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lauracooleyjohnson's review against another edition
1.0
I absolutely hated his book. Slogged through it, ever hopeful that the story line would become slightly less horrible. I believed the idea could be interesting, y'know? Was rewarded by a dismal ending.
aarondavidson's review against another edition
Spent too long away from the book. Need to start fresh another time
moiscool's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
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
4.0
This book had such a good atmosphere -it was dark and spooky - like Neil Gaiman and Grimm’s fairytales kinds of vibes
bonus's review against another edition
3.0
The darkness is calling. A little danger, a little risk. Feel your heart race. Listen to it. That’s the sound of being alive. It’s your time, Nick. Your one chance to have fun before it’s all stolen by them, the adults, with their cruelty and endless rules, their can’t-do-this, and can’t-do-that’s, their have-tos, and better-dos, their little boxes and cages all designed to break your spirit, to kill your magic.
About a decade later and I’ve finally finished this grim tale.
#MashedPotatoMay
⚔️
przela71's review against another edition
5.0
This was a surprising read. I was looking for something different to read and came across this story. It sounded interesting so I gave it a chance. I loved it! The reimagining of a classic story is not easy to do, but it was done it a way that was true enough to be familiar but original at the same so it felt fresh. This is a dark tale, but if you are looking for something different I recommend taking a chance
judeandolin's review against another edition
1.0
This book was so boring for me—it took me three months to finish. There was some interesting world building, but the characters all felt hollow, the dialogue felt overly contrived and forced, the writing bugged the shit out of me for a multitude of reasons. Other than the world building and the beautiful illustrations, it just wasn't my thing. The plot just dragged and dragged, especially near the end, and I had to start skimming and just be done with it.
bittersweet_symphony's review against another edition
3.0
I admire Brom for his eagerness to restore Peter Pan to some of its darker undertones. He brings these to the forefront, setting the story within gang culture in New York City alongside a vicious fairy island of gritty creatures.
Brom has a notable visual style that appeals to me (him being a conceptual artist for Van Helsing), but I found his writing a bit campy or contrived, especially the dialogue. The included vulgarities seemed unnecessary, failed attempts at dressing up the fairy tale with a contemporary culture that seemed a bit foreign to Brom. I kept thinking, "That doesn't seem to match well with the kids I've known who would be familiar with gang culture."
Reading another adaptation of the Pan story helped me realize where much of the magic resides in the Neverland tale—the narration. Barrie wrote the story with an active narrator, almost a character in the story, coloring the overall worldview of the events with enchanting commentary on death, childhood, loss of innocence, and the importance of play (and hope!). The Child Thief is written in the 3rd person but in a detached, neutral manner, to avoid drawing attention to the narrator.
I didn't find enough resonance with any of the characters but it will always delight me to spend time with the puer aeternus narrative.
Brom has a notable visual style that appeals to me (him being a conceptual artist for Van Helsing), but I found his writing a bit campy or contrived, especially the dialogue. The included vulgarities seemed unnecessary, failed attempts at dressing up the fairy tale with a contemporary culture that seemed a bit foreign to Brom. I kept thinking, "That doesn't seem to match well with the kids I've known who would be familiar with gang culture."
Reading another adaptation of the Pan story helped me realize where much of the magic resides in the Neverland tale—the narration. Barrie wrote the story with an active narrator, almost a character in the story, coloring the overall worldview of the events with enchanting commentary on death, childhood, loss of innocence, and the importance of play (and hope!). The Child Thief is written in the 3rd person but in a detached, neutral manner, to avoid drawing attention to the narrator.
I didn't find enough resonance with any of the characters but it will always delight me to spend time with the puer aeternus narrative.
crowsandprose's review against another edition
1.0
I really wanted to like this book. I has faeries! Peter Pan! An adult spin! But really, it was a hollow echo of a much better work, and I was severely disappointed.
Brom's writing is choppy, his editor ought to be spanked for not taking a firmer hand in the formatting. It was a huge turn off. That alone shaves a star off the rating. Miserable set up makes for unhappy reading.
