A review by sunlit_music
Peter Darling by Austin Chant

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious 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

5.0

This is one of the best Peter Pan retellings I've ever read. It's so heartfelt and lovely, with the most gorgeous prose and a tender, deep love story between two classic enemies. This story has spoiled me, I can't imagine Peter Pan being told any other way now. It's a queer and transgender retelling of Peter Pan, and devastatingly lovely. 

Peter is deeply flawed, brave, reckless, vulnerable, charming, arrogant - and impossible not to love. Captain Hook is charming, ruthless, with hidden depths of tenderness and empathy. Their chemistry and growing love for each other is marvellous. The Lost Boys, pirates and the fairies were also interesting, complex and engaging, and the world building is superb - filled with adventure, terror, and wonder. The dialogue is amazing, so witty and heart felt, that I loved every moment of it. 

This is a book to be treasured, read and re-read, over a over. I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes a classic. It deserves to be more popular. 

The hopeful ending fits the story and I love it - Peter and Captain Hook deserved it after everything they've been through.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings