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geooo's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
So, Peter Darling is basically Peter Pan fanfiction. If I were to look on ao3 right now I could probably find a very similar piece of work.
I like the idea of Peter Pan being a trans man and Neverland being his dream world where he could be whatever he wanted without any judgment, but besides that I did not like anything about this book.
I heavily disliked the characters, who, for being in their adults, were acting like 5 year olds. I think that that's the point for Peter, at least at the beginning of the story, that nothing is as it was, but that he would change. However there is no character development for him nor for the other characters. The notion of character development is something foreign to the author. The writer tried to showcase how much the Lost Boys have changed, but they still acted like they were little children. I couldn't stand any of the characters, I hated them and I find the notion that Peter didn't change at all in idk 10 years highly improbable. I don't believe. You change in a couple of weeks but years.
The plot, to me at least, feels like it was written by a 12 year old and I can't understand how someone older than 14 would like this story. It is very juvenile. It lacks depth and complexity.
What I found really absurd was how much the author tried to transform this into something dark, with all those deaths and fights, but it only succeeded to show how silly this story really is.
I think the idea of Neverland meaning avoidance, making fantasies in your head to forget the reality and being able to let go of it showing that you healed, but also that Neverland could be a little nefarious and that is not as good as it seems is an ingenious idea, but the execution left a lot to be desired.
I did not like the romance between Peter and Hook, I would have preferred it be between Peter and Ernest.
Overall, I did not enjoy reading this book. A 2 stars read.
I like the idea of Peter Pan being a trans man and Neverland being his dream world where he could be whatever he wanted without any judgment, but besides that I did not like anything about this book.
I heavily disliked the characters, who, for being in their adults, were acting like 5 year olds. I think that that's the point for Peter, at least at the beginning of the story, that nothing is as it was, but that he would change. However there is no character development for him nor for the other characters. The notion of character development is something foreign to the author. The writer tried to showcase how much the Lost Boys have changed, but they still acted like they were little children. I couldn't stand any of the characters, I hated them and I find the notion that Peter didn't change at all in idk 10 years highly improbable. I don't believe. You change in a couple of weeks but years.
The plot, to me at least, feels like it was written by a 12 year old and I can't understand how someone older than 14 would like this story. It is very juvenile. It lacks depth and complexity.
What I found really absurd was how much the author tried to transform this into something dark, with all those deaths and fights, but it only succeeded to show how silly this story really is.
I think the idea of Neverland meaning avoidance, making fantasies in your head to forget the reality and being able to let go of it showing that you healed, but also that Neverland could be a little nefarious and that is not as good as it seems is an ingenious idea, but the execution left a lot to be desired.
I did not like the romance between Peter and Hook, I would have preferred it be between Peter and Ernest.
Overall, I did not enjoy reading this book. A 2 stars read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Transphobia
novella42's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
What a brilliant execution of a truly fascinating concept.
I got lost partway through and had a hard time returning to it. My God, I am so glad I did. By 2/3 of the way through I couldn't put it down. The metaphors alone... Just. Wow. I couldn't figure out why a friend of mine gave it five stars, why another friend was singing its praises. By the end? Yeah. I get it now.
I can't tell how spoilery this is. CW for mental health and spoilers through maybe the first half of the book?It's not exactly how my own dissociation works, but it's damn near as close as any depiction of dissociation as a mental health survival skill as anything I've ever seen. How it feels to forget. How it feels to remember when you've forgotten something vitally important because it hurts so much. How it feels to willingly return to the unknowing. How it feels when it all falls apart.
I'm a little in awe. I definitely want to read this again.
Also, here's a tip I will second from a person commenting on the book in the Austin Public Library system: "After you read it, make sure you listen to the March 2017 Hopeless Romantic podcast episode where Chant and editor Amanda Jean recorded their thoughts at various stages of the writing and editing process for this book. Fascinating peek behind the scenes." Apparently Austin Chant co-hosts a podcast?! Yes, please! (Episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1b1Uz904rbNC0xeOPVuXJ4?si=Wnt96ik8Sd2dGVPgchTtZg)
I got lost partway through and had a hard time returning to it. My God, I am so glad I did. By 2/3 of the way through I couldn't put it down. The metaphors alone... Just. Wow. I couldn't figure out why a friend of mine gave it five stars, why another friend was singing its praises. By the end? Yeah. I get it now.
I can't tell how spoilery this is. CW for mental health and spoilers through maybe the first half of the book?
I'm a little in awe. I definitely want to read this again.
Also, here's a tip I will second from a person commenting on the book in the Austin Public Library system: "After you read it, make sure you listen to the March 2017 Hopeless Romantic podcast episode where Chant and editor Amanda Jean recorded their thoughts at various stages of the writing and editing process for this book. Fascinating peek behind the scenes." Apparently Austin Chant co-hosts a podcast?! Yes, please! (Episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1b1Uz904rbNC0xeOPVuXJ4?si=Wnt96ik8Sd2dGVPgchTtZg)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Deadnaming, Death, Transphobia, Blood, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Medical content, Grief, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Animal death
detroitbecame's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
love love LOVE!! absolutely my favorite take on Neverland and Peter's character, and I found the story absolutely addictive. James was a delight, and I'm obsessed with his goofy collection of coats :) I can already tell that I will find this book compulsively rereadable
The only reason it isn't 5 stars is because I wish it was longer, and that there was more time to fully flesh out everything-- otherwise it was perfect.
The only reason it isn't 5 stars is because I wish it was longer, and that there was more time to fully flesh out everything-- otherwise it was perfect.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Transphobia
cryptidstar's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Deadnaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Transphobia, and Dysphoria
tangleroot_eli's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
A fascinating spin on Peter Pan. Not just the trans!Pan angle (which is awesome), but also the way Chant explores the mechanics of Neverland: what's real, what real even means in a place like Neverland, and what happens to humans who stay too long. My nerdy, worldbuilding-loving brain is ALL AFIZZ!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Transphobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gore, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, and Gaslighting
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and War
bashsbooks's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Gosh, this book was so good. It was a little slow to start, but once it picked up, I couldn't put it down. Satisfying enemies-to-lovers arc, incredibly fascinating take on Neverland and the fairies, and a thoughtful exploration of non-accepting family. My only gripe is that it was so short, I felt like this concept had so much more room to grow. That isn't to say the story doesn't feel finished, but it does feel kind of rushed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Grief, Alcohol, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, and Sexual content
Minor: Gun violence and War
robin_34's review
- 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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, and Transphobia
Moderate: Death and Violence
Minor: War
oworthyfool's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A must-read for any queer kids who dreamed about Neverland.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Grief
Minor: Ableism, Homophobia, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, and Kidnapping
buttermellow's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Transphobia, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Violence, Kidnapping, and Dysphoria
anxiousnachos's review against another edition
emotional
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
ARE YOU KIDDING ME I’m not crying you’re crying. Hook is one of my favourite characters to read/watch adaptations about and this delivered in every way possible. It is so soft and beautiful and tender, and the descriptions of Hook’s clothing are exquisite. I loved it.
Content warnings: transphobia, deadnaming, misgendering, dysphoria, familial abuse, violence, murder, sex, grief, blood, injury detail
Content warnings: transphobia, deadnaming, misgendering, dysphoria, familial abuse, violence, murder, sex, grief, blood, injury detail
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content and Grief