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Piper Pan and Her Merry Band #1
The Curse of the Neverland
When eleven-year old Piper Pizzinni arrives in the nearly dead Neverland, she is shocked to learn she is Peter Pan's granddaughter, tasked with saving the magical island from destruction. Too focused on avenging past wrongs to fly, laugh, or crow, will she join forces with her rag-tag group of fellow foster girls and the ancient fairy Belle, formerly Tinker Bell, to stop the dastardly Captain Li'l Jack and his deadly dragon Sincoraz?
200 pages, Hardcover
First published March 12, 2015
270 people want to read
About the author
Lindy MacLaine
2 books3 followersLindy MacLine lives on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula in Washington State with her husband and 2 cats. When not writing, she can be found daydreaming, biking, hiking, taking a NIA or Zumba class, watching movies, hanging with friends, and soaking up beauty. She is also a Life Purpose and Creativity Coach for people in the second bloom of life—because we're never too old to have a grand adventure!
She has this to say about her debut novel, "The Curse of the Neverland:"
"This series represents the adventure I would have wanted to take to the Neverland. It's a serious adventure with real stakes—nothing frilly—lots of courage and cleverness required, and a band of fellows to do it with. I've created Piper as a real person with real hopes, fears, and foibles. I hope you find her an excellent way in to a new magical adventure!"
She has this to say about her debut novel, "The Curse of the Neverland:"
"This series represents the adventure I would have wanted to take to the Neverland. It's a serious adventure with real stakes—nothing frilly—lots of courage and cleverness required, and a band of fellows to do it with. I've created Piper as a real person with real hopes, fears, and foibles. I hope you find her an excellent way in to a new magical adventure!"
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 4, 2017
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
Alright I was intrigued with the idea of this story. Creative - somewhat while I know that it is hard to get too creative with all the various Peter Pan retellings going on. Sadly this particular one reminded me a bit too much of the movie with Robin Williams known as "Hook" and it seemed that a lot of the details were taken from the Disney version of the movie.
The other things that bugged me is the too much similarities between story characters such as Hook vs. Lil Jack, Smee vs. Flea and the Lost Boys vs. the Merry Band. Why did you have to keep with the twins and the awkward nicknames instead of using the pretty names the girls originally had. And to get my main rave out why is it all YA or children stories have to have flatulence in it? Can we have at least one decent work geared towards children that doesn't have toilet "humor"?
And one last thing to get out of the system. I love the cover of the book and the girl presented for Piper but unfortunately she isn't the one that was described in the book. Piper Pan was suppose to have dark straight hair while that beautiful girl who modeled is more what I would have seen towards possibly looking like Peter with the wavy hair. The other thing is that Lil Jack on the bookmark has his arms on backwards with the claw on the right and the hook on the left.
Okay now that I get my ranting out of the way.... I would love to see how the rest of the series goes to see if it can make up for what I believe was shortness with the first book. Will the other two be able to pull this one out and level the playing field? Or will we see pretty much the same thing, which I am sure we won't.
The characters were pretty well-defined in a sense but they still didn't have much of meat on the bones since there were so much done to tie them with the original. Belle fit her personality to a T while the pirates basically were snatched from any other variations. It will be fun to watch Sincoraz evolve in the other stories while you know that all the girls will be required to change to better become a group.
If you can ignore the original "Peter Pan" and aren't picky then this is going to be a great book to read. For the original "Peter Pan" fans you will need to set aside your pickiness like me to be able to enjoy it and/or see it as a book unto its own self. My honest opinion is the series can go to places but the author needs to find that fine balancing line that allows it to be what we all recognize it as while at the same time being able to make it her own so that when we think of "Peter Pan" we can think of Disney, "Hook" and "The Piper Pan series"....
**Received this book as part of the Giveaway at Goodreads.com for free in exchange for a review**
Alright I was intrigued with the idea of this story. Creative - somewhat while I know that it is hard to get too creative with all the various Peter Pan retellings going on. Sadly this particular one reminded me a bit too much of the movie with Robin Williams known as "Hook" and it seemed that a lot of the details were taken from the Disney version of the movie.
The other things that bugged me is the too much similarities between story characters such as Hook vs. Lil Jack, Smee vs. Flea and the Lost Boys vs. the Merry Band. Why did you have to keep with the twins and the awkward nicknames instead of using the pretty names the girls originally had. And to get my main rave out why is it all YA or children stories have to have flatulence in it? Can we have at least one decent work geared towards children that doesn't have toilet "humor"?
And one last thing to get out of the system. I love the cover of the book and the girl presented for Piper but unfortunately she isn't the one that was described in the book. Piper Pan was suppose to have dark straight hair while that beautiful girl who modeled is more what I would have seen towards possibly looking like Peter with the wavy hair. The other thing is that Lil Jack on the bookmark has his arms on backwards with the claw on the right and the hook on the left.
Okay now that I get my ranting out of the way.... I would love to see how the rest of the series goes to see if it can make up for what I believe was shortness with the first book. Will the other two be able to pull this one out and level the playing field? Or will we see pretty much the same thing, which I am sure we won't.
