Isle of Waiting

by G.W. Prouse

Half a century ago the Immortals vanished, leaving crops to slowly rot as famine spread. Twenty-year-old Kora has never lived in a world where immortals reigned and yet she hopes for their return as Athens grows increasingly hostile between pro- and anti-Immortal factions.

Kora spends her time experimenting with growing vegetables in her near-barren garden while telling her youngest sibling Michael stories and thwarting her mother’s matchmaking attempts. Until one fateful night when she uncovers her twin brother William’s secret and stumbles into a brewing rebellion—where he takes the knife meant for her.

After witnessing her twin’s soul being taken by the God of the Dead, the King of Immortals offers her a deal: trick his brother Shade—the god responsible for her world’s plight—back to the Isles of Nekrós in exchange for William’s life.
Shade has no intention of returning to the title that once was a prison sentence that isolated him from everything but the dead. Not for his brother nor for the mortals. No matter how tempting this fiery woman is...

Trapped in a battle of wits between two gods, Kora hunts for an elusive pomegranate that will fulfill her agreement. The more time she spends on the Isle of Waiting, the more she questions where the blame truly lies. But if she must choose between her brother and her world, or the fate of an immortal, what choice does she have?

Even if what she will have to guard most against is her own wavering heart.

Genres: Fantasy

Unknown Binding

Published November 4, 2025

About the author

GW Prouse has a heart for travel and a love of the outdoors that inspires her settings and worlds. While she lives near the beach, she prefers redwood trees, fog covered lakes and mountain peaks. If she’s not writing, reading, or rushing her family around to the countless activities her children can accumulate, she can be found riding her horse, hiking the hills, or cuddling up with her husband for a movie.

Reviews

[ੈ♡‧₊˚ Thais · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and author G.W. Prouse for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. I’m so glad I got to read it. 💖

🌙 Review: Isle of Waiting - by G.W. Prouse
𓍊𓋼𓍊 3☆

🗡 Update (10/30/25)

❥๑━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━๑❥

● Introduction

Isle of Waiting is a book presented as a New Adult retelling of fairy tales and mythology, but it surprises the reader by diving into themes of grief, love, and impossible choices. The work quickly becomes relevant by using the glamour of fantasy to address harsh realities, such as famine and loss.

✧⋆☽⋆✧⋆✧ ⋆☽⋆✧⋆✧⋆

● Critical Analysis

The book introduces us to Kora , a young Athenian woman living in a society hit by famine. Her life, already marked by the rigid expectations of her family , collapses with the loss of her beloved twin brother, William. Consumed by guilt and denial , Kora clings to a legend read in an old book and is launched into an adventure in the realm of the dead. There, she makes a pact with a powerful being to attempt the impossible: bringing William back. But what awaits her in the mysterious Isle of Waiting (Anamoní) is a dangerous game involving vengeful gods and an unexpected attraction.

What makes this book special is its ability to weave classic elements of Greek mythology (such as the island names: Mizéria, Iroes, Krísi, Lýpe) into a plot of fantasy and adventure.

✧⋆☽⋆✧⋆✧ ⋆☽⋆✧⋆✧⋆

● Characters and Style

Kora is a determined and engaging protagonist. It's easy to relate to her frustration with social impositions and her fight for autonomy. However, the element that most caught my attention was the characterization of the God of the Dead, Shade. The idea of blending mythology with the aura of a "Peter Pan" of the dead is creative, but, I confess, I felt it slightly diluted the potency I expected from an Underworld God. He is mischievous, playful , and somewhat naive. This lightness, at times, made me lose the sense that we were dealing with a fearsome divinity. Even so, the tension and chemistry with Kora are undeniable , and I really enjoyed witnessing Shade's vulnerability, as he reveals himself to be a solitary being seeking connection.

✧⋆☽⋆✧⋆✧ ⋆☽⋆✧⋆✧⋆

● Plot and Themes

The plot is fluid and engaging, with the promise of an explosive ending. The narrative deeply explores the themes of grief and hope. It is an invitation to reflect on the weight of guilt and the difficulty of accepting fate. The way the lost souls of Anamoní seek purpose and joy, even after death, adds a beautiful philosophical layer to the story.

✧⋆☽⋆✧⋆✧ ⋆☽⋆✧⋆✧⋆

● Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths:

○ The excellent world-building, which successfully blends Greek mythology with the fantasy setting.

○ The depth with which the themes of grief and guilt are addressed.

○ The development of the tension-filled romance between Kora and Shade and the surprising plot twists throughout the narrative.

Weaknesses:

○ The pace of the search for the pomegranate on the island can feel a bit slow at times.

○ The motivation for the pixie Taea's betrayal, though crucial, is somewhat vague.

