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Never, Never
The 9th book in the New York Times bestselling Villains series tells the tale of the rise and fall of the infamous pirate, Captain Hook―a boy who grew up.
Before Peter Pan and Wendy. Before the Lost Boys. There was just a boy named James who wanted to get back to Neverland.
As a baby, James Bartholomew fell out of his pram and was taken to Neverland. James is claimed by his parents just shy of seven days―after which he would have officially become a Lost Boy. Once he returns to London, he never stops thinking about Neverland. As he grows up, he hates his life in London, and everything to do with growing up and eventually becoming a gentleman. So he seeks a position on the ship of the infamous pirate, Blackbeard.
On Blackbeard’s ship he learns to be a cutthroat pirate, and eventually becomes captain of his own ship, which James is determined to sail to Neverland. With the help of the Odd Sisters and a bit of magic, he just might get his wish. But returning to Neverland comes at a price―and now that he’s grown up, the whole world seems to be rooting for his demise…
Before Peter Pan and Wendy. Before the Lost Boys. There was just a boy named James who wanted to get back to Neverland.
As a baby, James Bartholomew fell out of his pram and was taken to Neverland. James is claimed by his parents just shy of seven days―after which he would have officially become a Lost Boy. Once he returns to London, he never stops thinking about Neverland. As he grows up, he hates his life in London, and everything to do with growing up and eventually becoming a gentleman. So he seeks a position on the ship of the infamous pirate, Blackbeard.
On Blackbeard’s ship he learns to be a cutthroat pirate, and eventually becomes captain of his own ship, which James is determined to sail to Neverland. With the help of the Odd Sisters and a bit of magic, he just might get his wish. But returning to Neverland comes at a price―and now that he’s grown up, the whole world seems to be rooting for his demise…
256 pages, Hardcover
First published July 19, 2022
About the author
Serena Valentino
154 books5,965 followersSerena Valentino is best known for weaving tales that combine mythos and guile with her work on the comic book series GloomCookie and Nightmares & Fairy Tales, and her best selling Disney Villain Novels which have earned her critical acclaim for her unique style of storytelling, bringing her readers into exquisitely frightening worlds filled with terror, beauty and extraordinary female protagonists.
Her Disney Villain novel series would be best enjoyed if read in this order: Fairest of All: The Story of the Wicked Queen, The Beast Within: The Story of Belle’s Prince, Poor Unfortunate Soul: A Tale of the Sea Witch, Mistress of All Evil: A Tale of the Dark Fairy. Mother Knows Best: A Tale of the Old Witch and The Odd Sisters: A Villains Book to be released in Summer 2019. Book 7 will be out Summer 2020, Book 8 summer of 2021, and Book 9 Summer of 2022.
Serena lives in New Orleans with her dog Gozer, and a very tiny kitty named Momma.
Contact: Serena@serenavalentino.com
Her Disney Villain novel series would be best enjoyed if read in this order: Fairest of All: The Story of the Wicked Queen, The Beast Within: The Story of Belle’s Prince, Poor Unfortunate Soul: A Tale of the Sea Witch, Mistress of All Evil: A Tale of the Dark Fairy. Mother Knows Best: A Tale of the Old Witch and The Odd Sisters: A Villains Book to be released in Summer 2019. Book 7 will be out Summer 2020, Book 8 summer of 2021, and Book 9 Summer of 2022.
Serena lives in New Orleans with her dog Gozer, and a very tiny kitty named Momma.
Contact: Serena@serenavalentino.com
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 771 reviews
October 7, 2022
Peter Pan is by no means my favorite fairytale but THIS BOOK was amazing!
Obviously this focuses on Captain Hook's story, his background, where he came from and all that, more than it does Peter Pan. It completely ties in to the original Disney film!
What I loved most about this book is how well it tied the entire Disney Villains Series together as far as timelines, plot lines and all of the different characters that we have seen in the previous 8 books! You get to learn so much more about basically everyone and how they relate to each other.
