The Lost Ones

Dark Ascension #2

by Lauren DeStefano

Journey to Never Land in the second book in the Disney Villains-focused Dark Ascension series, which shares the untold story of teenaged Captain Hook and his twin sister Marlene, penned by New York Times bestselling author Lauren DeStefano.

Before Captain Hook became Never Land’s villain, there were two siblings seeking a home . . .

James and Marlene have always felt out of place in their humdrum fishing village, longing to escape the quiet lives their parents envision for them. But when Marlene’s birthday wish transports them both to an unsettling, magical paradise called Never Land, they discover an unexpected the chance to stay forever with the charismatic Peter and his Lost Boys.

As the twins delve into the island’s violent secrets, their actions reignite a conflict between the fractured Lost Boys—and for the first time in their lives, James and Marlene find themselves at odds. With a war brewing and their memories slipping away every minute they spend in Never Land, they must choose whether to stay or go. But even if the twins stand together, Never Land--and Peter--won’t allow them to leave so easily.

How far are James and Marlene willing to go to chart their own destinies? And if the price for freedom is losing their true selves--and each other--is it worth the cost?

Genres: Fantasy, Retellings, Young Adult, Fairy Tales, Fiction, Young Adult Fantasy, Fairy Tale Retellings

336 pages, Hardcover

First published January 9, 2024

Reviews

[Books_and_Crafts · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story follows James and his twin sister before he became a pirate.

She is not lady like enough for their mother and James has no interest in becoming a fisherman. Basically useless children to their parents. The ocean makes him sick, and he has no desire to be on the sea. The siblings end up in neverland and run into a Peter that is... let's just say less than innocent.

This story was pretty mentally manipulative and not the fairytale I was hoping for. Side characters were extras, not really fleshed out and James had personality traits I just cannot picture having for the pirate and villain he became.

Overall this was just OK. I definitely prefer other backstories that have been written.

[Rafael Andrade · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dark Ascension Series: The Lost Ones is a prequel and origin story of how James came to become Captain Hook. Far darker than the original, The Dark Ones will take readers back to Neverland along with James and her dissatisfied-with-life-rebellious twin sister Marlene. Upon their arrival in Neverland, Marlene and James will have to work on their differences if they want to stand a chance of leaving the island. However, Marlene seems to enjoy her stay as Neverland represents everything she wants from life. James on the other hand, finds it all too wild and wishes to come back to his ordinary life. Marlene and James are not prepared to face Peter Pan and the dangers of Neverland.

Peter Pan is a F*&&¨% C%$#T of a villain and in The Lost Ones, he will finally show his true colors.
I highly recommend it.

[Noelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

James and Marlene are fifteen-year-old twins. Their parents are okay, but a bit neglectful because of the jobs they do to keep their family fed. Their mother expects Marlene to be dainty and delicate rather than messy and excitable, and their father expects James to take over his fishing business rather than having a head for mathematics. On their birthday, an accident leads them to Never Land. There, they meet Peter Pan, they shake up the status quo, and they try to decide for themselves where and who they really want to be.

This is, obviously, the origin story of Capt. Jas. Hook. We all know that he's the villain in Peter Pan's story. This book looks at the reasoning for WHY Hook hates Pan so very much.

I have always been a sucker for a book about Never Land. I remember watching the Mary Martin stage show when it was aired on TV in the 80s and playing along with it with my cousins. (Looking at it with the eyes of today, things like the "Ugga Mugga Wigwam" song were insanely racist, but we just thought we were singing funny sounding words and playing with Peter Pan.) But the idea of never growing up has always held so much appeal. This book takes a different look at Never Land, though. It has you think about "but what if you COULDN'T remember anything about before, and what if Peter made it that way himself, and what if he refused to let you leave?" And most importantly, "what would happen if you DIDN'T follow Peter's rules?"

This book is so good. The characters fly off the page. (With pixie dust, if course!) And seeing the invention and ingenuity that James is able to tap into because he's in a place where he can thrive without outside pressure is great. It's fun to watch both James and Marlene learn how to make their own way in this world with no parents. The way that James descends into his future as Hook comes both gradually and all at once, in the most twisty, Never-Land-y way. Every time you think it's going to have happened, things shift again and there's more to come.

This makes me want to read Peter Pan again in the worst way. I might just do it again this year. As I said, I have a hard time saying no to Never Land.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy via NetGalley in return for sharing my thoughts on this book. Thanks to the author and publisher for this opportunity!

[Johanna Duffy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book validates Hook’s hatred for Peter Pan and Tinkerbell and makes me hate them as well. I’m giving this book 4 stars bc I feel like there’s more to Hook’s story considering he’s only a teen when the events of this story take place and in Peter Pan he’s an adult.

[Isabella Amatucci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marlene having an enemies to lovers storyline with a rogue lost boy was not on my bingo card

[Susanne Krajan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eigentlich war es ein ganz schöner Schock für die Eltern, als sie Zwillinge bekamen. Leisten konnten sie sich die beiden nämlich nicht wirklich. Dennoch zogen sie ihre Kinder bestmöglich groß, wenn dies auch anders war als erwartet. James war eher ruhig und mochte das Meer nicht besonders. Was leider nicht allzu gut ist für Jemanden, der den Familienfischereibetrieb fortführen soll. Marlene hingegen war ein echter Wildfang, passte somit aber leider nicht wirklich in die Rolle der feinen Dame. Die beiden glichen sich aus und passten aufeinander auf. An ihrem 15ten Geburtstag verschlägt es die beiden nach Nimmerland. Dort eröffnet sich für beide eine Alternative zu ihrem bisherigen Leben und dem eigentlich schon vorgezeichneten Weg. Doch ist es wirklich das, was die Zwei wollen?
 
Wusstet ihr, dass Hook eine Zwillingsschwester hat? Ich jedenfalls wusste es nicht und war wahnsinnig gespannt auf diese Story.
 
