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perilous1's review
3.0
LOOK AT THAT COVER!!!
(I keep looking at it. It's hard not to.)
This isn't so much a retelling as a sort of neo-sequel paying homage to the beloved classic.
The writing itself is above par. The characterization is pretty solid, and the emotional conveyance is raw. But I didn't really feel connected to the characters.
(I keep looking at it. It's hard not to.)
This isn't so much a retelling as a sort of neo-sequel paying homage to the beloved classic.
The writing itself is above par. The characterization is pretty solid, and the emotional conveyance is raw. But I didn't really feel connected to the characters.
introverteddragonscribbles's review
4.0
Taking a dive into Neverland has never felt so...sad. Lonely. Adventerous. Real.
Kara Swanson's new book, Dust, is a retelling of Peter Pan, taking the innocent story for children and turning into something darker. Something more grown up. Claire Kenton, an orphan and a girl with a gift that she doesn't understand, wants one thing in life--to get her brother back. She doesn't know where he is, or if he's even still alive. All she knows is that he was kidnapped by Peter Pan.
All Peter wants is to return to Neverland. Since a catastrophe that left him and many other iconic characters such as Hook, Tigerlily, and the pixies, stranded in London, he has grown from a boy to a teenager. And he longs to return before he loses his childhood forever.
The narrative of the story launches quickly into Claire's adventures and her search for her brother. Dust is lined with mysteries that left me hungering to know more, and magic that left me smiling. While the tone of Dust is more adult than the story of Peter Pan ever was, it still holds notes of that childlike innocence that draws the reader in.
Swanson's characters are given depth, as each struggle with their own internal battles--Claire suffers from depression and self-hatred. Pan is running from his past. And both are pursuing a path to Neverland for their own reasons.
Overall, Dust is a heavy read, dealing with modern issues with grace and forgiveness. I really enjoyed the retelling but ached somewhat at the childlike innocence taken from it. Still, it was a delightful book, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves Peter Pan, fantasy, retellings, and stories that deal with mental health.
Kara Swanson's new book, Dust, is a retelling of Peter Pan, taking the innocent story for children and turning into something darker. Something more grown up. Claire Kenton, an orphan and a girl with a gift that she doesn't understand, wants one thing in life--to get her brother back. She doesn't know where he is, or if he's even still alive. All she knows is that he was kidnapped by Peter Pan.
All Peter wants is to return to Neverland. Since a catastrophe that left him and many other iconic characters such as Hook, Tigerlily, and the pixies, stranded in London, he has grown from a boy to a teenager. And he longs to return before he loses his childhood forever.
The narrative of the story launches quickly into Claire's adventures and her search for her brother. Dust is lined with mysteries that left me hungering to know more, and magic that left me smiling. While the tone of Dust is more adult than the story of Peter Pan ever was, it still holds notes of that childlike innocence that draws the reader in.
Swanson's characters are given depth, as each struggle with their own internal battles--Claire suffers from depression and self-hatred. Pan is running from his past. And both are pursuing a path to Neverland for their own reasons.
Overall, Dust is a heavy read, dealing with modern issues with grace and forgiveness. I really enjoyed the retelling but ached somewhat at the childlike innocence taken from it. Still, it was a delightful book, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves Peter Pan, fantasy, retellings, and stories that deal with mental health.
alexisisreading's review
4.0
Peter Pan is my absolute favorite Disney story so I was really excited to read this book. I've read a lot of retellings of Peter Pan but this one was so different than any I've read before.
The story was completely unique and the characters were likeable even when they were being the worst. And trust me, there were times when Peter could've avoided a problem with just a little bit of communication but ultimately his lack of ability to be honest was so in character I couldn't even be mad about it.
The book follows Claire Kenton and her journey to figure out what happened to her twin brother Connor. When her internet friend, N, tells her that the last place Connor was spotted was London, England she sells all her belongings and travels to London where she meets some familiar characters such as Tiger Lily, Captain Hook, a crew of Lost boys, a Darling descendant and most importantly Peter Pan. Peter's worst fear is growing up but Claire brings something out of him that he's not quite ready to face.
