Never Ever: a Tale of Captain Hook

Villains #9

by Serena Valentino

The 9th book in the New York Times bestselling Villains series tells the tale of the rise and fall of the infamous pirate, Captain Hook—a boy who grew up. Before Peter Pan and Wendy. Before the Lost Boys. There was just a boy named James who wanted to get back to Neverland. As a baby, James Bartholomew fell out of his pram and was taken to Neverland. James is claimed by his parents just shy of seven days—after which he would have officially become a Lost Boy. Once he returns to London, he never stops thinking about Neverland. As he grows up, he hates his life in London, and everything to do with growing up and eventually becoming a gentleman. So he seeks a position on the ship of the infamous pirate, Blackbeard. On Blackbeard's ship he learns to be a cutthroat pirate, and eventually becomes captain of his own ship, which James is determined to sail to Neverland. With the help of the Odd Sisters and a bit of magic, he just might get his wish. But returning to Neverland comes at a price—and now that he's grown up, the whole world seems to be rooting for his demise…

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Retellings, Fiction, Audiobook, Fairy Tales, Pirates

Paperback

First published July 19, 2022

About the author

Serena Valentino is best known for weaving tales that combine mythos and guile with her work on the comic book series GloomCookie and Nightmares & Fairy Tales, and her best selling Disney Villain Novels which have earned her critical acclaim for her unique style of storytelling, bringing her readers into exquisitely frightening worlds filled with terror, beauty and extraordinary female protagonists.

Her Disney Villain novel series would be best enjoyed if read in this order: Fairest of All: The Story of the Wicked Queen, The Beast Within: The Story of Belle’s Prince, Poor Unfortunate Soul: A Tale of the Sea Witch, Mistress of All Evil: A Tale of the Dark Fairy. Mother Knows Best: A Tale of the Old Witch and The Odd Sisters: A Villains Book to be released in Summer 2019. Book 7 will be out Summer 2020, Book 8 summer of 2021, and Book 9 Summer of 2022.

Serena lives in New Orleans with her dog Gozer, and a very tiny kitty named Momma.



Contact: Serena@serenavalentino.com

Reviews

[Books_and_Crafts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter Pan is by no means my favorite fairytale but THIS BOOK was amazing!

Obviously this focuses on Captain Hook's story, his background, where he came from and all that, more than it does Peter Pan. It completely ties in to the original Disney film!

What I loved most about this book is how well it tied the entire Disney Villains Series together as far as timelines, plot lines and all of the different characters that we have seen in the previous 8 books! You get to learn so much more about basically everyone and how they relate to each other.

The Odd Sisters played a pretty big role in James' life like they did in the other Villains. But unlike some stories, we got to see them directly interact rather than from afar. We got to see more cursed objects, and how some of those objects came to be in other Villains possession!

This is all in addition to James getting to sail with and learn from Blackbeard himself! Daring sword fights, battling Kraken, and making a name for himself on the seas lead to the acquisition of the Jolly Roger.

This book just solidified the Disney Multiverse for me <3

Huge thank you to Serena Valentino herself for sending me this book ahead of time and writing amazing books that bring communities together!

[Valerie Wallis · Rating 2 out of 5]

The more I keep reading these books the more confused I get when she incorporates the odd sisters and then the other sisters now when she should really focus on the villains story.

[Robert Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serena Valentino has done it again and better than ever! “Never, Never” is the backstory of the infamous Captain Hook and how he become such a vicious villian. While we all think we know the story of Captain Hook, you’ve only learned one side of the story. Serena has an amazing way of teleporting you into the backstory of this villian and making the reader feel terrible for them! I have read all of Serena Valentino’s stories and “Never, Never” truly is at home with this villians series. You will not regret reading this book and learning the real man l story of Captain Hook. Remember there are always two sides to every story and that person you think is evil may be who you least expect it. 5 STARS ALL THE WAY!

[Yas · Rating 3 out of 5]

بیچاره جیمز💔 فقط دلش نورلند میخواست:(
هیچ وقت داستان پیترپن و کاپیتان هوک برام جالب نبود... و خب درست نمیدونم چیه😂
جیمز زود رفت پی دزد دریایی شدن و تا ۵۰ص‌ای که خوندم ساده بود. بقیه‌اشم نگاه اجمالی انداختم و راستش نویسنده با خواهران نفرین شده شورشو دراورده:/

[Mina ☾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm feeling bad for Captain Hook!

Even though "everyone" advised him about his destiny/his fate, he didn't listened and now he is trapped in this horrible land with a worst roller as a villain.

Never Never was my first book by this author - YEP... I didn't read yet the other books by this series but you totally can understand this story without ever reading the other ones.

I gave 5 stars - as you probably see it - however I think that has a lack of intensity. I just feel this need for a better insight of his time as a children in Neverland and a better insight of his mind and his grow obsession (that follows him trough adulthood) with his time in this magical land.

Maybe my feelings were a bit shady because of another recently read that tells another story about Hook with more intensity and mystery. So take this in your mind.

*) The other book mentioned about Hook was Hooked >> Read this one too!

[Kit (Metaphors and Moonlight) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 7th Hook-focused book I've read, the 6th origin story (I just like to establish what number I'm on each time I review another one lol). And unfortunately, it was bland.

James's character wasn't very interesting or complex. His obsession with getting back to Neverland, with *SPOILER* wanting to be a kid again, *END SPOILER* could've been interesting, but it wasn't really explored, just something I was repeatedly told.

The story wasn't very exciting. There was a lot of explanation and just James talking to the magical characters who might help him.

I know this is not an adult book. I'm unsure if it's more YA or children's. Depending on the age it's meant for, I obviously understand the story isn't going to delve into certain things. I can't speak for kids (I can't even speak for other adults, everyone has different tastes). Still, if it wasn't going to get into anything too dark or complex, it could've had a little more excitement or something.

I will note, I have not read any other books in this series. Maybe I'd have enjoyed the stuff about the Kingdoms and Odd Sisters and all that more if I'd read the other books.

The audiobook narration by John York was good, I enjoyed it. It sounded natural.

Overall, this was a Hook backstory that had potential to be interesting but lacked the depth that would've made it so for me. Perhaps younger readers would enjoy it more.

*Note: This is part of a series, but the previous books are not necessary in order to understand this one. Each book focuses on a different character. But as I have not read the previous books, I don't know how much other stuff carries over.*

*Rating: 3 Stars // Read Date: 2023 // Format: Audiobook*

Recommended For:
Anyone who likes Hook backstories that don't delve too deep, short books, and perhaps previous books in Serena Valentino's Villains series (though I have not read them, so I don't think they're necessary if you don't want to read them).

Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight

[akacya ❦ · Rating 4 out of 5]

2024 reads: 165/250

this is the ninth book in the villains series.

before peter pan and wendy, there was a boy named james who was desperate to return to neverland. he learns to be a pirate on blackbeard’s ship, leading to captaining his own ship he wants to use to return to neverland.

just like the other books in this series, this was a quick, but fun, read. i really liked the role fate played in this book, even though it was cruel to our protagonist. we also got some more explanation as to how all the stories are linked together, which was pretty interesting. i’m excited to read the next book!

[Meg Mueller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked James before he became Hook. He was a genuinely kind and respectable young man. I feel like the “becoming a villain” parts of these books are so rushed they almost feel fake or unbelievable. The series books were definitely more interesting in the beginning than they have been with the past few.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, amazing, amazing. I really like the story of Peter Pan, so this was really great as well. This book was really well intertwined with all the previous ones, even though the chronological order is completely different from the book order!!

I'm sad I will start with the 10th and last one of this series, but I really can't stop reading these. They're so nostalgic and addictive...

[Reading is my Escape · Rating 4 out of 5]

Verdict: Valentino does another fabulous job of making us love the villain. The story of James Hook was enough to make me despise Peter Pan and the Lost Boys.

Captain James Hook would like it known he is the bravest man to ever hoist a pirate flag.
- first line

James was once a Lost Boy. All his life, he only wanted to get back to Neverland. I loved this story of James’s journey, and I sometimes felt sorry for him. He wanted to belong, but it didn’t turn out as expected. Of course, the Odd Sisters had their hands in his fate, and not for the better. If you enjoyed the rest of the series, you will love this one. And if you haven’t read any of the Villains series, start with the first book, Fairest of All.

[Kaylee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, I should probably just stop reading this series. Again, it's because my mom has it and it's there to read, and I was in between books. Quick, easy reads but not that enjoyable. For a bit I thought they were going to stop focusing so much on the Odd Sisters (especially after their book) but it seems like it's trending that way again. So much was about them here and... It's frustrating.

Especially since it's super repetitive, especially after Blackbeard (who I enjoyed). Not only is it just repetitive throughout in general, but it also tells us about what we've already read with the Odd Sister's and Circe, and their history. I get wanting to throw in a bit of it for if people are reading them out of order (also, just recommend reading them in order instead), but it isn't done well especially since it's said multiple times throughout this book.

Tying into the above, the author will talk to the reader like they don't know anything. Like, [...]James had disappeared from his pram (or stroller, depending on where in the world you are reading this). These things can be looked up. But that part is me being nit-picky and, I think, that's just because of my other frustrations surrounding this book.