✧⋆☽⋆✧⋆✧ ⋆☽⋆✧⋆✧⋆

● Conclusion

Isle of Waiting is, without a doubt, a worthwhile read. It is a fantasy romance that captivates not only through the adventure in the underworld, but through the emotional strength of its protagonists. If you enjoy reimagined mythology, plots that explore the fine line between life and death, and a spicy (🌶️), tension-filled romance but with much tenderness between opposites, this book is for you! It's a powerful invitation to reflect on what it truly means to fight for what we love.

More than a tale about gods and mortals, it is a reminder that, even in the darkest places, hope and love find a way.

I recommend this read for New Adult fantasy fans looking for a good dose of mythological drama.

[Nicole Maus · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️
Received an ARC - thank you!
The crossover of Peter Pan and Hades/Persephone was absolutely wonderful. We follow Kora’s story as she grieves the loss of her twin in a world abandoned by the gods, surrounded by despair and famine. As an FMC, Kora is pure chef’s kiss—hopeful, and strong despite everything.

Through her journey to save her brother, she truly comes into her own, finding both her strength and her voice. The Darling siblings’ dynamic added such heart, and Shade’s internal battles felt so real and true. The slow build of trust between a mortal and the god of death made for a truly fun and amazing read!

The number of times I wished for a hard copy just so I could flip back to the map? Too many to count! Overall, a fantastic read🧡

[Ashlyn Tickle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in a day. It was filled with nostalgia yet still adventurous and fun to read. It was honestly so healing because it took a twist on both Peter Pan and Hades x Persephone that went into depth of losing loved ones and dealing with the grief that follows. I truly loved Kora’s relationship with her brothers, and how much she fought to get William back.

The romance was also well done as more of a subplot where we slowly uncover both their feelings but still the emphasis is finding on the pomegranate seeds. Shade has my whole entire heart, oh my gosh it ached for him, such a sweetheart. I mean really I wouldn’t change a thing about this retelling. It had me laughing then crying within minutes

[Lori M · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an ARC of Isle of Waiting from NetGalley for a review. Thank you!

Isle of Waiting is a unique novel that mixes the story of Peter Pan with the myth of Hades and Persephone. Its main character, Kora Darling, lives in a version of 1904 Greece where famine has led to increasing hostility as humans argue over whether the gods have abandoned them and whether the gods would be welcome should they return. When Kora clandestinely follows her twin brother William to a secret meeting, she finds herself in the middle of an uprising where William is killed when he takes a knife meant for her. Days later, Kora sees the god of death when he comes to take William’s soul. Unable to understand why Kora was able to see him, Shade, the god of death (and Peter Pan figure), is further surprised when Kora and her second brother appear, alive and whole, among the souls of the dead on the Isle of Waiting. There, Kora is caught up in a plot to make Shade take up responsibilities he has apparently shirked, with the promised reward that William will be returned to life and the famine in her world will end if Shade does so. Willing to do whatever it takes to bring her brother back from the dead, Kora doesn’t count on falling for Shade, or on coming to understand that he isn’t the only god at fault for the conditions in her world.

While the premise of this novel was intriguing, I don’t feel that it fully lived up to the potential of its description. The plot was a bit difficult to follow, with elements of Peter Pan and Hades and Persephone vying for focus. Though Shade did develop as a character (he definitely grew on me as the story progressed), at the start of the novel he acted very much like a child rather than an adult; and I found that awkward when he was clearly meant to be the love interest of a 20-year-old woman. The Darling siblings had a lovely relationship, but their dialogue and interactions were stilted in places. The big reveal about Kora near the end of the book seemed forced, though it was hinted at from her arrival on the Isle. My favorite character was actually Captain, whom I felt was the best-written of all the characters, and whose arc was interesting. Overall, I felt that the story borrowed too deeply and freely from Peter Pan at the expense of the author’s own voice, which seems to be quite creative and fresh when it shines through.

It is very clear that this book is the product of much dedication, love, and hard work. And while it was not for me, I would recommend it for readers who enjoy retellings and are willing to go along for the ride!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Half a century ago the gods left....

Since their departure, Athens is falling apart... slowly slipping into ruin. Tensions are rising between pro-Immortal, and anti-Immortal factions.

Nothing grows anymore. The land is slowly dying...

Kora has never known a life in which she has seen the Immortals praised or widely worshipped. She has always been raised to become a "proper lady"... telling her youngest sibling Micheal stories... and thwarting her ever-insistent mother's attempts to matchmake her so she can find a husband with relative status and around her age.

She goes to the market with her twin brother, William, trying to get the best of the produce and trying to fulfill her mother's somewhat unrealistic expectations...

She gardens, although the soil is so barren that nothing grows other than potatoes.

