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A review by smolhousewitch
These Deathless Shores by P.H. Low
dark
tense
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? Yes
3.5
I was so excited when I saw the premise for this book. When you stop and think about Peter Pan for more than a few minutes, there's a *lot* of potential for darkness in that story. These Deathless Shores explores that darkness, from Peter's refusal to grow up to what happens to Lost Boys when they return home, whether Tink is really the willing dust supply she seems to be, and what happens to girls who don't want to be "Wendys" (or, in this version, Amas). I thought the author's inclusion of addiction and PTSD in our two main characters was well-done, thoroughly explored, and a very gritty yet realistic exploration of what they might have faced after leaving the Island and "growing up".
I went back and forth on 3 or 4 stars for the rating and panned out at 3.5. I enjoyed the story and found the plot compelling. Yet, when I put it down, I was left wanting just a bit *more*. I wanted a deeper conversation between Jorden and Chay. I wanted a real explanation of Tink's treatment - Chay wants to save her and Peter obviously overuses her dust when needed but I knew there was more we could have been given there. We're given hints about the Island's sentience that don't actually go anywhere.
I also didn't love the romances. Jordan and Baron just didn't do much for me and a lot of their on-page romance was twisted, unbalanced, and unhealthy. Jordan also didn't seem to grow very much as a character, while Baron did, leaving their personal arcs lopsided as well. Meanwhile, Tier and Chay had a somewhat forced-feeling insta-love that was clearly meant to make me like a character that was otherwise pretty unlikeable in his moments with any other characters. Chay is at once ultra-sheltered (having been on the Island for years, seeing Tier as her prince), yet also jaded (knowing how to prevent her period, immediately reintegrating into the modern world when she returns in the hospital).
Finally, for a very dark fantasy, all of the main characters coming out the other side and finding their happy endings didn't land for me. I think a main character death would have solidified the stakes of the world in a way that matched the gruesome, grisly details of life on the Island much better. Ultimately, this was an enjoyable read as someone who likes dark fairy tale retellings, but there were some plot lines that could have been explored more to round out the overall story more effectively.
Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I went back and forth on 3 or 4 stars for the rating and panned out at 3.5. I enjoyed the story and found the plot compelling. Yet, when I put it down, I was left wanting just a bit *more*. I wanted a deeper conversation between Jorden and Chay. I wanted a real explanation of Tink's treatment - Chay wants to save her and Peter obviously overuses her dust when needed but I knew there was more we could have been given there. We're given hints about the Island's sentience that don't actually go anywhere.
I also didn't love the romances. Jordan and Baron just didn't do much for me and a lot of their on-page romance was twisted, unbalanced, and unhealthy. Jordan also didn't seem to grow very much as a character, while Baron did, leaving their personal arcs lopsided as well. Meanwhile, Tier and Chay had a somewhat forced-feeling insta-love that was clearly meant to make me like a character that was otherwise pretty unlikeable in his moments with any other characters. Chay is at once ultra-sheltered (having been on the Island for years, seeing Tier as her prince), yet also jaded (knowing how to prevent her period, immediately reintegrating into the modern world when she returns in the hospital).
Finally, for a very dark fantasy, all of the main characters coming out the other side and finding their happy endings didn't land for me. I think a main character death would have solidified the stakes of the world in a way that matched the gruesome, grisly details of life on the Island much better. Ultimately, this was an enjoyable read as someone who likes dark fairy tale retellings, but there were some plot lines that could have been explored more to round out the overall story more effectively.
Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.