Scan barcode
lucyslibraryreviews's review
5.0
Wow! There are so many layers to why I love this book. The characters are complex and relatable. Well, I can't relate to Hook, but I'm OK with that. Swanson does a superb job in showing us good reasons why Peter is so against growing up. These characters have wounds and regrets. They come together and we get to see a beautiful adventure as they learn that their wounding can trigger, it can cause hurt but also healing. Oh yea, they also learn to fly, too!
The quality of writing is exceptional. Swanson does a great job getting the reader into the minds of the characters without annoying me. Inner dialog can get under my skin, but not with this book. It's real and raw, not sappy. It helps you understand what's going on in the story and in the minds and hearts of the characters. Swanson presents the story with beautiful imagery. I am from San Diego and lived in London, so I have experienced the places in the story.
The only change I'd make to the writing is that people on a budget use the tube, not cabs.
The only change I'd make as a reader is to buy both copies up front, because I read this much too quickly to have Book 2 in my mailbox before it was done.
The quality of writing is exceptional. Swanson does a great job getting the reader into the minds of the characters without annoying me. Inner dialog can get under my skin, but not with this book. It's real and raw, not sappy. It helps you understand what's going on in the story and in the minds and hearts of the characters. Swanson presents the story with beautiful imagery. I am from San Diego and lived in London, so I have experienced the places in the story.
The only change I'd make to the writing is that people on a budget use the tube, not cabs.
The only change I'd make as a reader is to buy both copies up front, because I read this much too quickly to have Book 2 in my mailbox before it was done.
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review
5.0
I'm not entirely sure why it took me this long to buy this book and even longer to read it. Usually retellings of Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland are no brainers. I guess I must have read a few mixed reviews and must have doubted if it was something for me. A few months ago though I could get this book very cheap and decided to just take a leap of faith. And yesterday I all of a sudden longed for Neverland and picked this book up.
I totally understand that this book is not for everyone. There are next to no answers in this book. We're not visiting Neverland in this book. And there is little to no action in this book. And yet I was sold the moment I started reading. The writing style really grabbed me. It was the perfect mix between atmospheric and emotional. I felt every word and even I could almost visualize all the locations in this book.
Although this book is not taking place in Neverland there is a lot of magic in the book. I quite liked having this magic in London. I liked Peter Pan coming to his own statue to think. I liked Tiger Lily doing all the grocery shopping. I liked Kensington Gardens being a place where fairies meet, feast and dance. I liked Hook owning a big mansion on the outside of town commanding his pirates to continue the famous fight we all know about.
I most of all love Peter Pan in this book though. Especially because he's exactly what he is in the original tale. He's endearing and charming and adventurous. But he's also egocentric, impulsive and selfish. He's both the monster and the hero. And that makes him interesting. I understand why our heroine initially thinks he can't be Peter Pan and falls in love with him. And I have high hopes that Peter will grow into the person she believes him to be.
I can't wait to read the sequel! And I'm really curious to explore this version of Neverland!
I totally understand that this book is not for everyone. There are next to no answers in this book. We're not visiting Neverland in this book. And there is little to no action in this book. And yet I was sold the moment I started reading. The writing style really grabbed me. It was the perfect mix between atmospheric and emotional. I felt every word and even I could almost visualize all the locations in this book.
Although this book is not taking place in Neverland there is a lot of magic in the book. I quite liked having this magic in London. I liked Peter Pan coming to his own statue to think. I liked Tiger Lily doing all the grocery shopping. I liked Kensington Gardens being a place where fairies meet, feast and dance. I liked Hook owning a big mansion on the outside of town commanding his pirates to continue the famous fight we all know about.
I most of all love Peter Pan in this book though. Especially because he's exactly what he is in the original tale. He's endearing and charming and adventurous. But he's also egocentric, impulsive and selfish. He's both the monster and the hero. And that makes him interesting. I understand why our heroine initially thinks he can't be Peter Pan and falls in love with him. And I have high hopes that Peter will grow into the person she believes him to be.
I can't wait to read the sequel! And I'm really curious to explore this version of Neverland!
sanneve's review
adventurous
dark
relaxing
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? Yes
4.5
knit_sip_read's review
5.0
"But what if this is me? What if this is all I am?"
"We all fight the shadows. Even ones we can't remember." His hands drop from my face as he puts his arms around me again drawing me close. Despite the burning dust, despite how many time I've told him to walk away, he just holds me. -Dust, Kara Swanson
✨✨✨✨✨
Okay I wasn't prepared for how much I was going to love this book. I expected to enjoy it, as I've been a huge Peter Pan fan for most of my life. But I felt like every chapter was written by a best friend who completely understood me, like we'd grown up together. (Or should I say knew each other when we were young...are we grown up yet?) The strong messages of hope and light overcoming darkness were so beautiful, powerful, and inspiring. And then Peter...I'm obsessed with this half grown up version of him. I really can't wait to read the sequel, Shadow!
✨✨✨✨✨
"We all fight the shadows. Even ones we can't remember." His hands drop from my face as he puts his arms around me again drawing me close. Despite the burning dust, despite how many time I've told him to walk away, he just holds me. -Dust, Kara Swanson
✨✨✨✨✨
Okay I wasn't prepared for how much I was going to love this book. I expected to enjoy it, as I've been a huge Peter Pan fan for most of my life. But I felt like every chapter was written by a best friend who completely understood me, like we'd grown up together. (Or should I say knew each other when we were young...are we grown up yet?) The strong messages of hope and light overcoming darkness were so beautiful, powerful, and inspiring. And then Peter...I'm obsessed with this half grown up version of him. I really can't wait to read the sequel, Shadow!
✨✨✨✨✨
katherinebriggs's review
5.0
Kara Swanson’s characterization in Dust is stellar. I enjoyed the twists on Peter Pan, Tiger Lily, Hook, and new characters like Claire. They’ve endured trauma and refuse to remain victims, which is beautiful. And who doesn’t want to visit London and play with pixie dust?
mariagilbert's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
belle_bookshelf91's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mngwa's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mckenzi_gregory's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75