Until one night she decides to tail her twin brother, eager to find out where he's been slipping off to... only to find herself in a brewing meeting of rebels...

And in that moment, her twin brother takes a knife meant for her.

If you are a lover of mythology, of the tales that can be spun of the old gods, and the fantastic symbolism and stories that come with them, then Isle of Waiting is the perfect book for you. This is a refreshingly beautiful take on Hades & Persephone, and one that I have yet to see take such a unique view on it.

As someone who has spent hours researching the mythos, and delving into these fantastical tales from Greece, Rome, and beyond, this is a novel that I would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys another spin on Hades & Persephone, but with a little less spice than sometimes comes from other novels.

Thank you to G.W. Prouse and Netgalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and the rest of my reviews can be found at https://littlereapling.wixsite.com/fa....

[Emily (ofpagesandink) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

I received this ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

The marketing for this story is far more spot on that I think viewers realize. It's a Greek mythology mixed with Peter Pan story and, boy is it.

I wanted to like this far more than I did. A Hades and Persephone inspired story with Peter Pan that's new adult and not a dark romance? Yes please.

What I didn't anticipate was just how much of the Peter Pan characteristics came into play. And it really threw off the story for me. That, and how YA the overall writing felt. Here's a breakdown.:

Shade is the Hades of the story, he's the King of the Dead and the islands of Nekros. You would think that not only with his name being Shade that he'd have a darkness to him in some capacity. And you'd be wrong. He's a pale, copper-headed male, with a young adult (Like early-mid 20s) build despite being centuries old, just like Peter Pan. Though apparently he's got a muscled abdomen for days. He crows when he comes to and from the lands of the afterlife, he can fly without pixie dust, has a troupe of "lost boys" called "lost souls" (and aren't all boys), and a pixie side kick. The entire time I read I kept picturing Disney's Peter Pan and Wendy and tried very hard to steer clear of those images.

Because, while I can tell this story heavily pulls from that IP, I can see the author's attempt to make it something all it's own: Islands instead of an underground underworld. Different names. It starts in Greece instead of England, and it starts with a decent amount of Greek words and Cultural references. Which I loved. In fact, it started off strong for me. Kora is a strong willed, independent woman, who wants to live her own life, but one that isn't proper for a woman in Greece in 1905. When she loses her brother, she'd beseech the Gods everyone believes to no longer exist or care. It's really once she gets to the Isles that things start to become Peter Pan really quickly.

What also threw me were the names of the three Kings: Zeus's parallel character preferred to go by Captain (Shade called him Cap sometimes...) as he captained the ship ferrying souls to the isles of Nekros, Hades was a ginger named Shade (no other name mentioned), and Poseidon's parallel was Fisher. It just felt very simple and English for a story that starts with Greek. I also kept picturing these characters as younger. Even though I knew that William and Kora were in their early 20s, I kept picturing them around 17 because the story just feels very YA... up and until things get a little more intimate between Kora and Shade (It's a part of the pitch so it's no spoilers, and I also won't tell you when this happens.) It is very mild spice in comparison to other things I've read, but again, up and until that point it was leaning YA.

I read in the acknowledgements, this took 5 years to work on and I think it could've used a little more time and I think there should've been less Peter Pan and more of her own spin on the tale. We could've seen the Peter Pan parallels without the obvious signs. I also think more Greek names would've been better than Captain, Shade, and Fisher.

Overall, I did really enjoy this read. I am curious about the watch (IYKYK) and what it means and will be on the look out for a second book, but I didn't love it like I thought I would. If you like the direct pulls from Peter Pan and the more loose references to Greek Mythology, then you will definitely enjoy it especially if you love YA/NA. It releases soon so make sure to pre-order it!

[Katarina Väisänen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of Kora making a deal with the God of the Dead to trick his brother Shade, who's responsible for her world's plight, was pure gold. I loved the high stakes of saving her twin and the battle of wits with Shade, who is just so tempting and mysterious. I wished for a bit more emotional depth in their connection at certain points, or perhaps a deeper dive into some of the ancient lore. The world-building with the vanished Immortals and the Isles of Nekrós was really intriguing. My only reason for not giving it a full 4 is that I felt the pacing was a little uneven in a couple of spots, which slightly pulled me out of the immersion. But overall, it's a brilliant read and I'm already hooked on this series! ❤️

[Kate Brasington · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay I liked how it mixed Peter Pan and Greek mythology together. I did however find myself having a hard time focusing on this book and im not sure why. I reccomend this book for someone looking for a fantasy book that mixes stories from childhood with mythology

[Amber L Dunbar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved the mix of The traditional Peter Pan story with Greek mythology of Hades and Persephone. Kora is a very likable FMC and I loved the relationships of the Darling siblings. Thank you for the ARC.

