Neverland (Adventures in Neverland #1) by Anna Katmore

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neverlandFrom goodreads: Why is there a boy who doesn’t want to grow up?
How can an apple start the sweetest romance in fairytale history?
And what does a ruthless pirate have to do with it all?

Angelina McFarland loves reading fairytales. But she never dreamed of falling right into one herself. That’s exactly what happens when she slips on her balcony and a flying Peter Pan catches her mid-fall.

Ending up in Neverland where no one seems to age and laws of nature are out of control, Angel has no idea how to get home. Worse, the ruthless Captain Hook captures her and keeps her trapped on his ship, the Jolly Roger, where she gets caught between the lines of a timeless battle. But the more time Angel spends with the captain, the more she sees beneath his ruthless façade.

As Angel desperately tries to find a way to return to her real life, she discovers a train ticket to London in her pocket. It won’t be any help in getting off the island, but as her memory fades away the longer she stays, this is all she has left to remind her of her former life and why she can’t give up trying.

Or is staying in Neverland forever the better choice after all?

Review…

I REALLY wanted to enjoy this book and had high hopes for it. I was in the mood for something new and different, then came across this $0.99 deal. I’m a fan of fairy tales and the retellings of fairy tales, so a story set in Neverland was very intriguing to me! The story sounded promising. I was really excited to begin this adventure!

Unfortunately, it wasn’t a great adventure nor was it the sweet romance story it was supposed to be. While the story had lots of potential to be both, it fell flat for me. I really struggled with this book and was easily distracted from it. I did manage to finish it, but I doubt I will pick up the sequel.

I really had a hard time warming up to the main character Angel, and I’m not really sure why. She just rubbed me the wrong way from the start, but I kept plugging away hoping that she would be more likable as the story progressed. Angel arrives in Neverland after falling off her balcony in London. She then falls from the sky into Neverland, and Peter Pan rescues her. She remembers everything about her life and family back in London, even the fact that it was snowing in London, but can’t remember her own name or Peter Pan (she had been reading the story of Peter Pan to her twin sisters prior to falling). I didn’t understand the selective amnesia in Neverland, and it never really was explained (to us or to her). I say “selective amnesia” because some days she could remember her name and other times she couldn’t – and the same goes for the rest of her memories of her London life. It didn’t feel consistent, didn’t feel like her memory really was fading.

I liked the characters of Pan and Hook, especially liked that neither was completely good or completely evil – both had shades of gray. Teenage Pan and teenage Hook have an interesting relationship and it’s different from the fairy tale. I really liked that different take and wish the author had delved into it a little more. We don’t see as much of Pan, the focus is mostly on Hook (and his relationship with Angel). I liked Hook and his complex character at first, but I felt like he changed his ways a little too fast and became less interesting and complex. The author changed viewpoints each chapter between Angel and Hook, which is normally fine and doesn’t bother me if it’s done well. This wasn’t. It got to a point where I couldn’t tell the difference in the viewpoints – they sounded the same. She’s a teenage girl from London, he’s a pirate from Neverland – their points of view and their dialogue should be different!

The romance between Angel and Hook felt off and a bit odd to me. They disliked each other from the start – he treats her the way a pirate would and she’s kind of scared. Then he saves her life. She’s in shock and upset. Next day, they’re making out. Okay, maybe not immediately the next the day, but it sure felt like it (although I think it was later on that next day). Before you know it, they’re in love (and she’s only been in Neverland like 3 days). It just felt incredibly rushed to me and kind of out of character.

what

Maybe I just had high expectations or I was too nit-picky, but I just thought the story had the potential to be sooooo much more. There were all these nuggets in the story that, I think, could have been explored a little more (including the main characters Angel, Pan, and Hook). There was a town in Neverland! How cool is that? I got excited about it, but nothing really happened. According to Hook, time is on some sort of loop in Neverland – where the townspeople do the same thing over and over – ever since Pan accidentally cursed it. No one notices but him and Pan, and Pan is apparently the only one that can break it but he doesn’t know it. Sounds like the start of a great mysterious adventure, but instead the sole focus of the book is Hook and Angel’s relationship and getting her home. I just feel like this could have been an epic romantic adventure but instead it was disappointing.

2halfstars

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LoveTricia

Comments

  3. says

    Oh boo. Is it just me, or are there an unusually high number of Peter Pan retellings around right now? A year ago, I think the only one I knew about was Dave Barry’s middle grade books, but now there’s this one, and Second Star and Alias Hook and half a dozen others besides. I’m sorry you picked a stinker. I have to read Alias Hook some time over the next few weeks, and I’ll let you know if it’s any better ;)
    Jessica @ Rabid Reads recently posted…Mini Reviews: For a Few Demons More & The Outlaw Demon Wails by Kim HarrisonMy Profile

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  4. says

    I’m always up for more Peter Pan retellings but this honestly doesn’t sound like a book I would enjoy. I always need to feel a connection with my main characters and the MC in this one doesn’t sound that great at all. Also, insta-love. >.<
    I do like that the characters have shades of gray to them.
    It's a shame you didn't enjoy this one as much. :(
    Great review though! :D
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  5. says

    I’m sorry this book turned out to be a disappointment! I agree that the premise is interesting and I love retellings as well but it’s clear that there’s not much development with the romance since one minute they don’t like each other and the next they’re in love. That would irritate me cause I want proper development in my romance. I can understand why you wouldn’t want to continue on with the series, especially since the main character didn’t really connect with you as well as you hoped. Awesome review, Tricia!
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  7. Tricia says

    I know, it sure sounded good!! Hopefully, we’ll find a better retelling! Thanks for stopping by!! :-)

    Reply

  8. Marianne says

    The blurb had me basically almost running to Amazon to go and buy it… I love retellings. So sad this one didn’t live up to your expectations. A rushed romance plus “selective” amnesia is just one of the things that would have put me off. I guess I’m glad I read your review because now I can pass on this book. Such a shame, too because the cover is gorgeous! Great review, Tricia!

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  9. Cristina says

    I’ve been meaning read to a retelling and I’m thinking this one isn’t the one to start with. :/ I hope your next read rocks your world! ;) Fabulous review Tricia!

    PS: I’ve hear The Lunar Chronicles is awesome…that’s on my TBR! Have you read that series??

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  11. says

    I don’t want to be a downer but I can lost three books at the top oft head that are Peter Pan retellings and have come out this year lol! While this one sounded promising by the blurb I read your review and just went ‘damn not for me’ :(

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  12. says

    Sounds like it could have been really cool to have a second version of Hook (like Wicked or Maleficent). Too bad the author couldn’t make it come alive. Hope the next book you crack is a winner ;-)
    Julie Johnson recently posted…Mermaid MomentMy Profile

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    • says

      I was hoping for it to be really cool!! Oh, I’m cracking open Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater, so it should be a winner! Thanks for stopping by!! :-)

      Reply

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