The Odd Sisters played a pretty big role in James' life like they did in the other Villains. But unlike some stories, we got to see them directly interact rather than from afar. We got to see more cursed objects, and how some of those objects came to be in other Villains possession!
This is all in addition to James getting to sail with and learn from Blackbeard himself! Daring sword fights, battling Kraken, and making a name for himself on the seas lead to the acquisition of the Jolly Roger.
This book just solidified the Disney Multiverse for me <3
Huge thank you to Serena Valentino herself for sending me this book ahead of time and writing amazing books that bring communities together!
Obviously this focuses on Captain Hook's story, his background, where he came from and all that, more than it does Peter Pan. It completely ties in to the original Disney film!
What I loved most about this book is how well it tied the entire Disney Villains Series together as far as timelines, plot lines and all of the different characters that we have seen in the previous 8 books! You get to learn so much more about basically everyone and how they relate to each other.
The Odd Sisters played a pretty big role in James' life like they did in the other Villains. But unlike some stories, we got to see them directly interact rather than from afar. We got to see more cursed objects, and how some of those objects came to be in other Villains possession!
This is all in addition to James getting to sail with and learn from Blackbeard himself! Daring sword fights, battling Kraken, and making a name for himself on the seas lead to the acquisition of the Jolly Roger.
This book just solidified the Disney Multiverse for me <3
Huge thank you to Serena Valentino herself for sending me this book ahead of time and writing amazing books that bring communities together!
August 16, 2024
بیچاره جیمز💔 فقط دلش نورلند میخواست:(
هیچ وقت داستان پیترپن و کاپیتان هوک برام جالب نبود... و خب درست نمیدونم چیه😂
جیمز زود رفت پی دزد دریایی شدن و تا ۵۰صای که خوندم ساده بود. بقیهاشم نگاه اجمالی انداختم و راستش نویسنده با خواهران نفرین شده شورشو دراورده:/
هیچ وقت داستان پیترپن و کاپیتان هوک برام جالب نبود... و خب درست نمیدونم چیه😂
جیمز زود رفت پی دزد دریایی شدن و تا ۵۰صای که خوندم ساده بود. بقیهاشم نگاه اجمالی انداختم و راستش نویسنده با خواهران نفرین شده شورشو دراورده:/
April 19, 2023
This is the 7th Hook-focused book I've read, the 6th origin story (I just like to establish what number I'm on each time I review another one lol). And unfortunately, it was bland.
James's character wasn't very interesting or complex. His obsession with getting back to Neverland, with *SPOILER* *END SPOILER* could've been interesting, but it wasn't really explored, just something I was repeatedly told.
The story wasn't very exciting. There was a lot of explanation and just James talking to the magical characters who might help him.
I know this is not an adult book. I'm unsure if it's more YA or children's. Depending on the age it's meant for, I obviously understand the story isn't going to delve into certain things. I can't speak for kids (I can't even speak for other adults, everyone has different tastes). Still, if it wasn't going to get into anything too dark or complex, it could've had a little more excitement or something.
I will note, I have not read any other books in this series. Maybe I'd have enjoyed the stuff about the Kingdoms and Odd Sisters and all that more if I'd read the other books.
The audiobook narration by John York was good, I enjoyed it. It sounded natural.
Overall, this was a Hook backstory that had potential to be interesting but lacked the depth that would've made it so for me. Perhaps younger readers would enjoy it more.
*Note: This is part of a series, but the previous books are not necessary in order to understand this one. Each book focuses on a different character. But as I have not read the previous books, I don't know how much other stuff carries over.*
*Rating: 3 Stars // Read Date: 2023 // Format: Audiobook*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes Hook backstories that don't delve too deep, short books, and perhaps previous books in Serena Valentino's Villains series (though I have not read them, so I don't think they're necessary if you don't want to read them).
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
James's character wasn't very interesting or complex. His obsession with getting back to Neverland, with *SPOILER* *END SPOILER* could've been interesting, but it wasn't really explored, just something I was repeatedly told.
The story wasn't very exciting. There was a lot of explanation and just James talking to the magical characters who might help him.
I know this is not an adult book. I'm unsure if it's more YA or children's. Depending on the age it's meant for, I obviously understand the story isn't going to delve into certain things. I can't speak for kids (I can't even speak for other adults, everyone has different tastes). Still, if it wasn't going to get into anything too dark or complex, it could've had a little more excitement or something.
I will note, I have not read any other books in this series. Maybe I'd have enjoyed the stuff about the Kingdoms and Odd Sisters and all that more if I'd read the other books.
The audiobook narration by John York was good, I enjoyed it. It sounded natural.
Overall, this was a Hook backstory that had potential to be interesting but lacked the depth that would've made it so for me. Perhaps younger readers would enjoy it more.
*Note: This is part of a series, but the previous books are not necessary in order to understand this one. Each book focuses on a different character. But as I have not read the previous books, I don't know how much other stuff carries over.*
*Rating: 3 Stars // Read Date: 2023 // Format: Audiobook*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes Hook backstories that don't delve too deep, short books, and perhaps previous books in Serena Valentino's Villains series (though I have not read them, so I don't think they're necessary if you don't want to read them).
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
June 20, 2024
2024 reads: 165/250
this is the ninth book in the villains series.
before peter pan and wendy, there was a boy named james who was desperate to return to neverland. he learns to be a pirate on blackbeard’s ship, leading to captaining his own ship he wants to use to return to neverland.
just like the other books in this series, this was a quick, but fun, read. i really liked the role fate played in this book, even though it was cruel to our protagonist. we also got some more explanation as to how all the stories are linked together, which was pretty interesting. i’m excited to read the next book!
this is the ninth book in the villains series.
before peter pan and wendy, there was a boy named james who was desperate to return to neverland. he learns to be a pirate on blackbeard’s ship, leading to captaining his own ship he wants to use to return to neverland.
just like the other books in this series, this was a quick, but fun, read. i really liked the role fate played in this book, even though it was cruel to our protagonist. we also got some more explanation as to how all the stories are linked together, which was pretty interesting. i’m excited to read the next book!
May 16, 2024
Amazing, amazing, amazing. I really like the story of Peter Pan, so this was really great as well. This book was really well intertwined with all the previous ones, even though the chronological order is completely different from the book order!!
I'm sad I will start with the 10th and last one of this series, but I really can't stop reading these. They're so nostalgic and addictive...
I'm sad I will start with the 10th and last one of this series, but I really can't stop reading these. They're so nostalgic and addictive...
August 8, 2022
It was pretty fun. I’ve read a few of the books but not the entirety of the series yet, so the friends I read it with filled me in on things they felt I would miss.
I don’t know that I entirely enjoy the whys in this book, but it was a general enjoyable book to read. There was adventure, and it was interesting, though some parts did seem to run on a little long.
Valentino has a great way of tying things together and it does kind of give you a good feeling when you see dots connect, but some of them I didn’t particularly enjoy.
LIKE WHY IS HE DEAD??? HOW is he dead?! He “died” fighting the Kraken, yet he was corporeal enough to go to London, sell goods, buy a coat, and leave his mother money and write her a note?
I would just like that to make sense. Otherwise everything else was cool. Enjoyable fanfic. I’ll probably read the rest of the series too.
I don’t know that I entirely enjoy the whys in this book, but it was a general enjoyable book to read. There was adventure, and it was interesting, though some parts did seem to run on a little long.
Valentino has a great way of tying things together and it does kind of give you a good feeling when you see dots connect, but some of them I didn’t particularly enjoy.
LIKE WHY IS HE DEAD??? HOW is he dead?! He “died” fighting the Kraken, yet he was corporeal enough to go to London, sell goods, buy a coat, and leave his mother money and write her a note?
I would just like that to make sense. Otherwise everything else was cool. Enjoyable fanfic. I’ll probably read the rest of the series too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2022
I had no idea what to expect from this Captain Hook story. I'm now gonna say something weird, but I haven't seen the Peter Pan Disney movie that often. I mostly love Neverland because of the original novel and the countless retellings I've read. However, so far this series, even though it's still Disney and not that deep, kept on surprising me. So, when my copy of this book came in yesterday I already knew what I was gonna read this morning!
