Blood in the Water

Scary Faerie Tales #1

by M.A. Kersh

In this thrilling debut novel from writer M.A Kersh, the true events of the famous childhood story about the much loved Peter Pan, and the villainous pirate known as Captain Hook is finally revealed for the very first time.James Hook’s story began in Wales, where he was left on the steps of the Moore Orphanage as a baby. James is bullied by Peter and his followers, leaving him a lonely outcast who dreams of a life out on the sea. After a Scarlet Fairy visits James, he discovers the frightening side of magic. He resists her charms, but after being nearly beaten to death by Peter and his friends, the Scarlet Fairy torments his dreams as he lay broken in the hospital wing. However, James finds he is not alone as one of the nuns within the orphanage comes to comfort and aid him with a mother’s love. But when her efforts fail him, she decides to sacrifice her own soul for the protection from all fae magic for James. When James wakes the following morning, his heart is broken to find the woman he had come to love is dead. He vows revenge upon the Scarlet Fairy and the very boy who put him in her view in the first place, Peter. James plans to make Peter the fae’s new target, but everything goes wrong as the clever Peter concocts an unusual deal with a Green Fairy. Instead of sacrificing his own soul, he offers to spend his immortal life collecting children’s souls in exchange for all the powers of the fae. The Green Fairy accepts the deal, and the two new friends fly away to their new home Neverland.Unsure of Peter’s fate, James leaves the orphanage to board Blackbeard’s ship under the alias name, Hook. Years go by, but Hook’s bitterness only continues to grow. Then one night, Peter, now known as Pan, confronts him. When Hook learns that the fault of so many stolen souls was his own, with guilt and rage, Hook wages war upon his former childhood foe. He would have to sail the famed Jolly Roger through into the Nine Realms beyond the hidden veils to exact his revenge and set all of the lost souls on the island free. The journey is one of magic, true love, darkness, lore, and redemption. Like Serena Valentino’s Fairest of All, Blood in the Water offers an entirely new version of the beloved classic, bringing each reader a touch a grim, dark, twisted retelling of the story of Neverland. The characters that come along for the enchanted journey includes, Blackbeard, The Blue Fairy, Wendy Darling, Tiger Lily, Mr. Smee, Catcher, and of course, Tinker Bell. In this story of heroes and villains, you may find that what you have formally believed was a lie, but fear not my darlings, for there is always a wish that can grant you your second chance.

Genres: Retellings, Fantasy, Pirates, Fairy Tales

453 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 22, 2019

Reviews

[Angela Jones-Cuéllar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written in a natural, lulling prose just like a bedtime story shared in the dark after the rest of the house has gone to sleep. Soothing, chilling, intriguing, each sentence curls like smoke from a candle and reels you into the story a bit further between gasps. If you enjoy fairy tale re-tellings, especially those that turn things upside down and inside out, then you really should add Blood in the Water to the list. I'm surprised more people haven't heard about it!

[Amber Drobny · Rating 1 out of 5]

The way indigenous people are portrayed in this novel is insensitive at best. I am very disappointed in the author and publishing company.

[Amanda Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story, but not very fluid.

[Hazel Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely fantastic! My only problem was how difficult it was to find. I was a little off put by the lack of any reviews, but I am glad that I rolled the dice on this little book! I am obsessed with fairytale retellings. In truth, they are pretty much all that I read. I found this book in a desperate search for a new read. Initially, I came across the alice in wonderland book (Hearts in the Looking Glass) but when I saw that this was book one in the series I decided to try it while waiting for The Odd Sisters book to come out! I am so glad I did! It kinda had a slow start, but I never give up on a book... and in this case- I was blown away! I will never look at Peter Pan the same! I cant wait for book 3!

[Sarahgrace · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF about 65% of the way through

[Jim Anderson-Greenover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood in the Water is a thrilling, darkly enchanting dive into a world where familiar fairytales twist into something altogether more sinister—and addictively readable. Kersh delivers a narrative brimming with magic, danger, and characters you think you know—until you don’t.

This book plays with storylines in a way that feels reminiscent of the TV series Once Upon a Time, weaving together elements from various tales and mythologies into one expansive, interconnected world. But where Once Upon a Time leaned on hope and redemption, Kersh’s version of Neverland and beyond is far grittier—and Peter Pan? He’s no hero here. In fact, he’s a major bully—controlling, cruel, and every bit the villain in a way that flips childhood nostalgia on its head.

The plot pulls you in with its super magical atmosphere. It's got teeth, wings, shadows—and just the right amount of pixie dust. I powered through this book, completely hooked. And with that final page, I was already soaring straight into the sequel, Hearts in the Looking Glass.

If you're a fan of dark fantasy with a fairytale twist, buckle up. Blood in the Water is not your childhood storybook. It's sharper, darker, and completely spellbinding.

[Thalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this reimagining of Peter Pan. It's unique twist of Peter Pan as the villain and Captain Hook as the hero was new and intriguing. The addition of the Fae into this world was so perfectly intertwined with the magical aspect of the story that it fit so naturally. I loved how there were ties and connections to other fairytales that wove in and throughout this tale also. It was well done in the way that it flowed in and out of the original story so well and fitting in pieces of information that we didn't realize we needed explanations for. I loved how this didn't feel like a reimagining but more of an explanation of why things happened the way they did and what caused them to happen. It left me torn over who I wanted to prevail in the end. Wonderfully written and enchantingly imagined.

[J.S. Larmore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the plot was excellent. The story telling was sublime. In fact, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. However, this author desperately needs an editor. The use of the phrase "all of a sudden" and "suddenly" was so overused... At times it made me want to stop reading. I completed one paragraph where the phrase was used three times within that single paragraph.
This is my first experience with this author, so perhaps these issues have been rectified in later works. I certainly hope so, because the author certainly has the potential to be great, and this book is still worth reading.

[Zoe Negrete-Deaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have personally seen the development of this book come to life through the spitfires of inspiration, the grueling writing process, the editing "madness," and the overall breath breathed into this enchantingly dark masterpiece. As a first time writer, M.A. Kersh's artistic flare seeps through the pages, drawing from historical, mythological, and utter darkness into the lives of the reader. Take a chance, you won't be disappointed.

[Kasey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

I rated this book three stars because it was a good read, but it was very long and drawn out. I fell asleep often, especially in the first 3/4 of the book. Also, there were too many unforgivable grammatical errors.
THOSE THINGS ASIDE... I really liked the book and I'm glad I read it and I will read the next book.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark and twisted fairytale retellings are definitely one of my all time favorite things to read. This book was amazingly captivating to me. Though I found alot of things happening unexplained I am still completely in love with this book.

[Linsey May · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s a lot of Pan retellings out there, many of which go for a similar trope of Peter as the villain and Hook the misunderstood hero.
Ive read quite a few of these and I think this is amongst the best of them.
I finished this book over a weekend and will go on to read the next one.

[Jack Herst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read- full of dark twist and haunting chapters!

[Scarlet Siders · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! I don't think I have ever sped through a book this way! I couldn't put it down. More! More!

[Christine Canario · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Finished it in 2 days and went on to read Hearts in the looking glass and finished that in 1 day

[Gabriela Bruno · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Dezi]

DNF @ 5%

I know, I know....but I just could not get past the writing. It was like having a child tell me a story that was supposed to be for an older audience. I just couldn't.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the story. I can't wait to read the next one. I read the Kindle version. It was FULL of typos. I had to reread sentences to make sure I got what the word was supposed to be. That was a little frustrating.

[Louise Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book

Great fairy tale retelling story, which isn't like you have read before , loved. Reading this can't wait for the next

[Hazel Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely fantastic! My only problem was how difficult it was to find. I was a little off put by the lack of any reviews, but I am glad that I rolled the dice on this little book! I am obsessed with fairytale retellings. In truth, they are pretty much all that I read. I found this book in a desperate search for a new read. Initially, I came across the alice in wonderland book (Hearts in the Looking Glass) but when I saw that this was book one in the series I decided to try it while waiting for The Odd Sisters book to come out! I am so glad I did! It kinda had a slow start, but I never give up on a book... and in this case- I was blown away! I will never look at Peter Pan the same! I cant wait for book 3!

[Scarlet Siders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cant even begin to describe how great this book is! A few parts I found to be a bit haunting (I am not usually one for scary stories) but this gripped me so tight, I couldn't put it down. I used to think of Peter Pan as a hero, but NEVER again. The crazy thing is that the events of what happens once the Darlings get to Neverland aren't all that different than I remember, and yet I just didn't see it from this point of view at all! Both Pan and Tinker Bell are awful and wicked! I am getting the next book right now! Highly recommend to all!

[Daniel Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! Such a great book! Love the connection of all the surprise characters and the explaining of all the mysteries we didn't know! Master of the origins!!!!!! Cant wait to see who this author does next!

[Jack Herst · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not usually into fairy tales, but this one caught my eye by accident. As a child I loved Peter Pan and now I am even more fascinated with this sinister story! Great Read! I highly recommend it!

[Amanda Bohler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a good fairytale retelling and this book delivered, but was also in desperate need of an editor.