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sonshinelibrarian's review against another edition
3.5
This was pretty good. I liked it more than the second book for sure. Glad I read to this point, but I have no interest in reading more and this ends nicely.
bittersweet_symphony's review against another edition
3.0
A fun, fast-paced adventure that young readers will love. The villain, Lord Ombra, is reminiscent of a shapeless, and similarly-frightening Lord Voldemort. He is almost omnipresent as a literal shadow character out to rid the world of light--he is bent on destroying the universe. Cap'n Hook's villainy pales in comparison to him. He makes a few appearances and maintains a minor role.
Barry creates an interesting, magic-infused alternative history of the world based around Starcatchers and The Others (Lord Ombra's evil transcends both groups). More mature readers who are fans of juvenile literature will want to learn more about the history of the conflict--wanting to know how this long conflict has impacted other great world events, or historical figures.
The Secret of Rundoon did well building up the conflict. The Starcatchers and The Others are small characters playing out a much grander-scaled conflict between light and darkness.
Unfortunately, this series deviates from the original book in key ways. These books are writen to a much younger reader, focusing too much on external events and action rather than the inner thoughts of characters--or assume young readers to not smart enough for the original. The biggest flaw is the lack of a strong narrator. The original narrator was a character himself, who colored the world with charm, and wit. Without the narrator, we are left in a world that doesn't express the nostalgic and melancholic joy of childhood-- the hard choice between never growing up or never getting to make adult choices.
Lastly, Rundoon shows little to no character development. The characters have other worldly experiences, and remain unchanged. Peter's friends growing up and being replaced by a new batch of 'Lost Boys' is the exception. We hardly see Peter come to terms with his old buddies growing up while he must stay a boy forever. He chooses to stay, but the action distracts us from feeling his internal struggle.
Put simply, they have a grand adventure, and we move that much closer to knowing the full story of Peter Pan's origins (including the identity of his parents).
The Starcatchers books lack the magic of the original, but today's young readers will love them as action-packed quests they are.
Barry creates an interesting, magic-infused alternative history of the world based around Starcatchers and The Others (Lord Ombra's evil transcends both groups). More mature readers who are fans of juvenile literature will want to learn more about the history of the conflict--wanting to know how this long conflict has impacted other great world events, or historical figures.
The Secret of Rundoon did well building up the conflict. The Starcatchers and The Others are small characters playing out a much grander-scaled conflict between light and darkness.
Unfortunately, this series deviates from the original book in key ways. These books are writen to a much younger reader, focusing too much on external events and action rather than the inner thoughts of characters--or assume young readers to not smart enough for the original. The biggest flaw is the lack of a strong narrator. The original narrator was a character himself, who colored the world with charm, and wit. Without the narrator, we are left in a world that doesn't express the nostalgic and melancholic joy of childhood-- the hard choice between never growing up or never getting to make adult choices.
Lastly, Rundoon shows little to no character development. The characters have other worldly experiences, and remain unchanged. Peter's friends growing up and being replaced by a new batch of 'Lost Boys' is the exception. We hardly see Peter come to terms with his old buddies growing up while he must stay a boy forever. He chooses to stay, but the action distracts us from feeling his internal struggle.
Put simply, they have a grand adventure, and we move that much closer to knowing the full story of Peter Pan's origins (including the identity of his parents).
The Starcatchers books lack the magic of the original, but today's young readers will love them as action-packed quests they are.
kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
Third in the Peter and the Starcatchers children's fantasy-adventure series based upon the Peter Pan of James Barrie fame.
My Take
We learn a tiny bit about Peter's parents as well as a wee bit about Peter himself. The important part of the story is saving the world from Lord Ombra and his Darkness and eliminating the slave trade between Rundoon and St. Norbert's, even as Peter fears the watchfulness of his own shadow. Is it even his own?
I do love how Barry and Pearson manage to tie in bits and pieces form Barrie's Peter Pan, from the clock inside the crocodile to the boys' hideout from the pirates, the flying ship, and Molly's darling future. Using fanciful parts of other tales such as the flying carpet just keeps the fun alive. The authors really have a handle on the gross humor of children — wait'll you read how Hook trims his toenails — yuck!
They also give a reasonable explanation — well, story-wise it's reasonable — as to why Peter will never grow old. Why he can fly and heal so quickly. It's a fate that reveals the truth to Peter eventually.
Full of hazards and perils and a bit of seat-of-your-pants terror, you can't help but gasp and laugh as you enjoy the adventure and remember a bit of your lost childhood as you read Peter and the Secret of Rundoon!
The Story
It's a two-pronged attack with the Scorpion tribe scouting Never Land to invade the Mollusk people, and Lord Ombra anxious to make up for his losses against Peter and the Starcatchers with his plan to snatch Peter. For it appears, from what Molly and George Darling discovered, that Peter is a lot more than he seems.
New clues have risen up and the Starcatchers are concerned about the lack of communication from the Watcher. Never before in the history of the organization has the Watcher not warned them of a starfall, and it takes Molly and George to discover why. Armed with this information, they hurriedly make plans to bring Peter back to London only to have everything go cockeyed.
The triumphant invasion by the Scorpions with some bright notes when Shining Pearl escapes.
The Characters
Peter whose last name turns out to be Pan is the son of a Watcher. A special breed designated to pinpoint starfall leaking through the cosmic pipeline.
The Lost Boys are getting older and becoming impatient with Never Land; Thomas, Prentiss, Tubby Ted, and James display some of that maturity with their kidnapping and the rescue of other boys sent by St. Norbert's to be slaves for King Zarboff III: Slightly, Curly, Tootles, Nibs, and the twins.