The characters were pretty well-defined in a sense but they still didn't have much of meat on the bones since there were so much done to tie them with the original. Belle fit her personality to a T while the pirates basically were snatched from any other variations. It will be fun to watch Sincoraz evolve in the other stories while you know that all the girls will be required to change to better become a group.
If you can ignore the original "Peter Pan" and aren't picky then this is going to be a great book to read. For the original "Peter Pan" fans you will need to set aside your pickiness like me to be able to enjoy it and/or see it as a book unto its own self. My honest opinion is the series can go to places but the author needs to find that fine balancing line that allows it to be what we all recognize it as while at the same time being able to make it her own so that when we think of "Peter Pan" we can think of Disney, "Hook" and "The Piper Pan series"....
**Received this book as part of the Giveaway at Goodreads.com for free in exchange for a review**
July 14, 2015
What does happen to Neverland after Peter Pan goes home with Wendy? I love this book. In this story, Neverland is dying, and a dragon is stealing the life force. But the dragon is not alone. Captain Lil' Jack cares for nothing but getting enough dragon tears to grow him and new set of arms.
Piper is the granddaughter of Peter Pan, but she really has no idea about that. Her parents went missing years ago, and she has been in multiple foster homes since. Eventually finding she is Pan's granddaughter and going to Neverland, she wants to avenge her parents. She really doesn't seem to have happy thoughts so she can not fly no matter what Tinkerbelle does. She brings a bunch of fosterkids with no hope or happiness in their lives to neverland. Since this is book one, the main battle was saving Pip from the pirates, bringing the girls together.
I am looking forward to reading the next in the series. I love the characters and since the girls all had pain and loss in their lives, they put up a pretty strong front. But the girls are getting closer and bonding. I really can't wait to see what happens next.
I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway. I was not paid for my review and all opinions are my own.
Piper is the granddaughter of Peter Pan, but she really has no idea about that. Her parents went missing years ago, and she has been in multiple foster homes since. Eventually finding she is Pan's granddaughter and going to Neverland, she wants to avenge her parents. She really doesn't seem to have happy thoughts so she can not fly no matter what Tinkerbelle does. She brings a bunch of fosterkids with no hope or happiness in their lives to neverland. Since this is book one, the main battle was saving Pip from the pirates, bringing the girls together.
I am looking forward to reading the next in the series. I love the characters and since the girls all had pain and loss in their lives, they put up a pretty strong front. But the girls are getting closer and bonding. I really can't wait to see what happens next.
I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway. I was not paid for my review and all opinions are my own.
August 30, 2015
I won The Curse of the Neverland in a First Reads giveaway.
I think this book is intended more for females than males, but I still enjoyed it.
The story is a continuation of sorts of Peter Pan. The heroine is Peter Pan's granddaughter. A great premise for the story. Author Lindy MacLaine does a good job of connecting the new story to the classic.
A lot of message here, especially for girls. The author has even included discussion questions at the end of the book. The story concluded: The end of book one. So I expect there will be more to come.
Young girls will probably love this, and forthcoming books, immensely. Woven into the lessons of teamwork, self confidence, and friendship are; action, humor, and anger.
Although, as an older male, I am clearly not a part of the target audience for The Curse of the Neverland, this was still an enjoyable read.
As I said before, it is targeted at a younger female audience. I do think it will be a welcome and valuable addition to that genre. I recommend it for that audience. Enjoy!
Mike
I think this book is intended more for females than males, but I still enjoyed it.
The story is a continuation of sorts of Peter Pan. The heroine is Peter Pan's granddaughter. A great premise for the story. Author Lindy MacLaine does a good job of connecting the new story to the classic.
A lot of message here, especially for girls. The author has even included discussion questions at the end of the book. The story concluded: The end of book one. So I expect there will be more to come.
Young girls will probably love this, and forthcoming books, immensely. Woven into the lessons of teamwork, self confidence, and friendship are; action, humor, and anger.
Although, as an older male, I am clearly not a part of the target audience for The Curse of the Neverland, this was still an enjoyable read.
As I said before, it is targeted at a younger female audience. I do think it will be a welcome and valuable addition to that genre. I recommend it for that audience. Enjoy!
Mike
May 29, 2015
I loved this book; it was such a satisfying read for someone who has always been annoyed by Wendy's cleaner/mother status in the original Peter Pan. Peter's granddaughter Piper (who doesn't have enough happy thoughts to be able to fly), her ragtag band of foster girls and the aging Belle (formerly Tinker Bell) are vibrant characters with believable strengths and flaws. Even pirate captain Li'l Jack, who is truly terrible, elicits sympathy occasionally. The book's ending came too soon for me and I can't wait to read the next book. Will the Neverland be saved and restored to its former beauty? Will Stinky demand that she be called by her real name Sara? It's all possible as the girls strive together as a team and gain confidence in themselves.
June 9, 2015
My 13 year old son and I loved this book. A great adventure.
