dranosmoothie's review against another edition
5.0
I came in only having a vague idea that this would be a contemporary (ish) story based on Peter Pan. Holy sh*t this was a wild ride. Truly loved every minute of it.
onemamareads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Read my full review here: https://onemamassummer.weebly.com/book-reviews/darling
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Abandonment, Alcohol, Murder, Gaslighting, Violence, Child death, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Police brutality
onarosebeam's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
literarynessie's review against another edition
I can't believe this wasn't a 5 star read for me!!! I still refuse to believe it.
So... this was both disappointing and somewhat intriguing, which is a bummer since this was one of my most anticipated reads of 2021. The tone and style of Darling was much different from what I normally expect from K. Ancrum. I was hoping for that atmospheric and almost lyrical style that the author worked into their previous books. Instead, Darling read more on the younger side of YA---which is not an issue for me---but the themes were very mature at the same time.
Darling turned out to be a thriller, which was interesting because it was fun to go back and remember the bread crumbs the author life behind. Unfortunately, what didn't sell this one for me was the lack of character development in comparison to the author's other books and how unfinished the story felt. That being said, I did enjoy the fact that author pulls the curtain to reveal the grim truth of our beloved, yet classic fairytales. I absolutely loved the realism that was threaded into our expectation of what was to come. I have to agree with how reviewer Sabrina Reed put it when she wrote: "we fall into the trap of our own expectations." So while my expectations were completely misplaced, I have to appreciate the sheer genius of what K. Ancrum managed to pull off.
---
Do I really have to wait until Year 2021???
So... this was both disappointing and somewhat intriguing, which is a bummer since this was one of my most anticipated reads of 2021. The tone and style of Darling was much different from what I normally expect from K. Ancrum. I was hoping for that atmospheric and almost lyrical style that the author worked into their previous books. Instead, Darling read more on the younger side of YA---which is not an issue for me---but the themes were very mature at the same time.
Darling turned out to be a thriller, which was interesting because it was fun to go back and remember the bread crumbs the author life behind. Unfortunately, what didn't sell this one for me was the lack of character development in comparison to the author's other books and how unfinished the story felt. That being said, I did enjoy the fact that author pulls the curtain to reveal the grim truth of our beloved, yet classic fairytales. I absolutely loved the realism that was threaded into our expectation of what was to come. I have to agree with how reviewer Sabrina Reed put it when she wrote: "we fall into the trap of our own expectations." So while my expectations were completely misplaced, I have to appreciate the sheer genius of what K. Ancrum managed to pull off.
---
Do I really have to wait until Year 2021???
emma_jade91's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
gracerichards11's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
morag's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This was a creative re-imagining of the Peter Pan story. Set in modern day New York, a teenage girl is whisked away into a night of fear and adventure after a strange boy hops the fence to her new house. She meets his rag-tag group of followers and slowly realizes that the free spirit she's followed is looking more and more like a demon.
There was a lot I liked about this book - I found the characters engaging and the adventure tense and gripping. I didn't see the twist at the end coming at all. However, some of the reactions and comments from the other characters only make sense once you know the twist. Reading it without knowing that, it felt like they were acting scared for no reason. Like they were trying to convince the reader he was a threat despite there being no evidence.
This is also a prime example of an idiot plot. The only reason the main character is in this situation is because she decided to run off with a complete stranger who broke into her house. Even though the girl with that stranger is telling her over and over not to come. It's ridiculous.
Overall, though, if you're looking for a dark, thrilling re-telling of Peter Pan, this is a good choice.
There was a lot I liked about this book - I found the characters engaging and the adventure tense and gripping. I didn't see the twist at the end coming at all. However, some of the reactions and comments from the other characters only make sense once you know the twist. Reading it without knowing that, it felt like they were acting scared for no reason. Like they were trying to convince the reader he was a threat despite there being no evidence.
This is also a prime example of an idiot plot. The only reason the main character is in this situation is because she decided to run off with a complete stranger who broke into her house. Even though the girl with that stranger is telling her over and over not to come. It's ridiculous.
Overall, though, if you're looking for a dark, thrilling re-telling of Peter Pan, this is a good choice.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
finleystevo's review against another edition
3.0
Initially wasn’t too sure about the plot of this, mostly because I had no idea what was going on lol, that was up until like 50% when things started making more sense.
That being said I ended up enjoying the second half of the book better than the first, especially once things started making more sense. Definitely recommend getting past the halfway mark if you’re not feeling it !
That being said I ended up enjoying the second half of the book better than the first, especially once things started making more sense. Definitely recommend getting past the halfway mark if you’re not feeling it !
sabrinamc's review
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5