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lcmarie19's review against another edition
4.0
**This book was given to me in exchange for my honest review**
Such a unique retelling/interpretation of a classic fairytale.
I had a great time reading this story and falling in love with the characters and the world. I am always iffy when it comes to retellings or re-interpretations of a well known story, but Shari Arnold did a great job.
This story follows the aftermath of Livy Cloud and her struggle to come to terms with her little sister's death. It's been a few months and she hasn't been able to get her life back on track. In order to cope and deal with her pain, she spends her time taking care of other sick kiddos, who were also close to her little sister.
In spending her time at the hospital, she meets a young boy by the name of Meyer, who introduces her to a world that she was unaware existed.
As I mentioned, I loved this story. I thought it was unique, fun, sad, sweet and all of the above. Shari made me feel quite a few things while reading this book.
There's a lot of pain thay Livy is dealing with and it's not only her. She has to deal with the pain that her parents are also going through. The character progression in the book, though frustration, was very well done. Livy annoyed me more times than she didn't, but it was pretty realistic -- emotion-wise.
The world within this book was very realistic in one way, but also very fantastical in another way. The adventure that Shari and these characters take the reader on is definitely a familiar one, because of the homage being paid, but it's also a brand new story because of how unique it is!
Overall, I think most people will have a fantastic time reading something like this. The fantasy is definitely real because of Livy and her emotional experience in dealing with coping and healing. But it's just a lovely story overall that I am glad that I read.
Shari really capture the spirit of Peter Pan.
Such a unique retelling/interpretation of a classic fairytale.
I had a great time reading this story and falling in love with the characters and the world. I am always iffy when it comes to retellings or re-interpretations of a well known story, but Shari Arnold did a great job.
This story follows the aftermath of Livy Cloud and her struggle to come to terms with her little sister's death. It's been a few months and she hasn't been able to get her life back on track. In order to cope and deal with her pain, she spends her time taking care of other sick kiddos, who were also close to her little sister.
In spending her time at the hospital, she meets a young boy by the name of Meyer, who introduces her to a world that she was unaware existed.
As I mentioned, I loved this story. I thought it was unique, fun, sad, sweet and all of the above. Shari made me feel quite a few things while reading this book.
There's a lot of pain thay Livy is dealing with and it's not only her. She has to deal with the pain that her parents are also going through. The character progression in the book, though frustration, was very well done. Livy annoyed me more times than she didn't, but it was pretty realistic -- emotion-wise.
The world within this book was very realistic in one way, but also very fantastical in another way. The adventure that Shari and these characters take the reader on is definitely a familiar one, because of the homage being paid, but it's also a brand new story because of how unique it is!
Overall, I think most people will have a fantastic time reading something like this. The fantasy is definitely real because of Livy and her emotional experience in dealing with coping and healing. But it's just a lovely story overall that I am glad that I read.
Shari really capture the spirit of Peter Pan.
silencia167's review against another edition
1.0
I wanted to like Neverland, but it fell short for me. I DNF-ed it somewhere around the midway point, aka, the point of no return. I was excited for this book because I always enjoy a strong tie to Peter Pan and Neverland. And the book started out incredibly strong as Livy read to the children in the hospital and then began to get to know Meyer. But then things started coming undone. The characters, especially Livy, seemed to depart from the way in which they had been written—Livy became incredibly nasty and horrible to Meyer, and started to blame him for pretty much everything that went wrong in her life.
This book has a lot of potential in that it tackles loss in an incredibly intriguing way. It may be the book for someone else who can see past the changing characters with no foundation, but it was not the book for me.
**I received Neverland from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book has a lot of potential in that it tackles loss in an incredibly intriguing way. It may be the book for someone else who can see past the changing characters with no foundation, but it was not the book for me.
**I received Neverland from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
angelreads's review against another edition
4.0
Review posted on Angel Reads
I received an e-copy of Neverland by Shari Arnold from Create Space through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way influenced my review.
I haven’t read many re-telling’s before and Neverland is the first ever Peter Pan re-telling that I have read, I was quite captivated by the premise of the book. It sounded like something that I was going to like and I was a little let down.
In saying that, I did like it. It just wasn’t what I was expecting. When I started it, I was turning pages after page and I was fully immersed, then after maybe 30% in, I was deflated however I kept on pushing myself as I truly wanted to like the book.
Livy the protagonist of Neverland was quite a decent character to get along with. She wasn’t annoying to me on the other hand I can see that some might find her annoying, however to me, she felt like an older sister. And though her family is in pieces, she still holds strong in my opinion. The thing that made me love Livy the most is her determination to save her sisters best friend, oh my heart.
