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The Island of Dreams
When a young woman named Justine casts a love spell to snare an eligible young bachelor, she mistakes Peter Pan as the spell's target and tricks him into choosing to take her to The Neverland instead of her prettier friend. Little does she know, their bargain means her death. The ISLAND OF DREAMS is a dark fantasy retelling with death gods, disability, and utopia gone wrong, perfect for fans of T. Kingfisher and Alix E Harrow.
382 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 22, 2025
7 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Jaye Viner
14 books130 followersBorn in Kobe, Japan, and raised in the Great Plains, Jaye Viner has spent her life exploring other cultures both near and far. She has two master’s degrees from the University of Nebraska and plenty of nonprofessional experience, studying the art of conveying meaning to an audience of readers. Her free time is spent at the salon maintaining her blue hair. She also worships her cats and cooks. Find pictures of food, queen cat, and small borg cat on Instagram @Jaye_Viner or Twitter @JayeViner. This is her first (published) novel. She lives in Omaha, Nebraska.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
April 4, 2025
So, I’m not a big fan of Peter Pan retellings. I am however a fan of dark fantasy, and was also drawn to the beautiful cover, which is why I decided to give this a try. And I’m happy I did. It was well written and once the story gets going I did find myself wanting to know what happens next. It had some odd parts, but I kind of go for reading things a bit off-beat. It also didn’t hurt that there were pirates, and a Captain Hook type character (aka the Black Hook). I had forgotten that there are pirates in Neverland, and you really can’t go wrong with pirates, 😍
Overall I did enjoy!
What I loved-
🏴☠️ Black Hook’s back story
🏴☠️ The magical-ness of the island
🏴☠️ The creatures, especially the Mermaids, the very cool scary mermaids
🏴☠️ Pirates of course
🏴☠️ Creepy Peter Pan
🏴☠️ Disability rep
🏴☠️ Time traveling.
I read an advanced reader copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review. Thank you to the author and publisher
Overall I did enjoy!
What I loved-
🏴☠️ Black Hook’s back story
🏴☠️ The magical-ness of the island
🏴☠️ The creatures, especially the Mermaids, the very cool scary mermaids
🏴☠️ Pirates of course
🏴☠️ Creepy Peter Pan
🏴☠️ Disability rep
🏴☠️ Time traveling.
I read an advanced reader copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review. Thank you to the author and publisher
September 15, 2025
DNF at 43%
It’s disappointing to set this book aside, but the experience felt more like stepping into someone else's dream than engaging with a story I could enjoy.
I initially picked it up because of the intriguing premise: a dark retelling of Peter Pan. In that regard, I’ll say it does deliver on the "retelling" promise, and what I appreciated most was the fresh interpretation of Neverland and the imaginative worldbuilding surrounding it. But where it fell short for me was in conveying the “dark” element. If "dark" simply refers to the fact that the characters are deceased, then yes, it checks that box. However, I had hoped for a heavier, moodier atmosphere—not anything extreme, but something with more emotional depth or tension.
What ultimately made me lose interest, though, was the protagonist, Justine. Her role in the story felt ambiguous, and her tendency to view almost every teenager/adult male character as sexual interest grew tiring and didn’t add much to the narrative.
As for the boys on the island, while they were likable enough, they didn’t leave a lasting impression. The overall setup held promise, but once I dove into the unfolding story, the narration turned too abstract for my taste. Events were presented with a dreamlike quality that left me feeling detached—as if observing everything from afar through a metaphorical lens, rather than being fully immersed.
Ultimately, this disconnect led me to stop reading before finishing. It became clear that the narrative style wasn’t something I could connect with, and continuing further likely wouldn’t have changed my experience.
Thanks to the author and the @TheNerdFam team for providing me with the eARC!
It’s disappointing to set this book aside, but the experience felt more like stepping into someone else's dream than engaging with a story I could enjoy.
I initially picked it up because of the intriguing premise: a dark retelling of Peter Pan. In that regard, I’ll say it does deliver on the "retelling" promise, and what I appreciated most was the fresh interpretation of Neverland and the imaginative worldbuilding surrounding it. But where it fell short for me was in conveying the “dark” element. If "dark" simply refers to the fact that the characters are deceased, then yes, it checks that box. However, I had hoped for a heavier, moodier atmosphere—not anything extreme, but something with more emotional depth or tension.
What ultimately made me lose interest, though, was the protagonist, Justine. Her role in the story felt ambiguous, and her tendency to view almost every teenager/adult male character as sexual interest grew tiring and didn’t add much to the narrative.
As for the boys on the island, while they were likable enough, they didn’t leave a lasting impression. The overall setup held promise, but once I dove into the unfolding story, the narration turned too abstract for my taste. Events were presented with a dreamlike quality that left me feeling detached—as if observing everything from afar through a metaphorical lens, rather than being fully immersed.
Ultimately, this disconnect led me to stop reading before finishing. It became clear that the narrative style wasn’t something I could connect with, and continuing further likely wouldn’t have changed my experience.
Thanks to the author and the @TheNerdFam team for providing me with the eARC!
June 30, 2025
The Island of Dreams. By Jaye Viner
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
3 stars
I wouldn’t necessarily agree that this is a dark fantasy retelling of Peter Pan, as the synopsis states. I’d say it’s more a reimagined story inspired by Peter Pan with the bare minimum elements for dark fantasy. (Think dark fantasy in the way Coraline was dark.) The “death Gods” I was expecting were merely sisters that presented in shifter type bodies and they weren’t heavily incorporated in the novel.
There are some things that were done really well. The world building was quality. The descriptions of Neverland, the magical creatures within as well as the Lost Boys and The Pirates give it that fantasy feel. I appreciated the time-travel and the way transportation to other realms was managed. The disability representation was also quality, especially regarding Arandasal and Justine and the way they felt unworthy because of their physical disabilities.
The plot and romance sub-plot are confusing. There are things that just weren’t explained well, for example the way children were selected to travel to Neverland. (I can’t make any other references without spoiling anything.) I wasn’t able to really connect with any of the characters. I also felt like there were too many immaterial characters. They just weren’t necessary. I wish the plot were fleshed out better and the main characters developed more.
