Wendy, Darling is a Peter Pan/ Return to Neverland retelling. Wendy Darling remembers her childhood trip with her brothers to Neverland, but she is the only one who does. Her family was never able to reconcile her stories with her time gone and eventually had Wendy institutionalized in a psychiatric hospital. Years later Wendy is now married and has a daughter of her own, Jane. One night Peter returns and steals Jane from her room, and Wendy knows she is the only person who can save her. But once Wendy returns to Neverland she realizes everything has changed. What was once innocent games is now something sinister.

Peter Pan is one of my favorites and I loved this imagining of him as a villain. The interactions with the Lost Boys gave me Lord of the Flies vibes and Wise did an amazing job turning Neverland into a world of nightmares instead of dreams.

I was pleasantly surprised to find some LGBT representation as well as acknowledging racism during the early 1900s. We watch Wendy grow into a strong woman who fights back against her oppressors in every way she can.

When Wendy Darling was a child, she went off with her brother and Peter Pan to have wonderful adventures in Neverland. Now, grown up and married with a daughter of her own, she is forced to go on another big adventure to save her daughter Jane. Peter has come to claim her as his new Wendy and has taken her to Neverland. Wendy returns to a world she believed she would never see again, but Neverland is not as she remembers it. But then again, neither is Wendy.

"Once invited, always welcome - that's his way."

I was so intrigued by the premise of this book and I have to say it did not disappoint. I loved the gloomy foreboding vibe to it and I'm a sucker for a bit of horror. This is a dark and twisty retelling of the original Peter Pan story, set years later. There are two timelines: the one set in the now (1931) and the one set around 1917. In the flashback parts we get to find out what happened to Wendy and her brothers after their return from Neverland, which was very interesting to see. In the 'now' parts, there are two perspectives: Wendy's and her daughter Jane's. For me, using the two perspectives definitely added something to the story. The only thing that I had a tiny issue with sometimes were the long inner dialogues. Of course they were needed for character growth, but it was a bit tedious to read sometimes. I did enjoy reading it, though, and the story kept me captivated the entire time. I never knew I needed this feminist retelling in my life, but it turns out I did!

"Life is unfair, that's what happens when you grow up.”

The women in this book are all portrayed as strong, independent warriors and survivors, which I absolutely LOVED. There is also so much character growth in Wendy, because not only is she forced to physically confront her past, she also wages a war within herself. I felt like her mission wasn't only finding her daughter Jane, but also finding herself.

Thank you to Netgalley, Titan Books and A.C. Wise for giving me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“He'd demanded love like a shield, without understanding that love can be a blade as well, cutting far sharper than any pirate's sword. Loving something means having something to lose.”

Overall rating: ★★★½

I wanted very badly to be swept away by this story, but I made it about 40% and decided to set it aside for the moment.

I'm sure my expectations have something to do with this; I was hoping for something new. As it is, I've read Brom's The Child Thief and it kind of nailed the maybe-evil Peter Pan thing.

SO! This story read a lot like women's fiction in that we get lots of thoughts and feelings, but somehow, they didn't make me care more about what happened to these people? Once I realized that, I had to put it down. Maybe others will have better luck than me!

I'd rather not rate a book I did not finish, but the site won't let me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book to review.

There’s nothing that I love more than a dark Neverland retelling and this book gave me exactly that. And it was done very well! The concept of this Neverland was different than anything else that I’d read in the past.

I also enjoyed reading this book from both Wendy and Jane. Very rarely do we see Peter Pan retellings about adult Wendy and even rarer do we have any about Jane. I felt that these characters were very representative of the originals, Wendy in particular. There was never a moment where she felt out of character to me in this book.

The same goes for Peter, who is exactly as he is in Barrie’s book. Obnoxious, full of himself, sometimes controlling of those around him. While I love the fantasy version of Peter who is always happy, darker versions of Peter is where my heart really lies.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves any adaptation of Peter Pan. Wendy, Darling puts a spin on the story that will leave everyone guessing and give a new perspective about Neverland. Or for anyone wondering what happens after—after Wendy grows up, after Peter takes Jane to Neverland, and after the Darling brothers returned from their adventure with Peter.

What a great idea for a story; whatever happened to Wendy Darling and her brothers after they met Peter Pan and then returned home from Neverland.