This book totally and absolutely positively surprised me! What I loved most is that this book uses a lot of very popular theories surrounding Peter Pan and Neverland and manages to connect them with the Disney tale everyone knows. I don't want to give too much away, but I really loved how smoothly everything fit into this background tale and how everything we eventually get to see in the animated movie has not changed one bit.
And of course this book also had a starring role for the Odd Sisters. You either hate or love them, but I'm quite impressed with the big scheme and plot they're working on, especially when you keep in mind that time in this universe is a strange and not so lineair thing. In this book their role in everything was extremely nasty, especially because as a reader you already know how Hook's wish to find Neverland will end.
Surprisingly enough I also really really really liked James in this book! I think his final look somehow doesn't match the kind of man described in the beginning of the story, but no matter how he looks on the cover it's hard not to feel for him, not to admire his willpower, his perseverance and his capacity to hold on to a dream and to keep on fighting to make that dream true. My heart really broke when nothing turned out for him as he had planned.
I can't wait for the next installment! At least, I hope there's gonna be one!
This book totally and absolutely positively surprised me! What I loved most is that this book uses a lot of very popular theories surrounding Peter Pan and Neverland and manages to connect them with the Disney tale everyone knows. I don't want to give too much away, but I really loved how smoothly everything fit into this background tale and how everything we eventually get to see in the animated movie has not changed one bit.
And of course this book also had a starring role for the Odd Sisters. You either hate or love them, but I'm quite impressed with the big scheme and plot they're working on, especially when you keep in mind that time in this universe is a strange and not so lineair thing. In this book their role in everything was extremely nasty, especially because as a reader you already know how Hook's wish to find Neverland will end.
Surprisingly enough I also really really really liked James in this book! I think his final look somehow doesn't match the kind of man described in the beginning of the story, but no matter how he looks on the cover it's hard not to feel for him, not to admire his willpower, his perseverance and his capacity to hold on to a dream and to keep on fighting to make that dream true. My heart really broke when nothing turned out for him as he had planned.
I can't wait for the next installment! At least, I hope there's gonna be one!
July 31, 2022
* I would strongly recommend to read the previous books in this series, as some of them are tied into this story.
Since he fell out off his stroller and spend six days in Never Land, James has been in search of a way to return to this magical land. He decides the best solution would be to become a dashing pirate, in search for treasure and magic to get him what he really wants. Becoming an apprentice of the famous pirate Blackbeard and setting out on many adventures, James never loses sight of his ultimate goal. But the Odd Sisters have set their sights on him a long time ago and even their powerful sister Circe cannot keep James from his doomed fate.
Damn, this time I really felt for the title character, as James sails straight into his doomed fate and becomes the treacherous Captain Hook. As a villainous origin story, this book is really great, as it ties in straight to the original Disney movie/ fairy tale. This book was great and I'm a bit sad it is one of the thinnest books in the series thus far. James was never really evil, just in search for his dreams and adventure and I feel really bad that the Odd Sisters took such an advantage of him and his dream. I need more books like this and I have my fingers crossed the next entry will be just as great.
Since he fell out off his stroller and spend six days in Never Land, James has been in search of a way to return to this magical land. He decides the best solution would be to become a dashing pirate, in search for treasure and magic to get him what he really wants. Becoming an apprentice of the famous pirate Blackbeard and setting out on many adventures, James never loses sight of his ultimate goal. But the Odd Sisters have set their sights on him a long time ago and even their powerful sister Circe cannot keep James from his doomed fate.
Damn, this time I really felt for the title character, as James sails straight into his doomed fate and becomes the treacherous Captain Hook. As a villainous origin story, this book is really great, as it ties in straight to the original Disney movie/ fairy tale. This book was great and I'm a bit sad it is one of the thinnest books in the series thus far. James was never really evil, just in search for his dreams and adventure and I feel really bad that the Odd Sisters took such an advantage of him and his dream. I need more books like this and I have my fingers crossed the next entry will be just as great.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 771 reviews