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retrogirlreads's review
5.0
Wendy Maynard is an orphan who’s always been inexplicably drawn to the sea. On her first day after leaving the orphanage, Wendy runs into a thief who steals her most prized possession. When she chases him, she gets mixed up into the world of Neverland - a land she will never be allowed to leave. Thrust into the middle of a feud she wants no part in, Wendy must now work with her unwilling allies in order to save them all from the deadly blight that plagues them.
Okay, so I’m a sucker for fairytale retellings, and this one did not disappoint! “A Land of Never After” is a darkly twisted retelling of the classic story Peter Pan, but Davennor 100% manages to leave her mark and make these well known characters her own. Her writing style is grim, unique, and exquisite, and I loved it!!
Wendy. I admire her a lot, she’s had a hard life, and yes, she’s somewhat bitter, but she hasn’t let it consume her. Peter. He’s young, alone, and afraid, but there is still so much good in him despite the fact that life has hardened him around the edges. Hook. Now, there are so many twists and turns in Davennor’s version of events, but what she has done with Hook might be my favorite element of this novella. No spoilers, but you guys are going to love it!!
All in all, it was an exciting, fast-paced read that I enjoyed tremendously. I would recommend this novella to any fans of twisted tales or fairytale retellings!
Okay, so I’m a sucker for fairytale retellings, and this one did not disappoint! “A Land of Never After” is a darkly twisted retelling of the classic story Peter Pan, but Davennor 100% manages to leave her mark and make these well known characters her own. Her writing style is grim, unique, and exquisite, and I loved it!!
Wendy. I admire her a lot, she’s had a hard life, and yes, she’s somewhat bitter, but she hasn’t let it consume her. Peter. He’s young, alone, and afraid, but there is still so much good in him despite the fact that life has hardened him around the edges. Hook. Now, there are so many twists and turns in Davennor’s version of events, but what she has done with Hook might be my favorite element of this novella. No spoilers, but you guys are going to love it!!
All in all, it was an exciting, fast-paced read that I enjoyed tremendously. I would recommend this novella to any fans of twisted tales or fairytale retellings!
kaelizaco's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Abandonment, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Death
eforw's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
There are only a few things better than fairytale retellings: Neverland and Wonderland retellings! So, when I scrolled through BookSirens and saw this book it was almost impossible to say no. Especially because the concept of the book sounded quite original, which is quite hard when it comes to a story this famous and this often retold. And since I needed to live in another world for a little moment today, I decided to dive into this book and visit Neverland.
As already hoped this concept was quite original. I have to admit that I would have loved to see a little more of this version of Neverland. The elements we saw were amazing, but I somehow get the impression there was a lot more to discover in this forest and yet we barely got the chance to do so. Understandably, because there were some serious issues that needed to be taken care of, but still. Part of the Neverland charm is Neverland and I think it deserved a bigger role in this story.
However, the interesting and well thought out plot totally makes up for it. It's quite clear that something shady is going on from the beginning, but Davennor knows how and when to release the answers and when to get us more information. Just like she clearly knows how to make sure her info-dumps never really feel and sound like info-dumps. And even though a big part of the plot is wrapped up quite neatly, there is plenty to keep us hooked (that was on purpose) to read the next book.
And I certainly plan on reading the next book, because I'm surely not ready to let these characters go yet. It feels like their story has only just begun. We have so much to learn now the characters are free to explore the world and yet in a way also on a very tight schedule before the aging progress catches up with Peter and turns him into something he has never been and will never be. And I can't wait to reconnect with the characters on their next adventure!
As already hoped this concept was quite original. I have to admit that I would have loved to see a little more of this version of Neverland. The elements we saw were amazing, but I somehow get the impression there was a lot more to discover in this forest and yet we barely got the chance to do so. Understandably, because there were some serious issues that needed to be taken care of, but still. Part of the Neverland charm is Neverland and I think it deserved a bigger role in this story.