[UnremARCable Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mind G.W. Prouse must have for melding mythology with the classic Peter Pan is ridiculous in the most brilliant way 🤯. This story feels so familiar, yet unpredictable at the same time, which I know sounds so contradictory. You really can’t understand until you read it.

Kora is living with the literal weight of the world on her shoulders. She, a mortal, wants to live a life of passion and adventure where she makes her own choices. Then, she meets the God of Dead, an immortal, AKA the Peter Pan-esk character, that just wants to feel alive. The sexual tension is palpable from the beginning, and of course, Kora’s over-protective twin brother is there to stifle it every chance he gets. (Not annoyed at all about it 😑.) So much is on the line for Kora. Living in a world that is increasingly losing the ability to grow sustenance, she is in a position where each path she potentially chooses is destined to have a major impact on the journey ahead.

This read is filled not only with a slow build romance, but also sibling bonds that literally brought me to tears. I am honestly still reeling from it all because so much popped off at the very end. A reread is definitely needed. I get the sense it’s one of those books that you pick up on more details the second time around. For a fantasy novel, this book is the perfect length and did not feel drawn out. The worst part is that I now have to play the waiting game until the next one comes out.

[Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Pan meets the myth of Hades and Persephone in this New Adult Romantasy that touches on death, grief, and the struggle of making choices for family or the world as a whole. Isle of Waiting by GW Prouse follows Kora who is trying to survive in a beautiful but tragic world where the gods have seemingly abandoned them and is wrought with famine.

I was immediately drawn in by the way the author pulls you right into the tragedies of Kora's world. The author's did a great job of really grabbing my attention and getting me attached to Kora and the people she loves. I enjoyed the overall atmosphere and introduction to our story's main characters -- and I would say that that alone was what truly kept me reading. And I am glad that I did!

The build-up to the romance between the two leads was fun and alight with some of my favorite tropes, it really reminded me why I enjoy reading “romantasy”! Not only was the slow burn worth the wait, but the author did an amazing job writing the tentative trust and truce between them turning to love. It definitely had me rooting for them with every brush of hands, playful comment, and hidden smile.

Overall, this was a fun read with an amazing take on two of my personal favorite stories. It was absolutely worth sticking it out and allowing myself to get immersed into the story. Fans of Scarlett St. Clair’s Touch of Darkness series or Nikki St. Crowe’s Vicious Lost Boys series would really enjoy this book! Thank you Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Hallie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

A beautiful blend of Peter Pan x Wendy and Hades x Persephone in a unique, heartwrenching story about a young girl who will stop at nothing to bring her late brother back from the dead. But what happens when the King of the Dead, whom she's supposed to trick to bring her brother home becomes the object of her desires?

The plot:
I actually loved this one! I'm a sucker for retellings inspired by Peter Pan and Hades x Persephone, and this one had a beautiful blend of both. The plot was filled with mystery, adventure, betrayal as well as heavy themes of death, loss, grief, and the overwhelming difficulty of making decisions for oneself and others. There was also the romance, but I'll get more into that soon. At times I will say I found the pacing to vary and some points did seem a little slow, but I never lost interest. I think that there was so much to dive into in this one and honestly I didn't want it to end, but I'm happy with how it ended. I would say that you could read this one as a standalone if that's your thing. For those series lovers out there thought, there definitely seems that much more could be more coming.

Kora:
I loved Kora's character even through her flaws and stubbornness. She is a young lady living in a time when women are expected to marry and have children, not to follow their dreams, ambitions, or expand their knowledge by going to school. This has never sat well with her and it sometimes gets her into trouble. In her home life, she almost has to hide who she is but I loved how she was able to blossom throughout this book on her quest to try to save her late brother. I admired her sheer determination and love for her family and her willingness to do and sacrifice whatever it took to keep them safe. She had so much growth, and I loved what was revealed about her at the end I think it helped explain so many of the little hints throughout the book and just really connected her as a character.

Shade:
You know when an MMC has a name like Shade he's gonna be one hell of a daddy. I struggle to put into words the way this character made me feel. I instantly liked him but had no idea how much I'd love him by the end of the story. I loved how at times he was mysterious, quiet, a little childish, and full-on badass, and how well all of these blended together to make this character. My heart broke for him about his past and what he was scared of for his future. I would love to see more of him.

Romance and Spice:
I absolutely loved the blossoming of Kora and Shade's relationship. It was definitely a forbidden one, with lots of banter, questioning, longing, and agony. How could a living mortal girl be with the King of the Dead? And how could she possibly choose him over her brothers? This one was a super slow burn but totally worth it! There was one spicy scene but very limited description of the act, but it felt like it went well with the story.