Overall, I found the story to be super unique and intriguing and I absolutely cannot wait for the next book to come out. The book ended with a major ball of truth finally being revealed after being hinted at and talked around for the majority of the book and I'm so excited to see what happens when Claire and Peter finally get to Neverland.
The story was completely unique and the characters were likeable even when they were being the worst. And trust me, there were times when Peter could've avoided a problem with just a little bit of communication but ultimately his lack of ability to be honest was so in character I couldn't even be mad about it.
The book follows Claire Kenton and her journey to figure out what happened to her twin brother Connor. When her internet friend, N, tells her that the last place Connor was spotted was London, England she sells all her belongings and travels to London where she meets some familiar characters such as Tiger Lily, Captain Hook, a crew of Lost boys, a Darling descendant and most importantly Peter Pan. Peter's worst fear is growing up but Claire brings something out of him that he's not quite ready to face.
Overall, I found the story to be super unique and intriguing and I absolutely cannot wait for the next book to come out. The book ended with a major ball of truth finally being revealed after being hinted at and talked around for the majority of the book and I'm so excited to see what happens when Claire and Peter finally get to Neverland.
acidmeringue's review
4.0
You have to understand, I wanted to rate this 5 stars so badly. I'm absolutely enamored.
Of course, anything Peter Pan already has my whole heart. But this... Wow.
It's a children's book, so while I felt like it wasn't dark enough... I have to give it some slack. They'd almost get there, and then back off. But that's okay.
It's not my favorite writing style in the world, and sometimes the passiveness of the scenes irked me. As did the denseness of Claire, because the truth was right in front of her and she didn't know.
But overall, I loved it. I'm going to read the next book right now and ahhhhhh.
I loved the characterization, especially with how fierce tiger Lily is. I love Peter's character, because he perfectly embodies a child who hasn't grown up. And hook... Gah.
Claire got on my nerves a bit. But so does Wendy in every single Peter pan book ever (expect for Lost in the never woods). I had a feeling about N's true identity.
I'm kind of all over the place right now. I can't get the clock tower scene out of my head. And Peter?? What was that fake name?? Grrr
Of course, anything Peter Pan already has my whole heart. But this... Wow.
It's a children's book, so while I felt like it wasn't dark enough... I have to give it some slack. They'd almost get there, and then back off. But that's okay.
It's not my favorite writing style in the world, and sometimes the passiveness of the scenes irked me. As did the denseness of Claire, because the truth was right in front of her and she didn't know.
But overall, I loved it. I'm going to read the next book right now and ahhhhhh.
I loved the characterization, especially with how fierce tiger Lily is. I love Peter's character, because he perfectly embodies a child who hasn't grown up. And hook... Gah.
Claire got on my nerves a bit. But so does Wendy in every single Peter pan book ever (expect for Lost in the never woods). I had a feeling about N's true identity.
I'm kind of all over the place right now. I can't get the clock tower scene out of my head. And Peter?? What was that fake name?? Grrr
kacie_marria's review
4.0
Holy guacamole that was FANTASTIC!!! where's the second book? XD also...the cover is absolutely gorgeous and I need it
elvenavari's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent debut novel from Kara Swanson (though I know I'm years late reading it). The development of Peter, Tiger Lily, Hook and even Jeremy Darling was excellent. I thought Claire was an interesting character, her powers definitely were. It's intriguing how Claire's dust changes. This book also has some great quotes, though this one was my favorite:
“You were created for more than to bear the weight of your shadows - but you have to choose to no longer let them define you. You have to choose to let the light shine through the shattered pieces.”
“You were created for more than to bear the weight of your shadows - but you have to choose to no longer let them define you. You have to choose to let the light shine through the shattered pieces.”
megan_apageofpeace's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
helenafaustina's review
4.0
I went back and forth from liking and disliking this book. Let's start with the dislikes. When I read a retelling, I am very picky about how things follow the original book, and this definitely lacked that. It got under my skin when at one point the characters even mention how [a:J.M. Barrie|5255014|J.M. Barrie|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1519029719p2/5255014.jpg] got it wrong. If [a:J.M. Barrie|5255014|J.M. Barrie|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1519029719p2/5255014.jpg] hadn't written [b:Peter Pan|34268|Peter Pan|J.M. Barrie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1337714526l/34268._SX50_.jpg|1358908], [b:Dust|50396193|Dust (Heirs of Neverland, #1)|Kara Swanson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1585285570l/50396193._SY75_.jpg|73356309] wouldn't be around. I feel like [b:Dust|50396193|Dust (Heirs of Neverland, #1)|Kara Swanson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1585285570l/50396193._SY75_.jpg|73356309] is way more darker than the original, and I get it, [b:Peter Pan|34268|Peter Pan|J.M. Barrie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1337714526l/34268._SX50_.jpg|1358908] is hard to make a retelling of, it's so fantastic and crazy nothing is really supposed to make sense, so when you add a serious grown-up like plot to it... well, that just sounds hard.
With that said, I really loved the whole plot by [a:Kara Swanson|13260916|Kara Swanson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1581979226p2/13260916.jpg], I really wish she would have make it a separate book and not a retelling. It was well-written and imaginative. I loved how the main character is basically a human pixie.
I've seen reviews that say if you love [b:Peter Pan|34268|Peter Pan|J.M. Barrie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1337714526l/34268._SX50_.jpg|1358908], you'd love this book. I think if I wasn't a fan of [b:Peter Pan|34268|Peter Pan|J.M. Barrie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1337714526l/34268._SX50_.jpg|1358908] or never read it, I would have given it five stars.
With that said, I really loved the whole plot by [a:Kara Swanson|13260916|Kara Swanson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1581979226p2/13260916.jpg], I really wish she would have make it a separate book and not a retelling. It was well-written and imaginative. I loved how the main character is basically a human pixie.
I've seen reviews that say if you love [b:Peter Pan|34268|Peter Pan|J.M. Barrie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1337714526l/34268._SX50_.jpg|1358908], you'd love this book. I think if I wasn't a fan of [b:Peter Pan|34268|Peter Pan|J.M. Barrie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1337714526l/34268._SX50_.jpg|1358908] or never read it, I would have given it five stars.
tabcaplinger's review
5.0
I have always loved Peter Pan and this take on the classic was everything hoped it would be. I was swept away in the adventure and mystery of it all. I love the more grown-up edge to the characters and the tale. And adored the message of hope and light even in the midst of pain and darkness. I cannot wait for the second book!
haleybeck's review
4.0
Surprisingly I really liked this book. Peter was so sweet. And so terrible at the same time. The magic of never land was so exciting. Learning to fly was awesome. But it wasn’t over the top happy. Everyone has to grow up.
I didn't feel like there was a bunch of modern love yourself messages that so many books have. I'm not sure if this is a Christian author but I could definitely see some Christian messages.
There were some parts that were a little too detailed when it comes to infatuation. But overall I liked the way that the love story was handled. I liked how they talked about how everyone has one kiss that they save for a certain person, and we shouldn't just give it to anyone. I also liked the ending when Claire says she needs to learn who she is, without the approval of men. From a biblical perspective, many girls think they are only defined by their relationship status when we must first understand who God has created us to be.
Men, please don't lie to a girl thinking that she'll like you better if she doesn't know your real self. It's ridiculous and never ends up well. I’m the words of Han Solo “they always find out.”
Also, don't try to destroy her world in the name of "caring for her" and "showing her the truth."
I didn't feel like there was a bunch of modern love yourself messages that so many books have. I'm not sure if this is a Christian author but I could definitely see some Christian messages.
There were some parts that were a little too detailed when it comes to infatuation. But overall I liked the way that the love story was handled. I liked how they talked about how everyone has one kiss that they save for a certain person, and we shouldn't just give it to anyone. I also liked the ending when Claire says she needs to learn who she is, without the approval of men. From a biblical perspective, many girls think they are only defined by their relationship status when we must first understand who God has created us to be.
Men, please don't lie to a girl thinking that she'll like you better if she doesn't know your real self. It's ridiculous and never ends up well. I’m the words of Han Solo “they always find out.”
Also, don't try to destroy her world in the name of "caring for her" and "showing her the truth."