When Peter arrives at the window one night, years later, looking for Wendy, he can’t believe she has grown up. He takes Jane, Wendy’s daughter, with him back to Neverland and she must do everything she can to get her daughter back home.
Wendy isn’t the daydreaming little girl she used to be, and Peter isn’t the childhood hero that she thought he was.
A much darker story that may shatter your beliefs about the boy who never grows up. Loved this!

“Wendy Darling” is a dark continuation of the popular “Peter Pan” story. It follows the life of Wendy after her adventures in Neverland and then her journey to get her daughter, Jane, back from Peter Pan who mistakenly takes Jane for Wendy.

As you’d imagine, telling your parents that you were gone for weeks living on an island with mermaids and pirates and other magical creatures would lead them to think you’d lost your sense of reality. Well that’s exactly what happens to Wendy.

I enjoyed reading Wendy’s flashback scenes. It helped add layers to her character. Wendy dealt with PTSD which really isn’t discussed in other children’s novels.

I liked the book. It had many good sequences. At times I felt like it glossed over the characters from Peter Pan. I also think the last battle could have been better and maybe more descriptive. It wasn’t bad, I just think it could have been better.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of the book.

3.5 of 5 stars
https://lynns-books.com/2021/06/07/wendy-darling-by-ac-wise/
My Five Word TL:DR Review. Very dark, no fairy dust

Wendy, Darling is definitely a dark retelling of the Peter Pan, Neverland, Lost Boys story. It shines a much more sinister light on the original story and examines themes of family, mental health and memory and the way it sometimes distorts truth into illusively perfect snapshots of the past that reach new heights of perfection as time moves forward.

As the story begins we meet Wendy, now a mother with a young daughter Jane. Jane is taken by Peter, I could say in a moment of mistaken identity but I don’t really believe that’s the case, he didn’t want a Wendy that had grown older, he wanted the young girl he remembered and so he took Jane. It’s kind of ironic that Peter wants a ‘mother’ figure for himself and his lost boys but at the same time wants a child rather than an adult in the role, he doesn’t want an adult to tell them what to do he simply wants someone who is perceived to be looking after them, believing their stories and administering band aids when necessary. Now, Wendy must return to Neverland, a place that she left willingly, not afraid to grow up, but that she still holds cherished memories of, to rescue her daughter

We have two different timelines here. We return to a much younger version of Wendy who remains steadfast in her belief that Neverland exists. Her brothers have both changed their minds, believing it was make believe, but Wendy still insists and it is this persistence in the face of rationality that eventually sees her placed in an asylum. Of course, in the era this retelling is set it wasn’t unknown for ‘troublesome’ females to be placed in such institutions to rid families of either an embarrassment or difficult family member. In fact the story of the young girl that Wendy befriends whilst incarcerated is truly awful. The other storyline is the adult Wendy version who has a marriage, a daughter and a best friend.

Ultimately of course the story takes place in Neverland, both the ‘then’ and the ‘now’. We slowly reveal some of the memories that Wendy has repressed over the years before she came up with her rose tinted perfect version of events. The Island is different and as Wendy explores the terrain in search of her daughter she realises that the idyll has long since disappeared. Meanwhile, Jane is trying to come to terms with this strange place that she has been dropped into. Peter literally drops her amongst the Lost Boys and expects her to pick up their care. She struggles to remember her own name sometimes becoming almost consumed with the thrill of the chase and the games. As Jane begins to recapture her own sense of identity she also becomes aware of the slightly sinister feel to this life. Peter has secrets for sure but much worse than his secrets is the desperation which drives him to insist that they’re all having fun, a desperation that fuels his constant need to find new games to play, insisting that everyone is enjoying themselves whether they like it or not. Fear and bullying are a very real element of this world that help to keep the boys firmly in place and malleable to Peter’s every whim.

The setting is predominantly Neverland with a little bit of London and also the time Wendy spent in an institution. I’m not going to give anything away about Neverland in this later iteration but it isn’t quite the sparkling fun filled paradise that it once seemed.

The characters. Well, we have Wendy and her two brothers. One now traumatised by his experiences during the war and the other in complete denial of childhood events. We have the lost boys, Peter and a monster living at the heart of the island. Suspiciously absent was Tinkerbell but Tiger Lily plays a strong role.

