Scan barcode
gracew's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
armontheroad's review
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
1.0
I was given an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was an utter disappointment to me. To be very blunt, the best part about this book is the beautiful cover. After doing some research, it appears this is Gama Ray Martinez’s Adult debut, and BOY can you tell! I would say this read like a teenager trying to play Adult but that’s an insult to teenagers! Not only was the writing juvenile (derogatory), but the entire structure of the novel is solely for nostalgic reasons. “I need to speak to *insert character from Peter Pan*” is not a plotline, sorry to break it to you. It’s repetitive, unoriginal, and boring as all hell. Not to mention, Martinez does not challenge the original source material. You think a book published in 2022 would add some depth into Tiger Lily’s character instead of playing into the racist stereotypes Peter Pan had, but nope. I believe Martinez had a good concept, truly, but the execution was poorly done. The idea that the Knights of the Round Table are the protectors of magical worlds was an interesting take, but again, not done well. I truly wish Gama Ray Martinez all the best in his future Adult publications. I hope this one was so off due to his history with only writing Young Adult and the fact this was a retelling. Overall, I cannot say I enjoyed this or that I would recommend it to anyone I know. Highly disappointing since I (as a Latino reviewer) was very much looking to a Peter Pan retelling from a Latino lens.
tiredcath's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
Underwhelming but not terrible.
The cover and premise really had me excited for this. As someone who grew up with Peter Pan and loved it, I was excited to see what an adult Neverland would be like. Michael being the focus instead of Wendy is an incredibly smart and gripping idea. Unfortunately, this wasn't for me. The world-building is very fast and clunky. You're given information very quickly and as if this is well known knowledge. Same with same character introductions. No one is as fleshed out as I wanted. Michael himself is very dry. I was disappointed with Wendy's introduction, as I felt she's so essential to Peter Pan I wanted her to have almost a grand entrance, instead she felt underwhelming. Everything in a sense felt entirely too casual. There's no anticipation or need to tense up.
There's a lot of great ideas. Peter being a God of another man is brilliant. I really liked the addition. Neverland's prosperity being tied to Peter is another great add, however, the plot really loves to remind you of it over and over and over again. Like I said, so many good ideas but nothing felt development. I didn't feel the danger or the severity of this plot. And because of that, you're not gripped by the story, there's no want to read. I kept putting it down and forgetting about it.
As to not be too harsh, I'll repeat the ideas are excellent but it wasn't for me. I don't think the writing itself was bad, fairly descriptive, and quick. I didn't mind the pacing but it did start off too quickly for my likely.
Definitely didn't feel "adult" but more as YA- which isn't a negative, just an observation.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The cover and premise really had me excited for this. As someone who grew up with Peter Pan and loved it, I was excited to see what an adult Neverland would be like. Michael being the focus instead of Wendy is an incredibly smart and gripping idea. Unfortunately, this wasn't for me. The world-building is very fast and clunky. You're given information very quickly and as if this is well known knowledge. Same with same character introductions. No one is as fleshed out as I wanted. Michael himself is very dry. I was disappointed with Wendy's introduction, as I felt she's so essential to Peter Pan I wanted her to have almost a grand entrance, instead she felt underwhelming. Everything in a sense felt entirely too casual. There's no anticipation or need to tense up.
There's a lot of great ideas. Peter being a God of another man is brilliant. I really liked the addition. Neverland's prosperity being tied to Peter is another great add, however, the plot really loves to remind you of it over and over and over again. Like I said, so many good ideas but nothing felt development. I didn't feel the danger or the severity of this plot. And because of that, you're not gripped by the story, there's no want to read. I kept putting it down and forgetting about it.
As to not be too harsh, I'll repeat the ideas are excellent but it wasn't for me. I don't think the writing itself was bad, fairly descriptive, and quick. I didn't mind the pacing but it did start off too quickly for my likely.
Definitely didn't feel "adult" but more as YA- which isn't a negative, just an observation.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
More...