It can be so fun to have our favorite classic stories continued through the eyes of a great author. Lindy MacLaine does this for us in this story bringing us back to the Neverland through the eyes of Peter's granddaughter, Piper. Young girls will love the strong female roles of Piper and her modern day "lost girls". Boys will love the adventure, dragons, and nasty pirates. As with any good adventure story there are intense moments, inspiring moments, and a phenomenal cliff hanger that will have you begging for the next book.
This story is a big hit in my elementary library.
It can be so fun to have our favorite classic stories continued through the eyes of a great author. Lindy MacLaine does this for us in this story bringing us back to the Neverland through the eyes of Peter's granddaughter, Piper. Young girls will love the strong female roles of Piper and her modern day "lost girls". Boys will love the adventure, dragons, and nasty pirates. As with any good adventure story there are intense moments, inspiring moments, and a phenomenal cliff hanger that will have you begging for the next book.
This story is a big hit in my elementary library.
July 11, 2019
In the spirit of adventure, equality, lessons on friendships and respect, struggles and successes. Ms. MacLaine writes that this book is "For all the girls and women , young and old" but I see it as a powerful book especially for boys and men, a true counter-diction to the false belief that girls and women are not adventurous and problem solvers. The men have the sole responsibility to fix everything. Love this powerful fun to read adventure.
July 17, 2015
Piper - Pip for short is a devastated young girl when one day her parents just vanished. Pip is placed in one foster home after another. Each time she runs away. She is brought to Mrs, Fitchs Girls Home as a last resort. She once again runs away. She is caught and brought back. Even though she must endure the wrath of Mrs, Fitch she refuses to give up her dream of reaching "Neverland" where Pip believes she will be reunited with her parents.THANK YOU GOODREADS FIRSTREADS FOR THIS FREE BOOK!!!!!
July 30, 2015
Really enjoyed the adventure. I won this book through goodreads.
July 12, 2015
Excellent! I absolutely loved it!
I won this in a first reads giveaway on goodreads, thank you!
I won this in a first reads giveaway on goodreads, thank you!
July 15, 2015
(First Reads giveaway) Four stars is a little generous here, but I'd rather give it a higher rating than a lower one in cases where I'm a little on the fence. There are some moments of brilliance in The Curse of Neverland. For one thing, an aging Belle is a lot of fun - MacLaine did a great job building Tinkerbell into a complex character, one with heavy doses of vanity and interesting motives. The idea that Neverland is in trouble thanks to some bad decisions and a terrifying dragon is also quite original, and the pirates are very piratey indeed.
On the other hand, the story often feels very forced, as if a lot of the action only happens in order to get to the next big plot point, and a natural flow or narrative that makes sense takes second place to a few cinematic scenes that are contrived only to push the story along. The multi-cultural aspect comes of rather forced, too, as if the characters were chosen by affirmative action. It's almost as if the author is trying to be extra progressive by placing all these different racial aspects in the team of girls, but using words like "oriental" which is considered by a lot of people to be a racial slur and bringing up their colors and races in ways that are unnatural and don't make any sense in the story is mildly insulting. The characters can stand on their own without making a big deal about ethnic backgrounds, so why bother? A fuller visual description of the girls would have made it perfectly clear that it was a mixed bunch without strange passages that didn't seem to belong.
Overall, it was a quick, fun read, and for the most part is probably appropriate for mature middle grade children. I'll be sending this to a friend with an 8-year-old for them to read together, and I hope they'll enjoy it.
For me, personally, the ending was very dissatisfying. I understand there are more books in this series, but I feel like each book should have a complete storyline of its own, and that doesn't seem to be the case here. Piper comes to Neverland to avenge her parents and save the Neverland from destruction, but that's not the plot that actually gets played out. Perhaps it's because I'm not the intended audience...that aspect just fell a little flat for me.
On the other hand, the story often feels very forced, as if a lot of the action only happens in order to get to the next big plot point, and a natural flow or narrative that makes sense takes second place to a few cinematic scenes that are contrived only to push the story along. The multi-cultural aspect comes of rather forced, too, as if the characters were chosen by affirmative action. It's almost as if the author is trying to be extra progressive by placing all these different racial aspects in the team of girls, but using words like "oriental" which is considered by a lot of people to be a racial slur and bringing up their colors and races in ways that are unnatural and don't make any sense in the story is mildly insulting. The characters can stand on their own without making a big deal about ethnic backgrounds, so why bother? A fuller visual description of the girls would have made it perfectly clear that it was a mixed bunch without strange passages that didn't seem to belong.
Overall, it was a quick, fun read, and for the most part is probably appropriate for mature middle grade children. I'll be sending this to a friend with an 8-year-old for them to read together, and I hope they'll enjoy it.
For me, personally, the ending was very dissatisfying. I understand there are more books in this series, but I feel like each book should have a complete storyline of its own, and that doesn't seem to be the case here. Piper comes to Neverland to avenge her parents and save the Neverland from destruction, but that's not the plot that actually gets played out. Perhaps it's because I'm not the intended audience...that aspect just fell a little flat for me.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews