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_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
ainsley_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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? Yes
5.0
I think this is the best book I ever read. The characters were amazing the writing was great. The story was so Good and I was crying at some part. I am going to recommend this book to everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, and Mental illness
althea_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I think Aiden Thomas did a pretty good job with this retelling of my favorite story, Peter Pan. They added such a dark feel to this and I was admittedly so creeped out at times (then again, that's not saying much because I get creeped out fairly easily).
.
At first, I was wary about how a modern take on this would go, especially with how popular it is and with how many theories surround Peter Pan himself exist as it is, but I was more surprised than not. The fantastical element of this story was really intriguing and yet surprisingly minimal, which I think worked well with the mystery element of this book.
.
What I didn't like was just how hard I personally found it to stay invested in the story as a whole. There were times I felt like the characters were just repeating themselves unnecessarily, which I found to be dragging, and doing things out of their established character norms.
.
Overall, I liked it, but didn't necessarily love it. Still, it was a pretty good modernized take on a classic story 😊
.
Also, couldn't help picturing Jeremy Sumpter in the role. No other live-action Peter Pan for me!
.
CW: trauma, murder, kidnapping, PTSD, depression,
.
Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨/5
Instagram | @althea.reads
.
At first, I was wary about how a modern take on this would go, especially with how popular it is and with how many theories surround Peter Pan himself exist as it is, but I was more surprised than not. The fantastical element of this story was really intriguing and yet surprisingly minimal, which I think worked well with the mystery element of this book.
.
What I didn't like was just how hard I personally found it to stay invested in the story as a whole. There were times I felt like the characters were just repeating themselves unnecessarily, which I found to be dragging, and doing things out of their established character norms.
.
Overall, I liked it, but didn't necessarily love it. Still, it was a pretty good modernized take on a classic story 😊
.
Also, couldn't help picturing Jeremy Sumpter in the role. No other live-action Peter Pan for me!
.
CW: trauma, murder, kidnapping, PTSD, depression,
.
Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨/5
Instagram | @althea.reads
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Medical trauma, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Blood and Vomit
lipstickitotheman's review
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
2.5
It's not a bad book; I just didn't particularly enjoy it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Child death, and Death
unwise_samwise's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Kidnapping, and Blood
Minor: Alcohol and Blood
thereaderfriend's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Kidnapping, and Grief
Moderate: Gun violence, Alcoholism, and Blood
Loved! Super intense! Felt like it read as a thriller at times and was confused bc i thought it was ya but it worked so well!emily_mh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The ending of this book is what saves it. I was going to rate this read two stars before the resolution came about and I saw what Thomas was trying to do with the story. But for the most part, I didn't really enjoy reading this book. The pacing was not it - there was no sense of mystery, tension or urgency despite the high stakes because those stakes were relegated to the background. Most of the plot ended up being Peter and Wendy essentially going on dates. Yet I couldn't feel invested in the romance because Peter is this kind of immortal being and Wendy is 18. Finally, I thought that the book lacked the magic and whimsy which made the original story so memorable.
But like I said, the ending saved this book. It provided a satisfying resolution. Apart from this I also liked Wendy as a narrator and I enjoyed the detail Thomas put into their description. I'm still going to keep reading their books as they always have intriguing and original premises, I just hope I can click more with their books in the future!
But like I said, the ending saved this book. It provided a satisfying resolution. Apart from this I also liked Wendy as a narrator and I enjoyed the detail Thomas put into their description. I'm still going to keep reading their books as they always have intriguing and original premises, I just hope I can click more with their books in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Car accident, Medical content, Child death, Death, Blood, Gun violence, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, Vomit, Cursing, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Ableism, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Confinement, and Torture
scorpioness's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.5
I love the way aiden Thomas writes! I know that with a couple more books of practice he’ll be a really masterful writer, and I will read every single one they write.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Mental illness
Moderate: Blood, Kidnapping, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Alcohol and Vomit