The characters were shallow and lacked much personality. The mishmash of religion, abuse, myth was hamhanded. Worst of all, the complete lack of resolution of the central character's conflict - that'd be Nick, not Peter - is terrible storytelling and I can't believe that this is a third novel, instead of a 'could have used a stronger editor' first attempt!
It is a book to avoid unless you are REALLY that desperate for a new take on Peter Pan. Brom's a fantastic artist, but his fiction is not, sadly, worth reading. Maybe his other works are better -- but this one is a total pass unless you like poorly formatted stories wherein the protagonist does whatever he wants, and only the people around him suffer for it -- and somehow, you're supposed to be happy at his personal validation of all the horrible things he did at the end of the book.
Sorry, just not interested.
Brom's writing is choppy, his editor ought to be spanked for not taking a firmer hand in the formatting. It was a huge turn off. That alone shaves a star off the rating. Miserable set up makes for unhappy reading.
The characters were shallow and lacked much personality. The mishmash of religion, abuse, myth was hamhanded. Worst of all, the complete lack of resolution of the central character's conflict - that'd be Nick, not Peter - is terrible storytelling and I can't believe that this is a third novel, instead of a 'could have used a stronger editor' first attempt!
It is a book to avoid unless you are REALLY that desperate for a new take on Peter Pan. Brom's a fantastic artist, but his fiction is not, sadly, worth reading. Maybe his other works are better -- but this one is a total pass unless you like poorly formatted stories wherein the protagonist does whatever he wants, and only the people around him suffer for it -- and somehow, you're supposed to be happy at his personal validation of all the horrible things he did at the end of the book.
Sorry, just not interested.
eliover's review against another edition
4.0
The only thing I don't like about this book is that it doesn't have a beautiful prose. The 1st reason for why I picked up this book is that I thought this would have a very good writing and dialogues but sadly.....it had American writing written all over it. Which made me more irritated. Even Peter's dialogues seemed to be American. *Sigh*
I loved the illustrations!!
Spoiler alert:
I liked how the book took a turn after like 19 some chapters and it went a completely different direction than we thought. One moment I was thinking "Okay, the Captain nd the Devils may actually have a negotiation nd maybe things will be well...." And the next moment BAM!
We discover that Peter already knew the Flesh Eaters' desires. That they only want to get the fuck out of there but he can't let that happen.
We discover how Peter is NOT a good person, all the children have fallen victim because of his obsession with The Lady, he can't be completely blamed ofc,but still.
We discover how The Lady is not as good as she seems. As expected of a Godess ofcourse.
And fuckin Leroy?! I thought we stopped writing those kinda characters like a decade ago?!
God, but I loved how Nick realised what Peter was actually doing to these children which is y it's all the more frustrating that even he couldn't escape that fate! Aaaaahhhhh
Nick's Ending was tragic..... But what about Peter? The author didn't mention what lays ahead for him, he's the Horned One's son, okay, but what happens now that he's not under any influence is not answered.
I loved the illustrations!!
Spoiler alert:
I liked how the book took a turn after like 19 some chapters and it went a completely different direction than we thought. One moment I was thinking "Okay, the Captain nd the Devils may actually have a negotiation nd maybe things will be well...." And the next moment BAM!
We discover that Peter already knew the Flesh Eaters' desires. That they only want to get the fuck out of there but he can't let that happen.
We discover how Peter is NOT a good person, all the children have fallen victim because of his obsession with The Lady, he can't be completely blamed ofc,but still.
We discover how The Lady is not as good as she seems. As expected of a Godess ofcourse.
And fuckin Leroy?! I thought we stopped writing those kinda characters like a decade ago?!
God, but I loved how Nick realised what Peter was actually doing to these children which is y it's all the more frustrating that even he couldn't escape that fate! Aaaaahhhhh
Nick's Ending was tragic..... But what about Peter? The author didn't mention what lays ahead for him, he's the Horned One's son, okay, but what happens now that he's not under any influence is not answered.