Title: Never, Never
Author: Brianna Shrum
Copyright: September 22, 2015
Genre: fiction, fantasy
Format: book  Pages: 368

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

James Hook is a child who only wants to grow up.

When he meets Peter Pan, a boy who loves to pretend and is intent on never becoming a man, James decides he could try being a child—at least briefly. James joins Peter Pan on a holiday to Neverland, a place of adventure created by children’s dreams, but Neverland is not for the faint of heart. Soon James finds himself longing for home, determined that he is destined to be a man. But Peter refuses to take him back, leaving James trapped in a world just beyond the one he loves. A world where children are to never grow up.

But grow up he does.

And thus begins the epic adventure of a Lost Boy and a Pirate.

This story isn’t about Peter Pan; it’s about the boy whose life he stole. It’s about a man in a world that hates men. It’s about the feared Captain James Hook and his passionate quest to kill the Pan, an impossible feat in a magical land where everyone loves Peter Pan.

Except one.

My Thoughts:

OK, so a few weeks ago I told you about my excitement about two pre-ordered books arriving on my doorstep. I love books but there is something absolutely special about getting a book the day it is released and actually reading it then.  I had heard about Never, Never on another book bloggers’ site and decided I wanted to read it. Growing up, I have seen numerous movie adaptations of Peter Pan, and there is even another currently in theaters called, “Pan”. But none take the story from the perspective of Captain Hook. So the synopsis had me hooked (come on, you know I had to do it at least once).

The book drew me in at the start and then slowed a bit and then picked up again…  I was consumed by the story, and had a deep need to see where the story would go. I really loved the way the author developed Hook’s character. It made me understand why Hook was the way he was. In the typical story, Peter Pan was so easy to love. But in this story, I found myself drawn to Hook and wishing him well. I also think the author did a great job of developing the world of Never Never and filling it with key characters.

Each day, I would go to pick-up, an extra 5 minutes earlier, to squeeze in more reading time.  So when I tell you I am only giving this book 3 butterflies, you might scratch your head and say, “Why?”. Well let me explain: All of the things I previously wrote about this book is true. However, the end of the book was a let down, in that it left me with so many unanswered questions, and it felt rushed compared to the pacing throughout the rest of the book. So for those reasons I am giving this book 3 butterflies.

I will be back soon with some more reviews.

Happy Reading!

Belinda