saviinvhetin's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I liked the Egyptology parts of this a lot, and it was fun to try and match the characters to their Peter Pan counterparts
The worldbuilding was pretty great and continues to be my favorite part
The characters are as per usual kind of annoying, though they had their likeable moments
For some reason I thought more characters than Connor and Vileroy would be showing up from the first one
The worldbuilding was pretty great and continues to be my favorite part
The characters are as per usual kind of annoying, though they had their likeable moments
For some reason I thought more characters than Connor and Vileroy would be showing up from the first one
laurachernikoff's review
5.0
Fans of the classic tale of the boy-who-never-grew-up will find this take on the Peter Pan story delightful. The premise is complex: Wendy and John Darling, students at a posh New York boarding school, meet Peter, the new RA, and end up on his quest to find the truth in five Egyptian myths. However, everything is pulled together perfectly, thanks to the skillful writing by Daniel and Dina Nayeri. I proves to be a creative, daring, and exciting read, subtly using elements from Peter Pan to create a story that's unique and a real page-turner.
etinney's review against another edition
2.0
Definitely was not what I expected. I was not impressed with this book. I thought the first one was a lot better. The beginning was kinda intriguing, and the last 20 pages were really good (everyone finally came to their senses). I also liked the random allusions to the original Peter Pan. (Barrie auditorium) My favorite parts of the book were the five legends. They were kinda interesting to read. The first book in the series was definitely a lot better.
- 1 Random:
Peter Pan + Egypt = story? I understand that he is looking for cure to aging, but why make up a whole Egyptian story for it? Yes, that's the Dark Lady is from Egypt, and she is chasing Peter... Why? The book does not explain that clearly.
- .5 Connor and Tina
Were these characters REALLY essential to the story? They just created a stupid subplot that distracted the reader. I mean Connor sounds like a great boyfriend (stupid Wendy). Well, I can just take him for myself... Which brings me to my next point...
- 1.5 Everyone is an idiot.
Wendy = gives up good boyfriend for selfish manchild.
John = trusts stupid people
Mr. Darling = blind as a... newborn puppy. (bats are not technically blind) see? I'm not an idiot.
Peter = dumb quest
Simon = just an idiot in general
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys getting frustrated.
Overall: 2 out of 5 (that might be a little harsh but whatever)
Cover: Alludes to original Peter Pan, but all I can think is... Peter is totally Edward Cullen! And one of her "tracts of land" is a lot smaller than the other. (10 Erin points if you got that reference) This cover is stupid.
- 1 Random:
Peter Pan + Egypt = story? I understand that he is looking for cure to aging, but why make up a whole Egyptian story for it? Yes, that's the Dark Lady is from Egypt, and she is chasing Peter... Why? The book does not explain that clearly.
- .5 Connor and Tina
Were these characters REALLY essential to the story? They just created a stupid subplot that distracted the reader. I mean Connor sounds like a great boyfriend (stupid Wendy). Well, I can just take him for myself... Which brings me to my next point...
- 1.5 Everyone is an idiot.
Wendy = gives up good boyfriend for selfish manchild.
John = trusts stupid people
Mr. Darling = blind as a... newborn puppy. (bats are not technically blind) see? I'm not an idiot.
Peter = dumb quest
Simon = just an idiot in general
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys getting frustrated.
Overall: 2 out of 5 (that might be a little harsh but whatever)
Cover: Alludes to original Peter Pan, but all I can think is... Peter is totally Edward Cullen! And one of her "tracts of land" is a lot smaller than the other. (10 Erin points if you got that reference) This cover is stupid.
melissasbookshelf's review
3.0
Another Pan is a creative retelling of the classic. All of the players are there (Wendy, John, the Lost Boys, etc.), but set in modern times. The twist is that Peter is in search of the bones of five mummies that if brought together will make him immortal. This is the second book involving the Marlowe High School. In this story, Egyptian artifacts from the British Museum are headed to the school. Prof. Darling is an expert in Egyptology and is overseeing the exhibit. When the Book of Gates, an ancient Egyptian book arrives in the collection, the Darling children discover that it opens a portal into the underworld. Wendy who falls hard for the handsome Peter and her genius brother decide to help Peter locate the bones of the five mummies, but they have to battle Lady Death herself at every turn.
It took some time to get into, and some of the book was a little repetitive, but I enjoyed this creative retelling and am looking forward to the next book in the series.
It took some time to get into, and some of the book was a little repetitive, but I enjoyed this creative retelling and am looking forward to the next book in the series.
stollhofen's review against another edition
4.0
I adore fairy tale retellings. They're so magical and reminiscent of childhoods long forgotten. I loved Peter Pan as inspiration rather than a direct retelling. Throw in Egyptian mythology and some readers might shy away thinking the Nayeris are trying to shove too much into one book. Instead it's such a creative explanation for Peter's immortality and gave the original Peter Pan so much more depth. How they incorporated Tina as Tinkerbell, the Lost Boys, happy thoughts, and Peter's shadow were brilliant!
I have one small complaint. I would've liked more prose or emotional reflection to describe Wendy and Peter's relationship. Since the characters weren't "cookie-cutter" stereotypical there needed to be more development, maybe using flashbacks, to establish everyone's motives and perspectives. For example, I didn't really understand why Wendy was attracted to so many terrible men and some sort of hint from her past would've helped a bit.
Another Pan is a companion novel to Another Faust. While it isn't necessary to read Faust first I would definitely recommend it. They work wonderfully together as sequential plots. I love that both of them are technically standalones. There needs to be so many more standalone fantasies and paranormals in YA lit.
I have one small complaint. I would've liked more prose or emotional reflection to describe Wendy and Peter's relationship. Since the characters weren't "cookie-cutter" stereotypical there needed to be more development, maybe using flashbacks, to establish everyone's motives and perspectives. For example, I didn't really understand why Wendy was attracted to so many terrible men and some sort of hint from her past would've helped a bit.
Another Pan is a companion novel to Another Faust. While it isn't necessary to read Faust first I would definitely recommend it. They work wonderfully together as sequential plots. I love that both of them are technically standalones. There needs to be so many more standalone fantasies and paranormals in YA lit.
art_and_anna's review
5.0
it was as good as the first one! an interesting spin on an old fairy tale and a very good read :)
oh! spoilers! the cover lies!!!!!!! no one actually flies
oh! spoilers! the cover lies!!!!!!! no one actually flies
cressida's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
nicole_nicole's review against another edition
4.0
The title actually confused me for a bit, I spent about half the book thinking it was based off of Midsummer Night's Dream until I made the Peter, Lost Boys, immortality connection. But, this was a great book.
napqueeniereads's review against another edition
3.0
I was really looking forward to reading this book since I love all things Peter Pan. I have to say I was a little disappointed. I was hoping Another Pan would take more from J.M. Barrie's world. I really hated Peter in this story even though at their core both Peters are essentially the same. Another Pan just gives his flaws more light and makes them more obvious. I thought Tina's character was very well written in relation to Tinkerbell. Her jealousy over Wendy and Peter's relationship was obvious. Although Wendy was a huge part of the story I didn't really enjoy her. I thought her rather vapid and self centered and not much different from Peter. I wanted to hit John everytime he opened his idiot mouth. Nobody talks like that even in movies. His dialogue went way overboard. Mr. Darling's character was the same as in Barrie's Pan. He's both quirky and awkward around others but he loves his children unconditionally. For some reason I keep thinking that Mrs. Darling ran way with Peter years ago though it never says that. I really wish there were more of a connection between Another Pan and Another Faust. This almost doesn't seem like it should be in the same series. Vileroy is almost a completely different character but maybe that's the point. I figured her encompassing Captain Hook was an obvious choice. Simon though was lost on me. I wasn't really sure what the "happy thoughts" segments were all about either, since most weren't very happy. Aside from the characters I enjoyed the adventure of this story. Another Pan wasn't what I'd hoped but I did find it enjoyable.