Man erlebt mit, wie der schüchterne James der Mut packt und er sich stark verändert. Hat er es vorher gehasst, traut er sich nun aufs Wasser. Er wird abenteuerlustig, baut Konstruktionen zum Fliegen und „Boote“. Zu Beginn will dennoch wieder zurück nach Hause, denn er traut Peter nicht. Später ändert sich dann seine Meinung, was allerdings sowohl an Peter als auch an Nimmerland und dessen Zauber liegt. James ist definitiv der Typ, der mal mehr und mal weniger sympathisch rüberkommt.
 
Marlene hingegen blüht geradezu auf. Sie fühlt sich wohl und sie ist auch der Grund, warum sie überhaupt erst in Nimmerland gelandet sind. In London war sie unglücklich. Hier fragt man sich wirklich, ob sie mit James zurück geht und dieses Leben was ihr so gefällt aufgibt. Tatsache ist aber, dass James immer ihrer Meinung nach beschützt werden muss und das ihre Aufgabe ist. Fand ich ab und zu etwas anstrengend.
 
Die ganze Ereignisse während die Zwillinge in Nimmerland sind, stellen viel in Frage. Peter, seine Macht und seine Absichten zum Beispiel . Sie erklären aber auch, warum Hook und Smee erwachsen waren statt Kinder wie Peter und die verlorenen Jungs.
 
Ich fand, dass die Autorin die Figuren alle samt wirklich toll ausgearbeitet hat. Sowohl die Bösen, als auch die Guten. Es war spannend was sich bei  so manchem hinter der Fassade verbarg.
 
Im Handlungsverlauf kann ich jetzt eigentlich auch Nix als negativ benennen. Die Story hatte Spannung, eine breite Emotionspalette und bietet gute Unterhaltung für alle die vielleicht nicht nur das Gute in Peter sehen.
 
Fazit
 
Wieso diese „Reihe“ bisher an mir vorbei gegangen ist, kann ich gar nicht sagen. Über dieses Buch bin ich eigentlich auch nur durch Zufall gestolpert. Bereut habe ich das allerdings definitiv nicht. Die Story beschreibt absolut nachvollziehbar, wie James Hook später zu dem wurde, der er war. 4,5 Sterne

[Ines Presas · Rating 5 out of 5]

They're never going to make me like you Peter Pan 😠
Me la pasé llorando los últimos capítulos.

Peter Pan nunca me ha llamado la atención a pesar de haber visto varias adaptaciones y por eso cuando comencé este libro fue con cierto recelo ya que yo sabía que no era una historia familiar para mí. Pero me gustó mucho la idea de seguir al Capitán Garfio y su hermana por sus aventuras en Neverland.

Un Villian Origin Story muy doloroso y terrible. Marlene solo quería un lugar al cual pertenecer y siendo adolescente no midió las consecuencias de sus actos. James solo quería asegurarse de que su hermana estuviera bien.

Mi parte favorita fue la relación entre James y Marlene, ellos siempre se tuvieron el uno al otro y sabían que solo estando juntos todo iba a estar bien. THIS IS THE FAMILY YOU DESTROYED, PETER PAN!!!

btw que increíble el personaje de Sam, lo tqm

[Bookluvr7 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Umm. So my opinion of Peter Pan has totally shifted. I need to rewatch the movies and see if this retelling could actually have some truth to it. And is making me consider getting rid of my Peter Pan funko pops. Because Pan is a jerk in this book. And I was totally rooting for Marlene and James. I want them to hurt Peter for what he did because he had no right to do anything that he did. I’m just very torn up about this.

But on another note the story flowed so well and made me keep turning pages to keep guessing what was going to happen next. I can’t wait to see what the next book in this series will entail.

3/5⭐️

[Tanja von Der Duft von Büchern und Kaffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inhalt:


An ihrem 15. Geburtstag ändert sich das Leben der Zwillingsgeschwister James und Marlene Hook grundlegend.

Schon am Morgen verspüren beide nur wenig Vorfreude. Die Geburtstagsgeschenke spiegeln wie jedes Jahr die Erwartungen der Eltern an die Zukunft ihrer Kinder wider. Aufgrund von finanziellen Notwendigkeiten müssen die Eltern arbeiten, sodass die Kinder den Tag allein verbringen.

Auch dieses Jahr bildet keine Ausnahme: Marlene erhält ein Kleid, das so gar nicht zu ihrem Wesen zu passen scheint. James bekommt eine Anstecknadel – ein deutliches Zeichen dafür, dass er einmal in die Fußstapfen seines Vaters treten soll.

Als James die Nadel draußen bei stürmischem Wetter verliert, rennt er ihr hinterher, bis an die Meeresküste. Dabei kommt es zum Unglück: Er und Marlene stürzen ins Wasser – und ertrinken scheinbar. Doch plötzlich wachen sie durchnässt an einem sonnigen Strand auf, mit der Wildnis am Horizont. Das ist nicht London. Das ist … etwas völlig Fremdes.

Nach und nach erkennen sie, dass diese Insel anders ist als alles, was sie je gekannt haben: Meerjungfrauen mit goldenem Haar, Früchte, die nach Pfefferminzbonbons schmecken, rosafarbene Leguane, schwebende Feen – und fliegende Kinder!

Doch diese vermeintlich paradiesische Welt birgt dunkle Geheimnisse. Als sie dem Anführer der Kinder begegnen – Peter, einem Jungen, der wenig Empathie zeigt, aber über die Regeln bestimmt und über jene richtet, die sich nicht daran halten – wird schnell klar: In Nimmerland ist nicht alles, wie es scheint.

Marlene blüht über die an Erfahrung und Erlebnissen reiche Zeit auf, James bleibt skeptisch. Als er eine weitere, verbotene Insel entdeckt, fasst er einen Plan – einen, der sie beide in große Gefahr bringen könnte …



Meinung:


Als ich von der neuen Disney-Reihe des Carlsen Verlags „Disney Villains – Dark Ascension“ hörte, war ich sofort begeistert. Die Idee, die Geschichten der berühmten Schurken nebst ihren Geschwistern neu zu erzählen, hat mich direkt neugierig gemacht. Besonders der zweite Band, der sich mit Käpt’n Hook und seiner Zwillingsschwester Marlene beschäftigt, hat mich gleich angesprochen.

Schon auf den ersten Seiten lernt man die beiden sehr unterschiedlichen Charaktere kennen: Marlene ist mutig, impulsiv und voller Tatendrang. James hingegen ist nachdenklich, zurückhaltend, verhält sich introvertiert und wirkt manchmal isoliert. Ihre enge Bindung steht im Zentrum der Geschichte.

Nach dem Unglück und der Ankunft in Nimmerland entfaltet sich eine faszinierende Welt: eine Insel voller Wunder, aber auch voller Schatten. Die Autorin Lauren DeStefano beschreibt diese mit kreativen Details – ich hätte mir sogar noch etwas ausführlichere Beschreibungen gewünscht, aber auch so entstehen klare, lebendige Bilder im Kopf.

Spannend fand ich vor allem, wie sich die Dynamik zwischen den Figuren verändert: Marlene fühlt sich befreit und blüht in dieser neuen Welt auf, während James zunehmend zweifelt. Seine Entwicklung ist besonders interessant: Er muss sich von seiner Schwester emanzipieren und eigenständig mutig sein. Am Ende trifft er schließlich eine Entscheidung, die alles ins Wanken bringt.

Peter Pan wird hier als charismatischer Anführer dargestellt, der auf den ersten Blick alles im Griff zu haben scheint. Seine Figur empfand ich als sehr interessant. Immer wieder war ich skeptisch, ob hinter der netten Fassade nicht doch eine düstere Version von ihm stecken könnte.

Lauren DeStefano versteht es meisterhaft ihre Figuren auszuarbeiten. Bemerkenswert ist die moralische Ambivalenz, die eigentlich allen Figuren zu eigen ist. Stereotype Charaktere sucht man, soviel sei an dieser Stelle verraten, vergebens. Es gibt allerhand Grauschattierungen. Jede Figur handelt aus eigenen Beweggründen heraus und gerade das macht die Geschichte so unvorhersehbar und spannend.

Sehr gefallen haben mir auch die psychodynamischen Konstellationen und Verwerfungen. So findet James erstmals einen Freund auf der Insel. Nicht immer empfand ich jedoch James Verhalten sympathisch. Denn umso weniger er Erfolg darin verspürt, seinen Zielen näher zu kommen, umso missmutiger wird er. Seinen Frust lässt er – vielleicht sogar recht nachvollziehbar aus seiner Perspektive – an anderen aus unter anderem eben auch an Menschen, die es gut mit ihm meinen.

Marlene empfand ich ebenfalls als sehr interessanter Charakter. Ich fand es zum Beispiel spannend zu beobachten, wie ihre Figur im Zusammenspiel mit Peter funktioniert. Das selbstbewusste Mädchen begegnet dem Anführer der Verlorenen Jungs nämlich absolut auf Augenhöhe. Etwas, das Konfliktpotential in sich birgt.



Fazit:


„Lost Ones“, der zweite Band der „Disney Villains – Dark Ascension“-Reihe, konnte mich auf ganzer Linie überzeugen. Die geheimnisvolle Atmosphäre von Nimmerland, die psychologische Tiefe der Figuren und der Wandel, den sie durchlaufen, sind es, die den Leser gebannt durch die Seiten hasten lässt.

Besonders gelungen fand ich, wie James’ Transformation zum späteren Käpt’n Hook vorbereitet wird – behutsam, nachvollziehbar und doch mit tragischem Potenzial.

Lauren DeStefano liefert eine moderne Märchenadaption, die sowohl Disney-Fans als auch Liebhaber gekonnter Charakterentwicklung und Handlungsführung überzeugen dürfte. „Lost Ones“ macht Lust auf mehr.



Buchzitate:


„Wir müssen hier weg“, flüsterte er seiner Schwester zu. „Sie haben noch nie von Büchern gehört. Irgendetwas stimmt hier ganz und gar nicht.“

Kein Wunder, das Marlene Nimmerland so mag, dachte James. Es steckt voller verrückter Menschen wie sie.

[Sarah Woolworth · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a story about twins James and Marlene. They find Neverland and things go downhill from there.

Peter is an evil person. Killing Marlene and leaving James to have to go home and tell their parents their only daughter died. Now it's a good story and I like how they played Smee into it,but that ending tore my heartstrings. No wonder Captain Hook is vengeful and wants Peter dead. The Lost boys were cool though.

[Lisa Mandina]

Just can’t really get into it.

[B. Milligan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a prequel to Peter Pan. The Lost Ones shows us how James hatred for Peter began.
I really enjoyed it and loved James' twin sister Marlene! ♥

[Cassie Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful peter pan retelling😍

[Nicole Pramik · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm fascinated by all of the seemingly endless ways old stories can get retold or re-imagined. Quite often, though, I'm left feeling disappointed, as much of what was charming about the original is often abandoned in favor of a cold, modernized retelling. I first became aware of the Dark Ascension series from Amazon; so when this second novel arrived on my reading radar, I was optimistically curious. I'm not a huge Peter Pan fan, not of the original story nor the Disney animated movie, but giving a young Captain Hook a twin sister intrigued me. But is this classic villain's backstory a worthy discovery or a lost venture?

The Lost Ones, by Lauren DeStefano, is the second book in the Dark Ascension series, which delivers backstories to some of Disney’s classic villains. This sophomoric entry focuses on a future Captain James Hook from Disney’s iteration of Peter Pan. Twins James and Marlene are opposite equals: he is cautious and pragmatic while she is a free-spirited dreamer. One day, an accidental tumble into the sea lands them on the shores of Neverland. Here, leisure and fun rule the day as the island itself is ruled by Peter Pan with his band of Lost Boys as his loyal subjects. But it isn't long until James and Marlene uncover shadowy secrets Peter Pan will be willing to kill to conceal. Can James and Marlene escape the clutches of the boy who never grew up, or will his magic destroy them all?

While I'm familiar with the Twisted Tales series, in which Disney and Pixar movies are given imaginative makeovers, I wasn't as knowledgeable of the Dark Ascension series. I investigated the first novel (The Dark Ones), which explores the backstories of Cinderella's step-sisters (the Disney take, not the original fairy tale version). Ultimately, the blurb and first few chapters didn't grab me enough to check it out. Then I noticed this entry and, seeing as these books are all stand-alone reads, I became interested in the story. I was also curious as to the angle this book was going to take on Peter Pan (again, the Disney version). And while I liked it, ultimately The Lost Ones was just an average read.

What first drew my attention was that this story starred a young Captain Hook and he is given a twin sister, Marlene, who is his opposite in every way. Their sibling dynamic is the showpiece of the novel, so even readers who aren't invested in the Peter Pan and Neverland elements should find James and Marlene a fun, engaging duo. The brother and sister are also a good balance of distinct personalities, so they don't across as clones. James is rational and isn't given over to flights of fancy, but Marlene is the complete opposite. She thrives on imagination and isn't afraid to speak her mind. This often puts her at odds with others, including James, but she never means anything malicious by it. Between the two, I enjoyed Marlene more as it's easy to sympathize with her as she struggles to find her footing in the "real world." James, in his defense, is by no means a weak character, and he commits sacrificial acts I was surprised would be awarded to a villain-to-be. However, the story stops shy of drumming up too much sympathy for him, as it establishes a motive for who and what he becomes while not asking readers to justify his behavior or agree with his sentiments.

Also, while I'm generally not fond of Peter Pan stories that turn Peter into a selfish, controlling, manipulative jerk, this particular version of the character works for the story at hand. The reason for Peter Pan's refusal to accept adulthood and his leadership of the Lost Boys opens the field for discussion as to why he is who he is, and this novel is one such protracted musing. Fair warning: if you have fond memories of Disney's animated Peter Pan, which is an innocuous tale, you may not appreciate the darker shades Neverland gets draped in here. That being said, the best way to approach The Lost Ones is that it's a Peter Pan re-imagining of the Disney movie rather than a canon story.

However, there were middling elements thrown into the mix that caused me to have a less than enthusiastic reaction to this novel. The first, and most evident, issue is the writing itself. The Lost Ones possesses a simplistic execution with minimal description, which is redolent of run-of-the-mill middle grade fiction. However, its characters clearly belong in the YA camp as well as its overall darker tone. This is not a cheery story as it contains some violence befitting The Hunger Games and an unhappy ending more attuned to the moody, brooding YA crowd. Therefore, while this book reads young, it isn't ideal for younger readers (so maybe it's meant for the younger side of the YA spectrum).

Along these lines, the novel tells more than it shows, especially when it comes to James and Marlene's relationship. Multiple passages, occurring in almost every chapter, iterate and reiterate (and even re-reiterate) how James is so unlike Marlene, how Marlene is so unlike James, how James is rational and logical, how Marlene is strong-willed and embraces adventurous, how James doesn't want to follow in his father's footsteps, how Marlene doesn't want to become a proper lady, etc. Rather than constantly being told this information - as if readers might forget - it would have benefited the story by showing how James' and Marlene's dynamic is one of complete opposites. To be fair, there are some "show -don't-tell" moments, but these scenes are usually punctuated with reminders as to why each twin behaves the way he or she does.

In terms of plot, The Lost Ones is a kind of-sort-of mystery adventure story in the effect that James and Marlene explore Neverland and stumble upon dark secrets. But by the time the midpoint rolled around, I was skimming pages. The plot stales and even repeats itself by mirroring previous scenes, which caused this book to teeter on the edge of being a two-star read for me. There were also some Chekov's gun moments where key props get introduced that seemingly vanish and carry no weight on the story when they would have been fun elements to explore and incorporate.

In truth, the plot never feels like it has a true endgame other than showing how James became the man later known as Captain Hook. And, for any Captain Hook fans out there, it only feels fair to say that we never see James become Captain Hook: we never get a crocodile scene; we never see him acquire his hook; we never see him lash out in childish temper tantrums; and we never see him with members of his future crew (there was one character I thought might become the future Mr. Smee, but no such luck). What saved the book was the final few chapters when the action ramps up but events quickly turn devastating. All I'll say is (1). there is a reason you've never heard of Captain Hook having a twin sister and (2). this novel sidesteps any sort of a happy ending.

Overall, The Lost Ones feels like boilerplate YA fantasy inspired by Peter Pan rather than a grassroots tale about the young Captain Hook. Fans of Disney's animated Peter Pan who are searching for a darker version might find something of value here, as well as readers who enjoy re-imagined fantasy stories (as opposed to a retelling). In the end, while this novel isn't a chore to get through, readers' expectations in how faithful they prefer their Peter Pan tales will be the best gauge in determining if The Lost Ones is really a lost cause.

Content:
Language - Essentially none, save for a smattering of the British swear word bloody in the last few chapters.

Violence - Nothing in terms of anything graphic or gory aside from a few passing mentions of blood-letting injuries. There are numerous perilous moments where characters are either attacked or engaged in combat. Fairies are injured in a fight as other characters fire arrows. Another character is struck by an arrow and dies on-page. A character is driven by revenge to kill someone. Peter Pan retains a manipulative hold on the Lost Boys and others as he forces them to forget their memories and spreads misinformation about the outside world. One character is manhandled by Peter and dragged away against their will as punishment for alleged treason (however, the person escapes).

