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Before the Hook
The Captain had a life before he had a hook.
Jas Rosewall had everything he could ever a loving family, a warm home, and a promising future. But when his younger brother Peter leaves their family in ruin, will Jas be able to piece his life back together, or will his malice consume him?
Uncover the gripping origins of the world’s most infamous pirate and the feud that changed Neverland forever. From his formative adventures at Eton College to his swashbuckling years in the King's Royal Navy, you've never known this side of the Captain before.
Jas Rosewall had everything he could ever a loving family, a warm home, and a promising future. But when his younger brother Peter leaves their family in ruin, will Jas be able to piece his life back together, or will his malice consume him?
Uncover the gripping origins of the world’s most infamous pirate and the feud that changed Neverland forever. From his formative adventures at Eton College to his swashbuckling years in the King's Royal Navy, you've never known this side of the Captain before.
267 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 9, 2018
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 28, 2025
Rating:
6/28/25
4.75 ⭐
10/7/23
4 ⭐
Review:
6/28/25
Random reread to revisit
I agree largely with my previous review, however, adding .75 stars due to change in how I rate books.
I didn't notice the errors of the text this time. I still think there are some slight pacing issues, as the middle of the book lags, however, Thomas has created a book that could literally be the prequel to Peter Pan. Again, I understand and see the reason for the different scenes. For me, it's always tough to cover such a large number of years in an individuals life without it dragging on, but that might just be me and how I enjoy books.
I loved the explanation of how the Jolly Roger got its name, and truthfully, I was touched by the scenes with Jas, Jolene, and their son. Emotionally powerful moments of tenderness there. I do wish that some of those moments had been sprinkled throughout the book. We got some tenderness and platonic friendship between two male characters, yet, I almost wanted more scenes that didn't entirely connect to what we know of Captain Hook. Ultimately, I think the pacing could have been fixed, because I felt rushed constantly going from moment to moment (I was going to suggest a larger subplot with Jas and friends as their growing up, but truthfully, we do get that, as Jas learns to fence, gets in trouble for attempting to steal test answers, Mr. Eames and that whole situation, etc.)
Hmm.... Honestly, I don't know what it is that I wanted. Maybe just a bit more emotion/depth/space to feel during the first 75%
Part of this may be due to the fairy tale nature of Peter Pan, allowing for a bit more superficial/unexplained characters. I think Thomas matches the general feeling of the original source material very well.
10/7/23
A strong reimagining of the well-known Peter Pan story. TJ Thomas has provided a backstory to Captain Hook that makes fully logical sense as to how he got to Neverland and the real reason why he chases Peter and the Lost Boys.
The book starts slow and takes its time, however, the payoff makes it worth it with all of the pieces coming together to fully form the misunderstood villain of Neverland. The pacing could use a little bit of work, but I understand why the author chose to include some of the scenes, as it provides context and understanding of who Captain Hook truly is. I understand that this book is self-published, but there were a few very small typing errors that caused me to stop for a moment in my reading.
Enjoyable telling of Captain Hook before he becomes Captain Hook with healthy platonic relationships, justifiable loss and rage, a semi-graphic scene where and all of the magic and favorite parts of Neverland's favorite villain.
Summary:
Beginning on his 13th birthday, Before the Hook tells the story of James "Jas" Rosewell. On this given night, Jas' little brother Peter will set things into motion that will impact Jas' life forever: Peter refuses to grow up and runs away to a place where he won't have to grow up ever. Before the Hook covers Jas' life from this event, follows him through
6/28/25
4.75 ⭐
10/7/23
4 ⭐
Review:
6/28/25
Random reread to revisit
I agree largely with my previous review, however, adding .75 stars due to change in how I rate books.
I didn't notice the errors of the text this time. I still think there are some slight pacing issues, as the middle of the book lags, however, Thomas has created a book that could literally be the prequel to Peter Pan. Again, I understand and see the reason for the different scenes. For me, it's always tough to cover such a large number of years in an individuals life without it dragging on, but that might just be me and how I enjoy books.
I loved the explanation of how the Jolly Roger got its name, and truthfully, I was touched by the scenes with Jas, Jolene, and their son. Emotionally powerful moments of tenderness there. I do wish that some of those moments had been sprinkled throughout the book. We got some tenderness and platonic friendship between two male characters, yet, I almost wanted more scenes that didn't entirely connect to what we know of Captain Hook. Ultimately, I think the pacing could have been fixed, because I felt rushed constantly going from moment to moment (I was going to suggest a larger subplot with Jas and friends as their growing up, but truthfully, we do get that, as Jas learns to fence, gets in trouble for attempting to steal test answers, Mr. Eames and that whole situation, etc.)
Hmm.... Honestly, I don't know what it is that I wanted. Maybe just a bit more emotion/depth/space to feel during the first 75%
Part of this may be due to the fairy tale nature of Peter Pan, allowing for a bit more superficial/unexplained characters. I think Thomas matches the general feeling of the original source material very well.
10/7/23
A strong reimagining of the well-known Peter Pan story. TJ Thomas has provided a backstory to Captain Hook that makes fully logical sense as to how he got to Neverland and the real reason why he chases Peter and the Lost Boys.
