Neverland by Shari Arnold
Series: No
Genres: Young Adult, Fairy Tale Retelling
Release Date: April 7, 2015
Format: Kindle
Source: Received from Author
Find it here: GoodReads | Amazon
Synopsis
It’s been four months since seventeen-year-old Livy Cloud lost her younger sister, but she isn’t quite ready to move on with her life — not even close. She’d rather spend her time at the Seattle Children’s hospital, reading to the patients and holding onto memories of the sister who was everything to her and more.
But when she meets the mysterious and illusive Meyer she is drawn into a world of adventure, a world where questions abound.
Is she ready to live life without her sister? Or more importantly, is she brave enough to love again?
In this modern-day reimagining of Peter Pan, will Livy lose herself to Neverland or will she find what she’s been searching for?
My Thoughts
Neverland is a sweet and charming Peter Pan retelling. Livy is struggling to accept the death of her younger sister Jenna four months ago. Her family has splintered with her mother focused on her political campaign and her father barely there at all, shut away in his study. Livy has become a fixture at the children's hospital, spending all her time reading to the kids. It's there she meets a charming but mysterious boy named Meyer. As Livy grows closer to Meyer, through one adventure after another, she is also spending time with her enigmatic new tutor. And Livy wonders if either of these new people in her life are what they seem.
Neverland had a whimsical feeling that you would expect from a Peter Pan retelling. While the first half had a slower pace, and Livy's dialogue sometimes felt too formal for a 17 year old girl, there was plenty to enjoy here. Livy was unselfish to a fault, trying desperately to save a child in order to make some sense of her own loss. It was easy to fall for Meyer's boyish charm while I was suspicious (and a little creeped out) by tutor James. Neverland, both the book and the place, was enchanting. Fans of retellings, particularly retellings with real emotion, will surely enjoy this one.
3.5/5 Stars
Note: Many thanks to author Shari Arnold for providing me with a copy of Neverland for review.
Note: Many thanks to author Shari Arnold for providing me with a copy of Neverland for review.
Do you enjoy retellings? What's your favorite?
This sounds like a really interesting and unique take on Peter Pan -- I'd never heard of this but sounds good! Great review!
ReplyDeleteThanks Eva! I'd never read a Peter Pan retelling and this one was fun, despite some pretty serious subject matter (death, grief, moving on). Livy and Meyer were both great characters, too.
DeleteThe romance (was it romance?)sounds adorable! I like the setup for how she meets Meyer!
ReplyDeletePeter Pan retellings seem to be such a trend this year and last year! i recently checked out Unhooked from the library which I plan to read soon!
Great review!
Emily @ www.rabbitholereviews.com
You're right, it's like all of a sudden Peter Pan retellings are a thing. Last year it was 1001 Nights. Seems like things always trend. The romance was very much on the slow/sweet side - rated PG with only a few kisses. But it was very sweet. :) Can't wait to hear what you think of Unhooked!
DeleteI hadn't heard of this before but it sounds quite good! I always said that I was scared of retellings, but then I read a few, and I wasn't so scared anymore! I think the ones I like best are *usually* ones that are more influences than straight up retellings. This one sounds like it fits the bill for sure.
ReplyDeleteFavorite retellings... let's see: Nora & Kettle is also a Peter Pan one, and that's a favorite for sure, The Wrath and the Dawn... ummm. I think Rook is a retelling. OH The Great Hunt, even though I didn't know it was one while reading it bwhaha. So maybe more, but I likely don't even know they are retellings? Hah. I added this one to my TBR though, great review!
I haven't heard of Nora & Kettle, will definitely have to look that one up. The Wrath and the Dawn... has been languishing on my TBR for far too long. My #1 has to be A Court of Thorns and Roses. For a straight-up contemporary girl, I was 100% sold on that one.
DeleteI've seen a lot of Peter Pan retellings going around. I don't know which one to start with first! But judging by the synopsis I think I want to try this one. It seems like a cute read and an interesting setup on how she meets Meyer. Thanks for sharing, Tanya!
ReplyDeleteDanica @ A Redheaded Bookworm
Thanks Danica! I was just commenting the same with Emily - that all of a sudden Peter Pan retellings seem to be quite a trend. I think this one would be great to start with - and Shannon just mentioned one called Nora & Kettle that seems worth looking into.
DeleteCan you believe I've only REASD one reveling? And I'm pretty sure that was Cinder. I don't know why Tanya, I've just never been a real fan of them? But this one still sounds good! The main character, she sounds REALLY, REALLY strong, and I LOVE the fact that she didn't let her past dictate her future. She chose to live forward each day and to just try to live. <3
ReplyDeleteYou're not alone! I've never really sought out retellings either. Most retellings seems to be in the fantasy genre and since I'm a die-hard contemporary girl... yeah. But this was a contemporary with a fantasy element and was really enjoyable. I can't believe I haven't read Cinder yet! Everyone seems to love it!
DeleteThis sounds good! I think I remember seeing it around a bit ago. Retelling . . . hmm. I liked The Wrath and the Dawn. I read another Peter Pan one that I didn't love. I want to read more though!!
ReplyDeleteI *really* need to get to The Wrath and the Dawn. I think the follow-up is coming out soon? And the Lunar Chronicles - everyone seems to love that series of retellings but I haven't picked them up yet. A Court of Thorns and Roses is definitely my favorite retelling. Can't wait for A Court of Mist and Fury!
DeleteI'm not really a Peter Pan person which is why I fave up on another YA retelling whose name escapes me right now. And this one sounds pretty okay. I think I'm gonna skip it even though I love the cover. Thanks for this review!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I wouldn't call this one a *must read*, especially if you're not into the whole Peter Pan thing.
DeleteI hadn't heard of this one before. It sounds interesting. I do like the retellings that seem to be more of these days. I may not pick this one up, but may put it on a list for "if I have time, read later". Great review!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa. Yeah, it seems like retellings are hot right now. I don't read a lot of them but this one was enjoyable enough. Good for the "if you have time" list. :)
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