At first Neverland was quite confusing. I didn’t get what was going on, names were getting pulled from here and there and things just happened far too quickly for my liking. It also felt at times that I skipped something then again in reality I didn’t.
It was at part two that I began to feel intrigued again, maybe it’s since it was when the re-telling truly started to take place. There were little hints here and there of the re-telling in the first part, however at part two it certainly kicked off.
Shari Arnold writing is beautiful and the emotions that she can pull from the reader are spot on. Maybe it is because I have younger siblings that I felt a real connection to Livy.
Meyer can have my heart any day. Man this boy is beautiful, though at times I hated him for being so mysterious but hey it all payed off at the end.
Neverland took me on journey through high and lows. It made me smile and definitely made me cry. The world of Neverland was simply gorgeous and put a massive smile on my face and the ending was pure brilliance. Arnold knows how to wrap up a story nice and tightly, but then again leaves enough room to create your own journey.
I received an e-copy of Neverland by Shari Arnold from Create Space through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way influenced my review.
I haven’t read many re-telling’s before and Neverland is the first ever Peter Pan re-telling that I have read, I was quite captivated by the premise of the book. It sounded like something that I was going to like and I was a little let down.
In saying that, I did like it. It just wasn’t what I was expecting. When I started it, I was turning pages after page and I was fully immersed, then after maybe 30% in, I was deflated however I kept on pushing myself as I truly wanted to like the book.
Livy the protagonist of Neverland was quite a decent character to get along with. She wasn’t annoying to me on the other hand I can see that some might find her annoying, however to me, she felt like an older sister. And though her family is in pieces, she still holds strong in my opinion. The thing that made me love Livy the most is her determination to save her sisters best friend, oh my heart.
At first Neverland was quite confusing. I didn’t get what was going on, names were getting pulled from here and there and things just happened far too quickly for my liking. It also felt at times that I skipped something then again in reality I didn’t.
It was at part two that I began to feel intrigued again, maybe it’s since it was when the re-telling truly started to take place. There were little hints here and there of the re-telling in the first part, however at part two it certainly kicked off.
Shari Arnold writing is beautiful and the emotions that she can pull from the reader are spot on. Maybe it is because I have younger siblings that I felt a real connection to Livy.
Meyer can have my heart any day. Man this boy is beautiful, though at times I hated him for being so mysterious but hey it all payed off at the end.
Neverland took me on journey through high and lows. It made me smile and definitely made me cry. The world of Neverland was simply gorgeous and put a massive smile on my face and the ending was pure brilliance. Arnold knows how to wrap up a story nice and tightly, but then again leaves enough room to create your own journey.
burstnwithbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I am SO HAPPY I finally read this book!! It was so completely fantastic. I loved the Peter Pan retelling aspect (so whimsical) and the plot of this book is so touching and sad and ugh just amazing. I was completely obsessed with the writing, highly invested in the characters, and honestly sobbing by the end. It took me four years to actually read this book and it was so worth it. Love love loved it.
alisarae's review against another edition
4.0
It exceeded my expectations--the whole book addresses grief and loss in a refreshing and real way.
http://papercuttts.blogspot.com/2015/09/self-published-spotlight-neverland-by.html
http://papercuttts.blogspot.com/2015/09/self-published-spotlight-neverland-by.html
majitoamor's review against another edition
5.0
Hace cuanto que no devoro un libro de esta manera??
Lo amé. Fue un mimo al alma este libro y me estrujo un poco el corazón.
Acaso me estoy volviendo fan de los retellings de Peter Pan? Puede que si y no me arrepiento de nada!
Lo amé. Fue un mimo al alma este libro y me estrujo un poco el corazón.
Acaso me estoy volviendo fan de los retellings de Peter Pan? Puede que si y no me arrepiento de nada!
thearosemary's review against another edition
4.0
Neverland was such a beautiful tale. It was romantic and magical, yet is also focused on family and the impact of losses.
I adored the characters in the book, particularly Meyer, because, come on, how could you not like Meyer? He was charming and witty, with such a big heart.
The story took an interesting twist when it transformed from contemporary to fantasy, then back to contemporary. It was a daring move, but I think it worked in some ways.
I will definitely be reading more from Shari Arnold.
I adored the characters in the book, particularly Meyer, because, come on, how could you not like Meyer? He was charming and witty, with such a big heart.
The story took an interesting twist when it transformed from contemporary to fantasy, then back to contemporary. It was a daring move, but I think it worked in some ways.
I will definitely be reading more from Shari Arnold.
kristy_k's review against another edition
4.0
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
There is something about Peter Pan that is whimsical and magical while still having depth and feelings of melancholy. Neverland captures that essence in this unique retelling.
