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The Stardust Pirates
What if there never was a Neverland? What if the child in Peter Pan's shadow was forced to grow up? What if the monster you fear most is the one you're becoming?
In the turquoise waters of Palawan, where limestone karsts rise like ancient teeth and sirens guard their treasures in the deep, Jack and Baby Boy are best friends, partners, and thieves—diving for fragments of fallen stars to keep their starving village alive.
They’ve been inseparable since the night the sirens killed their fathers and left them to survive alone. They’ve never said I love you, but everyone can see it in the way they’d die for each other without hesitation.
Then the sirens strike again.
Baby Boy is dragged into the depths before Jack’s eyes. When he escapes, he’s no longer the same—he’s stolen the heart of a siren, and it burns inside his chest, corrupting him from within.
Jack has weeks to save him. Maybe less.
The only cure lies in the hands of a ghost captain defined by his deadly Hook—a hunter who walks on water and commands the dead. He’ll trade the pearl of immortality for every shard of stardust Jack has ever stolen.
But Hook is lying, and the sirens are hunting.
Some choices destroy everything.
Some loves are worth becoming a monster for.
And some boys who grew up too soon might lose the only person who ever made them believe they could fly.
---
A queer mythic quest—set in the islands of the Philippines, where paradise is dying, where magic costs blood, and where the boy who tried to save everyone becomes the weapon who saves no one.
What they stole set the sea on fire.
What they’ll sacrifice will break your heart.
In the turquoise waters of Palawan, where limestone karsts rise like ancient teeth and sirens guard their treasures in the deep, Jack and Baby Boy are best friends, partners, and thieves—diving for fragments of fallen stars to keep their starving village alive.
They’ve been inseparable since the night the sirens killed their fathers and left them to survive alone. They’ve never said I love you, but everyone can see it in the way they’d die for each other without hesitation.
Then the sirens strike again.
Baby Boy is dragged into the depths before Jack’s eyes. When he escapes, he’s no longer the same—he’s stolen the heart of a siren, and it burns inside his chest, corrupting him from within.
Jack has weeks to save him. Maybe less.
The only cure lies in the hands of a ghost captain defined by his deadly Hook—a hunter who walks on water and commands the dead. He’ll trade the pearl of immortality for every shard of stardust Jack has ever stolen.
But Hook is lying, and the sirens are hunting.
Some choices destroy everything.
Some loves are worth becoming a monster for.
And some boys who grew up too soon might lose the only person who ever made them believe they could fly.
---
A queer mythic quest—set in the islands of the Philippines, where paradise is dying, where magic costs blood, and where the boy who tried to save everyone becomes the weapon who saves no one.
What they stole set the sea on fire.
What they’ll sacrifice will break your heart.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 2, 2025
9 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Luke Stoffel
19 books15 followersLuke Stoffel (b. 1978) Recognized as one of NYC’s top LGBTQ+ artists by GLAAD he has been showcased by prestigious organizations like the American Foundation for AIDS Research, and the Matthew Shepard foundation. His art and photography have appeared on Bravo’s Million Dollar Lisiting, in the New York Times, Huffington Post, AM New York, Hawaiian Airlines Magazines, and on the cover of Next Magazine. His artistic contributions have earned him the Starving Artist Award, along with a commission for Ralph Lauren’s daughter. His art has graced iconic New York venues like the Puck Building, The Art Directors Club, The Prince George Gallery, GalleryBar, and New World Stages.
Luke is an accomplished artist and author, with several books available on Amazon, including The Easy Bake Unicorn Cookbook, The Art of Tarot: A History and Guidebook, and his debut novel How to Win a Million Dollars and $#!T Glitter! His second, follow-up novel, In Over Your Head, is set to release in 2026. Additionally, his art and photography are featured in his ongoing book series The Noble Path.
Luke is an accomplished artist and author, with several books available on Amazon, including The Easy Bake Unicorn Cookbook, The Art of Tarot: A History and Guidebook, and his debut novel How to Win a Million Dollars and $#!T Glitter! His second, follow-up novel, In Over Your Head, is set to release in 2026. Additionally, his art and photography are featured in his ongoing book series The Noble Path.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
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November 8, 2025I picked this up because it sounds different from the many same-y depressing retellings of Peter Pan that focus on oppressive Victorian social mores or child abuse. So far the only PP retelling I've really enjoyed is Peter Darling. Fingers crossed!
Also it was free so
Also it was free so
December 6, 2025
Only loosely connected to the original Peter Pan, and for me (not the biggest reader of retellings / reimaginings) all the better for it!
Lush descriptions of Philippine islands and the developing relationship of our MC Jack with his BFF Baby Boy, make this an engrossing read, though note, it's setting up at least a duology and perhaps a series. While we're not forced to suffer a cliffhanger, there is plenty of plot still to go by the end. The balance of Jack's responsibility, taken up far too young, with what might seem to a tourist like an idyllic life is beautifully and intensely told.
Just lovely, and I will be looking out for the next book!
This review is based upon a complimentary advance reading copy provided by the publisher.
Lush descriptions of Philippine islands and the developing relationship of our MC Jack with his BFF Baby Boy, make this an engrossing read, though note, it's setting up at least a duology and perhaps a series. While we're not forced to suffer a cliffhanger, there is plenty of plot still to go by the end. The balance of Jack's responsibility, taken up far too young, with what might seem to a tourist like an idyllic life is beautifully and intensely told.
Just lovely, and I will be looking out for the next book!
This review is based upon a complimentary advance reading copy provided by the publisher.
December 29, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free ebook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Unfortunately, this book was a disappointing read for me. It had such a fascinating premise, but failed to deliver. To be frank, this book deserved more: more words, more time, more character development, more fleshing out of the plot. As it was, it read like a mishmash of stories thrown together, loosely connected, but without a truly cohesive narrative. There were continuity issues, too much repetition, and confusion over who the true villain/antagonist actually was, leading to an ending that didn't make sense and didn't fit the rest of the story to me. Those issues ended up overshadowing the love and grief in the story for me.
Something that also gave me mixed feelings is that the main characters were presumably Filipino boys, but the story is written by a white man, based on a "five-day catamaran journey through Bacuit Bay and beyond," where Stoffel "met the heart of Palawan—the kindness of the Filipino crews, the laughter echoing over water, the quiet moments between islands when time itself seemed to stop." While that all sounds pretty and good, is that really enough to be writing a story where the main characters are Filipino? And one of them explicitly doesn't understand Tagalog (but can speak just fine to the British man and Australian woman, so presumably speaks only English)? I'm also cognizant of concerns about increased tourism in Palawan and what that could mean for the local population, so there's that aspect as well. While I certainly don't believe in gatekeeping Filipino culture (and as a Filipina-American who was born and raised in the US, I don't think I'm entitled to gatekeep), I am somewhat uncomfortable with a white man writing this kind of story based on such a short trip in the Philippines. There's also nothing about the story felt like it had to be set in the Philippines, versus any other island--nothing about beliefs or mythology or anything--so I'm not sure what purpose it served.
While I liked the idea behind this book, there were too many issues and too little development for me to truly enjoy it.
Unfortunately, this book was a disappointing read for me. It had such a fascinating premise, but failed to deliver. To be frank, this book deserved more: more words, more time, more character development, more fleshing out of the plot. As it was, it read like a mishmash of stories thrown together, loosely connected, but without a truly cohesive narrative. There were continuity issues, too much repetition, and confusion over who the true villain/antagonist actually was, leading to an ending that didn't make sense and didn't fit the rest of the story to me. Those issues ended up overshadowing the love and grief in the story for me.
Something that also gave me mixed feelings is that the main characters were presumably Filipino boys, but the story is written by a white man, based on a "five-day catamaran journey through Bacuit Bay and beyond," where Stoffel "met the heart of Palawan—the kindness of the Filipino crews, the laughter echoing over water, the quiet moments between islands when time itself seemed to stop." While that all sounds pretty and good, is that really enough to be writing a story where the main characters are Filipino? And one of them explicitly doesn't understand Tagalog (but can speak just fine to the British man and Australian woman, so presumably speaks only English)? I'm also cognizant of concerns about increased tourism in Palawan and what that could mean for the local population, so there's that aspect as well. While I certainly don't believe in gatekeeping Filipino culture (and as a Filipina-American who was born and raised in the US, I don't think I'm entitled to gatekeep), I am somewhat uncomfortable with a white man writing this kind of story based on such a short trip in the Philippines. There's also nothing about the story felt like it had to be set in the Philippines, versus any other island--nothing about beliefs or mythology or anything--so I'm not sure what purpose it served.
While I liked the idea behind this book, there were too many issues and too little development for me to truly enjoy it.
December 30, 2025
Rating: 3.5/5 stars.
"The Stardust Pirates" takes coming-of-age and queer YA horror and twists them together in an unforgettable whirlwind. From Jack and Baby Boy's relationship being heartfelt and deeply complicated to their love for their families despite generational trauma, Stoffel does an excellent job of bringing their characters to life and integrating their families into their overall stories. I also really enjoyed the system of magic and lore of the sirens, which felt complex without delving too deep into the "nitty gritty" of their civilization, and keeping the energy in the moment with Jack as our main point-of-view character.
This book was very loosely based on Peter Pan legends, and I didn't mind the brief and open allusions to the stories without overt character-to-character connections. I feel like the story was stronger on its own for that reason.
I did wish there was more connection with Filipino culture, as the city and the occasional usage of 'anak' as the Filipino word for 'son' were the only clear connections to the Philippines that I could pick out. It felt like the author's choice of island could have lent more weight to the story if more of the connection between the people, land, and the story were connected. I personally can't comment on the Filipino culture, but do always appreciate depth in the lore I'm reading that makes a story feel very integrated and well-rounded.
If you have read "Out of Air" by Rachel Reiss, "Six of Sorrow" by Amanda Linsmeier, or any sort of story inspired by myths and other stories, you'll likely enjoy "The Stardust Pirates"!
Thank you to Cinderly, LLC, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for a review!
"The Stardust Pirates" takes coming-of-age and queer YA horror and twists them together in an unforgettable whirlwind. From Jack and Baby Boy's relationship being heartfelt and deeply complicated to their love for their families despite generational trauma, Stoffel does an excellent job of bringing their characters to life and integrating their families into their overall stories. I also really enjoyed the system of magic and lore of the sirens, which felt complex without delving too deep into the "nitty gritty" of their civilization, and keeping the energy in the moment with Jack as our main point-of-view character.
This book was very loosely based on Peter Pan legends, and I didn't mind the brief and open allusions to the stories without overt character-to-character connections. I feel like the story was stronger on its own for that reason.
I did wish there was more connection with Filipino culture, as the city and the occasional usage of 'anak' as the Filipino word for 'son' were the only clear connections to the Philippines that I could pick out. It felt like the author's choice of island could have lent more weight to the story if more of the connection between the people, land, and the story were connected. I personally can't comment on the Filipino culture, but do always appreciate depth in the lore I'm reading that makes a story feel very integrated and well-rounded.
If you have read "Out of Air" by Rachel Reiss, "Six of Sorrow" by Amanda Linsmeier, or any sort of story inspired by myths and other stories, you'll likely enjoy "The Stardust Pirates"!
Thank you to Cinderly, LLC, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for a review!
January 24, 2026
Very loosely based on Peter Pan, Jack and his friends (lets be real, his soulmate) Baby Boy are both forced to grow up way too fast when both their fathers go missing while searching for fragments of falling stars.
I'll be honest here, my first thought when I finished this story was "that was depressing." I was left feeling overall at a bit of a loss and empty after reading. The story deals with attempting to break free from generational trauma, poverty and greed. But I'm not sure anyone actually breaks free from it.
I loved Jack and Baby Boy's relationship. I was worried it was going to be kept as subtext but it slowly and beautifully blossoms throughout the story.
The story is well written and captivating. It is a fast read, I think maybe the tale might just not be one for me. At the end of the day it certainly did make me feel something.
Thank you NetGalley and Cinderly, LLC for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I'll be honest here, my first thought when I finished this story was "that was depressing." I was left feeling overall at a bit of a loss and empty after reading. The story deals with attempting to break free from generational trauma, poverty and greed. But I'm not sure anyone actually breaks free from it.
I loved Jack and Baby Boy's relationship. I was worried it was going to be kept as subtext but it slowly and beautifully blossoms throughout the story.
The story is well written and captivating. It is a fast read, I think maybe the tale might just not be one for me. At the end of the day it certainly did make me feel something.
Thank you NetGalley and Cinderly, LLC for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 20, 2025
I picked this up expecting a fun pirate adventure or a clever Peter Pan retelling, but The Stardust Pirates is so much more than that. It’s a story about generational trauma, the weight of being the "responsible one" (Jack’s role as a parent / child really hit home for me), and the terrible things we do for the people we love.
The setting of islands is immersive, but the relationship between Jack and Baby Boy that anchors the book. It’s agonizingly beautiful. Watching them try to break the cycle of their fathers, only to be pulled into that same darkness, was heartbreaking.
I won't spoil the end, but the final scene under the banyan tree left me sobbing. It’s not the fairytale , but if you like stories with high stakes, complex villains (Hook is terrifying), and emotion, read it.
The setting of islands is immersive, but the relationship between Jack and Baby Boy that anchors the book. It’s agonizingly beautiful. Watching them try to break the cycle of their fathers, only to be pulled into that same darkness, was heartbreaking.
I won't spoil the end, but the final scene under the banyan tree left me sobbing. It’s not the fairytale , but if you like stories with high stakes, complex villains (Hook is terrifying), and emotion, read it.
November 20, 2025
It broke my heart in the best possible way. The writing is gorgeous, the setting feels alive, and the characters grabbed me from page one. Jack and Baby Boy’s relationship is tender, complicated, and so deeply human that I kept forgetting this was fantasy at all. (The author notes it is a fantasy based on a real life experience.) The tension builds beautifully, the emotions hit hard, and the final chapters left me staring at the wall just feeling things.
It’s romantic, it’s tragic, it’s atmospheric, and it has that rare kind of soul you don’t normally find in fantasy retellings. Easily one of my favorite reads this year. I cannot wait for Book Two.
It’s romantic, it’s tragic, it’s atmospheric, and it has that rare kind of soul you don’t normally find in fantasy retellings. Easily one of my favorite reads this year. I cannot wait for Book Two.
November 20, 2025
Gay Peter Pan story? Count me in. It surprised me in the best way. It’s a clever concept, it’s heartfelt, messy, tender, and full of that magic I remember from being young and figuring myself out.
There’s something incredibly refreshing about seeing a queer teen love story wrapped in an adventure this cinematic. It felt wholesome without being soft, romantic without being syrupy, and honest in a way YA rarely is. It skews older for sure. The friendships, the devotion, the grief threaded through… hit harder than I expected.
Honestly, it made me feel seen in a way younger me never got. Highly recommend if you want an adventure with heart, tragedy, and a love story that feels timeless.
There’s something incredibly refreshing about seeing a queer teen love story wrapped in an adventure this cinematic. It felt wholesome without being soft, romantic without being syrupy, and honest in a way YA rarely is. It skews older for sure. The friendships, the devotion, the grief threaded through… hit harder than I expected.
Honestly, it made me feel seen in a way younger me never got. Highly recommend if you want an adventure with heart, tragedy, and a love story that feels timeless.
December 31, 2025
I'm a big fan of Peter Pan and this was an interesting spin on the concept of Hook and the original lost boys. I thought the imagery and descriptions of the islands and the sunsets and water were stunning and I could picture everything in my head! It isn't a very long book and moved pretty fast at times which always takes me a little out of emotional moments but the big ones still felt like they mattered. an interesting ending with some very tragic gay representation. I think they could have leaned harder on the impact of colonization on the mythos of the story but hey thats just me.
thanks netgalley for arc access!
thanks netgalley for arc access!
February 11, 2026
A study in frustration because the book deserved better. There are some powerful lines, but the quality of the writing as a whole is hindered by the need for more editing/proofreading. A very interesting premise that isn't quite delivered on because the narrative fast forwards through what it should have lingered on, and stays where it shouldn't have.
November 20, 2025
Loved it. Good read. Heartbreaking. Pace was nice, fast, didn't want to put it down. Highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews