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Curses of Never #1
A Land of Never After
All my life, I’ve dreamed of the sea.
Mermaids, stormy skies, daring adventures, pirates…it was little wonder I sprinted to the docks the moment I left the orphanage. Eager to begin my new life, I searched for a ship that would have me—and found a thief instead. I chased the bastard.
Now I’m trapped.
I’m told this place is Neverland, but everything I touch is dead or dying; what’s left is hellbent on killing each other. Monsters lurk around every corner, and everyone I meet hides a damning secret. I’m thrust in the middle of a deadly feud, and the only one capable of unraveling the curse that plagues us.
Neverland is my home now. Until it’s done with me?
It will never let go.
Peter Pan meets Pirates of the Caribbean in A Land of Never After, but reader beware: this children’s tale has been reimagined for adult lovers of all things dark and deadly, with an LGBTQ+ positive twist. Content warnings include language, violence, and mentions of gender dysphoria and suicide.
Mermaids, stormy skies, daring adventures, pirates…it was little wonder I sprinted to the docks the moment I left the orphanage. Eager to begin my new life, I searched for a ship that would have me—and found a thief instead. I chased the bastard.
Now I’m trapped.
I’m told this place is Neverland, but everything I touch is dead or dying; what’s left is hellbent on killing each other. Monsters lurk around every corner, and everyone I meet hides a damning secret. I’m thrust in the middle of a deadly feud, and the only one capable of unraveling the curse that plagues us.
Neverland is my home now. Until it’s done with me?
It will never let go.
Peter Pan meets Pirates of the Caribbean in A Land of Never After, but reader beware: this children’s tale has been reimagined for adult lovers of all things dark and deadly, with an LGBTQ+ positive twist. Content warnings include language, violence, and mentions of gender dysphoria and suicide.
174 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 26, 2021
188 people are currently reading
7602 people want to read
About the author
R.L. Davennor
17 books334 followersRaelynn Davennor writes fantasy romance and fairytale retellings—usually of the darker variety—and is the author of the Curses of Never and The Phantom of Notre Dame series, both of which became viral BookTok hits.
She is known for her diverse and morally complex characters, as well as her ability to craft heart-wrenching plots that explore heavy themes. While she is a firm believer that light cannot be fully appreciated without first traveling through heaps of darkness, Raelynn always ensures that her characters find their well-deserved happily ever afters—especially the LGBT+ ones.
When not obsessing over her latest idea, she enjoys pampering her menagerie of pets and pretending she isn’t an adult.
She is known for her diverse and morally complex characters, as well as her ability to craft heart-wrenching plots that explore heavy themes. While she is a firm believer that light cannot be fully appreciated without first traveling through heaps of darkness, Raelynn always ensures that her characters find their well-deserved happily ever afters—especially the LGBT+ ones.
When not obsessing over her latest idea, she enjoys pampering her menagerie of pets and pretending she isn’t an adult.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 273 reviews
June 2, 2022
There are only a few things better than fairytale retellings: Neverland and Wonderland retellings! So, when I scrolled through BookSirens and saw this book it was almost impossible to say no. Especially because the concept of the book sounded quite original, which is quite hard when it comes to a story this famous and this often retold. And since I needed to live in another world for a little moment today, I decided to dive into this book and visit Neverland.
As already hoped this concept was quite original. I have to admit that I would have loved to see a little more of this version of Neverland. The elements we saw were amazing, but I somehow get the impression there was a lot more to discover in this forest and yet we barely got the chance to do so. Understandably, because there were some serious issues that needed to be taken care of, but still. Part of the Neverland charm is Neverland and I think it deserved a bigger role in this story.
However, the interesting and well thought out plot totally makes up for it. It's quite clear that something shady is going on from the beginning, but Davennor knows how and when to release the answers and when to get us more information. Just like she clearly knows how to make sure her info-dumps never really feel and sound like info-dumps. And even though a big part of the plot is wrapped up quite neatly, there is plenty to keep us hooked (that was on purpose) to read the next book.
And I certainly plan on reading the next book, because I'm surely not ready to let these characters go yet. It feels like their story has only just begun. We have so much to learn now the characters are free to explore the world and yet in a way also on a very tight schedule before the aging progress catches up with Peter and turns him into something he has never been and will never be. And I can't wait to reconnect with the characters on their next adventure!
As already hoped this concept was quite original. I have to admit that I would have loved to see a little more of this version of Neverland. The elements we saw were amazing, but I somehow get the impression there was a lot more to discover in this forest and yet we barely got the chance to do so. Understandably, because there were some serious issues that needed to be taken care of, but still. Part of the Neverland charm is Neverland and I think it deserved a bigger role in this story.
However, the interesting and well thought out plot totally makes up for it. It's quite clear that something shady is going on from the beginning, but Davennor knows how and when to release the answers and when to get us more information. Just like she clearly knows how to make sure her info-dumps never really feel and sound like info-dumps. And even though a big part of the plot is wrapped up quite neatly, there is plenty to keep us hooked (that was on purpose) to read the next book.
And I certainly plan on reading the next book, because I'm surely not ready to let these characters go yet. It feels like their story has only just begun. We have so much to learn now the characters are free to explore the world and yet in a way also on a very tight schedule before the aging progress catches up with Peter and turns him into something he has never been and will never be. And I can't wait to reconnect with the characters on their next adventure!
December 3, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with an e-ARC of this title in return for my honest review.
When Wendy must leave the orphanage she calls home due to aging out, she tries to find a ship to take her to sail the high seas. Instead she meets Peter Pan, a thief, and ends up stuck in a dark version of the Neverland we know and love. Unsure if Peter is trustworthy, Wendy must do all she can to survive this creepy place filled with magic, monsters, and curses.
This dark Peter Pan retelling had a much darker take than the original. The eerie atmosphere added to the overall tone of the book. This is definitely NOT your typical Neverland! I found this book to be a unique retelling of a classic story. The song suggestions included added a fun touch to make the story a little more interactive. I found there to be a great deal of action in this book, making it quite a page turner with plenty of twists and betrayals. I did enjoy the take on the characters, however I would have liked them to be a bit more fleshed out.
If you enjoy action-packed stories that take place in magical worlds, you should definitely give this a shot. I think this was a pretty great retelling of a classic Fairytale.
Merged review:
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with an e-ARC of this title in return for my honest review.
When Wendy must leave the orphanage she calls home due to aging out, she tries to find a ship to take her to sail the high seas. Instead she meets Peter Pan, a thief, and ends up stuck in a dark version of the Neverland we know and love. Unsure if Peter is trustworthy, Wendy must do all she can to survive this creepy place filled with magic, monsters, and curses.
This dark Peter Pan retelling had a much darker take than the original. The eerie atmosphere added to the overall tone of the book. This is definitely NOT your typical Neverland! I found this book to be a unique retelling of a classic story. The song suggestions included added a fun touch to make the story a little more interactive. I found there to be a great deal of action in this book, making it quite a page turner with plenty of twists and betrayals. I did enjoy the take on the characters, however I would have liked them to be a bit more fleshed out.
If you enjoy action-packed stories that take place in magical worlds, you should definitely give this a shot. I think this was a pretty great retelling of a classic Fairytale.
3.5💫
When Wendy must leave the orphanage she calls home due to aging out, she tries to find a ship to take her to sail the high seas. Instead she meets Peter Pan, a thief, and ends up stuck in a dark version of the Neverland we know and love. Unsure if Peter is trustworthy, Wendy must do all she can to survive this creepy place filled with magic, monsters, and curses.
This dark Peter Pan retelling had a much darker take than the original. The eerie atmosphere added to the overall tone of the book. This is definitely NOT your typical Neverland! I found this book to be a unique retelling of a classic story. The song suggestions included added a fun touch to make the story a little more interactive. I found there to be a great deal of action in this book, making it quite a page turner with plenty of twists and betrayals. I did enjoy the take on the characters, however I would have liked them to be a bit more fleshed out.
If you enjoy action-packed stories that take place in magical worlds, you should definitely give this a shot. I think this was a pretty great retelling of a classic Fairytale.
Merged review:
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with an e-ARC of this title in return for my honest review.
When Wendy must leave the orphanage she calls home due to aging out, she tries to find a ship to take her to sail the high seas. Instead she meets Peter Pan, a thief, and ends up stuck in a dark version of the Neverland we know and love. Unsure if Peter is trustworthy, Wendy must do all she can to survive this creepy place filled with magic, monsters, and curses.
This dark Peter Pan retelling had a much darker take than the original. The eerie atmosphere added to the overall tone of the book. This is definitely NOT your typical Neverland! I found this book to be a unique retelling of a classic story. The song suggestions included added a fun touch to make the story a little more interactive. I found there to be a great deal of action in this book, making it quite a page turner with plenty of twists and betrayals. I did enjoy the take on the characters, however I would have liked them to be a bit more fleshed out.
If you enjoy action-packed stories that take place in magical worlds, you should definitely give this a shot. I think this was a pretty great retelling of a classic Fairytale.
3.5💫
October 9, 2021
There have been a plethora of Peter Pan retellings in recent times, and since I love the source material, I have tried to read any that come my way. From the blurb, this one looked like a winner -- a dark retelling with an LGBT twist -- but unfortunately, in my opinion, it missed its mark. First off the positives: the plot idea was interesting, as was the plot twist regarding Wendy's background, and I liked the LGBT take on Peter. It had great potential, but the writing didn't quite live up it. The LGBT plot line was introduced, but then never taken anywhere. There was some character development for Wendy, but nearly everyone else, even Peter, came across as very two-dimensional, and finally, the world building was lacking, with ideas and creatures introduced but never fully explained. This book only ran to 140 pages on my e-reader and I think a greater word count with more world building and character development would have been of benefit. I also think saying it is a story inspired by Peter Pan, rather than calling it a 'retelling', would be a better description. While Neverland and the key characters are present, there was no recognisable Peter Pan story line per se. As I said, the concept was great, but it didn't quite come together for me. I am thus giving this book 2.5 stars. Fans of Peter Pan might want to give it a read for interest, but, for me at least, it doesn't hit the mark the way some other recent retellings have.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 11, 2022
I received an ARC copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is such a fun spin on Peter Pan. From the very start, we get new versions of the characters we know and it’s such fun to see them interact. You’ll see new takes but the familiar traits are all there.
The setting here is wonderful. You can feel the sea air and smell the tavern cooking while also getting lost amid the fantastical.
If you’re looking for a unique take and would like to go on a new adventure while getting lost amid the fantasy of wonderful worldbuilding, check it out!
This is such a fun spin on Peter Pan. From the very start, we get new versions of the characters we know and it’s such fun to see them interact. You’ll see new takes but the familiar traits are all there.
The setting here is wonderful. You can feel the sea air and smell the tavern cooking while also getting lost amid the fantastical.
If you’re looking for a unique take and would like to go on a new adventure while getting lost amid the fantasy of wonderful worldbuilding, check it out!
October 15, 2021
A Land of Never After is a dark and twisted retelling of Peter Pan. So far, I've read retellings that fall into one of two categories: one tells the same story but changes the setting (like Snow White in New York City), and the other takes what makes the fairy tale unique and twists it to have the opposite effect. In this case, we have Peter Pan and Wendy, originally childlike and (mostly) innocent and playful, skewed into different, almost monstrous versions of themselves.
I did like how the author adds dark twists to the characters and places. There were moments Peter and Tink sent genuine chills down my spine, and these instances were very subtle and masterfully done. Aside from that, Peter's secret adds a nice twist to his desire to stay young forever, and Neverland takes on a whole new meaning. I especially liked how the book mixed feelings of childhood nostalgia with something darker, more sinister.
I think for me, the weakest aspect of the book was Wendy. In this retelling, she is grudgeful, petulant, and quick to anger, even (or especially) when it makes little sense, storywise. A lot of her actions feel like they are only meant to show how tough and "fearless" she is, which for me gets a bit tiring to read. I understand that she is supposed to be the opposite of her original character, but bravery without substance or reason made it a bit difficult at times for me to connect with the story from her perspective.
All in all, A Land of Never After was a quick and enjoyable read. Thank you to NetGalley and Night Muse Press for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Check out my Insta @k.e.rosero for more book spotlights, reviews, and recommendations!
P.S. Also, this book has its own soundtrack! It is haunting, mesmerizing, and fits the tone of each chapter. A lot of love went into this project, and I can't wait to find out more.
I did like how the author adds dark twists to the characters and places. There were moments Peter and Tink sent genuine chills down my spine, and these instances were very subtle and masterfully done. Aside from that, Peter's secret adds a nice twist to his desire to stay young forever, and Neverland takes on a whole new meaning. I especially liked how the book mixed feelings of childhood nostalgia with something darker, more sinister.
I think for me, the weakest aspect of the book was Wendy. In this retelling, she is grudgeful, petulant, and quick to anger, even (or especially) when it makes little sense, storywise. A lot of her actions feel like they are only meant to show how tough and "fearless" she is, which for me gets a bit tiring to read. I understand that she is supposed to be the opposite of her original character, but bravery without substance or reason made it a bit difficult at times for me to connect with the story from her perspective.
All in all, A Land of Never After was a quick and enjoyable read. Thank you to NetGalley and Night Muse Press for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Check out my Insta @k.e.rosero for more book spotlights, reviews, and recommendations!
P.S. Also, this book has its own soundtrack! It is haunting, mesmerizing, and fits the tone of each chapter. A lot of love went into this project, and I can't wait to find out more.
July 10, 2025
Unfortunately this book did not cut it for me. If you can even call it a book.
I might have high standards, but I think that a book should have a solid structure and at least one round of editing before going to publishing. This one had neither.
The ideas for the story were quite interesting, but the execution was poor. I went though with it thinking it as a fanfiction, but it wouldn't be fair because I've read fanfiction that are much better.
This book reads like the story one might write in high school about one's favourite characters, with a slight self insert in the protagonist. I've written some of them myself, and there is no shame in it. But again, it should have been edited and filled up before being published.
The setting is unclear. It sound historical, but not "real"? There are pirates and orphanages and brothels, but a magic forest, and people say "gods" when they swear?
Wendy and Peter are flat and uninteresting. Wendy has all the qualities of a early 2000 fantasy heroine, the chosen one of the chosen ones. Peter is trans but the thing is not even acknowledged properly and it brings nothing to the story. This was the worst disappointment because I had listed this book just for that. Felt like a queerbait tbh.
The story is too quick, the problems are solved easily because Wendy is so smart and rushes to conclusions in seconds. The plot twist are easy to guess and the bad guys are not so bad after all.
The mashup Peter Pan / Pirates of the Caribbean was interesting and funny, but the plot line of curse was basically copipasted and only the names changed.
Would nit recommend, not even for a light reading. If you're looking for some queer Peter Pan, I suggest you go and read "Peter Darling" by Austin Chant.
I might have high standards, but I think that a book should have a solid structure and at least one round of editing before going to publishing. This one had neither.
The ideas for the story were quite interesting, but the execution was poor. I went though with it thinking it as a fanfiction, but it wouldn't be fair because I've read fanfiction that are much better.
This book reads like the story one might write in high school about one's favourite characters, with a slight self insert in the protagonist. I've written some of them myself, and there is no shame in it. But again, it should have been edited and filled up before being published.
The setting is unclear. It sound historical, but not "real"? There are pirates and orphanages and brothels, but a magic forest, and people say "gods" when they swear?
Wendy and Peter are flat and uninteresting. Wendy has all the qualities of a early 2000 fantasy heroine, the chosen one of the chosen ones. Peter is trans but the thing is not even acknowledged properly and it brings nothing to the story. This was the worst disappointment because I had listed this book just for that. Felt like a queerbait tbh.
The story is too quick, the problems are solved easily because Wendy is so smart and rushes to conclusions in seconds. The plot twist are easy to guess and the bad guys are not so bad after all.
The mashup Peter Pan / Pirates of the Caribbean was interesting and funny, but the plot line of curse was basically copipasted and only the names changed.
Would nit recommend, not even for a light reading. If you're looking for some queer Peter Pan, I suggest you go and read "Peter Darling" by Austin Chant.
November 5, 2021
Okay, wow! I've read several Disney retellings, but this one is definitely one of the best I've found so far! Peter Pan was always one of my favorite Disney films as a child, but I had never thought to look for a Peter Pan retelling. When the tour invite was sent out, I was super excited to read this book, and it did not disappoint!
This is one of the darker retellings I've read, and honestly, I'm gonna have to read more darker retellings. I was completely hooked from the beginning and couldn't stop reading it until I was done with it. I can't wait to read the next book in the series - and some of Davennor's other books as well! Her writing style is fantastic, and it was so easy to lose myself in Neverland with the characters.
Speaking of the characters, I loved the LGBTQ+ representation in this! If you're looking for a trans-positive retelling or fantasy book in general, you absolutely must read this. I will add that there is content warnings for suicide and gender dysphoria, as well as violence and strong language.
Disclaimer: I received a gifted copy of this book via Pride Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.
This is one of the darker retellings I've read, and honestly, I'm gonna have to read more darker retellings. I was completely hooked from the beginning and couldn't stop reading it until I was done with it. I can't wait to read the next book in the series - and some of Davennor's other books as well! Her writing style is fantastic, and it was so easy to lose myself in Neverland with the characters.
Speaking of the characters, I loved the LGBTQ+ representation in this! If you're looking for a trans-positive retelling or fantasy book in general, you absolutely must read this. I will add that there is content warnings for suicide and gender dysphoria, as well as violence and strong language.
Disclaimer: I received a gifted copy of this book via Pride Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.
October 27, 2021
"A woman can do anything a man can."
This is a dark retelling of Peter Pan and I loved the creepy twists! I have been enjoying retellings lately, and this one was no exception. Neverland was a dark place full of monsters and secrets... definitely not the Neverland you knew as a child. This Wendy was strong and capable, much more so than the original. I loved the song suggestions at the beginning of each chapter - a fun and interactive addition to the story! Packed full of action, curses and secrets, fans of Peter Pan and Hook will surely enjoy this one.
My only complaint was because it was so short, there wasn't as much character development and backstory as I'd like.
Thank you to the publisher and @netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. 3.75⭐
This is a dark retelling of Peter Pan and I loved the creepy twists! I have been enjoying retellings lately, and this one was no exception. Neverland was a dark place full of monsters and secrets... definitely not the Neverland you knew as a child. This Wendy was strong and capable, much more so than the original. I loved the song suggestions at the beginning of each chapter - a fun and interactive addition to the story! Packed full of action, curses and secrets, fans of Peter Pan and Hook will surely enjoy this one.
My only complaint was because it was so short, there wasn't as much character development and backstory as I'd like.
Thank you to the publisher and @netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. 3.75⭐
August 30, 2022
This is the first book in a new, dark twist on Peter Pan and other fairy tale stories. And there are some trigger warnings in these books, so pay attention to those as well.
I’m really enjoying the twist of these fairy tales we know so well. The first book all inspired by Peter Pan, but with this story we get a dark twist where Wendy is Hook’s daughter and Neverland is caught in the middle of a horrible curse.
I love that this book was fast-paced and full of danger. I also really love the mesh of what we know and this dark fairytale world. It's a solid start to a new series and sets the foundation for more to come. I am looking forward to learning more about these characters.
I’m really enjoying the twist of these fairy tales we know so well. The first book all inspired by Peter Pan, but with this story we get a dark twist where Wendy is Hook’s daughter and Neverland is caught in the middle of a horrible curse.
I love that this book was fast-paced and full of danger. I also really love the mesh of what we know and this dark fairytale world. It's a solid start to a new series and sets the foundation for more to come. I am looking forward to learning more about these characters.
September 6, 2022
I really enjoyed this Peter Pan retelling. It's unlike any I've read. Lots of secrets and curses and mysteries. I'm still not sure about all of them, but great atmosphere and twists.
August 29, 2022
3.5✨
Really enjoyed this one! Super excited for the sequel!
The writing is strong and welcomes the reader effortlessly into the tale.
We get right into the action and the dark fantastical setting of this reimagined Neverland is truly intriguing. I quickly immersed myself into the world.
If anything, although I did enjoy the fast-paced action, I do wish more that it would have slowed down, to allow its characters more development. I wanted to get to know our main leads more. It seemed at times more about the adventure than the characters. I do wish it was a longer book because I enjoyed the writing very much, the author is terrifically talented. Yet at the same time, it's nice to get that quick fix of fantasy reading.
This book set up a really exciting sequel and I'm especially looking forward to more Cedric.
If you enjoy fantasy adventure, but don't want to go on a too long journey, this fast-paced tale is perfect for you.
Really enjoyed this one! Super excited for the sequel!
The writing is strong and welcomes the reader effortlessly into the tale.
We get right into the action and the dark fantastical setting of this reimagined Neverland is truly intriguing. I quickly immersed myself into the world.
If anything, although I did enjoy the fast-paced action, I do wish more that it would have slowed down, to allow its characters more development. I wanted to get to know our main leads more. It seemed at times more about the adventure than the characters. I do wish it was a longer book because I enjoyed the writing very much, the author is terrifically talented. Yet at the same time, it's nice to get that quick fix of fantasy reading.
This book set up a really exciting sequel and I'm especially looking forward to more Cedric.
If you enjoy fantasy adventure, but don't want to go on a too long journey, this fast-paced tale is perfect for you.
January 5, 2023
R. L. Davennor creates a new yet familiar world in A Land of Never After. I loved all the connections to the original Neverland plus all the creepy twists. She created a world where I too never wanted to leave.
December 26, 2021
Why I wanted to read this book?
- I'm hooked (see what I did there!) to Dark Fantasy reads
- I love retellings of fairytales
- Mermaids, pirates, monsters, secrets, curses...
- the book's cover 😍
What I liked about this book...
- Peter Pan was never a favorite fairytale of mine, and yet this book pulled me in... it is a short quick read... with a unique spin, told from Wendy's POV.
- Neverland is dark and different... the author's world building so intense, as Neverland is slowly dying under the crushing weight of a curse.
- Captain Hook... I loved his character arc, and I wanted more...
The next book in the series is a retelling of The Little Mermaid... Can't wait to get my hands on that book.
- I'm hooked (see what I did there!) to Dark Fantasy reads
- I love retellings of fairytales
- Mermaids, pirates, monsters, secrets, curses...
- the book's cover 😍
What I liked about this book...
- Peter Pan was never a favorite fairytale of mine, and yet this book pulled me in... it is a short quick read... with a unique spin, told from Wendy's POV.
- Neverland is dark and different... the author's world building so intense, as Neverland is slowly dying under the crushing weight of a curse.
- Captain Hook... I loved his character arc, and I wanted more...
The next book in the series is a retelling of The Little Mermaid... Can't wait to get my hands on that book.
September 29, 2022
4.5⭐️
I loved this Peter Pan retelling!! it's definitely going onto my list of favorite retellings. I loved the characters and the story had me hooked right from the start, I thought the pacing was good and I loved the writing. the only reason I'm not making this five stars is that there are a few times where there is just a kinda big info dump in a couple conversations that Wendy had with other characters, and I didn't love that.
other than that, though, I really enjoyed this story. it's a twisted retelling loosely based on Peter Pan. I say "loosely based" because while a large part of the story takes places in Neverland and some of the characters are the same, the story itself is very different. All of Neverland is cursed, there are monsters everywhere and death is necessary to survive (so there is lots of violence). After Wendy wanders into Neverland she learns of the curse and... I don't want to say much more that that, tho, because I don't want to accidentally spoil anything.
like I said, I loved the characters. Wendy was really interesting, as was Pan and the rest of the cast. I can't wait to read more about all of them in the next book!! I have a few theories about a certain character that we are told is dead in this book, so I'm very excited to start the next and find out what happens.
I also LOVED that the author created music to go with the story, I don't think I've ever seen that before so that was really cool.
thank you again to the author for sending me a copy to read!
cw/tw: graphic violence and death, disturbing imagery, language, brief mentions of gender dysphoria, and a scene involving suicide
I loved this Peter Pan retelling!! it's definitely going onto my list of favorite retellings. I loved the characters and the story had me hooked right from the start, I thought the pacing was good and I loved the writing. the only reason I'm not making this five stars is that there are a few times where there is just a kinda big info dump in a couple conversations that Wendy had with other characters, and I didn't love that.
other than that, though, I really enjoyed this story. it's a twisted retelling loosely based on Peter Pan. I say "loosely based" because while a large part of the story takes places in Neverland and some of the characters are the same, the story itself is very different. All of Neverland is cursed, there are monsters everywhere and death is necessary to survive (so there is lots of violence). After Wendy wanders into Neverland she learns of the curse and... I don't want to say much more that that, tho, because I don't want to accidentally spoil anything.
like I said, I loved the characters. Wendy was really interesting, as was Pan and the rest of the cast. I can't wait to read more about all of them in the next book!! I have a few theories about a certain character that we are told is dead in this book, so I'm very excited to start the next and find out what happens.
I also LOVED that the author created music to go with the story, I don't think I've ever seen that before so that was really cool.
thank you again to the author for sending me a copy to read!
cw/tw: graphic violence and death, disturbing imagery, language, brief mentions of gender dysphoria, and a scene involving suicide
May 14, 2022
The plus points:
- It reads quickly
- The prophecies in themselves were actually kind of interesting.
- The soundtrack for the book is also quite nice
The minus points:
- This is a very loose retelling, except for the names and the character archetypes we did not really take anything from the original story. And at least for book 1, I do not see the Pirates of the Caribbean comparison at all.
- The writing and tone is also more YA than the advertised dark Adult. There is trans rep but it's not a big part of the story and Wendy is not confirmed to be queer in here.
- The characters were so flat, there was nothing for me to hold on to. After being halfway through the book,
I could tell you nothing about Wendy except perhaps that she has motherly tendencies? They are all just kind of there, saying and doing things without any motivation.
- This also goes into any relationship that happens - I did not feel it. Wendy makes some bold statements about friends and enemies and her own morality that is just not backed up anywhere.
- The flow of the story is terrible: we get introduced to Wendy, meet Peter, and stumble into the forest. Then it all halts as Hook monologues and infodumps everything to you and then we fulfill a prophecy. During that time, Wendy keeps ending the chapter by blacking out.
- There is a climax but I was not invested in the outcome at all since the buildup to it was not there, the mystery itself was shallow and it once again ended with .
I received an advanced reading copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
- It reads quickly
- The prophecies in themselves were actually kind of interesting.
- The soundtrack for the book is also quite nice
The minus points:
- This is a very loose retelling, except for the names and the character archetypes we did not really take anything from the original story. And at least for book 1, I do not see the Pirates of the Caribbean comparison at all.
- The writing and tone is also more YA than the advertised dark Adult. There is trans rep but it's not a big part of the story and Wendy is not confirmed to be queer in here.
- The characters were so flat, there was nothing for me to hold on to. After being halfway through the book,
I could tell you nothing about Wendy except perhaps that she has motherly tendencies? They are all just kind of there, saying and doing things without any motivation.
- This also goes into any relationship that happens - I did not feel it. Wendy makes some bold statements about friends and enemies and her own morality that is just not backed up anywhere.
- The flow of the story is terrible: we get introduced to Wendy, meet Peter, and stumble into the forest. Then it all halts as Hook monologues and infodumps everything to you and then we fulfill a prophecy. During that time, Wendy keeps ending the chapter by blacking out.
- There is a climax but I was not invested in the outcome at all since the buildup to it was not there, the mystery itself was shallow and it once again ended with .
I received an advanced reading copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
April 18, 2022
I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this book. Although Peter Pan isn't my favorite Disney movie, I do have to admit that Disney Wendy is a pretty strong character. She's independent, but caring, and brave, etc. And in this book, I believe the author does Wendy justice. Wendy isn't afraid to speak her mind and she's not afraid to go out alone in Neverland. I even liked how she grew up in an orphanage, just because I felt like it was a nice contrast to the Disney Wendy. Disney Wendy cared for her brothers very much and looked after them, and in this book, Wendy was robbed of that.
Also, the pacing in this book, I felt, was perfect. The author provided the right amount of details and moved on. I hate when characters go on and on through internal dialogue and are doing random things that have nothing to do with the plot. But the author got to the point and moved on. I don't need to see a hundred scenes of Wendy and Peter building a friendship. The author showed a few scenes of this and kept the plot moving. Fantastic.
Also, very sweet author's note at the end.
My only critique for the book is that I didn't find the opening particularly exciting. This is just a personal preference though because as I stated before, the plot moves at a nice quick pace.
4.5 stars but I rounded to five because my only negative was from a personal feeling that I can't even pin-point what about the very beginning I didn't like.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Also, the pacing in this book, I felt, was perfect. The author provided the right amount of details and moved on. I hate when characters go on and on through internal dialogue and are doing random things that have nothing to do with the plot. But the author got to the point and moved on. I don't need to see a hundred scenes of Wendy and Peter building a friendship. The author showed a few scenes of this and kept the plot moving. Fantastic.
Also, very sweet author's note at the end.
My only critique for the book is that I didn't find the opening particularly exciting. This is just a personal preference though because as I stated before, the plot moves at a nice quick pace.
4.5 stars but I rounded to five because my only negative was from a personal feeling that I can't even pin-point what about the very beginning I didn't like.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 27, 2021
Rating: 3.5/5
🧚This book is a dark Peter Pan retelling, full of death and magic. Wendy has just turned 16 and has left the orphanage for good. She heads straight to the docks and gets herself into trouble right away, but luckily is rescued by Peter.
🧚At only 174 pages, this was a quick and easy read. I finished it in one day. It was dark and twisted, and I loved it. The new take on Neverland was brilliant, cursed so that everything in Neverland is dying a slow and painful death. This perpetual death can only be slowed down by more death. I liked that Captain Hook was less of a villain in this story and more easy to relate with that in the original fairy tale, still a villain though.
🧚I do wish that the story between Peter and Wendy was more fleshed out. I felt like it was rather rushed and missing a lot of the story. I wish this book had gone a bit slower and explained a lot more.
🧚I LOVED the LQBTQA+ plot twist. It makes so much sense and fits perfectly with the original Pan story. I’m so glad the representation for young trans individuals and also the lesbian representation. However, it was included in the plot and then barely mentioned again, and the plot line was never explored which was disappointing.
🧚When the second story, a Little Mermaid retelling comes out, I will definitely be reading it. I hope it is longer and more detailed.
🧚This book is a dark Peter Pan retelling, full of death and magic. Wendy has just turned 16 and has left the orphanage for good. She heads straight to the docks and gets herself into trouble right away, but luckily is rescued by Peter.
🧚At only 174 pages, this was a quick and easy read. I finished it in one day. It was dark and twisted, and I loved it. The new take on Neverland was brilliant, cursed so that everything in Neverland is dying a slow and painful death. This perpetual death can only be slowed down by more death. I liked that Captain Hook was less of a villain in this story and more easy to relate with that in the original fairy tale, still a villain though.
🧚I do wish that the story between Peter and Wendy was more fleshed out. I felt like it was rather rushed and missing a lot of the story. I wish this book had gone a bit slower and explained a lot more.
🧚I LOVED the LQBTQA+ plot twist. It makes so much sense and fits perfectly with the original Pan story. I’m so glad the representation for young trans individuals and also the lesbian representation. However, it was included in the plot and then barely mentioned again, and the plot line was never explored which was disappointing.
🧚When the second story, a Little Mermaid retelling comes out, I will definitely be reading it. I hope it is longer and more detailed.
October 26, 2021
This is a fantastic Peter Pan retelling meets pirates of the Caribbean . Straight away you find yourself drawn into the story as the world building is descriptive and Neverland is as you have never seen it before! Suspenseful and intriguing, dark and dangerous as we follow Peter, Wendy and Hook on this incredible journey to try and break the curse. It’s definitely a different tale then what we are used to but it is oh so good and I look forward to reading the next book!
November 29, 2021
Dark, enchanting, and filled with secrets, A LAND OF NEVER AFTER is a delightful Peter Pan retelling that’s certainly not the Neverland you remember. There are monsters, there’s danger, there’s mystery around every corner, but there are also plenty of familiar elements that will remind you of the original tale.
This book was shorter than I was expecting, clocking in around 170 pages, but the short page count most definitely didn’t impact any parts of the story for me. The characters were well fleshed out, the world was dimensional and rich, though I loved it so much that I wanted to spend more time in this version of Neverland. I also love the side characters, particularly Hook and Tinkerbell, and I really loved how they were portrayed in this version.
Fast paced with plenty of twists and turns, A LAND OF NEVER AFTER was a good first installment in the Curses of Never series. 3.5 stars, and I’ll certainly be picking up book 2 once it’s available.
*Many thanks to Book of Matches Media and the author for providing a digital arc for review.
This book was shorter than I was expecting, clocking in around 170 pages, but the short page count most definitely didn’t impact any parts of the story for me. The characters were well fleshed out, the world was dimensional and rich, though I loved it so much that I wanted to spend more time in this version of Neverland. I also love the side characters, particularly Hook and Tinkerbell, and I really loved how they were portrayed in this version.
Fast paced with plenty of twists and turns, A LAND OF NEVER AFTER was a good first installment in the Curses of Never series. 3.5 stars, and I’ll certainly be picking up book 2 once it’s available.
*Many thanks to Book of Matches Media and the author for providing a digital arc for review.
January 29, 2022
Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC of this book! I absolutely love reading fairytale retellings, even more when it’s a Peter Pan one. As soon as I found out that this was a dark retelling of Peter Pan, I knew I had to read it right away.
This book is about sixteen year old Wendy, who just got out of the orphanage. She meets Peter Pan, who is a thief. Now, Peter steals something from Wendy so she goes on a journey to Neverland to take back what he stole but she discovers a curse that plagues everyone in it.
What I liked about this book is that it was a fun and quick read. The writing was beautiful. The LGBTQ+ rep was good and I was very drawn to the characters, especially Wendy. Captain Hook is definitely my favorite character in this book. I wish we got to know more of his story. What I didn’t like about this book is that it was too short, I wish it were longer. If you like reading dark fairytale retellings, then this book is definitely for you. I look forward to reading more of the author’s books in the future.
This book is about sixteen year old Wendy, who just got out of the orphanage. She meets Peter Pan, who is a thief. Now, Peter steals something from Wendy so she goes on a journey to Neverland to take back what he stole but she discovers a curse that plagues everyone in it.
What I liked about this book is that it was a fun and quick read. The writing was beautiful. The LGBTQ+ rep was good and I was very drawn to the characters, especially Wendy. Captain Hook is definitely my favorite character in this book. I wish we got to know more of his story. What I didn’t like about this book is that it was too short, I wish it were longer. If you like reading dark fairytale retellings, then this book is definitely for you. I look forward to reading more of the author’s books in the future.
October 29, 2021
Thank you @pridebooktours and @rldavennor for letting me take part in the A Land of Never After book tour!
🧡
If you didn't know by now, I have a very unhealthy obsession with retellings (it is probably the idea that I can still be a princess 🙄 I am still living in a Disney phase) and they seem to be growing in popularity. However, I don't think I have read a Peter Pan retelling before this one.
🧡
A Land of Never After: A Peter Pan Retelling by R.L Davennor is the first book in an exciting new adult retelling series. This story evolves around Wendy Maynard, a 16 year old girl desperate to find her way onto a ship to sail the seas. Instead she encounters Peter Pan and Neverland, a dark and dangerous places full of curses and monsters.
🧡
My only gripe was that I didn't think the story was long enough to really divludge into the character arcs. I feel like there is so much more that we could have discovered if the story was a little longer.
🧡
Ultimately I really enjoyed this book, I loved the back story to Hook! I am excited to see the next addition is this series.
🧡
If you didn't know by now, I have a very unhealthy obsession with retellings (it is probably the idea that I can still be a princess 🙄 I am still living in a Disney phase) and they seem to be growing in popularity. However, I don't think I have read a Peter Pan retelling before this one.
🧡
A Land of Never After: A Peter Pan Retelling by R.L Davennor is the first book in an exciting new adult retelling series. This story evolves around Wendy Maynard, a 16 year old girl desperate to find her way onto a ship to sail the seas. Instead she encounters Peter Pan and Neverland, a dark and dangerous places full of curses and monsters.
🧡
My only gripe was that I didn't think the story was long enough to really divludge into the character arcs. I feel like there is so much more that we could have discovered if the story was a little longer.
🧡
Ultimately I really enjoyed this book, I loved the back story to Hook! I am excited to see the next addition is this series.
December 1, 2021
This was a very creative Peter Pan retelling with trans rep! I really enjoyed the twist on Neverland, being a place that is cursed rather than a paradise! The curse gave me Pirates of the Caribbean vibes which was very fun, and creepy at the same time. I enjoyed that I wasn't sure who to trust for quite a while.
Because this was a novella, I did feel that the character development and romance was quite rushed. At the end the characters feel like they are forced to make decisions in order to wrap up the plot rather than because it's natural. But overall, I thought this was an interesting take on Peter Pan and enjoyed meeting these characters!
Because this was a novella, I did feel that the character development and romance was quite rushed. At the end the characters feel like they are forced to make decisions in order to wrap up the plot rather than because it's natural. But overall, I thought this was an interesting take on Peter Pan and enjoyed meeting these characters!
October 15, 2021
*Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an early copy of this book for review, all opinions are my own*
2.5 stars
This book took a lot longer than I thought it would take to read.
Reading is fluid and the writing is not difficult, but for some reason the story didn't catch me.
I think this book does have a vibe to be read now in October, it's pretty heavy and has a pretty scary vibe.
I really liked the book as a retelling, I think the author did a great job bringing the Neverland story to life with her own macabre twists.
I didn't love the story but it's not a bad book, there's cool hook (haha) for the second book but I don't know if I'm interested enough in these characters and their stories to continue!
2.5 stars
This book took a lot longer than I thought it would take to read.
Reading is fluid and the writing is not difficult, but for some reason the story didn't catch me.
I think this book does have a vibe to be read now in October, it's pretty heavy and has a pretty scary vibe.
I really liked the book as a retelling, I think the author did a great job bringing the Neverland story to life with her own macabre twists.
I didn't love the story but it's not a bad book, there's cool hook (haha) for the second book but I don't know if I'm interested enough in these characters and their stories to continue!
November 27, 2021
A fairytale retelling of Peter Pan with a dark edge.
I read this fairly quickly as it’s a short read but packs a punch nevertheless! It’s got all the features we know and love of Peter Pan with some twists thrown in. I found this easy to devour and the setting was gorgeous and visual. The pace really picks up in the second half and sets us up nicely for the next book. If you fancy a fairytale with a dark side and a unique combination of characters, then give this one a go!
I read this fairly quickly as it’s a short read but packs a punch nevertheless! It’s got all the features we know and love of Peter Pan with some twists thrown in. I found this easy to devour and the setting was gorgeous and visual. The pace really picks up in the second half and sets us up nicely for the next book. If you fancy a fairytale with a dark side and a unique combination of characters, then give this one a go!
October 17, 2021
I was very excited to receive this book from the publishers and netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
This book is a dark retelling of Peter Pan, I am a big fan of retellings, so I couldn’t wait to dive into this one. This is the first book in a series and follows Wendy Maynard an orphan who sets out on a journey looking for a ship who will take a girl, but instead meets Peter Pan and gets trapped in Neverland. Neverland is a dark twisted place that cursed and filled with monsters. Will she survive and escape?
This book was very fast paced, action packed and a very quick read. It was entertaining for sure and I’m a sucker for retellings (as mentioned before). I do wish however that the characters were a little more fleshed out, which is hard to do when the book is so short. It was definitely entertaining and I recommend it to anyone who’s a fan of Peter Pan and Hook.
This book is a dark retelling of Peter Pan, I am a big fan of retellings, so I couldn’t wait to dive into this one. This is the first book in a series and follows Wendy Maynard an orphan who sets out on a journey looking for a ship who will take a girl, but instead meets Peter Pan and gets trapped in Neverland. Neverland is a dark twisted place that cursed and filled with monsters. Will she survive and escape?
This book was very fast paced, action packed and a very quick read. It was entertaining for sure and I’m a sucker for retellings (as mentioned before). I do wish however that the characters were a little more fleshed out, which is hard to do when the book is so short. It was definitely entertaining and I recommend it to anyone who’s a fan of Peter Pan and Hook.
October 31, 2021
I was gifted an e-book on A Land of Never After and I am SO grateful! This was an amazing retelling of Peter Pan... with a twisted dark take on the classic story. This was a short novel, and it really packed a lot in! I loved the creepy atmosphere and the gory curse. Peter and Wendy were wonderful characters that I really rooted for, and I can not wait to read about their continued adventures in the next book! The way Hook was portrayed, his family tree, and how it all worked together into the plot was amazing. It felt so perfect that I think this retelling was better *gasp* than the original! PLEASE read this book and fall in love with it like I did!
October 24, 2021
A dark and spooky story based on Peter Pan and the stories of Neverland, mixed with pirates and zombie like Nightwalkers, makes this a nice spooky October read! I enjoyed reading it, biggest flaw is that it is really short! I would have loved more depth and details about this version of Neverland. Tink was my favourite character, I loved that she had a bigger role in this story than in other retellings
November 6, 2023
AMIGAAAAS
Encontré esta saga ayer e impulsivamente (como siempre yo abandonando mis lecturas por un libro que recién descubrí) comencé a leerla. Si les gusta Peter Pan y La Sirenita y quieren un retelling que combine estas historias y tenga vibes de Piratas del Caribe, denle una oportunidad! Además, los libros incluyen links a canciones compuestas y cantadas por la autora que le añadieron mucho a la historia.
Encontré esta saga ayer e impulsivamente (como siempre yo abandonando mis lecturas por un libro que recién descubrí) comencé a leerla. Si les gusta Peter Pan y La Sirenita y quieren un retelling que combine estas historias y tenga vibes de Piratas del Caribe, denle una oportunidad! Además, los libros incluyen links a canciones compuestas y cantadas por la autora que le añadieron mucho a la historia.
January 10, 2023
I really enjoyed the retelling of Peter Pan. It took a unique, dark and twisted take. There were some unexpected twists, some predictable onesㅡbut over all a fun and easy read!
November 6, 2021
Thank you to the author for a gifted eBook in exchange for an honest review
“Death pays for death, but life has no price”
This novel is a dark retelling of the age old Peter Pan story, however with major plot differences and twists, such as this book being set from the perspective of Wendy, with a small epilogue from Hook, which is a great addition and a fantastic set up for the much anticipated sequel in the new Curses of Never series, with the next book being a fantastic retelling of The Little Mermaid.
I found this book to be very fast paced and completely engrossing, I had managed to read the book in one sitting without even realising how quickly I had devoured the book! The plot twists are completely unexpected, and packs a punch, plus the author has stayed true to the characters and includes well know side characters also, such as Tinkerbell and Mr Smee.
The writing style is really captivating, and a little mature in places, plus take heed of the trigger warnings of this book (at the bottom of my review) as some may find a few scenes upsetting. However the riddles within this book are great and I really like the inclusion of Blackbeard, so this book also took from other pirate adventure stories, this is one of my first Pan retellings and I am here for it!
My only downsides to this book is its length, with it being only around 180 pages, it could easily could have been a longer book in which certain aspects could have been explored further (such as Peter and Wendy’s developing friendship) plus I find the cover a little dark, I feel for such a fantastic book, a lot of people may not be as captivated by the cover, so please don’t judge this one by its
cover, it’s a really amazing read!
However the diversity in this book is fantastic, and includes a variety of issues in such a small page count. Plus the addition of little comic relief spots are great, especially the first meeting between Tink and Wendy. Also there is an absolute unique addition of a companion soundtrack, a few of the chapters have accompanying symphonies, there are 6 in total and my favourites have to be “Round and Round”, and “A Lullaby of Never After”, I found the inclusion of this music completely mesmerising and listening to the music whilst reading the chapters really added to the depth of the book!
4.5
Trigger Warnings
Adult language, graphic violence, suicide and mentions of gender dysphoria
“Death pays for death, but life has no price”
This novel is a dark retelling of the age old Peter Pan story, however with major plot differences and twists, such as this book being set from the perspective of Wendy, with a small epilogue from Hook, which is a great addition and a fantastic set up for the much anticipated sequel in the new Curses of Never series, with the next book being a fantastic retelling of The Little Mermaid.
I found this book to be very fast paced and completely engrossing, I had managed to read the book in one sitting without even realising how quickly I had devoured the book! The plot twists are completely unexpected, and packs a punch, plus the author has stayed true to the characters and includes well know side characters also, such as Tinkerbell and Mr Smee.
The writing style is really captivating, and a little mature in places, plus take heed of the trigger warnings of this book (at the bottom of my review) as some may find a few scenes upsetting. However the riddles within this book are great and I really like the inclusion of Blackbeard, so this book also took from other pirate adventure stories, this is one of my first Pan retellings and I am here for it!
My only downsides to this book is its length, with it being only around 180 pages, it could easily could have been a longer book in which certain aspects could have been explored further (such as Peter and Wendy’s developing friendship) plus I find the cover a little dark, I feel for such a fantastic book, a lot of people may not be as captivated by the cover, so please don’t judge this one by its
cover, it’s a really amazing read!
However the diversity in this book is fantastic, and includes a variety of issues in such a small page count. Plus the addition of little comic relief spots are great, especially the first meeting between Tink and Wendy. Also there is an absolute unique addition of a companion soundtrack, a few of the chapters have accompanying symphonies, there are 6 in total and my favourites have to be “Round and Round”, and “A Lullaby of Never After”, I found the inclusion of this music completely mesmerising and listening to the music whilst reading the chapters really added to the depth of the book!
4.5
Trigger Warnings
Adult language, graphic violence, suicide and mentions of gender dysphoria
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