Sexual Content - None. Marlene shares a few kisses with some male characters, but nothing ever goes further. Lastly, while not sexual or even sensual in nature, it’s worth noting that Peter Pan retains a possessive hold on Marlene that is manipulative and abusive as he's unafraid to hurt her to get what he wants.

[Enairolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vous savez maintenant à quel point Disney est important pour moi. Depuis ma plus tendre enfance je baigne dans cet univers. Et même encore maintenant c’est toujours aussi présent dans ma vie. Que ce soit Disneyland, les collections de figurines et j’en passe, il y en a partout. Alors forcément, les romans de chez Hachette Heroes sont un pur bonheur pour moi. Toutes ces collections qui reprennent les histoires Disney d’une autre manière, j’en suis ravie! Cette collection m’intriguait beaucoup, j’ai commencé par le second tome qui suit James alias le Capitaine Crochet. Ça frôle le coup de coeur pour ma part, je l’ai dévoré d’une traite, incapable de m’arrêter. L’histoire était beaucoup trop chouette.

Le style de l’auteure se caractérise par une écriture immersive, poétique et teintée d’une mélancolie subtile. Son langage est souvent métaphorique, ce qui renforce la sensation d’un monde à la frontière entre rêve et cauchemar. Elle utilise une prose fluide et imagée, qui donne une profondeur émotionnelle aux personnages et à l’histoire. Contrairement aux versions plus légères de Peter Pan, elle insuffle une touche de noirceur et de mélancolie à son récit. L’idée de la perte de l’innocence, de l’oubli progressif et du destin inéluctable des personnages est omniprésente. Son écriture fait ressentir aux lecteurs la tension entre le rêve et la réalité, et la manière dont le Pays Imaginaire dévore lentement ceux qui s’y perdent. L’auteure prend le temps d’installer ses personnages et de développer leurs émotions. Plutôt que de privilégier une action rapide, elle favorise une progression psychologique, en explorant les dilemmes internes de James et Marlène. Le rythme est un peu lent au début mais cela permet une immersion totale.

L’auteure réinvente le Pays Imaginaire en lui conférant une atmosphère plus sombre et psychologique, où la magie côtoie l’oubli et la manipulation. Son univers conserve les éléments classiques du conte de Peter Pan, mais les transforme pour explorer des thèmes plus profonds, comme la perte d’identité, la mémoire et la frontière entre rêve et cauchemar. Dans cette version, le Pays Imaginaire n’est pas seulement un lieu d’évasion et de liberté ; il est aussi une prison dorée où le temps et les souvenirs se dissolvent progressivement. Ce monde, qui semblait idyllique au départ, devient un piège insidieux. Dès leur arrivée, James et Marlène commencent à perdre des bribes de mémoire. Ce phénomène est une particularité du Pays Imaginaire, où les nouveaux venus oublient lentement qui ils sont, jusqu’à ne plus vouloir partir. Le temps ne s’écoule pas comme dans le monde réel. Les Garçons Perdus ne vieillissent jamais, et les jours semblent se répéter dans un cycle infini. Cette stagnation empêche toute véritable évolution, enfermant ses habitants dans une boucle d’innocence forcée. Le Pays Imaginaire est décrit comme magnifique et enchanteur, mais cette beauté cache une nature inquiétante. Les forêts sont profondes et mystérieuses, l’océan semble sans fin, et certaines zones dégagent une énergie étrange et dangereuse.

L’univers du roman est une relecture fascinante et sombre du Pays Imaginaire. Lauren DeStefano y introduit une dimension psychologique forte, où le merveilleux cache une face oppressante et cruelle. Ce monde, loin d’être un simple décor, devient un personnage à part entière, influençant profondément le destin de James et le transformant en l’un des méchants les plus iconiques de la littérature. Elle ne se contente pas de réinventer un monde magique ; elle l’utilise pour explorer des notions psychologiques complexes, comme le pouvoir, la manipulation ou encore la peur de grandir. Le Pays Imaginaire devient une métaphore du refus de grandir et du désir d’échapper aux responsabilités. Mais l’auteure montre que ce refus a un prix : l’oubli de soi. Peter exerce une emprise mentale sur les Garçons Perdus, les gardant sous son contrôle grâce à la promesse d’une vie sans fin. Mais ce pouvoir repose sur un équilibre fragile que James va bouleverser. L’oubli progressif des personnages souligne l’importance des souvenirs dans la construction de l’identité. James lutte pour ne pas se perdre, alors que Marlène se laisse doucement emporter.

James est le personnage central du récit et l’un des plus fascinants en raison de son évolution psychologique. Il grandit dans un petit village de pêcheurs aux côtés de sa sœur jumelle, Marlène. Contrairement à elle, il est réservé, peu sûr de lui et souvent en retrait.Son attachement à Marlène est profond ; elle est son ancre, celle qui le protège et le rassure. Il est à la fois fasciné et effrayé par l’inconnu, et c’est avec une certaine réticence qu’il suit Marlène au Pays Imaginaire. Dès son arrivée, James est troublé par l’atmosphère du Pays Imaginaire. Là où Marlène se laisse séduire par l’éternelle jeunesse et l’absence de règles, lui ressent une inquiétude croissante.Il comprend rapidement que ce monde est une prison dorée où les souvenirs et l’identité disparaissent. Contrairement aux autres, il lutte pour ne pas oublier qui il est. Sa relation avec Peter Pan devient conflictuelle lorsqu’il commence à remettre en question son autorité et ses véritables intentions. Plus James tente de s’accrocher à la réalité, plus il se heurte à la colère de Peter et à la perte de Marlène, qui s’éloigne peu à peu de lui. Il finit par se rebeller ouvertement et choisit l’exil en mer, devenant l’ennemi de Peter. Son passage de jeune garçon à pirate est une métaphore de son passage à l’âge adulte. Son célèbre crochet, bien que non décrit en détail dans ce tome, symbolise sa transformation définitive en adversaire redouté de Peter Pan.
Contrairement à James, Marlène est extravertie, confiante et avide d’aventure.Elle est une chanteuse talentueuse, et son charisme naturel attire facilement les autres. C’est elle qui fait le vœu qui les amène au Pays Imaginaire, séduite par la promesse d’un monde sans responsabilités. Dès leur arrivée, elle est fascinée par Peter et les Garçons Perdus, s’intégrant rapidement à leur mode de vie. Contrairement à James, elle ne voit pas immédiatement la face obscure du Pays Imaginaire et commence à oublier leur passé commun. Son lien avec James s’effrite, ce qui provoque de nombreux conflits entre eux. Elle devient peu à peu un symbole du dilemme central du roman : rester dans l’illusion ou affronter la vérité. Alors que James lutte pour conserver son identité, Marlène se laisse doucement absorber par le Pays Imaginaire, devenant un agent involontaire de sa chute. Son choix final – rester aux côtés de Peter ou suivre James – constitue un moment clé de l’histoire et un tournant pour l’évolution de James en Capitaine Crochet.

Dans cette réinterprétation, Peter Pan n’est pas l’innocent leader insouciant que l’on connaît. Il est ici perçu comme un être manipulateur, refusant obstinément la réalité et s’entourant d’enfants pour perpétuer son monde figé. Il joue avec les esprits de ceux qui arrivent et ne tolère aucun désir de départ. Les Garçons Perdus sont des âmes errantes. Ces enfants, qui ont suivi Peter, vivent dans une insouciance forcée. Mais certains, comme James, commencent à percevoir la véritable nature de leur existence : un état d’oubli où leur passé s’efface peu à peu.

Avec ce roman, Lauren DeStefano propose une relecture sombre et poignante du mythe de Peter Pan. Son écriture immersive et poétique transforme le Pays Imaginaire en un lieu à la fois enchanteur et oppressant, où l’oubli devient une menace insidieuse. L’évolution de James, de jeune garçon hésitant à futur Capitaine Crochet, est au cœur du récit. Son combat contre Peter Pan, ici réinterprété en figure manipulatrice, symbolise la lutte entre l’illusion et la réalité, entre l’enfance éternelle et le besoin de grandir. Marlène, quant à elle, incarne le dilemme du choix entre le rêve et la conscience de soi. Grâce à une atmosphère envoûtante, des personnages profondément travaillés et une réflexion sur la mémoire et l’identité, ce roman s’impose comme bien plus qu’une simple réécriture. C’est un conte initiatique, une tragédie psychologique où la frontière entre héros et antagoniste s’efface, nous laissant avec une question troublante : et si Crochet n’avait jamais été le véritable méchant de l’histoire ?

[Damita Perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never been a huge fan of Peter Pan, and this book really showed me why. We follow James and Marlene, twins, born to a fisherman father and a nanny mother. They feel displaced and eventually find their way to Neverland.

Marlene adores Neverland, but James just wants to leave. Something isn't right.

I predicted the ending very early, but I also have a preprogrammed knowledge of James Hook from other iterations of the story. I loved the characters, and we see a great setup for Disney's movie Peter Pan, but it will definitely make you see the movie in a different light.

[Nicole Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher for my honest opinion.

The only adventure young James seeks is the routine of college and the promise of London. But when he and his twin sister, Marlene accidentally arrive in Never Land, James must convince his adventurous sister to return home before they forget who they are and each other. It is always interesting reading the origin story of a well-known villain especially when you also already know their ending. Regardless, much like Never Land, I was pulled into this story and thoroughly enjoyed it. Knowing the end, it is easy to see where the story is going but still I couldn’t put it down to find out how this fearful teenager became one of the only adults in Never Land. I also really loved the new take on Peter Pan and Tinkerbell as I have often wondered if all the Lost Boys were actually lost. A cool retelling that successfully made me feel for the bad guy.

[Miozotis Diaz-Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wouldn't be mad if this book was longer than it actually is. I would still read on and on and on, visualizing the adventures James and Sam got themselves into in the real world all the way to grown men we see now in the Peter Pan movie. I love this book. It was written amazingly well and is so descriptive. I had to read this book because I have read the first Dark Ascension book. It’s such an interesting story to read about Captain Hook's real name, his family, his younger days, and him having a twin sister who has the same name as my twin sister. Reading how very different they are and how both of them can feel each other when they are not near each other. How they can also find each other whenever they need to. I couldn't put this book down. This would also be a great Disney movie. I would watch this over and over again.

[Ashleigh Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always wary of books like this because I find that authors tend to twist the story in a way that makes the character too different from their original counterpart.

But with James Hook, we know nothing about his time before he met Peter Pan. So the author had a lot of opportunity to take this story in a different direction and did it well.

This story brings the darker side to Peter to light. He is not a mischievous child spirit. While he thinks he is a hero taking care of his lost boys, he is also manipulating them to never leave or grow up. Hook from the beginning does not want to be in Neverland and is only there to watch over his sister Marlene.

This was a fun super fast read that really fits the title "The Dark Ascension"

[annabeth ☼ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a comfort in the midst of not so comforting things. There were so many moments while reading this that I hugged it to my chest. We’ve all felt that, when you’re having a terrible night and the book you’re reading does something that makes it feel like a friend giving you a hug, and so you have to give it one back.

The amount of depth that DeStefano gave to each of these characters, whether retold from a Disney character or not, was astonishingly well done. And the setting of Never Land, how she set it up and described it to feel as expansive as it is meant to be, was incredible. This is one that I will not get over any time soon! I would definitely recommend it for any fan of Peter Pan, either the book or the Disney film!

