5 out of 5 Stars

James Hook knows that he’s not a Lost Boy. He has a Mother and Father who love him… most of the time. With his Father constantly off to sea, and his Mother awaiting the arrival of a new child which seems to be taking up all of her attention James decides that maybe he’ll take this boy Peter Pan up on his offer to go to Neverland where you never grow up… but, just for a visit. James has never worried about growing up. In fact, even at only thirteen, he’s looked forward to it.

“To have a wife and children and to explore the world and conquer the sea.”

But he wouldn’t mind, at least for a little while, seeing the fairies there that Peter says are real, even if he is too old for them.

“Well, of course I’ve read about them in stories, but those are only for children.”

“And aren’t you one?” said Peter, looking around, distractable, touching all the leaves and twigs in his reach. 

“A what?” asked James.

“A children,” replied Peter, looking back at him.

James raised an eyebrow. Pan certainly was no Eton man. Somehow, that mattered less than it should’ve, as James found himself opening his mouth to say that of course he wasn’t “children” . Then an image of him several hours ago, blushing apple-red and struggling not to cry, flashed in his mind. He pursed his lips. Then, glumly: “I suppose I am a child.”

The only issue is, no one “visits” Neverland. Once you arrive it is your home and you are one of Peter’s Lost Boys and you will “play” by his rules.

“Number one, you’re not allowed to know things that I don’t know.”

“Number Two, you’re not allowed to be taller than me.”

“And lastly, and most importantly, absolutely no growing up.”

The problem is that James sees too much, and when he finds that Peter wants him on the island because he is “a Dreamer”, one who dreams up part of the Island he feels a kinship with the Pirates and grow up he shall.

“With his hat, his jacket, his boots, today he was really and truly a pirate. No one who saw him could deny it. And not just a pirate- a captain. He smiled a little wistfully, then wiped the smile from his face before he opened the doors to the deck, wishing to appear menacing. In a band full of pirates, that was no easy task.” 

But, when the newly founded Captain Hook begins to realise that Peter, no matter what parts were dreamt up by other boys, owns the Island. And it loves and will protect him. There’s only one thing left to do.

“Peter, yet again you provoke me,” he said , voice barely audible over the fierce wind.

“What are you going to do about it, old man?”

James thought for a minute, seriously contemplating his answer. Then he turned his face up to the boy and gave him the most honest reply he could. “Kill you, Peter. I will kill you.”

This book is the best twist on Peter Pan I have read so far (and I’ve read a few!) It is the perfect mix of dark and reality. It does get a little violent with the killing, but in more of an understandable way, and I LOVE the way that the parts of Neverland are contributions of the boys and the way that Neverland interacts with Peter.

Never never was also a good mix of James as a child and James as an adult and his transition into Captain Hook was a VERY good explanation of why he becomes who he is. (It’s almost like the “Wicked” of the Peter Pan world) James Hook has his home taken from him, his parents taken from him and Love taken from him, all by the Pan and you can almost hate Peter by the end of it.

I HIGHLY recommend this book! Even if you’re not a fan of fairy tale twists or even if you love Peter Pan and you don’t know how you would feel about him not being such a nice guy who just wants to play and never grow up, GIVE THIS BOOK A CHANCE!

If you’d like to learn more about the Author Brianna R. Shrum feel free to reach out to her on Twitter @briannashrum  to check into her upcoming release “The Art of French Kissing” Releasing June 5th 2018!

Never Never is Best Served With

A Josee

So…. I have no idea if this is how the cocktail is spelled. This is another of the cocktails that I learned in Cuba and had one of the bartenders at the Velentin Pearla Blanca nice enough to show me how to make it! By the way I made the napkin rose in the picture! The waiter there showed us how to make them!

Ingredients

• 1oz Gin
• 1oz White Rum
• 2oz Orange Juice
• Top with Pre Fab Margarita Mix

Directions

1. Put in glass in order of list top to bottom
2. Stir
3. CHEERS!!

I know, I know… Not too inspired. But, MAN IS IT GOOD!!