In terms of criticisms. I liked this and thought it was an interesting take with a strong feminist slant. However, if you’re coming here, like Wendy in this retelling, with strong and rosy feelings of nostalgia then you’re likely to be disappointed. There is no fairy dust, no swirly mustachioed pirates or beautiful if slightly peevish mermaids. There is still a lot of petty adolescents, rivalries, vying for attention and a strange Lord of the Flies feel to the Lost Boys overall, and Peter, whilst you could still think him a boy simply refusing to grow up you would be hard pressed to deny that he is somewhat manipulative. On top of this, there is a slightly bloated feeling to this, it takes its time to set scenes and provide background but sometimes it feels a little bit too distracting, pulling you away from the plot. I also felt like the ending was a little rushed and I’m not one hundred percent on what really happened.

All that being said, I enjoyed this one. It is dark, gothic in fact, given the London feel and the asylum. it certainly kept my attention and I wouldn’t hesitate to read more by this author.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

“He’d demanded love like a shield, without understanding that love can be a blade as well, cutting far sharper than any pirate’s sword. Loving something means having something to lose, something that Wendy understands all too well and Peter never will.”

Back from Neverland and unable to move on from her adventures with Peter, Wendy is shunned for her wild tales. Micheal and John have forgotten their time spent in the magical land and after years of trying to put everything behind them they conclude they have no choice but to lock Wendy up. That was 11 years ago. Before Wendy grew up, before she married and had a daughter. And before Peter stole Jane. Told through the pov of Wendy and her daughter Jane the transitions between present day and the past are absolutely seamless. This story is raw and emotional, dismantling the tale of Peter and neverland one horrific secret at a time.

As far as a retelling goes I wouldn’t label it as one more so as a grown up behind the scenes extension. The bridge between what we remember as children and the reality we are faced with, flushed out in the form of satisfactory revenge and redemption. I loved every second of this, the writing style, the character development. Every bit of it was captivating and grounded.

3’5

Here we have a lush, dark and sometimes scary Peter Pan retelling. Because Neverland might not be exactly as Wendy remembers, and what happens when her old childhood adventure threatens her current adult life, her daughter?

I love seeing a retelling in which Wendy is an adult, because Peter Pan is ultimately a story about childhood, so what happens when you add an adult to the mixture?

Here we have two perspectives: Jane’s (Wendy’s daughter), who is kidnapped by Peter and brought to Neverland against her will, and Wendy’s, that has to face her past in order to rescue her daughter. Also, Wendy’s perspective is divided between the present (1931) and the past (1917), when she was in an asylum after coming back from Neverland. Her brothers forgot about Neverland, dismissing it as make-believe stories, but she clung to her childhood adventure even when she was “too old” for it.

I must admit the asylum bits were very interesting parts. They were not easy, because she endured some harsh and dehumanizing treatments. But the relationship she forges with Mary, another intern, is really enriching.

Neverland, on the other hand, was interesting but in a different way. Once again (because it happens in many retellings), Peter is portrayed as almost a villain, cruel, selfish and manipulative. And it shows in the way he treats Neverland and in the way he treats the Lost Boys. Some passages even reminded me of Lord of the flies, I think that’ll give you an idea of how things are there.

I also enjoyed the fact that this retelling introduces an aromantic character, and some issues about misogyny and racism. It also didn’t go the way I expected with Wendy’s husband, which was a nice surprise and a change for once.

I found interesting the “backstory” given for Peter, but I would have needed more details. And the same with the ending (where that backstory came into play): it felt way too rushed. I needed more explanations.

I liked this book, it is beautifully written. It doesn’t reach my top favorite Peter Pan retellings just because I’m not that big o fan of darker stories, but it’s a very interesting approach to this beloved story.

It’s a feminist story about what happens to Wendy after the events of Peter Pan. What more could you ask for?

But seriously, one of my favorite “retellings” of all time. Even though it is set around the 1930s (I think), It dealt with topics like sexuality and feminism. I loved Wendy and how her character is portrayed. Also Jane, Wendy’s daughter.

