still, it was a delightful book, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves Peter Pan, fantasy, retellings, and stories that deal with mental health.
Peter Pan is my absolute favorite Disney story so I was really excited to read this book. I've read a lot of retellings of Peter Pan but this one was so different than any I've read before.
The story was completely unique and the characters were likeable even when they were being the worst. And trust me, there were times when Peter could've avoided a problem with just a little bit of communication but ultimately his lack of ability to be honest was so in character I couldn't even be mad about it.
The book follows Claire Kenton and her journey to figure out what happened to her twin brother Connor. When her internet friend, N, tells her that the last place Connor was spotted was London, England she sells all her belongings and travels to London where she meets some familiar characters such as Tiger Lily, Captain Hook, a crew of Lost boys, a Darling descendant and most importantly Peter Pan. Peter's worst fear is growing up but Claire brings something out of him that he's not quite ready to face.
Overall, I found the story to be super unique and intriguing and I absolutely cannot wait for the next book to come out. The book ended with a major ball of truth finally being revealed after being hinted at and talked around for the majority of the book and I'm so excited to see what happens when Claire and Peter finally get to Neverland.
The story was completely unique and the characters were likeable even when they were being the worst. And trust me, there were times when Peter could've avoided a problem with just a little bit of communication but ultimately his lack of ability to be honest was so in character I couldn't even be mad about it.
The book follows Claire Kenton and her journey to figure out what happened to her twin brother Connor. When her internet friend, N, tells her that the last place Connor was spotted was London, England she sells all her belongings and travels to London where she meets some familiar characters such as Tiger Lily, Captain Hook, a crew of Lost boys, a Darling descendant and most importantly Peter Pan. Peter's worst fear is growing up but Claire brings something out of him that he's not quite ready to face.
Overall, I found the story to be super unique and intriguing and I absolutely cannot wait for the next book to come out. The book ended with a major ball of truth finally being revealed after being hinted at and talked around for the majority of the book and I'm so excited to see what happens when Claire and Peter finally get to Neverland.
You have to understand, I wanted to rate this 5 stars so badly. I'm absolutely enamored.
Of course, anything Peter Pan already has my whole heart. But this... Wow.
It's a children's book, so while I felt like it wasn't dark enough... I have to give it some slack. They'd almost get there, and then back off. But that's okay.
It's not my favorite writing style in the world, and sometimes the passiveness of the scenes irked me. As did the denseness of Claire, because the truth was right in front of her and she didn't know.
But overall, I loved it. I'm going to read the next book right now and ahhhhhh.
I loved the characterization, especially with how fierce tiger Lily is. I love Peter's character, because he perfectly embodies a child who hasn't grown up. And hook... Gah.
Claire got on my nerves a bit. But so does Wendy in every single Peter pan book ever (expect for Lost in the never woods). I had a feeling about N's true identity.
I'm kind of all over the place right now. I can't get the clock tower scene out of my head. And Peter?? What was that fake name?? Grrr
Of course, anything Peter Pan already has my whole heart. But this... Wow.
It's a children's book, so while I felt like it wasn't dark enough... I have to give it some slack. They'd almost get there, and then back off. But that's okay.
It's not my favorite writing style in the world, and sometimes the passiveness of the scenes irked me. As did the denseness of Claire, because the truth was right in front of her and she didn't know.
But overall, I loved it. I'm going to read the next book right now and ahhhhhh.
I loved the characterization, especially with how fierce tiger Lily is. I love Peter's character, because he perfectly embodies a child who hasn't grown up. And hook... Gah.
Claire got on my nerves a bit. But so does Wendy in every single Peter pan book ever (expect for Lost in the never woods). I had a feeling about N's true identity.
I'm kind of all over the place right now. I can't get the clock tower scene out of my head. And Peter?? What was that fake name?? Grrr
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
“‘You were created for more than to bear the weight of your shadows—but you have to choose to no longer let them define you. You have to choose to let the light shine through the shattered pieces.’”
This was absolutely Magical. ☺️✨🧚🤩
I was spellbound the first time I read this when it came out, and it was every bit as gripping the second time around!
Dust was my first introduction to Kara’s writing and I’ve read all her books since. Fun fact: it was also my introduction to Enclave Publishing, which because of this GORGEOUS cover, my family had dubbed Enclave as the official “pretty book cover company.” A very well deserved endorsement. 🤩
Peter Pan has had my heart ever since childhood when I watched the Disney version over and over. This grown-up, darker, grittier version of the beloved classic was everything my heart needed. 🥹💛
Holy guacamole that was FANTASTIC!!! where's the second book? XD also...the cover is absolutely gorgeous and I need it
Excellent debut novel from Kara Swanson (though I know I'm years late reading it). The development of Peter, Tiger Lily, Hook and even Jeremy Darling was excellent. I thought Claire was an interesting character, her powers definitely were. It's intriguing how Claire's dust changes. This book also has some great quotes, though this one was my favorite:
“You were created for more than to bear the weight of your shadows - but you have to choose to no longer let them define you. You have to choose to let the light shine through the shattered pieces.”
“You were created for more than to bear the weight of your shadows - but you have to choose to no longer let them define you. You have to choose to let the light shine through the shattered pieces.”
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated