Reviews

Darling Girl by Liz Michalski

Only show reviews with written explanations

sallen1118's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

4.5 stars

Thank you PRH Audio for a complimentary audiobook.

I love fairytales so I was immediately drawn to this book. But then I saw a lot of mixed reviews so I’ve let it languish on my shelves for a few months. I’m so glad I got over the bad reviews and just started reading.

This book definitely has some dark undertones, but I loved the whimsy that was also present. Peter Pan is NOT the loveable character from the Disney movies but since he isn’t center stage, I could handle his evil schemes.

Getting to experience the author’s imagining of Wendy Darling’s grandchildren and great grandchildren was true joy for me. If you’re looking for a fun twist on a classic fairytale, give this one a try.

kryptidnerd's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

This book turned into a hate read even before half way. The main character Holly is just plain unlikable and can’t further her plot without the men in her life otherwise she just whines and runs in circles. Peter Pan himself can be a villain but the way it was handled here was very icky and left a bad taste in my mouth. Hook was really the only likable person in this book even if his characterization was shallow and used solely for a romance that had no flavor and was very unneeded.

The plot dragged so many times throughout this book to the point it felt like the author ran out of ways to end it so she just resorted to do the final resolution off page as the easy way out. A lot was left unexplained on why the Darlings were special in the first place and why so many people in their lives reflect characters from the Peter Pan book. In short I have read better dark and twisted adaptations of fairytales and this wasn’t even close to being it.

Content Warnings

wrenlee's review

Go to review page

2.0

I have no clue how a book can be so interesting and so boring at the same time. This book does both. It has a very interesting premise around magic and the Peter Pan story. I admit I was intrigued by a villainous Peter (and not in a hot villain way). But the plot drags on for so long, but then it ends too quickly. I want to read more about Eden and less about Holly. But this book does a marvelous job explaining Holly’s grief and the lengths she’ll go to protect her kids.

ashleywhaley's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective tense fast-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

5.0

alliloop88's review

Go to review page

5.0

Darling Girl by Liz Michalski is a story of Peter Pan in the life of Wendy's granddaughter, Holly, and her children where Peter Pan is not the hero of the story but the villain. This book had me glued to the pages every step of the way. It had me trapped from the beginning, in a good way. Every turn of a page, it always left me wondering what was coming next and I was completely in love with this story. I completely recommend this book to anyone.

telstsia's review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional medium-paced

3.0

Interesting concept, but it dragged in some parts and I feel like it could have used a bit more trimming. Was also disappointed that the end was very "tell, don't show " so it really didn't have a strong resolution. The main characters did seem very human though, if not frustrating at times.

Content Warnings

shmashes's review

Go to review page

3.0

This book was slow. It stunted my reading plans for this month. It's definitely more mystery than fantasy. So many bad things just kept happening in a row that I didn't want to keep reading. The resolution was good enough, but I hated how at some point during the story, you don't trust any of the characters. Yes, they all end up being good except for Peter, but still. If it were a morally gray moment, it would have been good. If I lose trust in a character, it's hard to bring it back. It was just okay.