Starred review from May 22, 2017
Bestseller Henry (Red Queen) will delight readers with this thrilling origin story, which reveals the true Peter Pan and the long road that led Jamie the lost boy to become pirate captain James Hook. Jamie was taken by Peter from the Other Place and has been in Neverland for longer than he can remember. He’s spent years at Peter’s side, going along with the other lost boys as they conduct raids, disrupt pirates, and fight each other for fun. Jamie, like all the lost boys, endlessly craves Peter’s attention; he believes himself to be special in Peter’s eyes, but a series of betrayals leads him to realize that his best friend is actually his worst enemy. Multiple twists keep the reader guessing, and the fluid writing is enthralling. Henry perfectly captures what it’s like to live on Peter’s island, and Jamie is a powerful character. Through his perspective, Henry immerses the reader in Neverland and genuinely shocks with the meanings behind Peter’s secrets and the intentions of his adventures. This is a fine addition to the shelves of any fan of children’s classics and their modern subversions.