Although I struggled through this novel, I did continue and finish it because I needed to know what happened for The Black Hook. He ended up being my favorite character. While I usually enjoy retellings, this one fell flat for me and I probably won’t continue the series.
Thank you to NerdFam for the digital review copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
3 stars
I wouldn’t necessarily agree that this is a dark fantasy retelling of Peter Pan, as the synopsis states. I’d say it’s more a reimagined story inspired by Peter Pan with the bare minimum elements for dark fantasy. (Think dark fantasy in the way Coraline was dark.) The “death Gods” I was expecting were merely sisters that presented in shifter type bodies and they weren’t heavily incorporated in the novel.
There are some things that were done really well. The world building was quality. The descriptions of Neverland, the magical creatures within as well as the Lost Boys and The Pirates give it that fantasy feel. I appreciated the time-travel and the way transportation to other realms was managed. The disability representation was also quality, especially regarding Arandasal and Justine and the way they felt unworthy because of their physical disabilities.
The plot and romance sub-plot are confusing. There are things that just weren’t explained well, for example the way children were selected to travel to Neverland. (I can’t make any other references without spoiling anything.) I wasn’t able to really connect with any of the characters. I also felt like there were too many immaterial characters. They just weren’t necessary. I wish the plot were fleshed out better and the main characters developed more.
Although I struggled through this novel, I did continue and finish it because I needed to know what happened for The Black Hook. He ended up being my favorite character. While I usually enjoy retellings, this one fell flat for me and I probably won’t continue the series.
Thank you to NerdFam for the digital review copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 15, 2025
DNF- I am 30% of the way through and I just can’t get into this- it had a great concept but the follow through wasn’t there. Not for me 🖤
July 5, 2025
2.75 ⭐️
The premise of this book is really intriguing. However, it didn't quite hit the mark for me. I found that it didn't really grab my attention and for me it only got really interesting in the last 20%.
I had a hard time following the story and figuring out what was actually going on. Mac felt like an extremely flat character to me. I understand he's supposed to be a lost boy and obviously would react differently than an "adult" would, but for me, his character just lacked substance altogether. Black Hook (Arandasal) was better, in my opinion. I at least felt interested in his character, but we really didn't get to know him at all until the last 20%.
I really appreciate that this is a book that shines light on the perceived flaws of people with disabilities and hearing Justin's inner monolog of how she was less than because of the injury was heartbreaking but so important. It was really refreshing to have this kind of important subject matter in a fantasy book.
I also feel like this would have worked better as a stand alone, I dont feel compelled to read the second book. I also wouldn't classify this as a dark fantasy, but maybe that's just me.
I definitely do think that for the right audience, this book would be fabtastic. Unfortunately, it just didn't work for me.
Thank you to the NerdFam and Jaye Viner for the gifted e-arc.
The premise of this book is really intriguing. However, it didn't quite hit the mark for me. I found that it didn't really grab my attention and for me it only got really interesting in the last 20%.
I had a hard time following the story and figuring out what was actually going on. Mac felt like an extremely flat character to me. I understand he's supposed to be a lost boy and obviously would react differently than an "adult" would, but for me, his character just lacked substance altogether. Black Hook (Arandasal) was better, in my opinion. I at least felt interested in his character, but we really didn't get to know him at all until the last 20%.
I really appreciate that this is a book that shines light on the perceived flaws of people with disabilities and hearing Justin's inner monolog of how she was less than because of the injury was heartbreaking but so important. It was really refreshing to have this kind of important subject matter in a fantasy book.
I also feel like this would have worked better as a stand alone, I dont feel compelled to read the second book. I also wouldn't classify this as a dark fantasy, but maybe that's just me.
I definitely do think that for the right audience, this book would be fabtastic. Unfortunately, it just didn't work for me.
Thank you to the NerdFam and Jaye Viner for the gifted e-arc.
June 3, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Jaye Viner for the ARC copy of The Island of Dreams. The release date is July 22, 2025
This book was fine. Although I wasn’t sure about the beginning of the book, I did find myself engaged and compelled to finish the story throughout. Now having finished the story I am glad that I stuck it out, however I think it would’ve made a good stand alone bc I don’t think I would continue the series.
I liked the characters for the most part, but they did feel a little flat for me. I also wouldn’t necessarily call this book a romance as the romance is definitely a subplot. I think there are mentions of the fmc wanting to have sex relatively frequently that didn’t really add to the story and felt awkward and out of place. It’s also marketed as dark and the only thing that’s really dark about it is her dying (which isn’t a spoiler, it says right in the blurb that she dies).
The writing was good, and the story was compelling enough. I think there were too many named characters that weren’t really very relevant, and I hated the last chapter. Overall I liked most of the book well enough but I don’t think I would recommend this book to a friend.
2.75 ⭐️
No real spice
This book was fine. Although I wasn’t sure about the beginning of the book, I did find myself engaged and compelled to finish the story throughout. Now having finished the story I am glad that I stuck it out, however I think it would’ve made a good stand alone bc I don’t think I would continue the series.
I liked the characters for the most part, but they did feel a little flat for me. I also wouldn’t necessarily call this book a romance as the romance is definitely a subplot. I think there are mentions of the fmc wanting to have sex relatively frequently that didn’t really add to the story and felt awkward and out of place. It’s also marketed as dark and the only thing that’s really dark about it is her dying (which isn’t a spoiler, it says right in the blurb that she dies).
The writing was good, and the story was compelling enough. I think there were too many named characters that weren’t really very relevant, and I hated the last chapter. Overall I liked most of the book well enough but I don’t think I would recommend this book to a friend.
2.75 ⭐️
No real spice
did-not-finish
August 30, 2025DNF at 50%
When I saw this book was a Peter Pan retelling, I was intrigued to see how the book would handle it. I think delving into darker themes of Neverland is interesting - but Neverland didn’t feel like Neverland to me in any way. I think part of the reason why is the characters. I didn’t feel connected to any of them really. Especially the main protagonist, Justine.
