Heirs of Neverland by Kara Swanson

This is not Walt Disney’s Peter Pan.

I loved Disney’s Peter Pan. Even in that version, Peter is shown as selfish and moody, but Kara Swanson’s Heirs of Neverland duology focuses on just how much damage those aspects of Peter’s personality can cause. The dangers of never growing up, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally, are on full display here while Peter Pan tries to get back to Neverland and save his home.

The additions of Claire and Connor bring the real spark as these new characters interact with the ones we know so well. The first book, Dust, does an amazing job of setting up the story and getting us to Neverland, but it’s the second book, Shadow, that really hits with the emotional punches. It’s darker than you might expect, but it’s necessary, and very well done.

Swanson has given us an amazing fairy-tale retelling.

5 stars for both books.

Where to buy the first book: ChristianBook | Amazon | B&N