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annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
2.0
There are actual two fictional worlds that I truly love. Wonderland and Neverland. And it's both for the same reason. The possibilities of those two worlds, of explanations, origin stories, follow up stories, exploring and expanding, are endless. Everything you can dream of, everything you can imagine. It can happen in Wonderland and Neverland. So, every time I find a new retelling starring one of those worlds I'm curious.
And the start of this book was actually kinda promising. We get a nice explanation of magic in this world and why adults are trying to keep it away from children. It's a pity that we never truly get a chance to make up our mind on that point of view. Apart from a very brief explanation and a glimpse of the aftermath, we see nothing of our world, of our side of the conflict. Which actually makes the war part of this story a little dull by default. While it could have been really interesting, as I think I would be able to understand both parts of the conflict.
The biggest part of the book takes however place in Neverland, with Peter Pan and his lost children (in this tale he clearly doesn't care if they are boys or girls). But for some reason the magic of the world and the wonder of it never really shines through. Maybe I was just too tired, but I didn't feel the thrill of Neverland, the danger, the playground, all fantasies coming to life. Every scene we read I already knew. It never really felt vivid or original or mesmerizing. Which is a pity, because I think that was the point of the story, showing us how wonderful Neverland is and what Peter is actively fighting for. His side of the conflict. It just doesn't work.
And to make it even worse, the characters never really did it for me either. Gwen comes across as stupid. And it's kinda hard to follow her choices and feelings, because I never really felt them myself. Peter is a cardboard version of himself. I don't feel like I know this Peter. I didn't see his true colors and even scenes that normally have a huge impact on me just didn't do it. I didn't care about any of these characters, because they weren't vivid, because I didn't connect with them, because they were just there.
If you're like me and looking for a great Neverland story, this one is clearly not it. (I personally really like Colleen Oakes' Wendy Darling series. It's slow, very slow, but the atmosphere, the world and the characters are breathtakingly amazing!)
And the start of this book was actually kinda promising. We get a nice explanation of magic in this world and why adults are trying to keep it away from children. It's a pity that we never truly get a chance to make up our mind on that point of view. Apart from a very brief explanation and a glimpse of the aftermath, we see nothing of our world, of our side of the conflict. Which actually makes the war part of this story a little dull by default. While it could have been really interesting, as I think I would be able to understand both parts of the conflict.
The biggest part of the book takes however place in Neverland, with Peter Pan and his lost children (in this tale he clearly doesn't care if they are boys or girls). But for some reason the magic of the world and the wonder of it never really shines through. Maybe I was just too tired, but I didn't feel the thrill of Neverland, the danger, the playground, all fantasies coming to life. Every scene we read I already knew. It never really felt vivid or original or mesmerizing. Which is a pity, because I think that was the point of the story, showing us how wonderful Neverland is and what Peter is actively fighting for. His side of the conflict. It just doesn't work.
And to make it even worse, the characters never really did it for me either. Gwen comes across as stupid. And it's kinda hard to follow her choices and feelings, because I never really felt them myself. Peter is a cardboard version of himself. I don't feel like I know this Peter. I didn't see his true colors and even scenes that normally have a huge impact on me just didn't do it. I didn't care about any of these characters, because they weren't vivid, because I didn't connect with them, because they were just there.
If you're like me and looking for a great Neverland story, this one is clearly not it. (I personally really like Colleen Oakes' Wendy Darling series. It's slow, very slow, but the atmosphere, the world and the characters are breathtakingly amazing!)
the_horror_maven's review against another edition
3.0
There are many Peter Pan retellings or stories that connect to the main ideas thereof, but The Neverland Wars is probably the most original novel in this section of the genre that I have read. It borrows the concept of Neverland and the magic that makes Neverland tick, and it brings it to reality by mixing it with today's adults and our societal needs.
"Teenage Dream" played on, but Gwen found herself wondering if skin-tight jeans and sex on the beach really were supposed to be the height of teenage ambition. If that was what teenage dreams were, then what kind of dreams did Gwen have? Before she even made it to school, she turned the music, tired of listening to a woman ten years older than her sing about what it was to be young forever.
The beginning of this novel hit it off for me. I couldn't put it down and I thought that the writing was witty and realistic. I connected immediately with our main character, Gwen, and how she felt like an old soul when compared to her teenage peers. Her personality is displayed perfectly in the quote above, and that quote is probably one of my favorites in young adult literature now because it is so true. The pace of the book was great, but as soon as the first few chapters passed, the story sped up too quickly and morphed to a childish, unrealistic plot.
That being said, Audrey Greathouse has great potential. Her writing is entertaining, but the way that she moved the story in the direction of humans using Neverland's magic for themselves ended up being silly and unrealistic when it could have been presented better. It seemed as though her characters weren't taking the situation seriously, and because of that, I didn't either. Gwen also changed from the thoughtful teenager demonstrated above, to another whiny teenager who I came to dislike by the end of the novel. I didn't find myself rooting for the characters like I had in the beginning, and that was a let down for me. If this novel and its plot were reexamined to fix the inconsistencies of the characters, I am sure that it would win me back over. That being said, there are many quotes that I do love in this novel and will be keeping, but the plot and characters just slid downhill as the story went on. The Neverland Wars has a great premise for a story, and while I am sure that younger adults will adore it, it just wasn't for me.
Whatever happens, we love each other. And that's more important than magic.
"Teenage Dream" played on, but Gwen found herself wondering if skin-tight jeans and sex on the beach really were supposed to be the height of teenage ambition. If that was what teenage dreams were, then what kind of dreams did Gwen have? Before she even made it to school, she turned the music, tired of listening to a woman ten years older than her sing about what it was to be young forever.
The beginning of this novel hit it off for me. I couldn't put it down and I thought that the writing was witty and realistic. I connected immediately with our main character, Gwen, and how she felt like an old soul when compared to her teenage peers. Her personality is displayed perfectly in the quote above, and that quote is probably one of my favorites in young adult literature now because it is so true. The pace of the book was great, but as soon as the first few chapters passed, the story sped up too quickly and morphed to a childish, unrealistic plot.
That being said, Audrey Greathouse has great potential. Her writing is entertaining, but the way that she moved the story in the direction of humans using Neverland's magic for themselves ended up being silly and unrealistic when it could have been presented better. It seemed as though her characters weren't taking the situation seriously, and because of that, I didn't either. Gwen also changed from the thoughtful teenager demonstrated above, to another whiny teenager who I came to dislike by the end of the novel. I didn't find myself rooting for the characters like I had in the beginning, and that was a let down for me. If this novel and its plot were reexamined to fix the inconsistencies of the characters, I am sure that it would win me back over. That being said, there are many quotes that I do love in this novel and will be keeping, but the plot and characters just slid downhill as the story went on. The Neverland Wars has a great premise for a story, and while I am sure that younger adults will adore it, it just wasn't for me.
Whatever happens, we love each other. And that's more important than magic.
breakingmandy's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't actually finish this book. I just couldn't get into it. It was a little to juvenile for me for a teen book. Maybe someday I'll pick it up again, but right now I've got other things I want to read.
coffeelitmama's review against another edition
4.0
*Spoilers*
I thought this book was a fun retelling of a childhood favorite. I liked Gwen, being the older girl venturing to Neverland and rediscovering some of her childhood curiosity and impulsiveness. Everything in Neverland was well described and easy to picture. I loved Peters little gang that he had going on. However, it seemed like the ending just appeared out of nowhere. There wasn't a lot of development on the whole war respect of the book, then BAM there's a bombing, Gwen goes home to a party, and some shady police officers show up. Then there's the end of the book. It was interesting though and I would like to read the next one in the series.
I thought this book was a fun retelling of a childhood favorite. I liked Gwen, being the older girl venturing to Neverland and rediscovering some of her childhood curiosity and impulsiveness. Everything in Neverland was well described and easy to picture. I loved Peters little gang that he had going on. However, it seemed like the ending just appeared out of nowhere. There wasn't a lot of development on the whole war respect of the book, then BAM there's a bombing, Gwen goes home to a party, and some shady police officers show up. Then there's the end of the book. It was interesting though and I would like to read the next one in the series.
spinch4's review against another edition
1.0
Some parts were slightly enjoyable but then the ending scene was horrible
quietlyflourishing's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
betwixt_the_pages's review against another edition
3.0
Magic can do a lot—give you flight, show you mermaids, help you taste the stars, and… solve the budget crisis? That's what the grown-ups will do with it if they ever make it to Neverland to steal its magic and bring their children home.
