Essence of Neverland

Legends of the Pan #1

by Juna Jinsei, Lamont Russ

Peter is gone, causing the decline of Neverland and a struggle for power. This once abundant world of dreams come true, soon converts into a place of violence and evil without the positive influence of the Pan. Many have gone missing and none can escape its shores. Neither pirates, nor Indians, or Merpeople and fairies have the magic it takes to defeat the demonic darkness that threatens the very existence of every man, woman, and child living on the island. Can anything save them from this pending doom before it is too late? What can prevent Neverland from becoming void of any hope as it turns into a barren wasteland eventually consumed by the sands of time? Perhaps the answer lies within the essence of this mystical isle, inspiring the hope and motivating the action needed to save them all.

340 pages, Paperback

First published September 9, 2015

Reviews

[Eitan David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn! That's a book!

Essence of Neverland is to Deathly Hollows what Peter Pan is to The Sorcerer's Stone.

Definitely not for small children. (sorry, don't read on if you don't want some spoilers). Early in, Hook runs Peter Pan through with his blade and Peter bleeds out on the deck of his pirate ship. With that, the tone is set. Neverland without Peter is a dark and awful place.

Four contenders to replace Peter rise, each with their horrific back stories (your parents have to die while you are still a kid to be in the running). They all have a different special ability. For example, one can fly, another can breath under water.

The author writes with great reverence for the source material, expanding on canon more than inventing new. the boy Peter Pan may never grow up, but the Peter Pan legacy does with this book.

[Joanne W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wicked good story. Not for little kids.

[Martina D'Angelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really enjoyable book for 14 and up. Might be too graphic and dark for younger.

Makes me want to see the author follow up with an Essence of Wonderland.

[J.D. DeHart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essence of Neverland does what few books are able to – Juna Jinsei takes a classic story and brings it forward in a new light effectively and in a detailed way. Jinsei writes like an expert, with beautiful descriptions and a lushly fleshed-out world. There are many characters, much loved and honored by the tradition of literature and film, contained in this book.

What I enjoyed most is the way Essence of Neverland was so professionally put together. This feels like a complete draft of a novel, from an author who has taken time to ensure that all of the pieces fit together.

Rather than feeling like, “Oh, another Peter Pan story,” I found the book to be entertaining and unique in its development of this story. It works like a worthy successor to the original tale, and Jinsei has done what few authors do with great ability, reminiscent of Gregory Maguire (who turns these retellings out in magnificent literary fashion year after year).

An enjoyable story for those who love classic stories, and readers who do mind a bit of fantasy in their reading. Jinsei gives a realized vision in this book, and I appreciated having the opportunity to read this review copy.

[Lysander Tvlasda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first novel I have read, since J.M. Barrie's novel itself, that brought me effortlessly to Neverland. I don't think there's one person who hasn't in some way been impacted in popular culture by the idea of a place that tickles our inner child. Juna captures the excitement and adventure of our childhood Neverlands and blends it with an encroaching tension and darkness.

The illustrations add a perfect touch to each chapter - it has a universal appeal to both adults and young adults. Somehow, Juna has made J.M. Barrie's world her own, and turned it into something borderline mystical. This author has brought magic back into adult fiction, the kind that made us believe in fairies in the first place.

[Myles Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reimagines a classic childhood story but has a rougher, but promising atmosphere. The story is set in the fictitious land of Neverland, but all is not well when Peter Pan, dies at the hand of the infamous Captain Hook. The narrative can get dark in some scenes, but it always clings to hope.

[Mylee Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a somewhat different take on the Peter Pan story. The author fleshes out the well-known characters of this classic childhood story while also introducing some intriguing new ones to create a more diverse plot. The book will take some time to digest its content as three hundred pages is quite a read.

[Neveah Vasquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straight to the point, the book is not for children, despite its story being related to that of a children's book, it is not all friendly for the minds of children as it includes scenes of death and some violence. The book is a reimagining of a classic childhood story but designed with a more gloomy yet hopeful atmosphere.

[Serenity Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The tale is set in the imaginary land of Neverland, but things are falling apart as Peter Pan, dies by Captain Hook. Although the plot originates from a childhood tale, in some scenes it can get intense, but the narrative still holds onto a hopeful ending. In comparison with old children's stories.

[Taniya Floyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book has a heavier emphasis on negative emotions compared to the children's tales of old, this book features more of a plot that darkens upon the death of a beloved character and guardian of Neverland Peter Pan, it iterates what happens when hope can only be found when one truly seeks for it.

[Russell Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

As they read through the familiar, but different story, readers are left in awe of the narrative. It is an excellent read for those who enjoy a bit of fantasy in their book narratives, and with over three hundred pages of material, readers will be thoroughly entertained by its plot.

[Kaleb Mckinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Essence of Neverland is over three hundred pages long. The tale takes place in the fictitious land of Neverland, but all is not well after the death of its greatest defender, Peter Pan. The plot progresses from a lighthearted childhood tale to a more objective and slightly darker storyline.

[Millie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightfully dark and clever. I couldn't put it down.

[Victoria Minos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written — I’ll give it that. And very different. But the first chapter left me hoping for some resurrection miracle…😅