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lunep'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
lastcomment314's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A haunting story, Lost in the Never Woods tells the story of one girl coming to terms with a party she has forgotten while the world around her tries to save the children who have recently gone missing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Grief, Child death, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Vomit, Blood, Death, and Gun violence
saltylane's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I liked the book okay, but the “final battle” ending felt… idk, like it didn’t really make sense? I don’t know why, but even when things were going on—like action/fighting—I would sometimes get bored. I’ve noticed this author tends to describe things excessively with interiority, sometimes repeating the information in slightly different ways multiple times… I don’t know if it counts as “telling” rather than showing, though, since it can be important to get a character’s feelings on what’s happening.
The author also often includes a “best friend” who would be great to get to know more about and get to interact with in the story… but then gives them very little “screen time” and focuses on the two characters with a romantic connection. Maybe they have a hard time juggling multiple character interactions at once?
Overall, I think this book has a very interesting and unique spin on the “Peter Pan” story. I feel like the author struggled to find a believable way to end the main conflict, which is a shame because the surrounding plot seemed pretty solid. The writing style wasn’t for me, but I’m sure others can easily enjoy the book regardless.
The author also often includes a “best friend” who would be great to get to know more about and get to interact with in the story… but then gives them very little “screen time” and focuses on the two characters with a romantic connection. Maybe they have a hard time juggling multiple character interactions at once?
Overall, I think this book has a very interesting and unique spin on the “Peter Pan” story. I feel like the author struggled to find a believable way to end the main conflict, which is a shame because the surrounding plot seemed pretty solid. The writing style wasn’t for me, but I’m sure others can easily enjoy the book regardless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Death, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, and Child death
Moderate: Torture, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Minor: Medical content, Stalking, Vomit, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
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
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
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
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