Having recently lost her younger sister, Livy is dealing with wading through the tragic aftermath when she meets Meyer. He is captivating, charming, enthralling, and of course, adventurous. You can truly see the shadows of Peter Pan in his character. As Livy begins her adventures with Meyer, she also acquires a new tutor, James, who seems to prod more into Livy's emotional state and how she is handling the loss of her sister than he does her studies.
I really think it is best to go into this book without more knowledge than that, since even though it is based off of Peter Pan the new spin (and setting) adds so many nuances, you'll want to discover them as Livy is. I enjoyed that while based off of Peter Pan the story doesn't simply follow that plot, but rather, creates a whole new world, a new meaning, and a new reason for Neverland.
To be honest, I barely glimpsed at the synopsis before requesting a copy from Netgalley. Peter Pan is probably my favorite classic/fairy tale story and I jumped at the chance to read a retelling of it. When I finally did read the summary, I was glad to see it gives little detail about how the story really plays out. I loved not knowing exactly what was going to happen. I was left to decipher the meaning behind so many cryptic words and mysterious happenings (just as Livy had to). This made for a simultaneously exciting and heartbreaking read.
There is something about Peter Pan that is whimsical and magical while still having depth and feelings of melancholy. Neverland captures that essence in this unique retelling.
Having recently lost her younger sister, Livy is dealing with wading through the tragic aftermath when she meets Meyer. He is captivating, charming, enthralling, and of course, adventurous. You can truly see the shadows of Peter Pan in his character. As Livy begins her adventures with Meyer, she also acquires a new tutor, James, who seems to prod more into Livy's emotional state and how she is handling the loss of her sister than he does her studies.
I really think it is best to go into this book without more knowledge than that, since even though it is based off of Peter Pan the new spin (and setting) adds so many nuances, you'll want to discover them as Livy is. I enjoyed that while based off of Peter Pan the story doesn't simply follow that plot, but rather, creates a whole new world, a new meaning, and a new reason for Neverland.
To be honest, I barely glimpsed at the synopsis before requesting a copy from Netgalley. Peter Pan is probably my favorite classic/fairy tale story and I jumped at the chance to read a retelling of it. When I finally did read the summary, I was glad to see it gives little detail about how the story really plays out. I loved not knowing exactly what was going to happen. I was left to decipher the meaning behind so many cryptic words and mysterious happenings (just as Livy had to). This made for a simultaneously exciting and heartbreaking read.
thepaperreels's review against another edition
4.0
"There are subtle truths buried in every make-believe.... You never know where you might find one.”
Oh WOW. This book broke me into pieces, honestly. But thank the book gods that it repaired me when the end came. This book is magical! It surprised me so much. Reading this book is like a roller coaster ride. What happens in a roller coaster ride? You get scared, some might cry in the middle, some gets frustrated they just want it to end but most importantly, when the ride ends, you're left with that adrenaline and that huge grin on your face. (Some puke I know, but don't worry it won't happen here) I finished NEVERLAND with happy tears in my eyes and then I re-read it all over again.
The story started a bit slow and usually, I tend to complain because I'm not a fan of slow paced plotlines. But in here, I feel like it was really necessary. We got to know more Livy. Her life, her parents, her grief. The way Shari Arnold described Livy's emotions, of her grief, was incredible. It feels like I'm the one who lost a sister and I'm the one grieving. It made me sad SO MUCH that I wanted nothing but to get away Livy in that situation. It was heartbreaking. And her parents was just the same. You really are not the same person when you lost someone you love. Livy was a main character to root for. It was so easy to understand and sympathize with her. She was authentic. Shari Arnold wrote fantastic characters. They are all not the same from the first time you read them because all of them underwent a tremendous growth.
Now MEYER, our Peter Pan in this tale was.. its really hard to describe my feelings towards him. He's so sexy but oh so frustrating too! I'm not his number one fan, but I'm not a hater either. I really didn't like his disappearing acts at the first part in the story. But then again, he is Peter Pan. He has secrets. And he's always ready for an adventure!
"It’s time for an adventure,” is all he says. He’s sitting next to me, our legs brushing against each other each time the bus turns a corner. “Are you up for a little adventure, Livy?"
The word building was really believable. Something that will convince you that what you're reading can be real. The explanations of Neverland.. Meyer.. the flying.. the magic, it was solid. I believe Shari Arnold's terrific writing helped too. I fell hard! Not too purple prose, but not super simple either. It's perfect. It fits the story, the magical atmosphere was there and it transports you. I have nothing but praise.
So. It is obvious that I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this retelling. Whether you're a PeterPan fan or not. Shari Arnold weaved a magical retelling that J.M. Barrie will approve of. Be charmed by Meyer and join Livy's adventure towards acceptance, moving on and into love!
You can also read my review in HERE.