Extra thoughts:
If you ever watched the Peter Pan 2003 film and loved it, I'm sure you'll love this book! It gives a much more adult look on that story, which I was obsessed with growing up, and it blends so many more themes and other aspects that made this tale beautiful, but don't get me wrong it was also so very unique! Overall, I would recommend reading!

Tropes:

• Peter Pan x Wendy
• Hades x Persephone
• Fairytale retelling
• Slow burn
• Forced proximity
• Enemies to lovers
• Forbidden love
• Witty banter
... and so much more!

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was going to give this 2 stars, but I have so many comments about it that I decided it deserves a 3rd star simply for taking up so much space in my brain.

Regarding the retelling/adaption:
This is a mashup between Peter Pan and the story of Hades and Persephone. Buuut where it takes some inspiration from Hades and Persephone, it straight up copies from Peter Pan; even to details like "think happy thoughts" and "second star to the right." This was a weird dichotomy and didn't quite work for me.

Regarding the romance:
It did not convince me. Shade/Hades/Peter had no personality. He was hundreds of years old, but also extremely juvenile, but also was supposed to be the love interest of a 20-year-old? I would have liked this better if Kora/Wendy/Persephone had been a teenager and the romance more reflective of the actual Peter Pan story. OR if it had been more reflective of the real Hades/Persephone story, which I think would have been possible without making it a dark romance. (The author is clear in the marketing that this is not a dark romance.) As it is, the romance is cringey and feels forced.
This has graphic open door spice. The book is marketed as New Adult, so that shouldn't have surprised me, but I think the more juvenile writing style led me to think it would be more vague.

Regarding the writing:
The style is quite juvenile, making this seem like a young YA novel. It also suffers from many missing subjects and direct objects, dangling participles, and run-on sentences. I'm not usually one to mention typos or grammatical errors, especially in an indie book. But this seemed to be beyond technical errors and rather a of lack of the author's skills.

Regarding the universe:
The world is sooo cool and had so much potential. I liked the idea a lot. I love retellings. I love myths and fairytales reimagined. I even like mashups when done well. But we didn't get much of the good stuff from either of the source materials. We got the islands and a copy-and-paste version of Neverland. We had none of the whimsy; none of the grandeur. Everything that makes Neverland so alluring and the Greek myths so compelling was stripped away, leaving only the flat components of each. Nothing made me want to believe in the magic.
My favorite scene was when Captain/Hook/Zeus visited Mount Olympus or whatever it was called in this universe.

Regarding the plot:
Sadly, this book turned out to be so boring. It was pretty intriguing in the beginning, but once they got to the island, I knew exactly what was going to happen and how.
A story needs one or both of the following to hold a reader's attention:
1) what will happen to the characters in the end? and 2) if we already basically know the end (as in most romances and/or retellings), how will we get to the end and how will those events affect the characters?
This book had neither. Even with the allowances made for twists in a retelling...it was clear based on the text of the story itself what the end would be and how we'd get there. There was nothing compelling about the characters. They were doing everything we thought they might do, and nothing more. Around 80% I thought maybe we were about to get a fun twist...but we didn't.
Also the epilogue...I think it was supposed to be setup for the next book, but I just did not care about those characters at all.

In conclusion:
This was an amazing premise with lots of promise, but really fell flat for me in the execution.

[Tracy Emro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in an evocative, famine-stricken version of early 1900s Greece. The story follows Kora, a young woman whose world has been shaped by the mysterious disappearance of the Immortals. Her life, though quiet and ordinary, takes a dramatic turn when her twin brother William is killed while protecting her, thrusting Kora into a supernatural bargain to save his soul. I appreciated the imaginative premise and how the author wove together mythic and fairytale elements, particularly with Shade—a god reminiscent of both Hades and Peter Pan, whose reluctance and vulnerability add intrigue to the plot.

Kora herself is a memorable protagonist: stubborn, loyal, and surprisingly brave. Her interactions with her family, especially her younger brother Michael, offer touching moments of warmth amid the story’s tension and loss. I also found her relationship with Shade compelling, with their slow-burn romance giving the book emotional depth. The setting—Greece on the edge of collapse—provides a compelling backdrop and heightens the stakes of Kora’s journey.

The blurb for this book intrigued me, but I did struggle at times with the pacing and the way the story balanced its dual inspirations, making the narrative harder to fully invest in. Some characters, particularly Shade, came across as more childish than I expected for a romantic lead, and the dialogue sometimes felt as if I was reading a YA novel rather than a romantasy. Overall, this was a touching story of love, loss, and self-discovery. And while it may not resonate with everyone—especially those looking for a more traditional mythological retelling—I think readers who enjoy unconventional fantasy, fairytale reimagining, will enjoy this book.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

[Tiegan | Bookstagram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you GW Prouse for gifting me with an e-ARC to review!

“Isle of Waiting” is a new adult Hades & Persephone x Peter Pan retelling that tells the story of Kora Darling, a fiery young woman living in Athens whose life changes forever when her brother William is fatally stabbed at a religious gathering. When Kora prays to the gods for a way to get William back, her prayers are answered when she is brought to Shade and the Isles of Nekrós.

Kora needs to find a pomegranate tree that could help bring William back to the mortal world, but for that, she needs the God of the Dead’s help. The only problem is, finding the pomegranate will require Shade to give up the life he has built for the life that Captain, the King of the Gods and Shade’s brother, wants him to live in order for the mortal world to flourish and for its famine to end.

This book is very different to the author’s debut series. It has a younger and more innocent tone to it, and doesn’t contain the sort of *cough spicy intensity cough* that I’m used to lol. But it still deals with some difficult topics, like grief and survivor’s guilt, in a very raw way that tugs at the heart strings. It was very charming and exactly the sort of book you’d want to sit down with on a cold winter’s night with a hot chocolate. That being said, if you’re looking for a heart-pounding, high-spice romantasy book, “Isle of Waiting” is definitely not for you.

Overall an okay read. I just think I loved the author’s Realms Curse duology a lot more.

⭐️ 4/5
🌶️ 1/5

[Krista Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting twist on the retelling of hades x Persephone with the story of Peter Pan mixed in, this fantasy mixes the two stories together well and weaves a beautiful tale! You follow the story of Kora, following the death of her twin brother, makes a bargain to the gods who have abandoned them to bring him back. The god who answers asks for her help to right things in return for her brother and send Shade (hades) back to his proper domain so that the world can be saved from the devastation causes by his disruption. As the story progresses it turns out not everything as it seems and she may have a hard time resisting this god she is meant to trick to save her brother.

This book mixes the adventures of Peter Pan and a treasure hunt for a fruit that could save her brother that leads to lots of exciting scenes. I loved the mix of these two stories and the familial bond Kora has to do anything for her brothers. I also really enjoyed the banter and tension between her and this god she should resist and how they come to care for one another. After a few surprise twists and betrayals, that ending had me both satisfied but also hoping for maybe more adventures! Overall my rating 4.2/5!

Thanks to the author and R&R book tours for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!

[Havok · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one started off so strong that I was sure I’d found a new favorite. The opening hooked me instantly, immersive world, vivid ideas, and a heroine I actually rooted for. The FMC was everything I adore in a lead: strong, selfless, and determined even when things got messy. She carried the emotional weight of the story beautifully.

But as the plot unfolded, it started to lose its rhythm. The pacing felt uneven, and a few scenes left me scratching my head, wondering if I’d missed something. It wasn’t that the writing was bad but it just felt like the puzzle pieces didn’t quite fit together by the end. There were moments that should have hit hard but instead fizzled out because the buildup didn’t quite land.

That said, the world itself was fascinating. The author clearly has a brilliant imagination and the bones of something incredible here. With a little tightening and more clarity between transitions, this story could easily shine as bright as its premise promised.

So while this one wasn’t a full hit for me, it’s far from a miss. I’m genuinely curious to see how the author grows this world and hones their craft because the potential is absolutely there, waiting to break through.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Absolutely loved this take on Peter Pan, with just the right amount of mythology thrown in. The nods to Neverland and Hades/Persephone were familiar, but not overbearing to the retelling.

Admittedly, life got in the way and this took way longer to read than anticipated. If I could have shut out the world and ignored responsibilities, I would have devoured this book in hours.

The pacing and world building were on point - with enough detail to vividly paint the isles of Néuros. I wanted to dance around the camo fire and fly above the isles with Shade.

The characters are all well done, with their own takes on the originals. I absolutely loved the mix of fairytale and mythology. The amount of depth the author put into Shade, had me in tears. And the resolve of Kora will have you rooting for her the start. She’s a spitfire with a heart of gold.

Aside from the adventure and romance (it’s a sloooow burn), this story explores themes of grief and death - and the various ways we cope.

I was not expecting the ending, and will be impatiently waiting to see what adventures and danger the next book has in store.

Appreciate of the advance copy of this book, I thoroughly enjoyed.

[Sarah's Always Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Typically I really enjoy fairytale retellings, and while Hades and Persephone is my least favorite this was just all right for me. The Isle of Waiting is a mash up of Peter Pan and Hades and Persephone with Kora Darling being our FMC. She and her family which include twin brother William and younger brother Michael living in early 1900's Greece in the middle of a European wide famine. Widely blamed on the gods leaving them. During a clash of political believes, William is killing by taking a knife meant for Kora.