However, the interesting and well thought out plot totally makes up for it. It's quite clear that something shady is going on from the beginning, but Davennor knows how and when to release the answers and when to get us more information. Just like she clearly knows how to make sure her info-dumps never really feel and sound like info-dumps. And even though a big part of the plot is wrapped up quite neatly, there is plenty to keep us hooked (that was on purpose) to read the next book.
And I certainly plan on reading the next book, because I'm surely not ready to let these characters go yet. It feels like their story has only just begun. We have so much to learn now the characters are free to explore the world and yet in a way also on a very tight schedule before the aging progress catches up with Peter and turns him into something he has never been and will never be. And I can't wait to reconnect with the characters on their next adventure!
meisbooknook's review
3.0
Let me first start out by saying that I love the tale of Peter Pan. The author added her own unique twist and made it into something darker, and more sinister. It was truly an entertaining read!
I found the backdrop of Neverland fascinating. It certainly wasn't the one that we all grew up with. A deadly forest that draws you in, and won't let you go, the strange beasts that roam it, and the deadly creatures of the deep. I wish we had spent a bit more time exploring this wonderful world, but I understand that this was a more character driven plot.
I loved the LGBTQIA+ representation in this story. Since I am not of this community, I cannot speak to how accurate it was - but I thought it fit the characters well!
I enjoyed that all of the characters were nowhere near carbon copies of their OG counterparts. Of course Peter and Hook still hated each other. But they are driven by completely different things than in the original tale. This author made me actually like Wendy! She's such a strong, resilient character.
I do wish that this story was longer. I feel like the instant connection between Peter and Wendy was taken advantage of, and never fully hashed out on paper. I wish I could've seen more of the days they spent together, before moving onto the next, integral part of the tale. They feel strongly for each other - that much is obvious, but we are missing how they got there. I hope to see more between them in future installments of this series.
Overall, I do believe that this was a good start to the series! I am curious to see where this goes next - especially because I did not anticipate the direction that the sequel is going in. I look forward to reading the rest of Wendy, Peter, Hook, Scarlett & Elveria's story!
I found the backdrop of Neverland fascinating. It certainly wasn't the one that we all grew up with. A deadly forest that draws you in, and won't let you go, the strange beasts that roam it, and the deadly creatures of the deep. I wish we had spent a bit more time exploring this wonderful world, but I understand that this was a more character driven plot.
I loved the LGBTQIA+ representation in this story. Since I am not of this community, I cannot speak to how accurate it was - but I thought it fit the characters well!
I enjoyed that all of the characters were nowhere near carbon copies of their OG counterparts. Of course Peter and Hook still hated each other. But they are driven by completely different things than in the original tale. This author made me actually like Wendy! She's such a strong, resilient character.
I do wish that this story was longer. I feel like the instant connection between Peter and Wendy was taken advantage of, and never fully hashed out on paper. I wish I could've seen more of the days they spent together, before moving onto the next, integral part of the tale. They feel strongly for each other - that much is obvious, but we are missing how they got there. I hope to see more between them in future installments of this series.
Overall, I do believe that this was a good start to the series! I am curious to see where this goes next - especially because I did not anticipate the direction that the sequel is going in. I look forward to reading the rest of Wendy, Peter, Hook, Scarlett & Elveria's story!
kaeliwolf's review against another edition
4.0
This is like the adult version of Peter Pan, it gives me very Alice in Wonderland vibes, but similar to A.G. Howard's version. This is definitely a great retelling that I will be rereading in the future whenever I need Peter Pan vibes in my life.
nolaaa's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
dezzella's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This has a really cool, dark beginning! The curse, neverland, all that was a fun setup. I was hooked.
But about halfway through the pacing started to feel weird for me and I thought some of the characters changed for no reason.
Still an interesting read and loved the queer representation. I'm willing to bet the pacing of the next one feels better. It wasn't enough to pull me out of the story fully. Also, the Serpent is probably one of my favourite characters here.
But about halfway through the pacing started to feel weird for me and I thought some of the characters changed for no reason.
Still an interesting read and loved the queer representation. I'm willing to bet the pacing of the next one feels better. It wasn't enough to pull me out of the story fully. Also, the Serpent is probably one of my favourite characters here.
sabine_beans's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5