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kerrikins's review
3.0
Oh, this book. At times I wanted to throw it across the room, but in spite of that it does have a touch of that good old magic embedded in it.
Imagine a modern day retelling of Peter Pan, except with the magic of the sea and beach thrown in along with some adolescent hormones and a hint of tragedy. Stir it all together and you get this book.
I think Alyssa Sheinmel does a fairly good job of capturing some of the magic of Wendy's story. Flying off to Neverland is replaced with escaping to the beach and endless summer days, sun and sand and surf mixing together to form a magical haven that becomes Wendy's escape throughout the story.
This is most definitely no children's fairy-tale, and the focus isn't so much on romance, either, if that is what some people are looking for or expecting. Instead this is Wendy's journey, and the lines become a little blurry at times - reality versus fantasy, truth versus lies. What does it all mean, anyway? How do we know what's true and what isn't?
There is a definite sweet lyricism to the book, that fairytale blur that makes it easy to read - you can almost imagine yourself paddling out into the ocean to catch a wave, riding a wave so high you feel like you're flying to a magical place where nothing ever goes wrong. There are dark places, though - the moment the wave pulls you under, the harshness of grief, and Wendy struggles to adjust to the idea that maybe she didn't know her brothers as well as she thought she did.
There are moments in the book that are very frustrating, I will say - on the one hand, Wendy is true to that spirit of adventure and leaving at a moment's notice, and I have no doubt that she worries her friends and family. On the other hand, I found myself very frustrated with her parents and her supposed best friend, Fiona - they aren't nearly as loving as I would have expected them to be, nor as supportive. They seem quick to distrust and their reaction to Wendy's problems made me uncomfortable and very protective on her behalf because they seem to just want to pack her off to be fixed.
The ending is both frustrating, perplexing and fitting all at the same time. I am still not entirely sure whether I liked it, though it does leave all paths open, which I appreciated. It reminded me a bit of some episodes of TV shows that I have watched, where the question of reality is brought up and makes the viewer wonder just what went on...
I think that some people will probably downright dislike the ending, but I think I'm all right with the ambiguity... After all, isn't Neverland all about imagination, the possibility of things? What's real and what isn't real...or is the story really about what you learn along the way?
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
Imagine a modern day retelling of Peter Pan, except with the magic of the sea and beach thrown in along with some adolescent hormones and a hint of tragedy. Stir it all together and you get this book.
I think Alyssa Sheinmel does a fairly good job of capturing some of the magic of Wendy's story. Flying off to Neverland is replaced with escaping to the beach and endless summer days, sun and sand and surf mixing together to form a magical haven that becomes Wendy's escape throughout the story.
This is most definitely no children's fairy-tale, and the focus isn't so much on romance, either, if that is what some people are looking for or expecting. Instead this is Wendy's journey, and the lines become a little blurry at times - reality versus fantasy, truth versus lies. What does it all mean, anyway? How do we know what's true and what isn't?
There is a definite sweet lyricism to the book, that fairytale blur that makes it easy to read - you can almost imagine yourself paddling out into the ocean to catch a wave, riding a wave so high you feel like you're flying to a magical place where nothing ever goes wrong. There are dark places, though - the moment the wave pulls you under, the harshness of grief, and Wendy struggles to adjust to the idea that maybe she didn't know her brothers as well as she thought she did.
There are moments in the book that are very frustrating, I will say - on the one hand, Wendy is true to that spirit of adventure and leaving at a moment's notice, and I have no doubt that she worries her friends and family. On the other hand, I found myself very frustrated with her parents and her supposed best friend, Fiona - they aren't nearly as loving as I would have expected them to be, nor as supportive. They seem quick to distrust and their reaction to Wendy's problems made me uncomfortable and very protective on her behalf because they seem to just want to pack her off to be fixed.
The ending is both frustrating, perplexing and fitting all at the same time. I am still not entirely sure whether I liked it, though it does leave all paths open, which I appreciated. It reminded me a bit of some episodes of TV shows that I have watched, where the question of reality is brought up and makes the viewer wonder just what went on...
I think that some people will probably downright dislike the ending, but I think I'm all right with the ambiguity... After all, isn't Neverland all about imagination, the possibility of things? What's real and what isn't real...or is the story really about what you learn along the way?
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
lhawk1's review
Well. Um... Wow? I have never been more at a loss for words after finishing a book then I am right now. I can't string any cohesive thoughts into a sentence right now, so... yeah. I guess I'll come back later and try to decipher my thoughts regarding this book. I think I liked it. Maybe loved it. But I honestly have no idea right now. I'll get back to you on that one.
wow. this book. it messes with your head.
wow. this book. it messes with your head.
aelinwildfire's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I liked this book...didn't love it.
I loved the premise of this book though. A retelling of Peter Pan in modern day California...ummmmm yes.!
I think that the idea was amazing and the author executed it good enough to a point where I enjoyed it but I definitely think it could have been much much better.
The relationships were just too quick and there wasn't much character development. Definitely no relationship development either. And that's pretty much why I only gave it a 3.5.
I loved Jas and wish he would have been in the novel more.
And I wish the story would have had a better ending. The ending was just sooo predictable.
Overall, I would have to say that this book is definitely good for a quick read...our a good summer read.
I loved the premise of this book though. A retelling of Peter Pan in modern day California...ummmmm yes.!
I think that the idea was amazing and the author executed it good enough to a point where I enjoyed it but I definitely think it could have been much much better.
The relationships were just too quick and there wasn't much character development. Definitely no relationship development either. And that's pretty much why I only gave it a 3.5.
I loved Jas and wish he would have been in the novel more.
And I wish the story would have had a better ending. The ending was just sooo predictable.
Overall, I would have to say that this book is definitely good for a quick read...our a good summer read.
laurelparkb's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-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? N/A
3.75
A mysterious Peter Pan retelling that made me wanna believe in wishing on stars and surf on the shores of California. A sweet tale with a touch of romance, friendships, adventure and mistakes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, and Grief
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Medical content and Suicide attempt
bookstacksamber's review against another edition
2.0
I'm starting to realize that I am really not a fan of books with unreliable narrators.
moonchild720's review against another edition
3.0
I love fairy tale retellings so much. They are some of my favorite stories to read. I was very intrigued and excited about this one. I guess it just wasn't what i was expecting. I don't know the real story of Peter Pan, just Disney's version. Maybe that's why I was disappointed. I didn't like how everyone kept trying to convince the main character that she was crazy. At some points it kind of made me feel like I was crazy. If everything was made up that Wendy said, where the heck did she disappear to all those times. I enjoyed the story I just didn't like this particular interpretation of it. I also wasn't a fan of the ending. It was enjoyable but not how I would have chosen to do it.
foreveryoungadult's review against another edition
Graded By: Jennie
Cover Story: Surf Off Into the Sunset
BFF Charm: Let Me Love You
Swoonworthy Scale: 6
Talky Talk: Off to Never Never Land
Bonus Factor: Surfing
Relationship Status: Summer Romance
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Surf Off Into the Sunset
BFF Charm: Let Me Love You
Swoonworthy Scale: 6
Talky Talk: Off to Never Never Land
Bonus Factor: Surfing
Relationship Status: Summer Romance
Read the full book report here.
bribookish's review against another edition
4.0
**3.5 stars**
Full Review on Brianna's Bookish Confessions.
I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review from Harlequin Teen. It does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Don’t get me wrong, I really did enjoy this book. I devoured it pretty quickly (even though it took 3 days, but technically 2 but not even that). I think my feelings for this book are highly affected for my rating… The ending was a lot to take in. I don’t even know how to functionally describe my feelings for the ending right now. I can’t…
A (loosely based) retelling of the Classic, Peter Pan following 17 year old Wendy who has just graduated high school. A few months ago her two brothers, John & Michael never came home. They loved to go surfing and were obsessed with it. Wendy wants to find them because she is convinced they are still alive. She meets Pete who loves surfing as well and is immediately drawn to him. She also meets Pete’s ememy, Jas. She is drawn to both boys and doesn’t know which one. Will she find her brothers? Will she decide who she wants?
This was such a great and short book to start my summer with! I loved how the author used Peter Pan but changed it to a contemporary summer read! I went into the book not expecting too much from the actual Peter Pan tale, so maybe that helped. If your wanting to read this, I suggest going into it not completely surrounded by Peter Pan.
Towards 75% of the book it started to confuse me. I didn’t know what was happening, but I guess that was how it was planned. But I kept thinking, is this real? What’s going on? I don’t want to give too much away though.
I did not however like Wendy’s best friend, Fiona. I felt in the beginning of the book that she was more worried about her boyfriend and being with him than being with her best friend who is trying to find her lost brothers. I don’t know, that just doesn’t seem like a great friend to me. Towards the end she started to warm up (just a little) but even at the end of the book, I still don’t really like her character.
If I had to pick between Pete (who is supposed to be Peter Pan by the way) or Jas- I would pick Jas. I have my reasons why I pick Jas and if you pick this book up (or have already read it) you probably know why I’m saying that. I did like Pete in the beginning, but Jas was a lot more supportive to Wendy and was willing to help her find her brothers.
I still can’t handle that ending….
Full Review on Brianna's Bookish Confessions.
I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review from Harlequin Teen. It does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Don’t get me wrong, I really did enjoy this book. I devoured it pretty quickly (even though it took 3 days, but technically 2 but not even that). I think my feelings for this book are highly affected for my rating… The ending was a lot to take in. I don’t even know how to functionally describe my feelings for the ending right now. I can’t…
A (loosely based) retelling of the Classic, Peter Pan following 17 year old Wendy who has just graduated high school. A few months ago her two brothers, John & Michael never came home. They loved to go surfing and were obsessed with it. Wendy wants to find them because she is convinced they are still alive. She meets Pete who loves surfing as well and is immediately drawn to him. She also meets Pete’s ememy, Jas. She is drawn to both boys and doesn’t know which one. Will she find her brothers? Will she decide who she wants?
This was such a great and short book to start my summer with! I loved how the author used Peter Pan but changed it to a contemporary summer read! I went into the book not expecting too much from the actual Peter Pan tale, so maybe that helped. If your wanting to read this, I suggest going into it not completely surrounded by Peter Pan.
Towards 75% of the book it started to confuse me. I didn’t know what was happening, but I guess that was how it was planned. But I kept thinking, is this real? What’s going on? I don’t want to give too much away though.
I did not however like Wendy’s best friend, Fiona. I felt in the beginning of the book that she was more worried about her boyfriend and being with him than being with her best friend who is trying to find her lost brothers. I don’t know, that just doesn’t seem like a great friend to me. Towards the end she started to warm up (just a little) but even at the end of the book, I still don’t really like her character.
If I had to pick between Pete (who is supposed to be Peter Pan by the way) or Jas- I would pick Jas. I have my reasons why I pick Jas and if you pick this book up (or have already read it) you probably know why I’m saying that. I did like Pete in the beginning, but Jas was a lot more supportive to Wendy and was willing to help her find her brothers.
I still can’t handle that ending….