What follows is Kora going on an adventure she always felt was missing from her strictly controlled life. She barters a deal with Captain that if she finds Shade his brother who is responsible for the famine that she can then return with William back to the living. While the synopsis sounded good, the majority of the book failed to capture my interest with the slow pace. I'm also not sure why but I REALLY wish the author gave Shade and Captain other names. It made it very difficult to connect with them .

The book is well written and while it was not for me I think others would enjoy it.

[lizface · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Shade wasn’t meant for warm touches and didn’t deserve a heart like hers.” 😢

I really enjoyed this mesh of two retellings. Hades & Persephone, and Peter Pan.
I loved Shades character development as well as Kora’s. Her realization at the end made me tear up. She was so blinded by the love she held for her brother, and it’s very easy to relate to that.
This story is ultimately about the lengths we go for those we love. And taking the leap to follow your hopes and dreams no matter how scary it may seem.

Isle of Waiting is set in 1904 Greece, during a famine which most believe is caused by the Immortals leaving them behind. Little do they know how much truth that actually holds.
After Kora Darling tragically loses her brother she makes an offering to the Immortals to bring him back. She’ll do ANYTHING. When Kora’s prayer is answered we begin the journey of the search for the Pomegranate. But she has her own underlying job to fulfill along the way. As Shade accompanies Kora in her search she learns much about the God of Death, and surprisingly understands why he made his choices.

Thank you GW Prouse for my ARC copy 🫶🏼

[Kiera · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖘 𝖔𝖓𝖊 𝖎𝖘 𝖋𝖔𝖗 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝕳𝖆𝖉𝖊𝖘 𝖝 𝕻𝖊𝖗𝖘𝖊𝖕𝖍𝖔𝖓𝖊 𝖋𝖆𝖓𝖘...
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This is the second book by @gwprouse.books I've read and of course, it was another good one. ✨️
In Isle of Waiting, we follow Kora who is living in a world where famine and rot has spread over the lands after the Immortals vanished from their world until one fateful night when she uncovers her twin brother's secret and stumbles into a brewing rebellion...
@gwprouse.books has this beautiful way of weaving heartbreak and emotion into these stunning fantasy worlds and it's safe to say that Isle of Waiting was full of it. While I could literally see everything in my mind-like a movie playing in my head-I could also FEEL every bit of grief and tension that this book had to give and considering that's mainly what I go off of when I rate books, this was a HIT for me. ✨️

If you're looking for a standalone romantasy that has,
- Slow burn
- Retelling
- Reimagining
- Greek Myth
- Fairytale
- Peter Pan & Wendy
- Hades & Persephone
- Forced Proximity
- Strong FMC
- Enemies to lovers
- Tension/Banter

Then look no further, because today is release day for this beauty and she is available now!

[FictionalFlair · Rating 4 out of 5]

The isle of Waiting is a wonderfully written crossover of Peter Pan and the myth of Hades and Persephone.
The world building was deep and I could picture the different locations with such ease.
Kora and her brother/s are young, and I feel like the writing gives this story more of a YA feel. It didn't put me off, as I got hooked. Slow burns reel me in so bad.
When we got to the climax of the scene, it was done very tentatively, was well written and portrays what it is to trust someone in the moment of desire.

I don't want there to be any spoilers in my review, so I will keep it brief. This is a tragic story that covers, child loss, death, grief and abuse. It has its moments of happiness and shows that people can still smile, love and have fun and live their lives, while facing life's many challenges. I really enjoyed this. However, I would of enjoyed it more of it has felt more adult.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

Isle of Waiting is such an interesting mix of Greek mythology and a reimagined Peter Pan, it actually works really well together. The story takes place in a world where the gods have abandoned mortals, leaving behind famine, sickness, and despair. Kora (Wendy) loses her twin brother when he sacrifices himself to save her, and she becomes determined to bring him back from the dead.

I really loved the sibling dynamic between the Darling kids, it felt genuine and added a lot of heart to the story. My only real gripe was the spice. It was unnecessary and came across like something added just to check off a trope box. Honestly, I think the book would’ve been stronger if it had just stayed solidly YA.

Overall, though, I really enjoyed this one! The mix of mythology and familiar characters kept me hooked, and I’m planning to pick up the next book in the series.

Thank you to Prouse Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC READ

This was so unique!! Peter Pan x Wendy meets Hades x Persephone in this romantasy from G.W. Prouse. It was a bit of a slow start for me, but I quickly grew to love Shade and Kora. I loved the slow burn and the pining for each other. I thought the story had a great conclusion, and I’m definitely intrigued the set up for a second book.