What I thought was good world-building was that Neverland is accessed through different places such as a pond. And that the “Mothers” are connected to the island along with this version of Peter Pan - Mak. I thought that was interesting.
What I found a bit strange is that the characters read pretty young but then you had major cuss words and sexual things talked about out of nowhere. Like why? It took me out of the story so many times because it was just pretty random.
I wish the story leaned into the darker elements of Neverland like I was told it would, but instead it felt like there wasn’t really a plot. About 50% in and there’s not really a major event happening that propels the story forward and instead feels like it’s dragging.
Overall, I think some other people would like this book if they gave it a try. I really tried to get into it but unfortunately the characters and story didn’t grab my attention for the first half of the book which led me to choose to DNF it.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book. This opinion is my own.
When I saw this book was a Peter Pan retelling, I was intrigued to see how the book would handle it. I think delving into darker themes of Neverland is interesting - but Neverland didn’t feel like Neverland to me in any way. I think part of the reason why is the characters. I didn’t feel connected to any of them really. Especially the main protagonist, Justine.
What I thought was good world-building was that Neverland is accessed through different places such as a pond. And that the “Mothers” are connected to the island along with this version of Peter Pan - Mak. I thought that was interesting.
What I found a bit strange is that the characters read pretty young but then you had major cuss words and sexual things talked about out of nowhere. Like why? It took me out of the story so many times because it was just pretty random.
I wish the story leaned into the darker elements of Neverland like I was told it would, but instead it felt like there wasn’t really a plot. About 50% in and there’s not really a major event happening that propels the story forward and instead feels like it’s dragging.
Overall, I think some other people would like this book if they gave it a try. I really tried to get into it but unfortunately the characters and story didn’t grab my attention for the first half of the book which led me to choose to DNF it.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book. This opinion is my own.
July 23, 2025
I received an advance copy through NetGalley. This is the first book in this duology. The cover is beautiful and was speaking to me, but unfortunately this book didn’t hit for me.
I could not get attached to the characters. The characters lacked personalities. I was confused for most of the story, the writing just didn’t give enough details and descriptions. I don’t think this should be considered dark romance. It honestly read like a YA fantasy book.
I could not get attached to the characters. The characters lacked personalities. I was confused for most of the story, the writing just didn’t give enough details and descriptions. I don’t think this should be considered dark romance. It honestly read like a YA fantasy book.
July 23, 2025
✨ Dark Peter Pan retelling
✨Afterlife utopia gone wrong
✨Death gods
✨deadly deal/high stakes bargain
✨Magical nostalgia / eternal childhood
✨Found family
✨Pirates & time war magic
This was my first time reading a retelling of Peter Pan and the dark twist to it gave it just the right amount of creepiness that I had a good time reading it. I loved the twist that the author put on Peter Pan and the Lost boys, and the nurturing relationship that Justine had with them was everything! If you like your fairy tales with a dark edge, this one will entertain.
✨Afterlife utopia gone wrong
✨Death gods
✨deadly deal/high stakes bargain
✨Magical nostalgia / eternal childhood
✨Found family
✨Pirates & time war magic
This was my first time reading a retelling of Peter Pan and the dark twist to it gave it just the right amount of creepiness that I had a good time reading it. I loved the twist that the author put on Peter Pan and the Lost boys, and the nurturing relationship that Justine had with them was everything! If you like your fairy tales with a dark edge, this one will entertain.
June 30, 2025
This Peter Pan inspired story had me hooked from the very beginning! I absolutely loved everything about it. The characters were perfect, the storyline was amazing and super easy to follow, and the references throughout had me wanting more. I can't wait to see where the adventure leads in book 2! Jaye, keep up the amazing work and thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this gem! It was amazing and I will be getting myself a copy soon! 💖💖
July 22, 2025
Sexy pirates and a feud over a woman… yes please! Island of Dreams by Jaye Viner was a delightful retelling of Peter Pan told through the eyes of Justine. Justine thinks she has found her Prince Charming with Peter, but instead she is in for the adventure of her life.
Viner was able to capture the original charm of the Peter Pan world with a twist. I found this retelling to have depth and well developed plot lines. There were moments where I felt that the adventures with the boys continued on and on…But then I realized the author brilliantly built that in to give us the perspective of what it would be like stuck in that world. Never growing old sounds like fun until you realize that there is very little to experience in that scenario.
I enjoyed seeing Hook and Peter in an entirely new way and the complexity of their characters. The characters in this story were well developed and I was pleasantly surprised by the touch of clean romance.
My favorite quote, “What the stories teach you about who is good and who is evil, or smart and foolish, are never true to life. The path of reseeing also involves expanding beyond what has been taught.”
I appreciated that I was able to reflect several times during this book on my own perspective on life during the story. Stories that make me feel and experience the world with the characters are a sign of a well written book.
Thank you Viner and Book Funnel for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Viner was able to capture the original charm of the Peter Pan world with a twist. I found this retelling to have depth and well developed plot lines. There were moments where I felt that the adventures with the boys continued on and on…But then I realized the author brilliantly built that in to give us the perspective of what it would be like stuck in that world. Never growing old sounds like fun until you realize that there is very little to experience in that scenario.
I enjoyed seeing Hook and Peter in an entirely new way and the complexity of their characters. The characters in this story were well developed and I was pleasantly surprised by the touch of clean romance.
My favorite quote, “What the stories teach you about who is good and who is evil, or smart and foolish, are never true to life. The path of reseeing also involves expanding beyond what has been taught.”
I appreciated that I was able to reflect several times during this book on my own perspective on life during the story. Stories that make me feel and experience the world with the characters are a sign of a well written book.
Thank you Viner and Book Funnel for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
July 22, 2025
The Island of Dreams is a Peter Pan retelling with a dark twist. It focuses on the Lost Boys, and how Neverland came to be. I was promised a dark and magical world, and while I can see elements of that throughout the book, the execution of it fell flat.