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good origin story and this series is chock full of how the Disney villains we know (and love) became so bad!
This book is centered on a teenaged Captain Hook (young James) and his twin sister, Marlene. (I know, who knew right?!) Anyway, It seems they found Neverland way before Hook became the greatest pirate captain to ever menace a hero. After reading this, you'll come to understand why Hook made the choices he made and why he hates Peter Pan so much.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Disney Press for this e-arc.*

[Kelly Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an interesting story! I loved that is basically telling you how Captain Hook became who he is. Every villain has a story of how they got to where they are and why they want what they want. This is a great book that shows why he wants his revenge on Peter Pan. Definitely a good book and I would recommend it to those that are Disney fans and love an interesting twist.

[Jenna Hendrix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because it's Captain Hook's origin story about him and his twin sister, their original journey to Never Land, and the reason for his future hatred for Peter Pan, I had a really good sense of what was going to happen. But even when it did, I still wasn't ready.

[Evelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the writing of this book, it was a nice quick read. But I don't think the actual plot brought much news to the Peter Pan story.

[Jenn Castner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damn, Disney, break my heart.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting take on Hook's origin story inspired by the story of Peter Pan by: J.M. Barrie.

In this prequel to the original, we follow James (Hook) and his twin sister Marlene on their very first visit to Neverland. What unfolds will shape the future of not only James and his sister, but Peter and Neverland itself.

SYNOPSIS - James didn't wish to go to Neverland, it was Marlene that was unsatisfied with life back home and sought out this new adventure. So when James finds himself stuck on an island in the middle of nowhere with no adults, no sense of passing time, and no known way of getting home, he's more than a little frustrated. Not to mention the nonsensical boy named Peter who insists that they're finally safe from the problem of growing up and everything adults and old age brings with it.

But James is a sensible person and if he's certain of one thing, it's that the flying boy, Peter, and his "safe" island are more dangerous than they appear. With the risk of losing their memories the longer they're on the island, James decides to take matters into his own hands. He'll do anything to get back home, even if it means becoming Peter's enemy.

THOUGHTS - I found this book intriguing. As a lover of the Original Peter Pan, I was interested to see how this would compare, especially since it's an origin story for Hook. I liked it but I wouldn't say it was a favorite. It was fun to read the author's theories of how Hook came to be in neverland. For me personally, it left a few things still to be desired. I wished there was a theory or some sort of flash forward in events to explain how Hook ACTUALLY grew up. This book takes place when he is still a child and according to the author and the original author, J.M. Barrie, children go to neverland for eternal youth. I wished this subject had been tackled a bit more. It's something I've always wondered - How did hook grow up if it's literally part of the design of neverland that all children remain the same?

Another thing that I wished for that wasn't in this book was better foreshadowing... I would have liked to have actually seen some connections to hooks future like smee or the crocodile. There was a boy named Sam whom hook befriended and he reminded me of smee at times, but it was never mentioned whether or not he had any connection to the character smee at all. Likewise, time was always being mentioned, and at one point even the ticking of a clock. I thought for sure that the crocodile would be mentioned there but alas, it was just wishful thinking on my part.

I didn't care for Marlene as character at all. Her selfishness cost James everything. He didn't want to be in neverland and his sensible personality couldn't find anything to find delight in. Marlene knew this yet she still insisted they stay, insisted he was wrong about things, insisted she knew what was best... She does eventually begin to gain some sense and listen to her brother but by then it's too late. I also didn't really appreciate how Marlene makes decisions over and over again on James' behalf that she deems to be in his best interest. First for them to stay, then for them to leave, then for them to go back to Neverland again... she is always the one making the decisions despite the fact that they aren't what James wants. Her selfishness leads to dire results for them both and I found I just didn't care for her as a character at all. She may very well have been the villain of this book, even more than Peter or James.

In terms of Neverland itself, I was disappointed there as well. We find neverland in a time of flux. A second mysterious island full of defiant lost boys exists and there is a general sense of unease lurking beneath the surface. In the original, Neverland is an island with so much magic that everyone VIEWS it a bit differently. According to J.M. Barrie, one child would see a lagoon with flamingos flying over it while another might see a flamingo with lagoons flying over it. In Wendy's island, there is a little house for her and a pet wolf, and in John's image of neverland, he lives under an overturned boat along the shore. All of this hints that Neverland, shows each child their ideal imaginations in order to entice them to stay forever. Yet at the forefront of everything is the feeling that Neverland has always been in existence and isn't something that evolves or changes within those individual imaginings. At least, not Neverland itself. Certainly as DeStefano wrote, Peter's mood effects the Island, especially the weather, and in some versions it's as if Neverland sleeps while Peter is away and then awakes again upon his return, but in terms of the Island changing? Change is something that doesn't happen in Neverland. Change implies the passing of time and the passing of time means the opportunity to grow up... it made no sense that the island, it's set of structure and rules would be altered by James and his sister's actions. To be fair, this timeline and setting for the book takes place long before James becomes the villain pirate, Hook, and as I mentioned above, a large chunk of how James becomes an adult is left to the imagination even in the original; so perhaps this lack of stability with Neverland has something to do with how James ends up as an adult later on and is something that will become more stable after this series of events takes place in this book. Even if that were the case, I still, as a fan of J.M. Barrie's original, find it far fetched and not very feasible.

I liked that this book cast new light on Peter as a character. He's often portrayed as the sassy boy who whisks children away for adventures and gives them the option of eternal youth. In this book, it shows how in a different circumstance, Peter's agenda can actually be manipulative and controlling.

I think this book was a good attempt and I enjoyed reading it, but it was still missing quite a bit that left me feeling dissatisfied with it. A fun read, but if you're a fan of the original and seeking some answers to the villain Hook's story, this isn't it. I would say my take away from this was that I pitied James Hook more than I used to.

[Ashleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars Rounded Down

Overall this was a pretty good book. I really enjoyed young James and his balanced relationship with his twin sister Marlene.
Sam was AMAZING and he was without question my favorite character - I loved seeing his friendship with James come to fruition, solidified when he shared his trove of memories with James.
James was also well done and I loved the anticipation of watching this strange bookish boy dreaming of academia & city life evolved into bravery for the sake of family, knowing the villain he would become.
Marlene was a pretty good character, there was something reminiscent of Wendy in her but nothing that felt like she was essentially just a copy.

I was disappointed with the other characters surrounding Neverland - Peter & Tink, Cassius & BlueJay and their men/their side of the island. These developing stories felt rushed or incomplete. While I had already written off Peter & Tink early on because it wasn't truly their origin story, I was really disappointed that the boys on the other island had very minimal story beats.
Because of that the romance between Cassius & Marlene felt forced, especially after there was already something brewing between Marlene & Peter not long before.
The author successfully had me invested in the idea that the boys on the other island were misunderstood and on the better side of this rivalry, I even thought that this was how Hook gets his crew, but there wasn't anything major to support especially since Hooks pirate crew are adults and these boys are trapped just as everyone else is in eternal youth. I was also curious about their ship - Captain Hook and Smee aboard the Jolly Roger is iconic so 'the ship' remaining just that was more than disappointing.

The ending was the biggest disappointment for me, seeing Marlene's headstrong and impulsive bravery crack was jolting for James so I could understand why the author made the choice. However the corresponding events make this the first step in a series of what feels like rushed choices.
I would have liked to see some consequences for the murder of Marlene from Neverland itself. It's tied to Peter & it's stated that there are penalties for death and this makes sense on a land of eternal youth. Because Neverland is so intricately and mystically tied to Peter it was expected that something extreme would happen. The idea that even Peter may have to contend with disappointing Neverland or has a lack of control with it is baited because Peter told characters "You have no idea what you have done". There is literally no consequence for disrupting Neverland's order, the tense agreement between the two islands, Marlene attempting to extract James, the murder of multiple fairies, or Marlene's murder. We get a giant crack of lightning or an intense storm and a very pissy Peter, but that's about it. The murder of Marlene just confirms an empty threat, which is a huge missed opportunity in my opinion.
Sam and James leaving Neverland was obviously expected, again in Peter Pan they are adults so it had to happen at some point. But I was so frustrated that their return was the literal ending. I would have loved at least an epilogue of his return/plan to return - how does an adult get to Neverland? Especially an adult now fueled by rage, grief, and revenge? Neverland is an escape for children so why would this magical island allow him to return? If Peter does act as gate keeper then why would he allow it?
I understand keeping an air of mystery and not getting all the answers, but it feels like there is this giant empty space between the progression of James the fisherman's son and Captain Hook the villain of Peter Pan - and I can't see how the ending of the former could bridge to the latter.

[Sarah AF · Rating 4 out of 5]

"He made sure all his Lost Boys were just that - lost. Adrift, without any place but Never Land to call home. He told himself - and the boys - that he was protecting them, and maybe some part of him truly believed that... He was protecting himself. So long as Never Land was full of laughter and cheery voices, Peter could hide in it forever."

This was *such* a grower of a book! Although it was YA, it was a really mature exploration of growing up and family, Neverland making for the perfect backdrop for these matters to play out against.

Peter Pan is one of my favourite Disney movies, the simplicity and period working perfectly for a story that is fun but with that sliver of danger and darkness that makes for a genuinely compelling story. This story followed those same lines, the lure of Neverland - particularly for Marlene, James' sister - but the the gradual stripping away of the beautiful, idyllic surface to reveal the darkness at Neverland's core. It's a place where children never grow up and, along the way, lose the memories of the life that they left behind giving them no reason to even think of returning and, ultimately, remain stuck in a suspended state of childhood but with a hole that cannot quite be placed but has the yearning to be filled all the same. That is DARK!

What I enjoyed about this book is that it made for such an authentic and believable prequel to Peter Pan. The hierarchy was there, the petulant shades of Peter's personality when challenged and, of course, the long-held obsession that James had with seeking his revenge on Peter. The world building was fantastic and I loved the way that DeStefano wove in aspects that were so integral to the story of Peter Pan vs. Captain Hook, like the pocket watch and the adoration of Mr Smee(eeeeeeee) (which was so queer-coded in this book but in such a gorgeous and understated way), right through to the twitches of Captain Hook when reckoning with his trauma.

As "coming of age" novels go, this was a very, very enjoyable read with surprising depth for a fantasy book based on a children's novel and film!

[Karen Cohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the original story of Peter Pan, James Hook is the villain - he hates Peter Pan with a passion that is never explained. This novel provides that explanation.

When James was born, he had a twin sister, Marlene; their personalities were as opposite as their appearances were similar. The siblings were born to a fisherman father and a nanny mother, hard-working people who did the best they could, knowing it wasn't, quite, enough; knowing that twins were unexpected, unplanned for, and even more difficult to provide for than the single child they expected. But they did the best they could. Their best included expectations for their children that each found untenable: for James, an inquisitive, quiet, rationale child with a head for figures, that meant inheriting his father's fishing business; for Marlene, an extroverted, exuberant, enthusiastic child who in no way fit her mother's expectations for a girl, that meant being constantly reined in. On the day of their 15th birthday, the two receive gifts indicative of their parents' expectations for them, and Marlene wishes to be somewhere else - a wish that leads them to Neverland, and the explanation for just why James Hook hates Peter Pan so.

This is a fun and fast-paced novel which leaves the reader guessing right up the very end. I look forward to the next book in the series. Recommended for readers from middle school to adult.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.