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pothosethos's review against another edition
This was one of my favorite books from my childhood so I thought I would reread it. I still love it, although now reading it when I am older has been different. I still recommend this to anyone who loves Peter Pan.
jei_reads_sometimes's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Trafficking, Violence, Racism, Blood, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, and Child abuse
kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
First in the Peter and the Starcatchers middle-grade fantasy series loosely based upon Peter Pan, the Lost Boys, and Neverland.
My Take
At last! The "true story" behind Peter Pan, mermaids, centaurs, and sea monsters! Actually Barry and Pearson have been ingenious in using the Peter Pan tale to create their own middle-grade fantasy, and it is quite an adventure from the start of the tale to the end of this installment. The authors have cleverly explained most of the highlights of the Peter Pan story from the captain's hook, the crocodile who trails him, Tinker Bell — including her bells!, the origin of Neverland, from whence the lost boys came, why Peter will never grow up, how they gained the ability to fly...it's too much fun for words!!
That ending will have you reaching for the next in the series, Peter and the Shadow Thieves.
The Story
Is it fate or happenstance that five lonely orphan boys are being shipped out on a dilapidated ship along with a young but valiant lady, a starcatcher by birth? Molly Aster is unexpectedly guarding a valuable treasure from the stars aboard the Never Land. A treasure that was somehow switched with the decoy.
Under fire from Captain Black Stache, the storm that rises up sends everyone ashore where more and greater adventures ensue, and the starstuff wreaks havoc on all.
The Characters
Leonard Aster and his daughter, Molly, are from a long line of starcatchers, and they were escorting a valuable treasure to be returned to space. Well, one of 'em is anyway...for Molly is on the Never Land while her father is on one of the Royal Navy ships.
Peter, James, Prentiss, Thomas, and Tubby Ted are the five orphans being sent to King Zarboff III to a lifetime of slavery.
The Mollusk Indians are...
...led by Fighting Prawn who escaped His Majesty's navy. Alf was one of Mr. Slank's men from the Never Land who became an ally.
Slank is the first mate and actual captain of the Never Land — and you can just tell from how he treats people that he's a bad man. Just ask Ammm.
Captain Black Stache is an evil pirate with a crew of idjits headed up by Smee. Mister Grin is the lizard who grew after exposure to the starstuff.
The Cover and Title
The cover certainly makes you think Peter Pan as the evil Captain Black Stache stands braced with surprise, his sword in his hand...he'd better enjoy having that hand while it lasts! His sidekick, Smee, is holding Molly prisoner with all three of them standing on the deck of a ship with the trunk of starstuff glimmering in a trail pointing to Peter, flying, backlit by the moon. I do love how the "magic continues" with the holographic effect of the title and the three-sided border on the cover!
The title, Peter and the Starcatchers, is an excellent summary of the story, although it doesn't hold up at the end.
My Take
At last! The "true story" behind Peter Pan, mermaids, centaurs, and sea monsters! Actually Barry and Pearson have been ingenious in using the Peter Pan tale to create their own middle-grade fantasy, and it is quite an adventure from the start of the tale to the end of this installment. The authors have cleverly explained most of the highlights of the Peter Pan story from the captain's hook, the crocodile who trails him, Tinker Bell — including her bells!, the origin of Neverland, from whence the lost boys came, why Peter will never grow up, how they gained the ability to fly...it's too much fun for words!!
That ending will have you reaching for the next in the series, Peter and the Shadow Thieves.
The Story
Is it fate or happenstance that five lonely orphan boys are being shipped out on a dilapidated ship along with a young but valiant lady, a starcatcher by birth? Molly Aster is unexpectedly guarding a valuable treasure from the stars aboard the Never Land. A treasure that was somehow switched with the decoy.
Under fire from Captain Black Stache, the storm that rises up sends everyone ashore where more and greater adventures ensue, and the starstuff wreaks havoc on all.
The Characters
Leonard Aster and his daughter, Molly, are from a long line of starcatchers, and they were escorting a valuable treasure to be returned to space. Well, one of 'em is anyway...for Molly is on the Never Land while her father is on one of the Royal Navy ships.
Peter, James, Prentiss, Thomas, and Tubby Ted are the five orphans being sent to King Zarboff III to a lifetime of slavery.
The Mollusk Indians are...
...led by Fighting Prawn who escaped His Majesty's navy. Alf was one of Mr. Slank's men from the Never Land who became an ally.
Slank is the first mate and actual captain of the Never Land — and you can just tell from how he treats people that he's a bad man. Just ask Ammm.
Captain Black Stache is an evil pirate with a crew of idjits headed up by Smee. Mister Grin is the lizard who grew after exposure to the starstuff.
The Cover and Title
The cover certainly makes you think Peter Pan as the evil Captain Black Stache stands braced with surprise, his sword in his hand...he'd better enjoy having that hand while it lasts! His sidekick, Smee, is holding Molly prisoner with all three of them standing on the deck of a ship with the trunk of starstuff glimmering in a trail pointing to Peter, flying, backlit by the moon. I do love how the "magic continues" with the holographic effect of the title and the three-sided border on the cover!
The title, Peter and the Starcatchers, is an excellent summary of the story, although it doesn't hold up at the end.
literarystrawberry's review against another edition
3.0
This used to be my absolute favorite book series-- I even read it out loud to my Grandma in upstate New York over a long series of phone calls-- and if I had a Goodreads or Storygraph at ten years old, I would have absolutely given it five stars. Re-reading it as an adult unfortunately did not capture the same magic. I mean, it was fine; the characters were serviceable, if a little flat, and Stache/Hook was a decent enough villain (though his interactions with Smee weren't nearly as mind-blowingly hilarious as I remembered), and it was fun to see how the different elements of this story would lead up to to Neverland and Peter Pan we know. But yeah, if I had been reading this for the very first time now, I don't think I would have bothered finishing it. Not because it's /bad/, but it's just not as compelling to me now as the pile of other books I have to read.
But hey! Adult me is not the target audience. Child me was. And I'll always have fond memories of sharing this story that meant so much to me with the person who meant so much to me, even if she did fall asleep a few times on the other end of the phone.
But hey! Adult me is not the target audience. Child me was. And I'll always have fond memories of sharing this story that meant so much to me with the person who meant so much to me, even if she did fall asleep a few times on the other end of the phone.
reefshark's review
adventurous
emotional
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? No
5.0
irinat44's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
kishma_'s review against another edition
DNF at 29%...maybe I'll pick this back up again in the future, but I can't get into it now. It's just not doing it for me ):
indigoblue777's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
I forgot how much I loved this book. I remember I loved the story so much that I begged my parents to take me into the city to watch the amazing off-broadway production of Peter and The Starcatchers (which even my parents enjoyed!). I highly recommend this book to readers of all ages. This book has earned its place on my favorites shelf.
I forgot how much I loved this book. I remember I loved the story so much that I begged my parents to take me into the city to watch the amazing off-broadway production of Peter and The Starcatchers (which even my parents enjoyed!). I highly recommend this book to readers of all ages. This book has earned its place on my favorites shelf.
Spoiler
I'm taking half a star off because rereading this brought back sad memories of the other books in this series. Poor Peter is immortal, and all of his friends eventually grow up without him.samcurler13's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5