However, Gwen doesn't know this. She's just a sixteen-year-old girl with a place on the debate team and a powerful crush on Jay, the soon-to-be homecoming king. She doesn't know her little sister could actually run away with Peter Pan, or that she might have to chase after her to bring her home safe. Gwen will find out though—and when she does, she'll discover she's in the middle of a looming war between Neverland and reality.
She'll be out of place as a teenager in Neverland, but she won't be the only one. Peter Pan's constant treks back to the mainland have slowly aged him into adolescence as well. Soon, Gwen will have to decide whether she's going to join impish, playful Peter in his fight for eternal youth… or if she's going to scramble back to reality in time for the homecoming dance.
Rating: 3/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: super descriptive, beautiful prose; not much in the way of actual story; interesting, vibrantly written characters; a lot happens, but I didn't feel like much of anything happened; love how much we saw of the fairies; the ending was sort of abrupt and weird
Look, penguins--ANOTHER book review! Are you all proud of me for actually sitting down and getting some reading done? I haven't finished a book in so long, and today (or, rather, today for me, which....isn't today for you all but still), I finished off two! YAY ME!
"I thought people didn't age in Neverland."
There was honest curiosity, and even a smidge of concern, in her voice, which must have been why Peter decided to dignify the question with a response. "Am I in Neverland tonight?"
It seemed like a trick question to Gwen. "No... I suppose not."
"That catches up with you."
Unfortunately, this retelling of one of my favorite fairy tales fell a bit flat for me overall. But let's start with first things first: the prose. Audrey Greathouse wove some gorgeous, stunning imagery throughout this read. There were many times throughout these pages I found myself in awe of the beautiful, captivating AMOUNT of detail she managed to sneak into every sentence--it was as if every one of my five senses was awakened and heightened. I was transported into this world--or, at least, into Neverland, which is where Audrey Greathouse's imagery really pays off.
However, I felt as if--while it seems a lot happens within the course of this journey--there wasn't really a story taking place at all. While Gwen is both captivating and entertaining as a character, she is also stuck in the midway place between child- and adulthood. This makes for an interesting and complex point of view...but also a stifled, sometimes confusing one. Gwen is struggling to come to grips with a lot of things in this book, and I felt that the action was perhaps a bit lagging to focus instead on her relationship with her little sister...and her struggles to make peace with what's happening around her. It was a fun, enthralling read--but I don't feel like much story was told in the end.
"No matter how hard he tried, Eugene could not fight it, and the stars consumed him as they pulled back up to the sky. He became the stars, the night, and the darkness.
"But even once they had returned to their place in the night sky, something was wrong with the stars because they carried with them all the pieces of Eugene that still belonged on Earth, pieces that resisted rising, pulling back down to the ground."
The characters were vibrantly written and complex, however. The relationships explored throughout--between Peter and the lost children, Peter and the mermaids, Gwen and the mermaids... All of them helped to mold and shape my opinions of them as individuals and as a cohesive group. It was especially interesting to watch Gwen interact, as sort of a hovering outsider--someone not quite on the inside, but not on the periphery either. Her reactions and interactions were both endearing and entertaining.
In the end, this was just an okay retelling for me. The prose is gorgeous and descriptive, but I felt the story fell very flat. The characters were intriguing, though, and Neverland came to life for me in a new and exciting way. I was curious about the war between reality and Neverland they kept alluding to...but unfortunately wasn't given as many answers in this book as I'd hoped. I'd still recommend this to lovers of Peter Pan, retellings, and dystopian/fantasies. This was a fun and complex journey; I just wish I'd enjoyed it a little bit more.
dozylocal's review against another edition
3.0
Another "book in six parts". Seems to be the way it is done these days.
I feel this one ended just as we were starting to realise that things really aren't as they seem, having been introduced to Gwen, Rosemary, Pan and the world and inhabitants of Neverland. I thankfully do have the first three instalments of the series, so can read a little further before making a judgement, but so far a solid start to a tale of conflict between magical childhood and realistic adulthood.
