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searchingforhappilyeverafter's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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
This is the Captain Hook and Tinkerbell retelling I didn’t know I needed!
Packed with swoonworthy romance, adventure on the high seas, and a fabulous cast of characters, Second Star to the Left by Megan Van Dyke shifts the focus of this classic tale to Tinker Bell and Captain Hook and is absolutely delightful. The writing hooked me immediately (pun intended) as I was immersed in this unique version of such a beloved fantasy world.
The romance between Hook and Tink was captivating, with great enemies-to-lovers banter and sparks practically flying off the page. Several heartwarming and tender moments added an extra layer of depth to their story.
The author's added touches to make this world her own were a joy to read and added a much needed freshness. In particular, I LOVED how there are women on Captain Hook's crew and how subtly queernormative this world is. Not once was it ever mentioned or even implied that women are bad luck on ships or unequal to male crew members.
I hope the author is planning to continue writing stories set in this world. I’ve read all the bonus epilogues but would still love more adventures with Hook's crew members, and I need to find out more about Lily, Peter, and the boys.
Packed with swoonworthy romance, adventure on the high seas, and a fabulous cast of characters, Second Star to the Left by Megan Van Dyke shifts the focus of this classic tale to Tinker Bell and Captain Hook and is absolutely delightful. The writing hooked me immediately (pun intended) as I was immersed in this unique version of such a beloved fantasy world.
The romance between Hook and Tink was captivating, with great enemies-to-lovers banter and sparks practically flying off the page. Several heartwarming and tender moments added an extra layer of depth to their story.
The author's added touches to make this world her own were a joy to read and added a much needed freshness. In particular, I LOVED how there are women on Captain Hook's crew and how subtly queernormative this world is. Not once was it ever mentioned or even implied that women are bad luck on ships or unequal to male crew members.
I hope the author is planning to continue writing stories set in this world. I’ve read all the bonus epilogues but would still love more adventures with Hook's crew members, and I need to find out more about Lily, Peter, and the boys.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
bookwormabby54's review
adventurous
medium-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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Vomit
magic_multicolored_miracle's review
adventurous
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? It's complicated
3.5
As with any "retelling" or "twist" of a classic tale, this book was challenged to balance the scales between the familiarity of the original and adding something new to make itself worth reading, and I think it does so admirably. Characters have new depths, desires, and personality traits while still being identifiable in a heart beat, and the settings and their inhabitants serve as easy nods to Peter Pan.
While many of the twists and turns of the plot were predictable, they were fun to read anyway, and others still managed to shock me, making this high seas adventure one I couldn't put down. I didn't expect the book to reinvent the wheel, by any means, so I came out pleasantly surprised and happily entertained.
One of the biggest things I never expected was the ending, which turned a twist into a prequel to the classic story.
While many of the twists and turns of the plot were predictable, they were fun to read anyway, and others still managed to shock me, making this high seas adventure one I couldn't put down. I didn't expect the book to reinvent the wheel, by any means, so I came out pleasantly surprised and happily entertained.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Alcohol, and Vomit
Moderate: Grief, Kidnapping, Suicidal thoughts, and Death of parent
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