At the start of the story, I was excited to dive into this world, but I quickly became confused. Things were very briefly explained concerning the magic and myths, but were never dwelled upon, leaving my head spinning. The book alternates between being too fast-paced and too slow. Some parts of the story were barely explained, while others dragged on. There was also a disconnect from the characters. Instead of living in our main character’s minds and understanding her thoughts, we’re often shown her actions instead, making it hard to understand her reasoning. With that, there was no chemistry in the romance, and the switch between enemies to lovers was so sudden it didn’t make sense. I couldn't understand what either of the main characters were thinking because we were never told. There was a lot of promise to the story, but I unfortunately didn’t love it the way I hoped I would.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam and Jaye Viner for an copy in exchange for an honest review.
At the start of the story, I was excited to dive into this world, but I quickly became confused. Things were very briefly explained concerning the magic and myths, but were never dwelled upon, leaving my head spinning. The book alternates between being too fast-paced and too slow. Some parts of the story were barely explained, while others dragged on. There was also a disconnect from the characters. Instead of living in our main character’s minds and understanding her thoughts, we’re often shown her actions instead, making it hard to understand her reasoning. With that, there was no chemistry in the romance, and the switch between enemies to lovers was so sudden it didn’t make sense. I couldn't understand what either of the main characters were thinking because we were never told. There was a lot of promise to the story, but I unfortunately didn’t love it the way I hoped I would.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam and Jaye Viner for an copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 24, 2025
DNF at 40%. I tried, but I just didn't care about the story or characters. It all felt so random and chaotic. The pacing was all over the place, the world building was confusing, and I couldn't understand what was going on in the sense of the most random thing happening and no one questioning it.
And I haven't seen it mentioned in other reviews, but Justine casually mentions sexual things every so often, and it threw me every time.
"But sex is sex, thought Justine. And I can't carry on here very long without it."
"... dissatisfied cooch"
"She couldn't help evaluate the size of his knob. I could make use of that."
Just. Why?
Thank you to NerdFam and the author for the gifted arc.
And I haven't seen it mentioned in other reviews, but Justine casually mentions sexual things every so often, and it threw me every time.
"But sex is sex, thought Justine. And I can't carry on here very long without it."
"... dissatisfied cooch"
"She couldn't help evaluate the size of his knob. I could make use of that."
Just. Why?
Thank you to NerdFam and the author for the gifted arc.
July 23, 2025
A dark Peter Pan retelling with a stunning cover and a very lavish world…sign me up. This was a genuine good time and I loved being in this world. The characters were very fun and exactly what I wanted.
dnf
July 24, 2025I’ll come back to this, just not feeling it rn
April 29, 2025
Arc Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Love the comparison to the original story we know and love! The depth of learning about the island and characters. Such a new interesting story on a classic we never want to let go of!
Love the comparison to the original story we know and love! The depth of learning about the island and characters. Such a new interesting story on a classic we never want to let go of!
June 10, 2025
I received this ARC from the author Jaye Viner through NerdFam. This was my first Peter Pan retelling, and I really enjoyed it. The world building in this book really brought it to life. I felt like the most beautiful picture was painted for me. The FMC Justine became Mother to the boys on the island. I love how each boy was different and had their own story. The MMC Makbal was Pan and, of course, the Pirate Black Hook. Looking at these characters in a different way and learning some back story fascinated me. This was a dark fantasy retelling, and the story was intriguing and had me wanting more. The representation of people with disabilities and how their true story is most of the time different than what is perceived touched my heart.
May 18, 2025
The Island Of Dreams is a captivating and ingenious retelling of Peter Pan, with a darker twist and different perspective on how the “lost boys” came to be. I lost myself in the pages of this book. Then, through the story’s many twists and turns found myself at the end, wishing the next book was immediately available because I want the story to continue.
The book starts off in 19th Century London, where the FMC, Justine, is a service worker in an asylum for children. Approaching an age where thoughts of marriage and the future are becoming a concern, Justine comes up with a way to change her own fate. After sneaking out of the asylum on All Hallow’s Eve to put her plans in motion, Justine finds herself face to face with another option for a different life.
This book was many things for me. Ultimately though, it was a completely new perspective on a story I’ve been familiar with since I was a child. It allowed me to enjoy more facets of that world, but allowed it to be expanded into something someone older could appreciate. It was full of adventure and found family. It dove into the internal struggles Justine went through as her life was flipped completely upside down. The growth she experienced from the first chapter to the last was beautifully written.
I loved this book so much and can’t wait to see where the story goes from here.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam & Jaye Viner for the free ebook in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
The book starts off in 19th Century London, where the FMC, Justine, is a service worker in an asylum for children. Approaching an age where thoughts of marriage and the future are becoming a concern, Justine comes up with a way to change her own fate. After sneaking out of the asylum on All Hallow’s Eve to put her plans in motion, Justine finds herself face to face with another option for a different life.
This book was many things for me. Ultimately though, it was a completely new perspective on a story I’ve been familiar with since I was a child. It allowed me to enjoy more facets of that world, but allowed it to be expanded into something someone older could appreciate. It was full of adventure and found family. It dove into the internal struggles Justine went through as her life was flipped completely upside down. The growth she experienced from the first chapter to the last was beautifully written.
I loved this book so much and can’t wait to see where the story goes from here.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam & Jaye Viner for the free ebook in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
June 6, 2025
i really enjoyed this book and am grateful to have received an arc copy! it was such a great retelling of peter pan and it had little easter eggs throughout of the original characters which i loved. justine was great and i loved how her character had so much growth throughout the book. makbal and arandasal were great too and i was obsessed with aranda the entire book. the ending was great and i cannot wait for the next book!
May 27, 2025
I participated in the Kickstarter campaign, so I got an early paperback copy of this novel. Wow, it blew me away! It is perfectly paced to take us on an adventure through the lens of a girl who knows her own mind. We experience a new take on Neverland that is both enchanting and sinister, get just enough world-building to glimpse gods and fairies at work in what will no doubt be a blow-out plot at the end of the series, and see our heroine change as she realizes exactly what she has gotten herself into. And underneath all that is a simmering slow-burn romance that promises to be of epic proportions in future books.
This delivers on Peter Pan tropes and then some, adding intricate layers that make it a world of its own. I highly recommend it!
This delivers on Peter Pan tropes and then some, adding intricate layers that make it a world of its own. I highly recommend it!
May 31, 2025
This is a dark Peter Pan retelling and I was all for it. It has twists and turns. The world-building was amazing and the characters were great too. I loved this book.
July 26, 2025
On Hallows Eve, Justine casts a love spell, but the one she thinks she has ensnared appears to have interest in someone else. In her haste, Justine persuades the boy to choose her, thinking that she has the upper hand. Little does she know she has bargained with the God of Death. The Island of Dreams takes the tale of Peter Pan morphing it into this charming and dangerous adventure, with lost boys, pirates, fairies, and an island that holds many secrets.
When I first saw this book, I was blown away by the idea, and I was so excited to read it. However, it was a really confusing beginning, and until Justine arrived on the island, I had no clue what was actually happening in her life. I think she was a patient in the asylum, but then she might have been a maid, but then her age was another question. Something just didn't add up, so I was a bit discombobulated at the start.
Then entering "Neverland" we are placed in a distorted time and stories from all times and places are told and manipulated to provide the island with fantastical adventures. The novel had such a good premise, and everything was there for this book to be a brilliant read. Unfortunately, it just missed its mark. Partially, the narrative just needed a bit of fleshing out in my opinion to station me, but also, I think that this novelleans more towards the YA Fantasy genre than Dark Fantasy. There is just the bare minimum to make this book dark, but I don't think it falls into that genre.
Also, I never felt like I fully knew the characters. The majority of those that we are introduced to are children/teenagers, and there are so many that it's difficult to actually become invested in them. Then we have the pirates and 'The Black Hook' who is so mysterious, but we only really get to know him in the last 20% of the book.
But overall, The Island of Dreams has a childish charm that you would expect from a Peter Pan retelling with some malicious undercurrents. The world-building was incredible, and I was fully gripped by the island, being a character all on its own. It was also great to get to see disability be represented on such a scale, and Jaye Viner incorporating differing opinions from different time periods really gave depth to the subject on capabilities and how one navigates the world and themselves.
________________
Favourite Quotes:
The idea of needing rescue sparked such revulsion in Justine that it took great effort not to shout as she said, “I appreciate your offer. I’ll rescue myself if need be.”
Justine thought that the island must be a place wholly created from imagined things taken from stories.
Games within games within games all made to hide the yuck underneath.”
_______________
I do believe this book has so much to offer. It just needed a bit more development and focus for plot points to be clearer. But thank you so much, The Nerd Fam and Jaye Viner, for the ARC.
When I first saw this book, I was blown away by the idea, and I was so excited to read it. However, it was a really confusing beginning, and until Justine arrived on the island, I had no clue what was actually happening in her life. I think she was a patient in the asylum, but then she might have been a maid, but then her age was another question. Something just didn't add up, so I was a bit discombobulated at the start.
Then entering "Neverland" we are placed in a distorted time and stories from all times and places are told and manipulated to provide the island with fantastical adventures. The novel had such a good premise, and everything was there for this book to be a brilliant read. Unfortunately, it just missed its mark. Partially, the narrative just needed a bit of fleshing out in my opinion to station me, but also, I think that this novelleans more towards the YA Fantasy genre than Dark Fantasy. There is just the bare minimum to make this book dark, but I don't think it falls into that genre.
Also, I never felt like I fully knew the characters. The majority of those that we are introduced to are children/teenagers, and there are so many that it's difficult to actually become invested in them. Then we have the pirates and 'The Black Hook' who is so mysterious, but we only really get to know him in the last 20% of the book.
But overall, The Island of Dreams has a childish charm that you would expect from a Peter Pan retelling with some malicious undercurrents. The world-building was incredible, and I was fully gripped by the island, being a character all on its own. It was also great to get to see disability be represented on such a scale, and Jaye Viner incorporating differing opinions from different time periods really gave depth to the subject on capabilities and how one navigates the world and themselves.
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Favourite Quotes:
The idea of needing rescue sparked such revulsion in Justine that it took great effort not to shout as she said, “I appreciate your offer. I’ll rescue myself if need be.”
Justine thought that the island must be a place wholly created from imagined things taken from stories.
Games within games within games all made to hide the yuck underneath.”
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I do believe this book has so much to offer. It just needed a bit more development and focus for plot points to be clearer. But thank you so much, The Nerd Fam and Jaye Viner, for the ARC.
Read
June 7, 2025"The Island of Dreams" by Jaye Viner is a Peter Pan-inspired but completely original story. The Wendy-mother you know is part of the world's history, and this Mother, Justine, is an entirely different creature. From her limited-third point of view, Justine is whisked away to an afterlife of magic, imagination, and fairy lore, but also brokenness. The island is shattered at its core, and she's supposed to pick up the pieces. Power seems to culminate by force of will, with opposing wills tearing everything beautiful apart.
This aspect of the story feels very YA and sits comfortably in the fairy tale retelling subgenre. However, there is also a layer of sexual frustration and lust that feels more NA/adult and seems oddly placed within the story. There is also magical bonding affecting the relationships in the story, which confounds any sense of romance with a confusing sense of obligation that is neither desire nor denial. The characters likewise have their share of moments where they seem very childish and naive, or adult (although not very mature), and their motives and intent are unclear. I think the author intended some of these swings, at least for the god-like characters who are timeless and ageless, but I struggled with it a bit.
I appreciated the timelessness of Neverland and its Boys, as well as the inclusion of many cultures and lifestyles across time and space. It made for an interesting mix of support cast. In Neverland, many of the stigmas dividing people are meaningless, for there are only Boys and pirates.
The story didn't flow as smoothly for me as I would have liked. Some of this stemmed from the shift in tone from YA to more of a NA story (but not with any explicit scenes), from innocent fairy tale to obsessive romance, making the overall plot a little jilted for me. The history of the world is conveyed through archival writing by the pixies, inserted when their content is needed, and it is clear the author considered a long history of lore to support their world-building. They are cryptic though, so it can be a lot to take in as you try to understand who or what they're referring to. Overall, I wasn't confident the final act made sense in my head.