I’d definitely like to see more of the other immortals in book 2. I’d also love to see a Shade x Kora dance in Pixie Meadow. If you saw the live action Peter Pan from 2003, you know what I’m talking about. That movie had an absolute chokehold on me. I watched it over and over on VHS. That Peter was my first big crush. Isle of Waiting gave me an adult version of the way that movie made me feel. And I’m a sucker for Hades x Persephone retellings. I think that storyline is a little more subtle in this compared to the Peter Pan storyline, but I thought it was still done really well!!

If you like Peter Pan, Hades x Persephone, and slow burns; definitely check out Isle of Waiting!

[Megan Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one! Thank you G.W. Prouse for the digital ARC! 😊

This was a Peter Pan retelling with a combination of the relationship of Hades and Persephone. The author did a great job layering in these stories and having them come together in a cohesive way.

I always enjoy a found family. I liked seeing the Lost Souls and learning about the Isle of Waiting. The relationship between Kora and her siblings was so sweet and full of love.

I enjoyed the slow burn between Kora and Shade. I liked Shade's character. He really developed into an adult throughout.

I want more of Captain's story. I wanted him to be the villain, but I feel like there is more that could be told.

Taea. Don't get me started on this one, but let's just say I've never been a Tinkerbell fan. I liked what the author did with this character and there is more to this story too.

I'll be waiting to read more.

[Kate S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the idea of this story, the blend of Greek mythology and a Peter Pan-style twist was so unique and beautifully done. The world-building is rich and imaginative, and I understood and appreciated the direction of the story.

That said, I just didn’t quite connect with the characters on the level I hoped to. The concept and lore drew me in far more than the emotional side of things, but that’s more about my personal reading experience than the writing itself.

Still, it’s an atmospheric, creative story with gorgeous mythological detail and some really thought-provoking themes about loss, faith, and power. Definitely one I’m glad I read and I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys retellings with a fresh perspective.

Thank you to G.W. Prouse and NetGalley for the ARC. 💫

[Cristin Bieber · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars
This honestly isn’t my usual kind of read, but Isle of Waiting totally caught me by surprise. It’s emotional, beautifully written, and just has this quiet, haunting vibe that sticks with you. G.W. Prouse’s writing is poetic without trying too hard — it just flows and pulls you right into the story.
The island setting felt so real I could almost taste the salt in the air, and the characters were perfectly imperfect — the kind you get frustrated with but still root for. It’s definitely a slower, more reflective book, but in a way that makes you want to slow down with it.
All in all, it’s one of those reads that sneaks up on you and lingers after you’re done. I’m really glad I picked it up. 🌊💙

[Bailey Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isle of Waiting by G.W. Prouse started off a little slow for me, but once it got going, I was completely hooked. It’s a creative mix of Peter Pan vibes with Greek mythology, which I honestly didn’t expect to work as well as it did!

The main character, Kora, travels to the underworld to save her twin brother and ends up crossing paths with the god of the dead. Their slow-burn connection was one of my favorite parts and it added just the right amount of tension and emotion. The writing is super descriptive, and I liked getting to see different points of view throughout the story.

As things picked up, there were some great twists and turns, and it became clear there’s a lot more going on than just the “Captain” (aka king of the gods). The ending was happy but left room for more, and I’m definitely hoping for a sequel.

Overall, I’d give this one 4 out of 5 stars. The pace picks up beautifully, and once it leans into the author’s imagination instead of the fairytale retelling, it really shines. If you like mythological fantasy with heart, adventure, and a touch of romance, this one’s worth the read!

[Preethi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isle of Waiting follows Kora in world full of famine and grief since the Gods left. She makes a deal with a God to try to save her brother from death.
GW prouse created a genius mix of peter pan lore (like pixie dust) and greek myth (drachma to cross on Charons boat). Genuinely Shade reminds me of the peter pan season of once upon a time (the best season and if you disagree i fear im judging you). He perfectly encapsulates the playfulness of the peter pan we all know but has the complexity of Hades at the same time.
there’s two things in this world that i love the most 1. greek mythology (esp any characters in the hades town realm) and 2. peter pan. Prouse somehow made the perfect mix of the two for me.

Thank you so much GW prouse for the ARC!

[carley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me all of the nostalgia and was exactly what I needed this weekend. It’s whimsical and gives such a great description of the islands of the afterworld, with just a great hint of darkness and danger. But the Peter Pan parallels are what I really loved. As a millennial I grew up watching Peter Pan on VHS and then loving Jeremy Sumpter while watching Peter Pan on DVD. Shade and Kora were both complicated characters dealing with their own turmoil and pushing each other to make those difficult realizations. I really enjoyed this book and gave 4 stars because it was also just such a fun and unique take on Peter Pan & Hades x Persephone. Can’t wait to see what GW Prouse comes up with next!