A review by kate_ever
Second Star to the Left by Megan Van Dyke

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.5

I love a retelling because I love seeing how creative someone can get with taking an original story and making it different. I especially enjoy it if it focuses on side characters from a well-known story or puts characters together in situations that you wouldn’t have expected and this story has that in spades. 

 

I loved that whilst the story had elements of things that I expected, it was also very individual and pulled on other known legends to add to the story in a way that made sense but was also a nice surprise. An adventure from start to finish this book is fast-paced and easily engaging, this is an author whose words I could get lost in for hours. The world that the author has created leaps off the page in a way that seems effortless but also interesting. 

 

The characters are where this book shines, it takes everything you've previously been told about them and turns it on its head. I loved that Tink was selfless and determined, even when she was out of her depth, she was put in a lot of difficult situations but was loyal even when it wasn’t deserved. 

 

Hook was brilliant I loved that he was very caring and just wanted the best for his crew, as well as having charm by the bucket load. Smee was so much better than any previous portrayal, a loveable scoundrel, and some other wonderful characters in the crew help to build the family vibe. 

 

Of course, the chemistry between Hook and Tink is amazing, it has a bit of enemies-to-lovers going on but you know that something is simmering between them even when they are at cross purposes. They also had such different goals that I was constantly wondering how it would play out for them which was a nice tension to have throughout the story. 

 

The one thing that I did question a little was that the searching for the magical item seemed a touch too easy, I feel like the Shrouded Isles were made out to be difficult to navigate and they seemed to find every clue they were searching for without too much trouble. I still enjoyed the journey, I just felt maybe there should have been a few more setbacks along the way. 

 

Honestly, once I got caught up in this book I didn't want it to end, it just had all the right elements for an entertaining adventure but with the bonus of a sizzling romance. It's a fantastic retelling that I would definitely recommend.