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gatun's review
4.0
Captain James Hook and the Siege of Neverland begins where the previous book Captain James Hook and the Curse of Peter Pan ended. In his quest for vengeance, Hook follows Peter Pan back to Neverland. This is not the Neverland of Disney or your childhood games (unless you had a spectacularly dark imagination as a child). This Neverland has a sun that rises and sets without rhyme or reason, making time keeping impossible. It is also like a black hole, catching lost characters from myths, one being the Green Knight from King Arthur.
It really would be necessary to read the first book before reading this one. The reason for Hook’s vendetta against Peter Pan is an important pillar of the story so much so that it makes reading the first one mandatory. One of the most fascinating points of the book was the reveal on Peter’s origin. I did not see it coming at all. Great plotting by the authors to develop the story without tipping their hand.
The only reason I did not rate the book a 5 star as I did the first one is what it lacked. I originally started the first book as an audiobook narrated by David Stifel. In my review of the first book I stated, “This is one situation where the audiobook brings a whole new dimension to a book. The narration adds precious gold and silver threads to the tapestry of the narration.” I missed that extra dimension without Mr. Stifel’s voice. I am hoping it will be available soon with Mr. Stifel continuing as the superb voice of Captain James Hook.
It really would be necessary to read the first book before reading this one. The reason for Hook’s vendetta against Peter Pan is an important pillar of the story so much so that it makes reading the first one mandatory. One of the most fascinating points of the book was the reveal on Peter’s origin. I did not see it coming at all. Great plotting by the authors to develop the story without tipping their hand.
The only reason I did not rate the book a 5 star as I did the first one is what it lacked. I originally started the first book as an audiobook narrated by David Stifel. In my review of the first book I stated, “This is one situation where the audiobook brings a whole new dimension to a book. The narration adds precious gold and silver threads to the tapestry of the narration.” I missed that extra dimension without Mr. Stifel’s voice. I am hoping it will be available soon with Mr. Stifel continuing as the superb voice of Captain James Hook.
mackle13's review
3.0
3.5
I had said at the end of my review for the previous book that I believed that that book took us up to the events in the original book, and that this book would cover those events. I think I was mistaken, because I don't recall the Green Knight and Morgan la Fey playing roles in Peter Pan...
Then again, I also mentioned that I'd never actually read the book, and am basing this just on the various movie versions and book retellings which have never touched on those characters, though I suppose it's possible.
But I don't think so, because this book mentions Hook's goal in becoming "the main villain" for Pan, who seems to have a bit of a choice in this novel.
Anyway - that aside, overall I liked the story, though not quite as much as the first. This one seemed to drag and retread ground a little bit in places.
It was still pretty quickly placed and definitely swash-buckly in places.
I'm hoping for a third in the series - one which actually does cover the events of the original story, because I'd really like to see the story concluded from the angle of Hook as the savior of the Lost Boys kind of thing.
I had said at the end of my review for the previous book that I believed that that book took us up to the events in the original book, and that this book would cover those events. I think I was mistaken, because I don't recall the Green Knight and Morgan la Fey playing roles in Peter Pan...
Then again, I also mentioned that I'd never actually read the book, and am basing this just on the various movie versions and book retellings which have never touched on those characters, though I suppose it's possible.
But I don't think so, because this book mentions Hook's goal in becoming "the main villain" for Pan, who seems to have a bit of a choice in this novel.
Anyway - that aside, overall I liked the story, though not quite as much as the first. This one seemed to drag and retread ground a little bit in places.
It was still pretty quickly placed and definitely swash-buckly in places.
I'm hoping for a third in the series - one which actually does cover the events of the original story, because I'd really like to see the story concluded from the angle of Hook as the savior of the Lost Boys kind of thing.
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