Darling Girl by Liz Michalski

WHAT.
WHAT
I'm getting so many Nemo and Marlin vibes
I have so many feelings. Also we love Jack.
352 Pages

TS Song: my tears ricochet, (and a bit of All Too Well (10 minute version) (Taylor's Version))
could we also make jokes about Never Grow Up

Everland by Wendy Spinale

*forgets to post review because being sick is fun. lol I read this in January, but we'll count it in February because....chaos. 
I have a ship and I have like....another ship that might be less painful....I blame the line "Peter losing Wendy" for all of my dread. 
Alexa play Somewhere in Neverland. 
336 Pages

Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. It's a Peter Pan story. 
Do I want to include all the gifs of Disney World Peter Pan...yes. 
Ummmmm....what kind of ship is this...Is this like Peter Pan 2 except it's different....
PETER. STOP. FLIRTING. WITH. EVERYONE. Gosh this is like Back to the Future
Don't mind me laughing uncomfortably. 
384 Pages

Ooh Pretty Pictures

When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

A true story about a Omar and his nonverbal brother growing up in a refugee camp. I don't think I've read anything quite like this, and the artwork is so vibrant while still being realistic. This book is incredible and I think everyone should read it. All the feels.

Read Harder Challenge #19

256 pages

Adventure Zone: Petals to the Metal by Clint McElroy

Fantasy Nascar, a giant magical wrench and sexy plant puns. I've really enjoyed this series. I've listened to a bit of the podcast it is based on, but I just love the colorful artwork and humorous background objects. The story is quirky, funny, and just a lot of fun all around. 

244 pages

Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass by Mariko Tamaki

A different take on Harley's origin story, with class struggles, gentrification and green activism (led by Poison Ivy, of course). I thought this is one of the better DC Ink graphic novels, and I love the representation included among the urban population. A fun afternoon read for comic fans.

196 pages

Attack on Titan: Volumes 2/3 by Hajime Isayama

This series is so much fun! Perfect blending of horror, science fiction, and dystopia. Lots of gruesome titan battles, with a family mystery thrown in. I'm starting to get to the point where I may give the anime another try. 

400 pages    (192+208) 

Cheshire Crossing by Andy Weir, Sarah Andersen

Andy Weir does comics? Whaaaa? Such a great concept, mashing Alice/Wonderland, Wendy/Neverland, and Dorothy/Oz together into a fun fantasy adventure. I am very glad that he got a different illustrator though-Andersen is one of my favorite web comic artists!

117 pages

My Hero Academia Vol. 1 by Kohei Horikoshi

Ah, yes. The superhero academy trope. I've never really liked these stories. This one is very well done, and I can see why it is so popular, it's just not for me. Also, skinny/buff guy is creepy.

187 pages

Aquatlantic by Giorgio Carpinteri

This one was so strange. The artwork is gorgeous, and I enjoyed seeing Soviet Constructivism, which isn't used much in art today. Heavy allegory, almost to the point where there isn't much story. Pretty pictures though.

49 pages

Everland by Wendy Spinale

Summary: "London is a ruin, destroyed by German bombs, ravaged by the Horologia virus, and ruled by the ruthless Captain Hanz Otto Oswald Kretschmer, whose Marauders search for and seize the children who are immune to the virus in the hope that their blood will produce a cure--their latest victim is sixteen-year-old Gwen Darling's younger sister and Gwen will do anything to get her back, even join up with Pete and his gang of Lost Boys living in a city hidden underground."

I found this book on one of our staff book swaps, and I am indebted to the person who left it there! :)

I LOVE Peter Pan, especially the Disney version. Everland did a fun and interesting job of retelling the Peter Pan story in a steampunk, post-apocalyptic way. I loved the little Easter eggs and nods to the Peter Pan story. I adored the characterization of Pete, as I could easily picture his attitude and reactions. Some of the story-telling became a little convoluted, and I think there was some missed opportunities toward the end of the book. I very much wanted Wendy/Gwen to walk the plank and for Peter/Pete to save her! 

312 pages

The Neverland Wars by Audrey Greathouse

"The war between Neverland and reality has just begun."

As a huge Peter Pan fan, I had to have this book. However, it didn't quite live up to my unrealistically high expectations. The story has a lot of magic and unrealized potential. The beginning is fun and interesting, but the author just didn't know how to finish the story in a satisfying way. The mermaids were the most interesting part, but all the potential fun was cut off.  There is NO pay-off for anything. 

 I still prefer Second Star for my Peter Pan re-imaginings! 

302 pages

Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson

Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This story is a retelling of Tiger Lily and Peter Pan, and what they were to each other, before Wendy.

While I found the whole story interesting, it did take some time for it to finally sink its hooks into me, but by the time it did, I couldn't put the book down. It built towards moments, points, and emotions so gradually, almost imperceptibly. At first, this worried me. I thought maybe the story didn't have enough direction, but it turns out that I was wrong and just had to wait for it all to come together.

The concept seems like it might be light, fun, or carefree, but I found it to be so much heavier. It left me drowning in melancholy, but I like a story with some darkness and emotional depth.

Pages: 304

Second Star by Alyssa B. Sheinmel

Summary: "Seventeen-year-old Wendy Darling sets out to find her missing surfer brothers and finds herself on a secluded California beach, where she meets Pete, Belle, Jas, and others, learns to surf, helps some of them steal while avoiding the other's drug trade, and falls in love."

Second Star is a contemporary twist on the Peter Pan story, almost like a fan fiction "alternate universe" of sorts. Second Star surprised me in so many good ways. I absolutely love everything Peter Pan, and I enjoyed how the author worked in so many memorable things from the Peter Pan story into this book in new and fun ways, while still managing to capture the essence of the story. Wendy's journey really touches your heart and leaves you wanting more. 

250 pages