Fighting Prawn is the leader of the Mollusk people, and Shining Pearl is his very resourceful daughter leading Mr. Grin in a sneak attack.
Molly Aster leads George Darling, her neighbor across the square in London, into more mischief than her father, Lord Leonard Aster, can handle even if it does create unexpected opportunities of help. We finally get to meet Bakari who was instrumental in the last book.
Lord Ombra struggles to re-materialize and redeem himself in the eyes of his fellows after events in Peter and the Shadow Thieves. King Zarboff III is a nasty, little, despot of a king using his gigantic snake, Kundilini, to keep everyone in line. Hah! He who laughs last...
The Cover and Title
The cover is gorgeous with a touch of the Russian lacquer box style with Peter and the Lost Boys in the flying carpet escape scene as King Zarboff the III screeches on his throne, the great snake, Kundalini, poised to strike while Molly and George Darling shout encouragement from atop their flying camel while a golden green swirl of holographic ink marks Tinker Bell's trail. A deep red metallic holographic effect creates the names of the authors, the borders and the book title.
I'm not quite sure what Barry and Pearson believe is the secret of Rundoon as there seem to be so many. And, no, I'm not telling. It might give the game away!
My Take
We learn a tiny bit about Peter's parents as well as a wee bit about Peter himself. The important part of the story is saving the world from Lord Ombra and his Darkness and eliminating the slave trade between Rundoon and St. Norbert's, even as Peter fears the watchfulness of his own shadow. Is it even his own?
I do love how Barry and Pearson manage to tie in bits and pieces form Barrie's Peter Pan, from the clock inside the crocodile to the boys' hideout from the pirates, the flying ship, and Molly's darling future. Using fanciful parts of other tales such as the flying carpet just keeps the fun alive. The authors really have a handle on the gross humor of children — wait'll you read how Hook trims his toenails — yuck!
They also give a reasonable explanation — well, story-wise it's reasonable — as to why Peter will never grow old. Why he can fly and heal so quickly. It's a fate that reveals the truth to Peter eventually.
Full of hazards and perils and a bit of seat-of-your-pants terror, you can't help but gasp and laugh as you enjoy the adventure and remember a bit of your lost childhood as you read Peter and the Secret of Rundoon!
The Story
It's a two-pronged attack with the Scorpion tribe scouting Never Land to invade the Mollusk people, and Lord Ombra anxious to make up for his losses against Peter and the Starcatchers with his plan to snatch Peter. For it appears, from what Molly and George Darling discovered, that Peter is a lot more than he seems.
New clues have risen up and the Starcatchers are concerned about the lack of communication from the Watcher. Never before in the history of the organization has the Watcher not warned them of a starfall, and it takes Molly and George to discover why. Armed with this information, they hurriedly make plans to bring Peter back to London only to have everything go cockeyed.
The triumphant invasion by the Scorpions with some bright notes when Shining Pearl escapes.
The Characters
Peter whose last name turns out to be Pan is the son of a Watcher. A special breed designated to pinpoint starfall leaking through the cosmic pipeline.
The Lost Boys are getting older and becoming impatient with Never Land; Thomas, Prentiss, Tubby Ted, and James display some of that maturity with their kidnapping and the rescue of other boys sent by St. Norbert's to be slaves for King Zarboff III: Slightly, Curly, Tootles, Nibs, and the twins.
Fighting Prawn is the leader of the Mollusk people, and Shining Pearl is his very resourceful daughter leading Mr. Grin in a sneak attack.
Molly Aster leads George Darling, her neighbor across the square in London, into more mischief than her father, Lord Leonard Aster, can handle even if it does create unexpected opportunities of help. We finally get to meet Bakari who was instrumental in the last book.
Lord Ombra struggles to re-materialize and redeem himself in the eyes of his fellows after events in Peter and the Shadow Thieves. King Zarboff III is a nasty, little, despot of a king using his gigantic snake, Kundilini, to keep everyone in line. Hah! He who laughs last...
The Cover and Title
The cover is gorgeous with a touch of the Russian lacquer box style with Peter and the Lost Boys in the flying carpet escape scene as King Zarboff the III screeches on his throne, the great snake, Kundalini, poised to strike while Molly and George Darling shout encouragement from atop their flying camel while a golden green swirl of holographic ink marks Tinker Bell's trail. A deep red metallic holographic effect creates the names of the authors, the borders and the book title.
I'm not quite sure what Barry and Pearson believe is the secret of Rundoon as there seem to be so many. And, no, I'm not telling. It might give the game away!
meghantrainer's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
samcurler13's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
sophoc1es's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This book continues my favorite series so well. Between shadow demons, Arabic pirates, spaceships, and Caribbean pirates, this was such a fun read!
onceuponacarm's review against another edition
3.0
A strong conclusion to the Peter and the Starcatchers trilogy (though I think there are still more books, so I have to figure that out...) that wraps up how Peter got the last name Pan, why Ombra has been pursuing starstuff, who the Lost Boys in Jim Barrie's book are, why Peter later came to visit Wendy, and so much more. I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first two--possibly because I've just been tired while reading it, but it felt like there was too much going on. In all of the books there are multiple storylines that eventually come together and that are jumped between in the different chapters with no apparent pattern. This wasn't executed as well this time--lots of anachronistic jumping. Also it seems the authors dislike the word "asked"--when characters are asking a question, it always says so-and-so "said." Not asked, not inquired, not wondered... I didn't notice this in the first book, which I listened to on CD, but it really bothered me in books 2 and 3!
katieadella's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
2.75
naysh's review against another edition
5.0
The finale of one of the best trilogies I have ever read. The series was tied up great, and had a very satisfying ending. The explanations, the climaxes, and the overall story was just amazing.
jhudson17's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0