The book starts slow and takes its time, however, the payoff makes it worth it with all of the pieces coming together to fully form the misunderstood villain of Neverland. The pacing could use a little bit of work, but I understand why the author chose to include some of the scenes, as it provides context and understanding of who Captain Hook truly is. I understand that this book is self-published, but there were a few very small typing errors that caused me to stop for a moment in my reading.
Enjoyable telling of Captain Hook before he becomes Captain Hook with healthy platonic relationships, justifiable loss and rage, a semi-graphic scene where and all of the magic and favorite parts of Neverland's favorite villain.
Summary:
Beginning on his 13th birthday, Before the Hook tells the story of James "Jas" Rosewell. On this given night, Jas' little brother Peter will set things into motion that will impact Jas' life forever: Peter refuses to grow up and runs away to a place where he won't have to grow up ever. Before the Hook covers Jas' life from this event, follows him through
September 6, 2025
2.5 rounded up to 3
I feel like the odd-man out. Most reviewers have enjoyed this book. I found it to be a chore to read and nearly DNF multiple times but the promise of seeing Peter Pan and Neverland kept me reading. I’ll start with what I liked, Peter and Jas being brothers. That about covers it. There was nothing else moving or spectacular about this book. Much like the rest of the book the brothers’ relationship is underdeveloped. I prefer books that are character driven and have an emotional punch. Tragic strikes Jas and it feels no different than reading bad news in the newspaper. Easy to put down and move on with my life. I felt nothing for him or any of the characters.
The story jumps between different points in time within pages. One paragraph he’s a wide-eyed 13 year old attending school and then suddenly he’s 16. The constant time jumping led to him feeling like an incomplete character. There’s an instance where a side character references Jas being too scared to talk to girls and tripping up. But it happened off the page so readers never got to see him grow and learn from his experiences. There’s a ton of telling and not enough showing.
I’m a picky reader, even harder critic when it comes to anything Peter Pan related. I can’t in good conscience recommend this book to any Peter Pan lovers. Three stars is putting it generously. It’s more a 2 star rating, but I loved the idea of Peter and hook being brothers so much I bumped up the rating. It is poorly executed.
Also, something I noticed, Pops, a prestigious club at Eton, which plays a huge role in the story, was founded in 1811. James Rosewall has a 6 year old son in 1763. At this point it’s already been 20 years since he’s graduated Eton. That would put him in school in 1743 almost 60 years before Pops is even invented. Just saying. Someone should have done more research.
I feel like the odd-man out. Most reviewers have enjoyed this book. I found it to be a chore to read and nearly DNF multiple times but the promise of seeing Peter Pan and Neverland kept me reading. I’ll start with what I liked, Peter and Jas being brothers. That about covers it. There was nothing else moving or spectacular about this book. Much like the rest of the book the brothers’ relationship is underdeveloped. I prefer books that are character driven and have an emotional punch. Tragic strikes Jas and it feels no different than reading bad news in the newspaper. Easy to put down and move on with my life. I felt nothing for him or any of the characters.
The story jumps between different points in time within pages. One paragraph he’s a wide-eyed 13 year old attending school and then suddenly he’s 16. The constant time jumping led to him feeling like an incomplete character. There’s an instance where a side character references Jas being too scared to talk to girls and tripping up. But it happened off the page so readers never got to see him grow and learn from his experiences. There’s a ton of telling and not enough showing.
I’m a picky reader, even harder critic when it comes to anything Peter Pan related. I can’t in good conscience recommend this book to any Peter Pan lovers. Three stars is putting it generously. It’s more a 2 star rating, but I loved the idea of Peter and hook being brothers so much I bumped up the rating. It is poorly executed.
Also, something I noticed, Pops, a prestigious club at Eton, which plays a huge role in the story, was founded in 1811. James Rosewall has a 6 year old son in 1763. At this point it’s already been 20 years since he’s graduated Eton. That would put him in school in 1743 almost 60 years before Pops is even invented. Just saying. Someone should have done more research.
September 29, 2022
Holy F***
Where do I begin???
A book with Jas Hook as the hero without him being sexualized? Check
A book where Peter is the bad guy but instead of malicious intent it's actually due to the fact that he's still a child? Check
A story that crosses the real world into Neverland and successfully has an explanation for how Hook got there? Check
A beautiful friendship between Hook and Starkey that isn't romanticized? Check
A story that doesn't take place in Neverland? Check
I could go on for hours about this book. Out of every retelling and every story set in J.M. Barrie's universe, this is by far my favorite!
Where do I begin???
A book with Jas Hook as the hero without him being sexualized? Check
A book where Peter is the bad guy but instead of malicious intent it's actually due to the fact that he's still a child? Check
A story that crosses the real world into Neverland and successfully has an explanation for how Hook got there? Check
A beautiful friendship between Hook and Starkey that isn't romanticized? Check
A story that doesn't take place in Neverland? Check
I could go on for hours about this book. Out of every retelling and every story set in J.M. Barrie's universe, this is by far my favorite!
August 9, 2018
Loved it!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews