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kristinasshelves's review against another edition
4.0
Peter Pan is real.
Claire has been searching for her twin brother, Conner, for the past five years. Their mother abandoned them as babies and they've only really had each other throughout their tumultuous lives. The only remnant Claire has is Conner's battered copy of [b:Peter Pan|34268|Peter Pan|J.M. Barrie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1337714526l/34268._SX50_.jpg|1358908]. She gets information that Conner was taken to London, so she leaves everything behind to find answers. Once there, Claire encounters Captain Hook and his pirates, the Lost Boys, Tiger Lily and Peter Pan himself under a pseudonym. As she realizes that the story she knows so well is not fiction, she learns more about her place in the world and the power that lives inside of her.
Peter is just as much a villain as Hook, leaving both Claire and the reader constantly guessing at who can be trusted as more is discovered about the realities of Neverland and what has become of Conner. This ended on a cliffhanger and I cannot wait until [b:Shadow|50396157|Shadow (Heirs of Neverland, #2)|Kara Swanson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1614213283l/50396157._SX50_.jpg|75354910] is released in two days!
As far as retellings go, Kara Swanson did an excellent job blending the original story of Peter Pan with her own modern twists. This is a YA book, so the romance that is hinted at was predictable, but the rest of the plot was fantastic. I loved the themes of finding your own worth and the dubious nature given to all of the character.
This title is released through Enclave Publishing, who focus on Christian Science-fiction and fantasy. I would not have guessed this book to be categorized as Christian fiction, but it is clean and contains a message of hope. There is a passage about light overcoming darkness, but in relation to magic, so not exactly what I'd consider an allegory. Tiger Lily also references her tribes deity "Ever One" who hung the stars in the sky which I can see being analogous to God, but is also a stretch.
Claire has been searching for her twin brother, Conner, for the past five years. Their mother abandoned them as babies and they've only really had each other throughout their tumultuous lives. The only remnant Claire has is Conner's battered copy of [b:Peter Pan|34268|Peter Pan|J.M. Barrie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1337714526l/34268._SX50_.jpg|1358908]. She gets information that Conner was taken to London, so she leaves everything behind to find answers. Once there, Claire encounters Captain Hook and his pirates, the Lost Boys, Tiger Lily and Peter Pan himself under a pseudonym. As she realizes that the story she knows so well is not fiction, she learns more about her place in the world and the power that lives inside of her.
Peter is just as much a villain as Hook, leaving both Claire and the reader constantly guessing at who can be trusted as more is discovered about the realities of Neverland and what has become of Conner. This ended on a cliffhanger and I cannot wait until [b:Shadow|50396157|Shadow (Heirs of Neverland, #2)|Kara Swanson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1614213283l/50396157._SX50_.jpg|75354910] is released in two days!
As far as retellings go, Kara Swanson did an excellent job blending the original story of Peter Pan with her own modern twists. This is a YA book, so the romance that is hinted at was predictable, but the rest of the plot was fantastic. I loved the themes of finding your own worth and the dubious nature given to all of the character.
This title is released through Enclave Publishing, who focus on Christian Science-fiction and fantasy. I would not have guessed this book to be categorized as Christian fiction, but it is clean and contains a message of hope. There is a passage about light overcoming darkness, but in relation to magic, so not exactly what I'd consider an allegory. Tiger Lily also references her tribes deity "Ever One" who hung the stars in the sky which I can see being analogous to God, but is also a stretch.
kalie_universe_pristineprose's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
anplica's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
cbear550's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm and Suicide attempt
talesuponmyshelf_'s review
2.0
2.75 stars. It was an interesting take on Peter Pan but I didn't get into the story.
janie_books's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
louturnspages's review against another edition
5.0
“This is what I thought Peter Pan should have been—light and clever and playful, but also caring for the world around him in a way no one else could.”
Wow, I am not even sure what to say about this absolutely beautiful book. It was gorgeous. The story, the setting, the characters, they were all so richly developed.
Dust explores the darker side of the Peter Pan story which makes total sense because there are so many obviously dark elements in that story, but Kara Swanson manages to weave those fantastical storylines into a compelling and important exploration of some very real-life themes.
Swanson masterfully walks the line between the necessity of the magic of childhood wonder and imagination and the beauty and significance of learning the grown up realities of love and accountability for our actions.
Both of the protagonists are learning how to accept themselves although from opposite ends of self-awareness and perception. The book also repeatedly returns to the questions of what happens when we run from our past choices or refuse to take a stand when it matters most.
The story was truly exceptional, and even as it examines some of the hardest realities of the world (which it absolutely does-the foster care system, mental health issues, self-harm), it manages to still be whimsical and full of hope. This book was absolute magic. I am still reeling a bit from finishing it. Dust was so much more than I had even hoped, and I cannot wait for its sequel to come out this summer.
Wow, I am not even sure what to say about this absolutely beautiful book. It was gorgeous. The story, the setting, the characters, they were all so richly developed.
Dust explores the darker side of the Peter Pan story which makes total sense because there are so many obviously dark elements in that story, but Kara Swanson manages to weave those fantastical storylines into a compelling and important exploration of some very real-life themes.
Swanson masterfully walks the line between the necessity of the magic of childhood wonder and imagination and the beauty and significance of learning the grown up realities of love and accountability for our actions.
Both of the protagonists are learning how to accept themselves although from opposite ends of self-awareness and perception. The book also repeatedly returns to the questions of what happens when we run from our past choices or refuse to take a stand when it matters most.
The story was truly exceptional, and even as it examines some of the hardest realities of the world (which it absolutely does-the foster care system, mental health issues, self-harm), it manages to still be whimsical and full of hope. This book was absolute magic. I am still reeling a bit from finishing it. Dust was so much more than I had even hoped, and I cannot wait for its sequel to come out this summer.
bookwormkkj's review against another edition
4.0
Apparently I was not in the right mood for this book when I first started it, because, after taking some time away from it, I devoured the second half. The story’s magic took a little longer to seep under my skin. Now I am eagerly anticipating the second book.
It is a delightful read if you give it the chance. ;)
Would definitely recommend.
It is a delightful read if you give it the chance. ;)
Would definitely recommend.
suzreadz42's review against another edition
5.0
I love retellings, and I love Neverland retellings even more. Needless to say, this book was a BLAST.
lookslikerheyn's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Minus half a star for the sheer number of occurrences of the phrase "tribal princess."