I feel this one ended just as we were starting to realise that things really aren't as they seem, having been introduced to Gwen, Rosemary, Pan and the world and inhabitants of Neverland. I thankfully do have the first three instalments of the series, so can read a little further before making a judgement, but so far a solid start to a tale of conflict between magical childhood and realistic adulthood.
carolinevaught's review against another edition
5.0
Originally posted on: acrossthebookiverse.blogspot.com
4.5 rounded up to 5!
Gwen's stories are captivating and amazing. At least, that's what her sister Rose would say. As much as she loves telling her little sister stories, Gwen has accepted that that's all they are. Stories. Having already given into the inevitability of growing-up, her life gets turned upside down when Peter Pan steals her sister away during the night. It isn't long until Peter and Rose come back to take Gwen with them to be a storyteller to the lost children. Unwilling to let her sister out of her sight, Gwen leaves with them without a second thought, when she's sucked into the magical world of Neverland. A beautifully freeing place with mermaids and fairies seems all fun in games, but Neverland is being threatened. Is Gwen stuck in a doomed Neverland? Or can she team up with Peter and the lost children to fix everything?
I can honestly say that I've never actually read the original Peter Pan and what I remember is based solely on what I can remember from the Disney movie adaptation. This book is interesting instantly, because Gwen's description of growing up and high school life is one of the most accurate that I've ever read. I loved how aware Gwen was with the world and accepting about how things play out. Peter was not what I expected. Again, basing my assumptions on the Disney movie, I expected a completely flighty (no pun intended) child that just wants to have fun, but Greathouse gives Peter's character so much depth that it's not hard to see what emotional traumas Peter's been put through. The reader can obviously tell he's struggling with keeping everyone safe, including Neverland. I was thrilled to see the controversy around the redskins. Before picking this up, I myself actually thought about that. As a child, it never occurred to me that that could be offensive, but society now has molded my mind to know that calling someone a redskin could be and most likely is entirely offensive, so I love how that was pinpointed! Gwen's time with the mermaids was one of my favourite parts and something I would like to learn more about, I found them very interesting and they added greatly to the plot. The only thing that kept this from a solid 5 stars is the ending. In a way I like how open it was, because it leave room for perhaps (I hope) another book in the future, but if there isn't a next book, I'm left unsatisfied. It's a toss-up, really, but overall I certainly recommend this book for lovers of Peter Pan and fairy tale retellings!
4.5 rounded up to 5!
Gwen's stories are captivating and amazing. At least, that's what her sister Rose would say. As much as she loves telling her little sister stories, Gwen has accepted that that's all they are. Stories. Having already given into the inevitability of growing-up, her life gets turned upside down when Peter Pan steals her sister away during the night. It isn't long until Peter and Rose come back to take Gwen with them to be a storyteller to the lost children. Unwilling to let her sister out of her sight, Gwen leaves with them without a second thought, when she's sucked into the magical world of Neverland. A beautifully freeing place with mermaids and fairies seems all fun in games, but Neverland is being threatened. Is Gwen stuck in a doomed Neverland? Or can she team up with Peter and the lost children to fix everything?
I can honestly say that I've never actually read the original Peter Pan and what I remember is based solely on what I can remember from the Disney movie adaptation. This book is interesting instantly, because Gwen's description of growing up and high school life is one of the most accurate that I've ever read. I loved how aware Gwen was with the world and accepting about how things play out. Peter was not what I expected. Again, basing my assumptions on the Disney movie, I expected a completely flighty (no pun intended) child that just wants to have fun, but Greathouse gives Peter's character so much depth that it's not hard to see what emotional traumas Peter's been put through. The reader can obviously tell he's struggling with keeping everyone safe, including Neverland. I was thrilled to see the controversy around the redskins. Before picking this up, I myself actually thought about that. As a child, it never occurred to me that that could be offensive, but society now has molded my mind to know that calling someone a redskin could be and most likely is entirely offensive, so I love how that was pinpointed! Gwen's time with the mermaids was one of my favourite parts and something I would like to learn more about, I found them very interesting and they added greatly to the plot. The only thing that kept this from a solid 5 stars is the ending. In a way I like how open it was, because it leave room for perhaps (I hope) another book in the future, but if there isn't a next book, I'm left unsatisfied. It's a toss-up, really, but overall I certainly recommend this book for lovers of Peter Pan and fairy tale retellings!