Shadow

About the Book:

Title: Shadow
Series: Heirs of Neverland #2
Author: Kara Swanson
Publisher: Enclave Escape
Release Date: July 13, 2021
Genre: YA Fantasty

Peter Pan has crash-landed back on Neverland. But this is not the island he remembers.

Desperate to rescue Claire and the fractured Lost Boys, Peter must unravel what truly tore his dreamland apart. But with each step, he is haunted by more of his own broken memories. Not even Pan himself is what he seems.

Claire Kenton is chained to a pirate ship, watching the wreckage of Neverland rocked by tempests. When she finally finds her brother, Connor is every bit as shattered as the island. Claire may have pixie dust flowing in her veins—but the light of Neverland is flickering dangerously close to going out forever.

Book Review:

The first book was so engaging and thrilling and I was super excited to read the second book! Shadow is the second book in Kara Swanson’s Peter Pan retelling duology. You need to read the books in order, so if you haven’t read the first book before don’t read this review. I repeat “ IF YOU HAVE NOT READ DUST DO NOT READ THIS REVIEW, THIS WILL HAVE SPOILERS FOR DUST BUT NOT FOR SHADOW

Shadow was just simply, wow! I was kind of worried because I didn’t know how this book would end, but I am really happy with how it went. 

I felt bad for Clara, life was not easy for her. She came to Neverland searching for hope, looking for her brother. However, Neverland was not the place that she dreamed it would be. Claire had to learn to look past herself and see the needs of others. She was no longer the weird girl searching for her brother. 

Peter was such a complex character. He had definitely grown from the first book but he was still far from perfect. There were times where he was still searching for the balance between growing up and being a child. I was saddened by all his mistakes and how they were affecting those around him. But I wanted to cheer when he started to realize that his actions had consequences. Would Peter be willing to make the decision between saving his friends and growing up? Or will he stay a child forever, losing those he loved.

Peter and Claire grew to love each other as they learned to deal with their faults. As they fought to save Neverland, they began to hope for more. It was fun to read about them learning to overcome their fears. But would they be strong enough to face the shadows that threaten to overtake them? 

It was so interesting to see the Lost Boys again, they too were forced to make impossible decisions. But they were not the black and white characters that I thought they would be.The Lost Boys were just trying to do their best to survive a world that was slowly dying. I liked seeing the Lost Boys more, and I began to care for them. All of the side characters were so interesting and intriguing, even the villains were not all I thought 

Shadow was full of twists and turns, I didn’t know how it would end. But I am happy with the ending 🙂 Swanson created a tale that didn’t shy away from the horrors of Peter Pan, but also displayed light and hope. I would recommend Shadow, to those who like adventure and fantasy with a hint of romance. However it is a bit darker so I would give that hint of caution, maybe teens at least 13 and up.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.