Overall I really recommend this book if you like Peter Pan or just creepy retellings in general

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me a copy of this eARC.
I was extremely interested after reading the synopsis of this book, a spin of Wendy from Peter Pan sounded more whimsical and the adult life of Wendy seemed like such a mature take on it. I highly recommend this!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me access to an e-arc !
The synopsis of this book got me really excited unofrtunately I don't think this book was my cup of tea. The writting was absolutely beautiful but it was a too poetic for me if thaht make sense. The story was interesting and that's why i kept reading but it took me way longer to fisnish this book than what I would have thought.

When Wendy Darling was a child she was taken from her bed at night and transferred to the wonderful world of Neverland, to live with Peter Pan and his Lost Boys. When she returned no-one believed her story. She became distrusted and feared and the only place for such a woman as her was behind bars. And so Wendy learned to keep her truths firmly locked inside of her.

Years passed in peace and relative happiness until, one night, Peter Pan returned. This time, he did not come to take his Wendy away again, not when she had performed the ultimate sin of growing up, and his sights were set on someone else, instead. This someone was Wendy's own daughter, Jane.

I am interested in any retelling but do sometimes find too much of the original remain inside the new version of it. By setting this story so many years later, Wise ensured this felt fresh and exciting throughout, whilst still retaining the whimsy and wonder present in its template.

One of my favourite aspects of this book was the brilliant conjuring of emotion related to setting. As Wendy traversed both this world and Neverland the reader became aware of every small alteration in mood and feeling that the place she was in evoked. Examples such as the one below, when Wendy was entering an asylum, really stood out to me:

“The air changes immediately, heavy and dim. Wendy feels the loss of the sky overhead like a stolen breath. She hadn’t realised how much comfort she had been drawing from that stretch of blue.”

And this one, when a grown Wendy returns to Neverland, for the first time :

“Her pulse falls out of time with the tide, beating a more complicated rhythm - half love, half fear… This is the place her heart belongs; this is the place that stole her daughter away.

The first time she was here, everything seemed uncomplicated. And now? Is this what growing up means, the thing that terrifies Peter so? As a child she only saw bright colours, pure sunlight, or utter dark. All of Neverland is built around those stark contrasts - the sun becoming the moon in the blink of an eye, the sharp demarcation between beach and forest, Hook and his pirates versus Peter and his boys.”

You can see, in both examples, how closely linked place and time were to both emotion and action. I loved witnessing this consistent mirroring, that featured throughout.

I’m also glad a confrontation of the racism of the original text was included. Adult Wendy makes a friend called Mary White Dog, who reminds her of Tiger Lily. The latter’s culture, race, and identity was assumed from her skin colour, and through Peter Pan’s assertions, but Wendy learns from Mary that much of it may have been false. Tiger Lily’s mistreatment continues to be explored as she later enters into the story.

Much of this book was a whimsical fantasy tale, but also so much of it focused on real-world problems, such as racism and misogyny, that feature just as prominently in Neverland as out of it. Wendy and Jane were two strong protagonists and their joint stories highlighted the atrocities that occurred to both of them and the women surrounding them. They were subdued for a while but struggled to fight back against their oppression. Wise let their voices by heard and they were unabashed at the noise they made.

I loved this re-imagining of the Peter Pan story, especially the exploration of Wendy's life after Neverland, and how it continued to affect her life. My only issue is that the ending left me with several unanswered questions.

💫 Book Review 💫
Wendy Darling by A.C. Wise

Is it possible to be historical fiction, fantasy, love story and thriller all in one? If it is, it’s within these pages.

Wendy Darling is a dark take into the children’s novel Peter Pan. Wendy is a grown up now with a daughter of her own who is dealing with the frantic loss of that nursery door being open once again, this time for her daughter Jane.

Weaving the tale between 3 POV, you learn about what happened to Wendy when she returned with John & Michael after Neverland.. and the trauma of life within an mental institution. For Neverland can never exist within reality or that’s what they tell her within the walls of the asylum. Her chance to get out is in the gentle hand of Ned, her arranged marriages husband who holds his own secrets and gives Wendy a safe home. A home where friendship and love come in different forms before the arrival of Peter Pan.

I have to admit that at times I cringed at the pain experienced; cheered as Jane and Wendy knew their own true strength; and most importantly loved when Wendy & Ned found their own true love.. despite wether society found it acceptable or not.

If you enjoy books based on childhood tales... a recreation of sorts... you’ll enjoy this. Just keep in mind that this is a Peter that is dark. A boy that refuses to grow up and where darkness lives within the fantasy land of Neverland.

The writing was beautiful. The fantasy brought back so many feelings. And I truly felt the trauma that Wendy experienced. My favourite part was when Wendy found her own voice. Her own truth. Well done

3.5-4 stars

I really enjoy horror retelling of well known fairy tales so I was really keen to read this book when I heard about it. I found the book really compelling and loved the characters. The writing was excellent and i felt really on edge reading it while desperate to finish it and find out what the story behind Neverland and Peter was. However, it genuinely felt like a letdown. There wasn't a satisfying conclusion and Wendy as a character didn't particularly grow or become any more maternal which would've been nice to see. Overall though, this is a book that I will recommend to fans of Christina Henry.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I am by no means a Peter Pan fanatic. I've seen the Disney animated movie and Hook, but never read the book or gone deep into the canon or other retellings. But something about this book's description really caught my attention, and I'm so glad I read it. I enjoyed AC Wise's look into what happened after Neverland for Wendy. It was dark and fascinating and I loved rooting for Wendy. Plot was really well paced and I also enjoyed Jane's perspective and character development, along with Mary's and Wendy's. Lots of strong women in this book!

Wendy Darling by A.C. Wise is a great fantasy novel digging deeper into Neverland, trying to get to the whys and hows and falling into the dark depth of a world of innocence lost.
There is a lot of good in this book, the emotions truly felt genuine. I loved that the hero is a mum. Maybe because I am a mum and it’s nice to see people with a history and worries and a family already, and complicated love lives, not just the beginning of feelings blooming.
What I liked less was the fact the story was very predictable. The pace is well maintained, but the darkness hinted at is exactly what it is expected to be, and in the end, there is not many answers given about it. Wendy is truly the centre of the story and even those basic questions we might have liked to be clearer, stay too vague. In fact, the ending to me felt rushed in many ways. I would have liked more solid answers.

✨“Forget them Wendy. Forget them all. Come with me where you'll never, never have to worry about grown up things again.”✨
― J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan

🌷Wendy, Darling, by A.C. Wise is a feminist retelling told from the duel POV of now adult Wendy and her young daughter, Jane.

One night Peter Pan makes a reappearance, and searching for a young Wendy to be his and the lost boys Mother again, he plucks Jane (who looks just like her mother) from her bed, and takes her to Neverland.

Wendy must fly to the heart of the island and rescue her daughter, for Neverland is not a place belonging to innocence and dreams, but holds a dark secret that has haunted her for years.

🌸A great book that hooked me from the get go. It’s an interesting spin on the classic tale, and I really enjoyed it. Although, I got a little sad that Peter wasn’t cast in the best light, but hey ho, I got over it😂. Team Darling!

Thank you @Netgallery, and @TitanBooks for this great read!

Read. Be happy. Stay safe.

This was a creepy, dark, and interesting Peter Pan retelling that was like unlike anything I'd read before.

The story is told from two perspectives in the past and the present. Wendy's story mainly covers on her time after Neverland and focuses on the repercussions of trying to get people to believe that Neverland is real. Wendy's past is incredibly dark and traumatizing and a bit difficult to read at times. After a decade of trauma,, Wendy starts a family and has a daughter named Jane. The present day timeline covers Jane's time in Neverland after she is taken away by Peter and Wendy's journey to save her.

The dual perspectives and timelines really gave depth to the story and made it complete and comprehensive. It made Wendy into a fully developed and multi-faceted character. My only small complaint is that the book was very introspective and there were very long passages of reflection that slowed the plot a little at times.

Not only is Wendy's past dark, but Neverland is painted as place with dark undertones where everything isn't quite as nice as it seems. During the parts where Jane was in Neverland I found the writing to be intense and it made my heart race. There was a delicacy to the writing that walked a fine line between child's fairy tale and psychological thriller that was completely unique.

The last 20% of the book was fast paced and full of twists and reveals that were completely unexpected and unique. I really loved this book and would definitely recommend to people who enjoy creepier stories and retellings.

Thank you NetGalley and Titan Books for the ARC.