God of Neverland will charm fans of J.M. Barrie's original Peter Pan and the many retellings and interpretations that have followed.
Michael Darling never wanted to return to Neverland. He is the last of the Lost Boys to remember his time there, but he's put all of that behind him now. Sure, he followed that period of childhood adventure by joining the Knights of the Round, a secret organization fighting to protect humanity from the supernatural. But he chose to walk away from that and engage in as ordinary a life as possible--that is, until the Knights summon him. They inform him that Peter Pan has gone missing, which will have dire consequences for Neverland and all children. Despite his longing for a normal life, Michael finds himself heading back to that mysterious island, which is just past the second star to the right and straight on until morning.
Gama Ray Martinez (Beastwalker) brings readers swashbuckling pirate duels, encounters with mermaids and appearances by beloved characters such as Wendy Darling and Tinkerbell. But there are also ghosts, witches, a trip to the Underworld and plenty of monsters to battle. If sometimes slow-paced and predictable, it is still an enjoyable story that occasionally probes with poignancy the space between childhood and adulthood. By rejoining the Darlings on this slightly darker adventure, readers--much like Michael--might just remember how to tap into their own memories as well as the very spirit of childhood belief. --Michelle Anya Anjirbag, freelance reviewer