I try to read at least one 'classic' book each month. Now, I obviously know the story of Peter Pan. It's been adapted to television, movies, and book re-tellings many times over the years. Despite that, I had never actually read the source material.

When I am reading a classic, I really try not to put my 21st-century, politically-correct glasses on, because literature is a reflection of the time it was written. Now, if I was judging this books based on the values of today, I would find it incredibly sexist and racist. Wendy is treated like a servant and the entire 'redskin' subplot is so extremely stereotypical and racist that it's difficult to read at some points. However, considering the fact that Peter Pan was written over 100 years ago, I'm going to give Barrie's would-be racist rhetoric a pass.

Now that that's out of the way...I liked this book. I didn't love it, but it wasn't a bad book by any means. Barrie writes the book almost as if he's telling a story. He speaks to the reader on several occasions, and will go back and forth in stories he tells just as someone might if they were telling a bedtime story.

The story itself is entertaining. Some of it is very strange, but it's not like I wasn't expecting to see Nana as the nursemaid or a person's shadow being captured. After all, I've seen the movie. But I tried to imagine if I lived a hundred years ago and I was experiencing this story for the first time. I would've been thoroughly confused.

I found it interesting the change in Mr. Darling from the book to almost every adaptation I've seen. He is always portrayed as a strict, no-nonsense, impatient man. In the book, he is downright obnoxious. Feeding Nana his medicine and then pouting when he gets caught; complaining because he doesn't feel like he's getting enough attention; throwing a tantrum because he can't get his tie tied...I don't quite understand what Mrs. Darling sees in him.

One other thing. I know that this story was inspired by stories that J.M. Barrie told his adopted sons. But I can't imagine reading this as a young child. The first couple of chapters with the Darlings figuring out their expenses to determine whether they can keep their children would be very confusing as a child. Also there are passages in the book that get a little bogged down in exposition, using language most children today would have a difficult time comprehending.

Also, the level of violence is pretty shocking for a 'children's story'. There is an Indian massacre and almost all the pirates are killed during the final battle. Peter Pan talks about killing like it's no big deal. He doesn't even remember the people he's killed after he does it.

I did like this book, and it was fun to read all of the iconic quotes from this book that I've seen in various adaptations. I also love the edition I got of this book. It's a puffin classic book with a beautiful illustration printed right on the hardcover.

Wow. All the feels.

What a beautiful story. Its difficult to describe. It's simple and quiet, but also incredibly complex. I have a feeling I'm going to be thinking about this book for awhile.

4.75 stars. Such a wonderful conclusion to this story. I am so glad the author wrote this as a duology instead of a trilogy. It kept the stakes high throughout the book and there was little to no filler. Coming up near the end of the book I thought I may have to knock a star off because it seemed as though certain subplots were going to be left unresolved, but in the end they were tied up in a satisfying manner. The one thread I thought could have been tied up that wasn't was the whole subplot with Artan's aunt. She extracted a favor from Khalid in return for her help in ending the curse, and said that his destroying the. lol would also help her family, but that wasn't really revisited after that point. Spinoff series??? I would totally be up for that!

I enjoyed the fleshing out of the characters who appeared in book one as minor characters -- Irsa, Rahim, even Tariq to a certain extent. I really liked Artan and the way that he interacted with Shahrzad and Khalid.

Another aspect I really enjoyed was the importance placed on storytelling, which was effective and not awkward at all. It seemed very organic to the narrative.


I will definitely be picking up other works by this author as they come out!

More people need to read this series. It is just so good. Unique premise, well-crafted world-building and plot, interesting characters...it really is a great read.

Brb, need to go pick up everything Victoria Schwab has ever written...

I really enjoyed this book. It does start off a little slow, and it took some time for me to understand exactly what was going on, but once I did I was totally in. The characters were interesting and complex. The plot was well-paced and engaging. The world-building was unique and well-crafted.

Wow. So good. This book is a new favorite.

2.5 stars
This book was just alright for me. I actually started out thinking I was really going to love this book. The premise is fascinating, even if it isn't the most original. I'm pretty sure there was a television show a few years back that had a very similar concept about all of the computers shutting down. Revolution? Anyway, This book focused on the founding and protection of a society within such a world. There were parts that were very interesting, and actually it was a very quick read for me. As I was reading I was really engrossed in the story, which I think comes from the fact that there is a level of tension throughout the narrative, especially with the protagonist, Adam, not sure of who he can trust.
Ultimately, I didn't feel much of a connection with the characters, which I think is crucial for a book that is mostly about a group of people trying to establish a functional society as the world around them is breaking down.

Characters: There is little character development throughout the book. The main character, Adam, does show some growth as he observes Herb leading (and manipulating) people to follow his example. So I guess he does grow. And it is his story, so that is important, although I'm not sure why a 16 year old kid would be allowed to be involved with the running of the neighborhood. He's in all the meetings and always has the right answer. It felt very Mary Sue to me.
I don't feel like any of the other characters are fleshed out at all either. Todd, Adam's goofy friend, has a couple of scenes where he acts like an idiot. Lori, Adam's crush/girlfriend, has literally no agency. She is there as a prop to the plot. We don't get any real growth in their relationship or any sense as to what they see in each other. And the writing of their 'romance' is truly bad. Their kiss is described thusly;

"She stopped and turned, and we kissed. I was kissing Lori!
How long had I thought, dreamed, and fantasized about this
happening?"
Seriously? That's it? That was the most lukewarm description of a kiss that I've ever read.

So, let's get to Herb. At first I was okay with the whole mentor aspect of his character, but it got a little old after awhile and to be honest I don't trust him. I also think that him saying that he can't talk about his work because it may or may not be classified is a little ridiculous. He is the one who talks throughout the book about the importance of being realistic to the point of cynical about their situation, but he won't tell Adam and his mother about his work for a government that essentially doesn't exist anymore? That doesn't track. Another thing that didn't feel authentic was his ability to calmly and rationally talk down anyone who was even remotely upset or aggressive by acting like their best friend. And everyone but Adam buys into his manipulations.

Another thing that bothered me was the lack of emotion regarding the fact that Adam's father is MIA, and quite possibly dead. I understand that there is a lot going on and probably not much time to really address his absence, and he is mentioned several times by Adam, but I just didn't sense that emotion that I'm sure most people would feel when faced with the reality that someone they love could be in danger or even dead. It just seemed like an afterthought most of the time.

I don't find the writing or dialogue to be spectacular, although I have to admit that there was something about it that kept me interested throughout the book. I think it's because I wanted to see the reveal that Herb wasn't actually a good guy just trying to help people (which didn't happen...yet) or that Brett was crazy (we did get little hints of that, but Herb justifies it and I'm wondering if we as the readers are supposed to feel placated by that. I'm not, because I don't trust Herb.)

Part of me (and this is pure conjecture; I haven't even read the synopses of the other two books, let alone the books themselves.) wonders if this could all be some sort of governmental social experiment and that Hugh has been in on it the whole time. Would it be totally and completely twisted? Yup.

So, when I checked this book out from the library, I didn't realize it was part of a trilogy. I thought it was a standalone and didn't realize that I was potentially committing myself to a whole series of books. I do want to know what happens in the rest of the series, especially the cause of the 'virus' and if they are able to protect their neighborhood, but I don't know if I am curious enough to actually pick up the next book in the series.