Reviews

Sisters of the Neversea by Cynthia Leitich Smith

juneberry0123's review against another edition

adventurous

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

b_jud's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny reflective 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

Interesting update of a classic tale. I like some of the additions to the lore, and the Native/Indigenous perspective was sorely needed.

spookysarahsays's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

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

3.0

While I appreciate what the author was trying to do, I didn’t love the pacing of this book. The 2nd act drags while the 3rd act feels rushed. 

whomever_0's review

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.0

It's a cute story and a strong retelling, but a bit too juvenile for me.

rgamboa's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

bickie's review

5.0

This retelling of Peter Pan is so good on so many levels. Twelve-year-old step sisters Lily (Muscogee Creek) and Wendy (white British) come to a crossroads when their parents decide to live in two different cities at the beginning of the summer. Enter Peter Pan and his helpers in kidnapping, Belle and his shadow.

All characters are given three-dimensional backstories, including the island of Neverland which seems to have a mind of its own. Peter acts like a colonizer to the island, creating his own narratives about the different groups living there (Fairies, Merfolk, "Injuns," Lost boys). Touching on so many themes (Indigenous ways of life, colonization, forced adoption, radicalization, the power of stories to create and reinforce (as well as disrupt) stereotypes, ecological concerns, the importance of identity and thinking for oneself, what it means to be a family, courage), this book wraps it all up in a fun adventure complete with a wry, 4th-wall-breaking omniscient narrator. I'd love to see this book used in English Language Arts classrooms.

novelyon's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense slow-paced

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

3.0

amygatzemeyer's review

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

spinch4's review

3.0

Disliked most of this book, ending was alright though. Too modern and doesn't try to capture the spirit of the original

totallywickedruth333's review

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Racism, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Animal death