3.5/5 Stars
This aspect of the story feels very YA and sits comfortably in the fairy tale retelling subgenre. However, there is also a layer of sexual frustration and lust that feels more NA/adult and seems oddly placed within the story. There is also magical bonding affecting the relationships in the story, which confounds any sense of romance with a confusing sense of obligation that is neither desire nor denial. The characters likewise have their share of moments where they seem very childish and naive, or adult (although not very mature), and their motives and intent are unclear. I think the author intended some of these swings, at least for the god-like characters who are timeless and ageless, but I struggled with it a bit.
I appreciated the timelessness of Neverland and its Boys, as well as the inclusion of many cultures and lifestyles across time and space. It made for an interesting mix of support cast. In Neverland, many of the stigmas dividing people are meaningless, for there are only Boys and pirates.
The story didn't flow as smoothly for me as I would have liked. Some of this stemmed from the shift in tone from YA to more of a NA story (but not with any explicit scenes), from innocent fairy tale to obsessive romance, making the overall plot a little jilted for me. The history of the world is conveyed through archival writing by the pixies, inserted when their content is needed, and it is clear the author considered a long history of lore to support their world-building. They are cryptic though, so it can be a lot to take in as you try to understand who or what they're referring to. Overall, I wasn't confident the final act made sense in my head.
3.5/5 Stars
June 2, 2025
The Island of Dreams by Jaye Viner is a captivating novel that blends elements of magical realism and dark fantasy. This book will be released on July 22, 2025.
Justine is a fantastic leading lady as she grows and learns throughout the story. I enjoyed her connection to the island and how it was portrayed with the feeling that came through her feet as her mere physical presence seemed to help heal the island
Then there's Mak, the Peter Pan of this twisted tale. Mischievous? Check. Unreliable? Double-check. But unfortunately, I found him flatter than a pancake. Mak was secretive and would not tell Justine or his lost boys of his plans, which didn’t let the readers in either.
Black Hook is the Captain Hook of the story. There are some unexpected twists with this character that I found enjoyable, but when I was finally seeing a light at the end for this character, the story ends.
Here's where things go a bit sideways. A lot of characters felt like they were missing a few puzzle pieces. Viner throws in these little details that seem like breadcrumbs, promising a grand explanation later on, but they lead to a dead end. Like, why drop these details if they don't pay off? Other than Justine, I am not sure that there was any character whose fate I would have worried about. So many characters seemed underdeveloped.
I liked the book well enough. I would read the second part of the duology to find out what happens to Junstine.
One word of caution to those future readers that may want to take an interest in this book, it is a dark fantasy with just a touch or romance. Justine is trying to find her true love. We have heavy hints of who it may be, but nothing romantic really happens in this first book. I feel doubtful the second book will offer much more in the way of romance. It is much more a YA peter pan retelling with dark themes.
The writing style is nice and the writing itself is very good, but I found myself skimming some of the middle at times. Overall, if you are a big fan of Peter Pan, I think you will enjoy the take.
Thank you Nerd Fam for the ARC.
Justine is a fantastic leading lady as she grows and learns throughout the story. I enjoyed her connection to the island and how it was portrayed with the feeling that came through her feet as her mere physical presence seemed to help heal the island
Then there's Mak, the Peter Pan of this twisted tale. Mischievous? Check. Unreliable? Double-check. But unfortunately, I found him flatter than a pancake. Mak was secretive and would not tell Justine or his lost boys of his plans, which didn’t let the readers in either.
Black Hook is the Captain Hook of the story. There are some unexpected twists with this character that I found enjoyable, but when I was finally seeing a light at the end for this character, the story ends.
Here's where things go a bit sideways. A lot of characters felt like they were missing a few puzzle pieces. Viner throws in these little details that seem like breadcrumbs, promising a grand explanation later on, but they lead to a dead end. Like, why drop these details if they don't pay off? Other than Justine, I am not sure that there was any character whose fate I would have worried about. So many characters seemed underdeveloped.
I liked the book well enough. I would read the second part of the duology to find out what happens to Junstine.
One word of caution to those future readers that may want to take an interest in this book, it is a dark fantasy with just a touch or romance. Justine is trying to find her true love. We have heavy hints of who it may be, but nothing romantic really happens in this first book. I feel doubtful the second book will offer much more in the way of romance. It is much more a YA peter pan retelling with dark themes.
The writing style is nice and the writing itself is very good, but I found myself skimming some of the middle at times. Overall, if you are a big fan of Peter Pan, I think you will enjoy the take.
Thank you Nerd Fam for the ARC.
July 4, 2025
This is not your run-of-the-mill Peter Pan retelling. I would agree that this is a darker fantasy, but more than a repackaging of a beloved tale, it is a story of people's view and relationship of death.
The warning at the beginning of the book made me a little leery of reading it, but having finished the book, I think that the diversity and representation is very well done. It was woven seamlessly into the plot and didn't seem like an afterthought or "I need to have this and this seems like as good as spot as any."
Sadly, all of the MCs did not resonate with me. Our FMC Justine just felt flat to me—tried as I might, I couldn't find much to help me relate to her so I could have real investment. The two MMCs Mak and Hook were a little more interesting, but nothing really drew me to them. I didn't see much character development, and maybe that's being saved for the second book in the duology. The instalove/obsession was also not my favorite, but then, that tends to be a trope that I do not gravitate toward. The Lost Boys, however, were lovely (the ones that had more lines than others, anyway), and I did quite enjoy parts of the book where they shone.
The world that Jaye Viner created with this retelling is broad and lush, but I think that the tone of the book was what threw me overall. I enjoyed the chapters that gave more insight into the story and history of how we were brought to the main story, and I didn't find those to be an interruption. But I think what threw me off was the seemingly random sexual thoughts that we would come across in the middle of an adventure.
Overall it was an interesting story, but I don't think I'll be reading the second book because I wasn't pulled into the world or pulled to the characters.
Much thanks to NetGalley and Amy Sather for the eARC in exchange for my honest review of this book!
The warning at the beginning of the book made me a little leery of reading it, but having finished the book, I think that the diversity and representation is very well done. It was woven seamlessly into the plot and didn't seem like an afterthought or "I need to have this and this seems like as good as spot as any."
Sadly, all of the MCs did not resonate with me. Our FMC Justine just felt flat to me—tried as I might, I couldn't find much to help me relate to her so I could have real investment. The two MMCs Mak and Hook were a little more interesting, but nothing really drew me to them. I didn't see much character development, and maybe that's being saved for the second book in the duology. The instalove/obsession was also not my favorite, but then, that tends to be a trope that I do not gravitate toward. The Lost Boys, however, were lovely (the ones that had more lines than others, anyway), and I did quite enjoy parts of the book where they shone.
The world that Jaye Viner created with this retelling is broad and lush, but I think that the tone of the book was what threw me overall. I enjoyed the chapters that gave more insight into the story and history of how we were brought to the main story, and I didn't find those to be an interruption. But I think what threw me off was the seemingly random sexual thoughts that we would come across in the middle of an adventure.
Overall it was an interesting story, but I don't think I'll be reading the second book because I wasn't pulled into the world or pulled to the characters.
Much thanks to NetGalley and Amy Sather for the eARC in exchange for my honest review of this book!
July 16, 2025
I am leaving my honest opinion voluntarily and without coercion.
This is a beautifully imagined Peter Pan retelling with rich world-building and time travel, but uneven pacing and flat characters hold it back a bit for me.
This Peter Pan retelling promises darkness, rich world-building, time travel, and thoughtful disability representation—and in many ways, it delivers. Justine’s connection to the island and the unique magic system were standout elements for me. The lush, eerie setting and off-beat tone were intriguing, and once the story found its rhythm, I genuinely wanted to see how it would all unfold.
That said, the book didn’t fully captivate me. Despite strong prose and a compelling premise, the character development fell flat. The cast felt bloated with supporting characters who didn’t add much, leaving the story feeling a bit unfinished. Makbal lacked the depth I was hoping for, and the death gods—who should’ve been a highlight—were surprisingly underused. The emotional stakes remained low, and the pacing dragged, making it hard to stay engaged and stretching out my reading time far longer than expected.
Still, there’s a lot to appreciate: the creepy mermaids and Peter Pan, Hook’s backstory, the inventive time travel, the well-thought-out disability representation, and, of course, pirates. Add in a good swashbuckler, and I’ll stick around every time.
Ultimately, this is a beautifully envisioned book with bold ideas—it just didn’t hit all the emotional or narrative marks for me. That said, I feel optimistic that the issues I had with this first installment might be addressed in book two. That’s often the case with series openers, and I’ll definitely be watching to see what Viner dreams up next.
Thank you to Netgalley, CITS, and Jaye Viner for the advanced readers copy of this beautifully magical world.
This is a beautifully imagined Peter Pan retelling with rich world-building and time travel, but uneven pacing and flat characters hold it back a bit for me.
This Peter Pan retelling promises darkness, rich world-building, time travel, and thoughtful disability representation—and in many ways, it delivers. Justine’s connection to the island and the unique magic system were standout elements for me. The lush, eerie setting and off-beat tone were intriguing, and once the story found its rhythm, I genuinely wanted to see how it would all unfold.
That said, the book didn’t fully captivate me. Despite strong prose and a compelling premise, the character development fell flat. The cast felt bloated with supporting characters who didn’t add much, leaving the story feeling a bit unfinished. Makbal lacked the depth I was hoping for, and the death gods—who should’ve been a highlight—were surprisingly underused. The emotional stakes remained low, and the pacing dragged, making it hard to stay engaged and stretching out my reading time far longer than expected.
Still, there’s a lot to appreciate: the creepy mermaids and Peter Pan, Hook’s backstory, the inventive time travel, the well-thought-out disability representation, and, of course, pirates. Add in a good swashbuckler, and I’ll stick around every time.
Ultimately, this is a beautifully envisioned book with bold ideas—it just didn’t hit all the emotional or narrative marks for me. That said, I feel optimistic that the issues I had with this first installment might be addressed in book two. That’s often the case with series openers, and I’ll definitely be watching to see what Viner dreams up next.
Thank you to Netgalley, CITS, and Jaye Viner for the advanced readers copy of this beautifully magical world.
November 30, 2025
As a continuation of Peter Pan - a "what happened after", which is what I was expecting from the synopsis - this novel was okay. It wasn't great, but it wasn't horrible, either.
As a dark fantasy based on Native American mythology, with an emphasis on disability awareness, it was better. The world-building is quite good, with a back-story for Peter Pan and Captain Hook (both renamed in this novel - Makbal and Black Hook, respectively) that makes them gods, brothers who had a disagreement and split, splitting the island of Neverland in the process. Justine, the newest "Mother" - the most recent in a series of replacements for Wendy - is there to care for the Lost Boys, yes, but also to communicate with the island of Neverland on Makbal's behalf. There are other twists as well; there were once boys and girls on the island, but with the split, Mak only brings boys, who come from around the world and from a multitude of time frames. The rivalry between the brothers is a key facet in Justine's quest to understand the island, and, perhaps, heal what the bothers have torn apart.
There is a sub-plot involving disability, involving Hook's missing hand and the arm that Justine loses part of in an accident. It's interesting, and yet, in many ways, it seems almost like an aside; the bulk of the discussion happens away from the island, in another time. It could have been omitted from the novel without particularly impacting the story, which makes it feel superfluous, as if it were added to appeal to an additional market.
This novel is recommended for older tweens and teens, due to mature themes around interpersonal relationships and traumatic amputation due to injury.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
As a dark fantasy based on Native American mythology, with an emphasis on disability awareness, it was better. The world-building is quite good, with a back-story for Peter Pan and Captain Hook (both renamed in this novel - Makbal and Black Hook, respectively) that makes them gods, brothers who had a disagreement and split, splitting the island of Neverland in the process. Justine, the newest "Mother" - the most recent in a series of replacements for Wendy - is there to care for the Lost Boys, yes, but also to communicate with the island of Neverland on Makbal's behalf. There are other twists as well; there were once boys and girls on the island, but with the split, Mak only brings boys, who come from around the world and from a multitude of time frames. The rivalry between the brothers is a key facet in Justine's quest to understand the island, and, perhaps, heal what the bothers have torn apart.
There is a sub-plot involving disability, involving Hook's missing hand and the arm that Justine loses part of in an accident. It's interesting, and yet, in many ways, it seems almost like an aside; the bulk of the discussion happens away from the island, in another time. It could have been omitted from the novel without particularly impacting the story, which makes it feel superfluous, as if it were added to appeal to an additional market.
This novel is recommended for older tweens and teens, due to mature themes around interpersonal relationships and traumatic amputation due to injury.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 11, 2025
I have read a lot of Peter Pan retellings over the years and I love when they go to a darker place and have a big twist on the original story. I was really excited to read this one and add it to my list of the greats. I will start with what I loved about it. The world building is absolutely beautiful. Even something as mundane as the house that Justine starts off in is described in a way that makes you feel like you are there. I liked the representation as far as the lost boys went. I also really enjoyed the magic system and the way that the island interacted with the characters. Unfortunately there were a few things that I just couldn't get passed. The characters fell a bit flat for me, I don't feel that there was a whole lot of growth or development in really any of them. There was a lot of what I felt was missing information, regarding the children and how they were chosen and why. Maybe that is an explanation for book two. My real grievance with the story was Justine. There were quite a few placed where she complained about her lack of sex life while on the island. At one point she says that she isn't happy on the island due to her "dissatisfied cooch". The story is set in the late 1890s and it really ruined the era atmosphere for me to the point that I had to put the book down for a few days before I picked it back up again. Unfortunately I will not be continuing with this series. But I appreciate the chance to read this first book.
Thank you Nerdfam and Netgalley for my copy and an early chance to read this story.
Thank you Nerdfam and Netgalley for my copy and an early chance to read this story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2025
3.25 ⭐️
For starters, this peter pan retelling reads like YA and it's really a fantasy with dark elements and general longing of romance. I have no qualms with that but it's not really marketed that way.
There were things I absolutely loved about this book.
-I enjoyed Justine and the Island interacting. I loved the magic that both embody and how that manifests.
-I found myself wishing I could see the island for myself and that's not common for me. I can't "see" when I read and often descriptions fall flat. These hit for me. They're simple but make such a fascinating and beautiful little world.
-The lost boys that are written with bigger parts were more complex than I imagined. They added to the adventure of the overall story for me.
-I love the disability representation. It is not just present but worked into the plot so that there is growth and development.
-I am intrigued by Black Hook.
BUT I didn't much care for:
-Mak, our Pan... I just... don't have words for him.
-Justine. There's a lot of good here but ultimately, I just didn't care for her.
-I also wasn't fully absorbed in the story until about 70+ percent. Granted that's because many things are confusing and half told.
Final verdict:
By the end of the book, I felt more invested and engaged despite many things remaining unclear. I am curious how it all plays out and if the second book is written a little more clearly than this one, I may really enjoy the whole thing. Ultimately, I would pick it up to read more about Black Hook alone.
For starters, this peter pan retelling reads like YA and it's really a fantasy with dark elements and general longing of romance. I have no qualms with that but it's not really marketed that way.
There were things I absolutely loved about this book.
-I enjoyed Justine and the Island interacting. I loved the magic that both embody and how that manifests.
-I found myself wishing I could see the island for myself and that's not common for me. I can't "see" when I read and often descriptions fall flat. These hit for me. They're simple but make such a fascinating and beautiful little world.
-The lost boys that are written with bigger parts were more complex than I imagined. They added to the adventure of the overall story for me.
-I love the disability representation. It is not just present but worked into the plot so that there is growth and development.
-I am intrigued by Black Hook.
BUT I didn't much care for:
-Mak, our Pan... I just... don't have words for him.
-Justine. There's a lot of good here but ultimately, I just didn't care for her.
-I also wasn't fully absorbed in the story until about 70+ percent. Granted that's because many things are confusing and half told.
Final verdict:
By the end of the book, I felt more invested and engaged despite many things remaining unclear. I am curious how it all plays out and if the second book is written a little more clearly than this one, I may really enjoy the whole thing. Ultimately, I would pick it up to read more about Black Hook alone.
July 22, 2025
The Island of Dreams by Jaye Viner is a dark, intoxicating retelling of Peter Pan that completely pulled me in. This is not the Neverland of our childhood, it’s richer, creepier, and layered with mythology and depth that makes the world feel alive and dangerous in all the right ways. The setting practically hums with nostalgia while giving off an eerie, otherworldly vibe, and I loved learning about the legends and stories woven into the island itself.
Justine, our fierce yet flawed FMC, has an electric dynamic with the lost boys, which made for some of my favorite moments in the book. Add in dragons, mermaids, fairies, and death gods, and you’ve got a world that is as magical as it is unsettling. I also really appreciated the slow-burn romance—it’s never overdone but adds a layer of tension that worked perfectly with the darker themes. The disability representation was a refreshing and powerful element that added authenticity and heart to the cast of characters.
What stood out most to me, though, was how this book felt like a full-circle moment. It let me revisit a story I adored as a child, but with a grown-up twist that made me see Neverland in an entirely new light. It’s fun, eerie, and imaginative while exploring the shadows of a beloved tale. For anyone who craves a dark fairytale with a dose of nostalgia—this one’s a must-read.
Justine, our fierce yet flawed FMC, has an electric dynamic with the lost boys, which made for some of my favorite moments in the book. Add in dragons, mermaids, fairies, and death gods, and you’ve got a world that is as magical as it is unsettling. I also really appreciated the slow-burn romance—it’s never overdone but adds a layer of tension that worked perfectly with the darker themes. The disability representation was a refreshing and powerful element that added authenticity and heart to the cast of characters.
What stood out most to me, though, was how this book felt like a full-circle moment. It let me revisit a story I adored as a child, but with a grown-up twist that made me see Neverland in an entirely new light. It’s fun, eerie, and imaginative while exploring the shadows of a beloved tale. For anyone who craves a dark fairytale with a dose of nostalgia—this one’s a must-read.
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