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Looking for the ultimate pirate book this season? Never Never by Brianna R. Shrum is an action-packed prequel to the classic tale, Peter Pan. This unique adventure story includes a fast-paced plot, a beautiful setting, and a likeable side character.
Title: Never NeverAuthor: Brianna R. Shrum
Also by this author: The Art of French Kissing
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction, Action/Adventure
Publication Date: September 22, 2015
Rating:
James Hook is a child who only wants to grow up.
When he meets Peter Pan, a boy who loves to pretend and is intent on never becoming a man, James decides he could try being a child - at least briefly. James joins Peter Pan on a holiday to Neverland, a place of adventure created by children's dreams, but Neverland is not for the faint of heart. Soon James finds himself longing for home, determined that he is destined to be a man. But Peter refuses to take him back, leaving James trapped in a world just beyond the one he loves. A world where children are to never grow up.
But grow up he does.
And thus begins the epic adventure of a Lost Boy and a Pirate.
This story isn't about Peter Pan; it's about the boy whose life he stole. It's about a man in a world that hates men. It's about the feared Captain James Hook and his passionate quest to kill the Pan, an impossible feat in a magical land where everyone loves Peter Pan.
Except one.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: Never Never by Brianna R. Shrum
❀ A Prequel to Peter Pan
Never Never is an intriguing novel that feels like a prequel of sorts to the classic story of Peter Pan. The book begins with Captain Hook as a child and follows him as he grows up. There is so much action and many epic battles between Pan and Hook that keep the reader frantically flipping pages to find out what will happen next. One interesting aspect to Never Never is that Captain Hook gets to share his side of the story. His opinions on Peter Pan really makes readers replay the original story in their mind.This book is so original and offers an interesting explanation as to why Captain Hook hates Peter Pan.
❀ A Vividly Described Setting
The setting in Never Never is described so vividly. Yes, Neverland already exists, but Brianna Shrum describes every part of the world, even the Never Wastes, in a way that is so fantastic. The reader will also be able to visualize James Hook in this mysterious world with ease. It is hard to imagine that one can improve upon a setting that has been etched into readers minds forever, but somehow Shrum has pulled it off beautifully!
❀ Tiger Lily is Very Well-Developed
One of my favourite characters in Never Never is Tiger Lily. She is well-developped and totally puts Captain Hook in his place. She is independent and actually quite feisty. By the end of the book, I felt as though I knew every detail about Tiger Lily, even though she isn’t the main character. This is a testament to the incredible detail within this story.
❀ Intriguing Plot
Never Never by Brianna R. Shrum has an intriguing plot, a gorgeous setting and a well-developed side character. I recommend this book to fans of Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson because it is also a Peter Pan retelling. This book will definitely fulfill anyone’s needs for fantasy and high adventure!
About Brianna R. Shrum
I'm a lover of words. Sometimes weird ones. Sometimes bloody ones. Sometimes kissy ones. I try not to discriminate. Also, all things nerdy. Odds are, if they talk about it on The Big Bang Theory, I like it. Star Wars, superheroes, gaming (BIOWARE. Bioware forever), you name it. Much to the dismay of my much cooler younger sisters.
I live in Colorado with my high-school-sweetheart-turned-husband, two boys, and dog named Sevro, all of whom are pretty great.
Sometimes, I blog about writerly things. I'm an author of YA fiction, and I LOVE what I do. I am represented by Steven Salpeter at Curtis Brown.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ Canadian YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, & professional bibliophile.
Ooh, I’m glad to see you liked Never Never! When I first heard about it I was so excited because I’m such a Peter Pan fan but then I saw all these negative reviews and I thought maybe I wouldn’t pick it up. But epic battles? Yes please! Thanks for making me excited for Never Never again 😀 Great review!
Zareena @ The Slanted Bookshelf
Is Peter Pan in the public domain? Or was it authorized by the estate? Either way, I have to read this!
Rebecca @ The Portsmouth Review
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This does sound exciting. I’m also looking for new stories of Neverland to read. Glad to hear you liked this one.
I really want to read this! I’m trying to get into more retellings 🙂
Wow, I really need to put this book higher on my priority to read! Fantastic review ❤
Omg I just reviewed this to. I actually picked up ‘Wendy Darling’ by a different author because lyons got me hooked on Neverlad, no pun intended.
I am beyond crazy about this cover, and the book just sounds so very good. I am happy that yours is the first review that I have read for this book, because it leaves me feeling like I might just love Never, Never as much as I hope to.
I have read this one and I beyond loved everything about it. It was such a good retelling and really did go into a detail retelling of Hook’s life. I like that it didn’t make him not-evil, but more so just showed us the reasons why and it is really up to us whether we decide he is still a good person or not. It puts a creepy spin on our image of Pan, and the romance was quite wonderful too 😉
I really want to read this book and the fact that it is a “Peter Pan” retelling makes it sound even more amazing! I’m glad you ended up liking it, and great review!
A Peter Pan retelling is right up my alley! Love the cover.