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kerrygibbons's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
1 rainbow
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Physical abuse, Gun violence, Child death, Death, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Car accident, Confinement, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Blood, Death of parent, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Stalking, Bullying, and Addiction
The themes of this book are dark and involve children going missing, emotional abuse, andlunep's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Medical content, Child death, Grief, Blood, Kidnapping, and Car accident
Moderate: Murder, Medical trauma, and Cursing
Minor: Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Alcohol, and Vomit
readingthroughinfinity's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Thank to Libro FM and the publisher for providing me with an advance audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Buddy read with Helen.
I absolutely adored Cemetery Boys so I had high hopes for this Peter Pan retelling, but sadly they weren't met. The story follows Wendy, as she tries to discover more about Peter, a mysterious boy who appears one night, while also looking into the disappearance of her brothers five years before.
The main reason this didn't work for me was that the plot felt weak and not many critical moments happened between the inciting event and final few chapters. There was lots of travelling back and forth between the woods and Wendy's home, but little was actually achieved from these trips. The twist at the end was the novel's saving grace, but the characters felt under-developed and the writing seemed unlike Aiden Thomas's usual well-crafted style.
Content warnings for PTSD, kidnapping, grief, anxiety, death of family members.
Buddy read with Helen.
I absolutely adored Cemetery Boys so I had high hopes for this Peter Pan retelling, but sadly they weren't met. The story follows Wendy, as she tries to discover more about Peter, a mysterious boy who appears one night, while also looking into the disappearance of her brothers five years before.
The main reason this didn't work for me was that the plot felt weak and not many critical moments happened between the inciting event and final few chapters. There was lots of travelling back and forth between the woods and Wendy's home, but little was actually achieved from these trips. The twist at the end was the novel's saving grace, but the characters felt under-developed and the writing seemed unlike Aiden Thomas's usual well-crafted style.
Content warnings for PTSD, kidnapping, grief, anxiety, death of family members.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Murder, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Grief, Violence, and Child death
ka_ke's review against another edition
Too triggering. As an oldest sibling/child myself I found Wendy’s character to be too real. The anxiety, and the panic attacks all caused by her overwhelming sense of shame, failure and guilt hit too close to home.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Medical trauma, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Child death, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, and Mental illness
allonsythornraxx's review
3.0
26/05/2021
3 ⭐
“I think people are more frightening than the dark," he said. "A person can stand right in front of you and be dangerous without you even knowing it.”
Aiden Thomas really said Rise of The Guardians but make it Peter Pan!
This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and while it wasn't a total letdown, it definitely didn't live up to how much I'd hyped it up in my head! I love Peter Pan retellings and there were aspects of this that I adored, like Aiden Thomas' writing and the little insights we got into Peter, but other than that, this felt undercooked and like it needed to go through a few more edits before getting published.
This felt like a cliche fanfic idea that had a lot of potential but missed the mark! Some really interesting ideas and character descriptions that make me think this would've been better as an animation or graphic novel, rather than a book.
Originally, this was going to be a 4.5 ⭐ book but the more I read, the faster my rating fell. It was too slow, the characters were all one dimensional and the romance was distractingly uncomfortable. Also, side note: I feel like this book would have been even better as magical realism. I know a lot of readers have found it really confusing so I feel like that could've helped.
What I did like
I really like how Aiden Thomas has written this version of Peter. I'm partial to villain Peter BUT I also really like this interpretation of him. The lost boy who just wants to save all the other lost children. The boy who never wants to grow up. The boy who takes his "job" seriously and holds the safety and lives of all the lost children in the world on his shoulders.
I feel like this is a really cool AU version of Peter and I can really appreciate this version of him, I just wish we got to see more of it. I wonder what this book would've been like in his pov OR even dual pov. It probably would've moved faster and made the character less one dimensional.
I really liked the descriptions of The Shadow, it's enough to make you afraid of the dark - especially that bright white grin shrouded in darkness! I got Rise of The Guardians Frost/Pitch vibes! That being said, and considering he's the villain, we really don't see much of The Shadow. On the villain note - it was refreshing to see the villain wasn't captain hook!
A Peter x Wendy rant
The major downside/letdown of this book is the Peter x Wendy relationship. It felt unnecessary and romantic when I wished it would stay platonic in every sense of the word. I'm all for characters in fairytales/classics growing up but this relationship feels so gross when you think about how old Peter actually is - realistically hundreds or thousands of years old - physically he's 18 (at some parts he looks roughly 15) and mentally he's 12. It's gross and distracting and takes away from the book.
I just wish the book could've stayed platonic. Just Wendy rediscovering her childhood, getting her memories back and finding her brother again. But noooo we must add romantic feelings for the hot 12 yr old! 🤮
I mean, a forced and unnecessary romance between a child and an 18 year old??? Aiden Thomas WHAT? I really think nostalgia and the amazing cover is the only thing that can save this book from being completely average or a DNF for most people. The writing was good and the story sounded great on paper but this book lacked the excitement that comes with Peter Pan and Neverland.
TW: abusive/scary father, absent mother (mentally checked out), kidnapping, loss of a loved one (past), alcoholism (parent), ptsd, injury, violence
Blog | Letterboxd | Instagram | Tumblr | Twitter
3 ⭐
“I think people are more frightening than the dark," he said. "A person can stand right in front of you and be dangerous without you even knowing it.”
Aiden Thomas really said Rise of The Guardians but make it Peter Pan!
This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and while it wasn't a total letdown, it definitely didn't live up to how much I'd hyped it up in my head! I love Peter Pan retellings and there were aspects of this that I adored, like Aiden Thomas' writing and the little insights we got into Peter, but other than that, this felt undercooked and like it needed to go through a few more edits before getting published.
This felt like a cliche fanfic idea that had a lot of potential but missed the mark! Some really interesting ideas and character descriptions that make me think this would've been better as an animation or graphic novel, rather than a book.
Originally, this was going to be a 4.5 ⭐ book but the more I read, the faster my rating fell. It was too slow, the characters were all one dimensional and the romance was distractingly uncomfortable. Also, side note: I feel like this book would have been even better as magical realism. I know a lot of readers have found it really confusing so I feel like that could've helped.
What I did like
I really like how Aiden Thomas has written this version of Peter. I'm partial to villain Peter BUT I also really like this interpretation of him. The lost boy who just wants to save all the other lost children. The boy who never wants to grow up. The boy who takes his "job" seriously and holds the safety and lives of all the lost children in the world on his shoulders.
I feel like this is a really cool AU version of Peter and I can really appreciate this version of him, I just wish we got to see more of it. I wonder what this book would've been like in his pov OR even dual pov. It probably would've moved faster and made the character less one dimensional.
A Peter x Wendy rant
I just wish the book could've stayed platonic. Just Wendy rediscovering her childhood, getting her memories back and finding her brother again. But noooo we must add romantic feelings for the hot 12 yr old! 🤮
I mean, a forced and unnecessary romance between a child and an 18 year old??? Aiden Thomas WHAT? I really think nostalgia and the amazing cover is the only thing that can save this book from being completely average or a DNF for most people. The writing was good and the story sounded great on paper but this book lacked the excitement that comes with Peter Pan and Neverland.
TW: abusive/scary father, absent mother (mentally checked out), kidnapping, loss of a loved one (past), alcoholism (parent), ptsd, injury, violence
Blog | Letterboxd | Instagram | Tumblr | Twitter
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Kidnapping
wanderonwards's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Blood, Car accident, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
stardustandrockets's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
I did NOT see that ending coming. Talk about your dark take on Peter Pan. Hot damn. I'll hopefully have my thoughts collected and a more cohesive review up soon!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Blood
Minor: Alcoholism
mezzano's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Lost in the Never Woods is Aiden Thomas' sophomore novel, but shares dark and spooky vibes which were apparent in his debut, Cemetery Boys. Other than that parallel, Lost in the Never Woods is incredibly different than its predecessor and deserves to be viewed as its own independent piece. Lost in the Never Woods is at its heart, a story about mourning and grief. Wendy Darling, despite nearly an adult, is traumatized by an incident she can't fully remember which resulted in becoming separated from her two younger brothers. As she volunteers at the hospital her mother works in, she tells the children there stories of the boyish and adventurous Peter Pan. Her memories begin to resurface in strange ways, which leads her to wonder if there's more to Peter than a figment of her imagination.
The strength of this novel is certainly its characterization of its secondary main character, Peter Pan. Peter is a growing boy who should not be tumbling towards adulthood, which is clear by his charismatic and boisterous actions and behaviors. Despite most Peter Pan retellings focusing on Peter being a static character, Thomas makes their story rooted in character development. As Wendy is trying to find answers to bury her own grief and find the other children who have gone missing in her small Oregon town, Peter has a secret which he needs to share in order to keep the missing children safe. What results is a clever twist in an age-old story which is satisfying despite its slow build up.
Lost in the Never Woods has a main female lead, but does not have much diversity outside of the narrative. Many of Wendy's conversations with her best friend Jordan are full of strife or "boy talk," which leaves their relationship feeling two dimensional throughout the story. Wendy's parents are an interesting study on grieving parents--with a mother consumed in work and a father who is overprotective--but they play a minor role in the story. The story is overwhelmed by Wendy and Peter's issues, meaning they are by far the characters readers learn about and emphasize with the most. Unlike Thomas' earlier work, there is also no clear LGBTQIA+ or BIPOC representation in the novel. Peter is described as a boy with "auburn hair and blue eyes," while Wendy's race is left ambiguous. While this is not necessarily a deficit to Thomas' story-telling capabilities, readers of Cemetery Boys may be surprised by the lack of representation throughout this novel.
Lost in the Never Woods was originally written as a thesis for Thomas' MFA in Creative Writing. When reading the novel, readers may be reminded of its more academic origins by the frequent use of motifs (such as the acorn introduced early in the story) and its over-arching theme (grief and mourning). In many ways, this story also feels less polished despite more editing time compared to Thomas' other works. The humor, while present, doesn't linger. Most of the relationships in the story are surface level, excluding the relationship Wendy shares with Peter. Despite this, the story is strong, easy to follow, and leaves the reader thinking about its ending long after the pages run out.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillian Children's Publishing Group for an advanced copy of Lost in the Never Woods in exchange for an honest review. This book has a beautiful cover and will make a great addition to any bookshelf--young and old alike! Make sure to preorder the book or pick it up from your local bookstore on March 23rd, 2021!
The strength of this novel is certainly its characterization of its secondary main character, Peter Pan. Peter is a growing boy who should not be tumbling towards adulthood, which is clear by his charismatic and boisterous actions and behaviors. Despite most Peter Pan retellings focusing on Peter being a static character, Thomas makes their story rooted in character development. As Wendy is trying to find answers to bury her own grief and find the other children who have gone missing in her small Oregon town, Peter has a secret which he needs to share in order to keep the missing children safe. What results is a clever twist in an age-old story which is satisfying despite its slow build up.
Lost in the Never Woods has a main female lead, but does not have much diversity outside of the narrative. Many of Wendy's conversations with her best friend Jordan are full of strife or "boy talk," which leaves their relationship feeling two dimensional throughout the story. Wendy's parents are an interesting study on grieving parents--with a mother consumed in work and a father who is overprotective--but they play a minor role in the story. The story is overwhelmed by Wendy and Peter's issues, meaning they are by far the characters readers learn about and emphasize with the most. Unlike Thomas' earlier work, there is also no clear LGBTQIA+ or BIPOC representation in the novel. Peter is described as a boy with "auburn hair and blue eyes," while Wendy's race is left ambiguous. While this is not necessarily a deficit to Thomas' story-telling capabilities, readers of Cemetery Boys may be surprised by the lack of representation throughout this novel.
Lost in the Never Woods was originally written as a thesis for Thomas' MFA in Creative Writing. When reading the novel, readers may be reminded of its more academic origins by the frequent use of motifs (such as the acorn introduced early in the story) and its over-arching theme (grief and mourning). In many ways, this story also feels less polished despite more editing time compared to Thomas' other works. The humor, while present, doesn't linger. Most of the relationships in the story are surface level, excluding the relationship Wendy shares with Peter. Despite this, the story is strong, easy to follow, and leaves the reader thinking about its ending long after the pages run out.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillian Children's Publishing Group for an advanced copy of Lost in the Never Woods in exchange for an honest review. This book has a beautiful cover and will make a great addition to any bookshelf--young and old alike! Make sure to preorder the book or pick it up from your local bookstore on March 23rd, 2021!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Kidnapping, and Child death
Moderate: Medical content, Gun violence, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Blood, Drug use, and Drug abuse
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