Mindreading. I have a pet peeve with this so... That's on me. I just find it an easy out - a shortcut, and unimaginative to throw this in a story. Not saying it can't be done well but it so rarely is. It felt especially in poor taste here with what Circe was trying to accomplish.
 
Not to mention one of my biggest pet peeves of them all:
It was like he was the villain of a fairy tale, the dreaded pirate, and that was not the role he wanted to play in this story. 🙄

There have been a couple of these that have been decent so, as my mom continues to buy them, I'll probably continue to read. Just really wish they were more about the villains the title claims and less about the Odd Sisters.

[kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter pan was always my childhood favourite disney film so to learn about Captain James Hooks past had me intrigued. The odd sisters are back (kind off). Circe is queen on the dead woods along with Primrose and Hazel. Captain Hooks story is a sad one and one that could have been avoided if he’d have just chosen the right path or not, if you believe the odd sisters notion that fairy tales and fate can’t be changed. I liked the concept at the end that Neverland if some kind of after life which is what i had thought for years.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Peter Pan isn't my favorite, I really enjoyed this story. It worked well with the other books and advanced The Odd Sisters story nicely.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this in the way I like all retellings. However, I thought these were all stand alone, each following a different Disney villain (hence why I started with the 9th book in the series), but it seems like they are all intertwined and centered around "the odd sisters", so I might have to start from the beginning instead of jumping around.

That being said, I did like it as a how did James become Hook backstory.

[~Amber~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, so this may be a favorite so far or at least a top three. I loved seeing Captain Hook’s POV and how the entire story still ties in with all the other books. I just love these books they are a quick read and just jammed packed with good stuff.

[BAM doesn’t answer to her real name]

7/19/22

[Emily Clifton · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is for you if… you kind of want a fun retelling of Captain Hook but you mostly want someone mansplaining the Odd Sisters

[Indy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was pretty fun. I’ve read a few of the books but not the entirety of the series yet, so the friends I read it with filled me in on things they felt I would miss.

I don’t know that I entirely enjoy the whys in this book, but it was a general enjoyable book to read. There was adventure, and it was interesting, though some parts did seem to run on a little long.

Valentino has a great way of tying things together and it does kind of give you a good feeling when you see dots connect, but some of them I didn’t particularly enjoy.


LIKE WHY IS HE DEAD??? HOW is he dead?! He “died” fighting the Kraken, yet he was corporeal enough to go to London, sell goods, buy a coat, and leave his mother money and write her a note?

I would just like that to make sense. Otherwise everything else was cool. Enjoyable fanfic. I’ll probably read the rest of the series too.

[Hannah]

I'm not giving this a star rating for two reasons...
1) This book is definitely written for a younger audience than myself. For this reason I found it to be very simplistic and convenient but I can't really fault the book for that because of the demographic it's written for.
2) These books are meant to be read in publication order as there are characters that tie all the villains stories together. I didn't realize this till I read this one so there's elements of the story that didn't make sense to me because I didn't have the context from the previous books.

That being said, I did really enjoy/appreciation the beginning of Captain Hook's backstory. Having Mr. Smee be his childhood butler was a nice touch. Would 100% recommend this series if you're a big Disney fan/younger reader (read them in order though!!)

[Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Frightful Possible Story of the Beginning of Neverland

I have always wished to know the story of Hook losing his hand and this book definitely gives a possible scenario. It is heart wrenching at times and touching in others. I wanted to give it a higher rating, but I just can't agree with it's overarching message that we can't escape our destinies. That rings hollow and heartbreaking to me. The James portrayed here easily could have changed his course of becoming evil.

[Julie Martinez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shakespearean tragedy right here. James, breaking with family tradition, responsibilities, and wealth, aspires to become a pirate and return to Never Land (a spot he visited as a toddler (lost boy)). But he finds himself the unwilling villain, beholden to at least 7 different witches, Blackbeard, Peter, crocodiles, and hell I lost count. A man of fortune he is not.

[celina · Rating 4 out of 5]

i am literally confused about the disney villains timeline ngl

[fannisbookland · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5⭐️

[Nicole McElwaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun. I very much loved the incorporation of the Odd Sisters into the story. Learning of Captain Hook’s origin and his life’s desire to find Never-Land was entertaining. I just wished I hadn’t stalled on continuing the series for so long!

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea what to expect from this Captain Hook story. I'm now gonna say something weird, but I haven't seen the Peter Pan Disney movie that often. I mostly love Neverland because of the original novel and the countless retellings I've read. However, so far this series, even though it's still Disney and not that deep, kept on surprising me. So, when my copy of this book came in yesterday I already knew what I was gonna read this morning!

This book totally and absolutely positively surprised me! What I loved most is that this book uses a lot of very popular theories surrounding Peter Pan and Neverland and manages to connect them with the Disney tale everyone knows. I don't want to give too much away, but I really loved how smoothly everything fit into this background tale and how everything we eventually get to see in the animated movie has not changed one bit.

And of course this book also had a starring role for the Odd Sisters. You either hate or love them, but I'm quite impressed with the big scheme and plot they're working on, especially when you keep in mind that time in this universe is a strange and not so lineair thing. In this book their role in everything was extremely nasty, especially because as a reader you already know how Hook's wish to find Neverland will end.

Surprisingly enough I also really really really liked James in this book! I think his final look somehow doesn't match the kind of man described in the beginning of the story, but no matter how he looks on the cover it's hard not to feel for him, not to admire his willpower, his perseverance and his capacity to hold on to a dream and to keep on fighting to make that dream true. My heart really broke when nothing turned out for him as he had planned.

I can't wait for the next installment! At least, I hope there's gonna be one!

[Laura.has.too.many.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

* I would strongly recommend to read the previous books in this series, as some of them are tied into this story.

Since he fell out off his stroller and spend six days in Never Land, James has been in search of a way to return to this magical land. He decides the best solution would be to become a dashing pirate, in search for treasure and magic to get him what he really wants. Becoming an apprentice of the famous pirate Blackbeard and setting out on many adventures, James never loses sight of his ultimate goal. But the Odd Sisters have set their sights on him a long time ago and even their powerful sister Circe cannot keep James from his doomed fate.

Damn, this time I really felt for the title character, as James sails straight into his doomed fate and becomes the treacherous Captain Hook. As a villainous origin story, this book is really great, as it ties in straight to the original Disney movie/ fairy tale. This book was great and I'm a bit sad it is one of the thinnest books in the series thus far. James was never really evil, just in search for his dreams and adventure and I feel really bad that the Odd Sisters took such an advantage of him and his dream. I need more books like this and I have my fingers crossed the next entry will be just as great.

[Laurie &#x1f90d; | laulausworld · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,6⭐️

Tout d’abord, retrouver mon Capitaine Crochet et l’univers des pirates ça a été le must du must pour moi pendant cette lecture.

Ici, on retrouve un James qui a vécu quelques jours au Pays Imaginaire étant enfant et qui n’a qu’un désire en tête : y retourner. Il va étudier à fond pour tout connaître sur l’univers de la piraterie dans le but d’intégrer un équipage et de voguer vers le Pays Imaginaire.

James, avant de devenir le Capitaine Crochet, est un homme touchant, empathique avec pleins de rêves et d’espoir en tête. Son aventure est saisissante et fabuleuse. Il m’a énormément touché et ce que j’attendais de ce roman.

Mais ça reste un roman jeunesse, les scènes d’action sont rapides et tout s’enchaîne un peu trop vite à mon sens par moments.
Surtout la fin. On nous raconte pleins de choses en très peu de page et je trouve qu’il manque un chapitre. Sur la fin en découvre des révélations juste wow, j’étais partagée entre la peine et l’apaisement. Cette fin est poignante mais on a 3 lignes d’explications et ça s’arrête là.
Je suis donc un peu déçue de cette fin de roman, mais j’ai passé un très très bon moment sur cette lecture, c’était très doudou alors ça me convient très bien!🤍

[Donttouchmypoodle✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun read. Talk about nostalgia! I really enjoyed the easter eggs throughout the book that coincided with the film, "Hook". The imagery from the story was vivid and I felt like I was alongside James, Smee, Jukes and the rest of the swashbuckling crew! I have not read any of the other books in this series, so the content about the Odd Sisters was a smidge hard to follow at times, but it did not take away from the story at all. Hook is my favorite storybook villain, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know his backstory. I even got teary eyed a few times. Very well done and would absolutely recommend and read again!

[Sanjasbestshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, quick, and interesting! I didn’t know I would like Hook so much, but here I am. We all know the story of Peter Pan, we know Captain Hook, but do we know how he went from the intelligent James to the cowardly Hook? This was just so wholesome and fun. Would recommend!


Thanks to NetGalley for the audio book in exchange for my honest review.

[RoxasTrevelyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow hat mich dieses Buch gefesselt. Die Hintergrundgeschichte des berüchtigten Captain Hooks in diesem Licht zu sehen, einfach nur wow. Niemals Nimmerland ist von nun an eins meiner Lieblingsbücher der Reihe.