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hayley07's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Alcoholism, Blood, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Addiction, and Alcohol
chase_mcl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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? It's complicated
5.0
This book was AMAZING!!! Best book of the year by far. Peter pan was always one of my favorite movies as a child and now reading the Aiden Thomas was able to mix the fun playful and at times sexy side of Peter Pan, with a darker more sinister story line. The Waterfall Scene **Chefs Kiss** and the final scene was so emotional it had me crying in public and its not easy to do both the high highs and the low lows in a book but Thomas did it beautifully. This book is really a master class on modern fantasy/mystery for a ya reader. 10 outta 10, 5 stars, BRILLIANT!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Grief
Moderate: Death, Child death, and Murder
Minor: Alcoholism
allygator's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was such a unique Peter Pan adaptation. Aiden Thomas is a genius for making such a classic story into a YA horror/mystery -- it works so well. I couldn't put this down, it was so engaging and fast-paced and I was so invested in how the story was going to end. I loved the characters, and I was so tense trying to figure out what was happening to them. I was so nervous to pick this up after loving Cemetery Boys so much, but I was not disappointed. This has definitely cemented Thomas as an auto-buy author for me, and I can't wait to read what he puts out next.
I loved how well this book touched on trauma and PTSD, it felt very authentic and it made Wendy a much more compelling character than she was in the original story. I wasn't sure how much I would love her romance with Peter, but it wasn't overwhelming in the story and I honestly kind of enjoyed it. The trauma within Wendy's parents was really well-written and had me crying at some points.When Peter speaks to Mrs. Darling in John and Michael's voices when she sleep talks??? I had a whole crisis.
I also really enjoyed Jordan's character, though I wish she had more page time. In general, this was a lot less diverse than Thomas' debut, but it didn't really detract from the story for me. The ending had me shaking it was so good, it was so bold and scary because it definitely could happen in today's world.
All in all, this was such a good retelling; I highly recommend picking it up.
I loved how well this book touched on trauma and PTSD, it felt very authentic and it made Wendy a much more compelling character than she was in the original story. I wasn't sure how much I would love her romance with Peter, but it wasn't overwhelming in the story and I honestly kind of enjoyed it. The trauma within Wendy's parents was really well-written and had me crying at some points.
I also really enjoyed Jordan's character, though I wish she had more page time. In general, this was a lot less diverse than Thomas' debut, but it didn't really detract from the story for me. The ending had me shaking it was so good, it was so bold and scary because it definitely could happen in today's world.
All in all, this was such a good retelling; I highly recommend picking it up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Violence, Child death, Death, Grief, Murder, Blood, and Gun violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Car accident, Medical content, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Cursing, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit
_fallinglight_'s review
adventurous
dark
emotional
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Well 3 stars bc I struggled too much to finish this book it was exceedingly slow burn so it only contributed to make me feel detached to the story. I had to coax myself every day to pick up the book but when I did I was very into the mystery. I have to say that maybe I felt this way bc I've never read anything about Peter Pan or seen any movies so I barely knew the basics. Nevertheless, I grew fond of Wendy and wanted to know how the whole mystery was resolved. The simplicity of this retelling is sweet and if it had been a few pages shorter I feel it would have delivered so much better. The scenes with Peter and Wendy were really cute and amusing but they felt kinda weird as well bc the little kids were being terrorized while they were having fun, it was an odd feeling. Like I understand they couldn't be tracking them 24/7 but it was still weird for me lol I also just didn't feel the romance part between Wendy and Peter, so that's why I appreciated Peter and Wendy's farewell that wasn't ridiculously melodramatic, it was heartfelt without being corny. I know this book has its dark themes but the softness in how it's written takes precedence, but I don't like how Wendy's neglectful and contemptuous parents faults were brushed aside and it wasn't explored why they treated their only living daughter like that. I also didn't like how Jordan felt devoid of personality and was more like a support blanket. I usually dislike characters written that way and take more issue with it when they're POC. But maybe I'm just being sensitive idk. But again on what I did like, I liked the explanation of Peter's purpose. It was sad and painful but makes sense. (Or maybe this is canon, idk??) Overall, it's not the most thrilling story but beautiful moments in text and the mystery make it a strenuous but still worthwhile and delightful read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, and Child death
Minor: Murder
ang_mendoza's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I found it a bit surprising that Aiden Thomas failed to make this book at all diverse. With the exception of a few side-characters, all the characters are White and cishet as far as canon goes. Most of the book feels like a standard enough retelling but I'll say I really liked the ending. I don't think this is the only version of Peter Pan to do this, but I loved the reveal that Peter is like a grim reaper for kids. His relationship with Wendy was pretty well written but there is some inherent weirdness to it and some unclarity abiut how that caused everything.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, Gun violence, Death, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Alcohol and Blood
Minor: Alcoholism, Car accident, and Confinement
taleofabibliophile's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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: Death, Grief, Murder, Kidnapping, Child death, and Gun violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Car accident, Alcohol, and Violence
Minor: Medical content, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
lisa_m's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I didn't know much about this book before reading it. I didn't even realise that it is a Peter Pan retelling.
I'm glad that I didn't know that before though because I have read the Original last year and didn't really like it. But this book was really good! It is a quite dark retelling of Peter Pan and Wendy is a grown up in this one (well ..she is 18).
The story was really immersive and I didn't want to stop reading. It is also a kind of mystery because you learn throughout the book what really happens to children and what happened to Wendy and her brothers all those years ago.
It is a quite gruesome story but I liked that twist to this children's tale.
I definitely want to read more books by this author!
My biggest problem with this story was the romance aspect of it. Don't get me wrong, I actually quite liked Peter in this book (I didn't like him in the Original), but having him fall in love with Wendy just seemed so strange.
I mean yeah he is technically way older than her and his body is also aging during their time together but he is still so childlike and idk it just felt really weird.
What I did like though was the twist to Peter's story. Him being a guide to murdered children is actually quite interesting. It explains his story so much better. He is compassionate and helps them move on. I liked this Death version of him.
All in all I would definitely recommend this book! Even if you don't particularly like the story of Peter Pan like me, you might still like this book. Also if you like mystery mixed with paranormal stuff this is for you :)
I'm glad that I didn't know that before though because I have read the Original last year and didn't really like it. But this book was really good! It is a quite dark retelling of Peter Pan and Wendy is a grown up in this one (well ..she is 18).
The story was really immersive and I didn't want to stop reading. It is also a kind of mystery because you learn throughout the book what really happens to children and what happened to Wendy and her brothers all those years ago.
It is a quite gruesome story but I liked that twist to this children's tale.
I definitely want to read more books by this author!
My biggest problem with this story was the romance aspect of it. Don't get me wrong, I actually quite liked Peter in this book (I didn't like him in the Original), but having him fall in love with Wendy just seemed so strange.
I mean yeah he is technically way older than her and his body is also aging during their time together but he is still so childlike and idk it just felt really weird.
What I did like though was the twist to Peter's story. Him being a guide to murdered children is actually quite interesting. It explains his story so much better. He is compassionate and helps them move on. I liked this Death version of him.
All in all I would definitely recommend this book! Even if you don't particularly like the story of Peter Pan like me, you might still like this book. Also if you like mystery mixed with paranormal stuff this is for you :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Child death, Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Medical content, Car accident, Death, and Murder
kassidyreads's review
dark
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? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Gun violence and Alcoholism
dariusmortee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I will always love Peter Pan retellings and this is another one that found a place in my heart.
Lost in the Never Woods is a mysterious retelling with a focus on trauma and what that does to a person, in this case a teenager, and with a family. It’s a quick and engaging read that grabbed me from start to end. Aiden Thomas is definitely one of my favourite authors.
Lost in the Never Woods is a mysterious retelling with a focus on trauma and what that does to a person, in this case a teenager, and with a family. It’s a quick and engaging read that grabbed me from start to end. Aiden Thomas is definitely one of my favourite authors.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Kidnapping, Child death, Grief, Gun violence, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Abandonment and Alcoholism
btrz7's review
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
I thought a Peter Pan retelling would be just the thing for me, but unfortunately it turns out I was wrong in this instance.
There isn't much I can say about this book. Like, it felt so bland? It was something I meant to read in one sitting and ended up dragging for days. Mostly I think everything feels very superficial. Also, I like books in the YA range, but I guess this one felt like it was for a much younger audience and that didn't help my enjoyment of it.
What I did like was the concept behind Neverland as it exists in this book, but like everything else it doesn't feel very explored and I don't think it reached the potential I thought it had.
Overall I'd say about 2.5 stars rating, rounded down for the time being. I am still curious about Cemetery Boys and will check it out.
There isn't much I can say about this book. Like, it felt so bland? It was something I meant to read in one sitting and ended up dragging for days. Mostly I think everything feels very superficial. Also, I like books in the YA range, but I guess this one felt like it was for a much younger audience and that didn't help my enjoyment of it.
What I did like was the concept behind Neverland as it exists in this book, but like everything else it doesn't feel very explored and I don't think it reached the potential I thought it had.
Overall I'd say about 2.5 stars rating, rounded down for the time being. I am still curious about Cemetery Boys and will check it out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Kidnapping, and Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Car accident