Hook's Daughter: The Untold Tale of a Pirate Princess

The Pirate Princess Chronicles #1

by R.V. Bowman

Her biggest hero may be Neverland’s greatest villain. 

Stuck at an exclusive boarding school year round, Andromeda “Rommy” Cavendish counts down the days to her seafaring father’s twice-yearly visits.  

Every year, she hopes this will be the summer her father takes her with him on his travels. But he always says she is too young, and it’s too dangerous. 

But this summer is going to be different. As the newest and youngest member of her school’s fencing team, danger is her new best friend. There’s no way her father can say no. 

But he never shows up for his visit. 

Worried that something awful has happened, Rommy dresses as a boy and sneaks out of her school. Traveling through nineteenth-century London, she discovers more questions than answers. To find her father she’ll have to go to the magical island of Neverland where heroes are villains, and  her father might be the baddest villain of them all. 

If you enjoy Once Upon a Time’s fairytale twists, swashbuckling adventures, and spunky heroines, you’ll love Hook’s Daughter: The Untold Tale of a Pirate Princess, first in the middle-grade fantasy adventure trilogy The Pirate Princess Chronicles

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Childrens, Retellings, Fiction, Fairy Tale Retellings, Fairy Tales

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2018

Reviews

[Suzy Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the book you’ve been reading is the first thing that pops into your mind when you’re driving along and are delayed at a train crossing — and you whip out your smartphone and spend the next five minutes reading (and are slightly disappointed when the train passes) — you know you’re hooked.

I’m a sucker for a good swashbuckler, and “Hook’s Daughter” took me captive on Page 1.

The adolescent daughter of Captain Hook is spunky, heroic and brave — and determined to find out the truth when the father she sees only twice a year fails to show up for her birthday.

When Rommy discovers Neverland, her world is forever changed.

I’ve never read “Peter Pan,” and it’s been many, many years since I saw the Disney movie, so I had vague notions of who the eternal boy was.

Bowman turns the familiar tale on its ear, and with every encounter between Rommy and Pan, I was rooting for the girl hero.

Whether you’re an adolescent boy (to whom I recommended the book) or a middle-age woman (like me), you’ll be surprised and hooked by this fantastic story.

[Sam Schey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I think the book is okay. I appreciate that it generally stays true to the original portrayal of Neverland. The story is engaging, and the writing is crisp and clean. I love Rommy, Hook’s daughter, and the development of her character. Her fight scene at the end is also epic.

This book is an admirable spinoff to a beloved classic that effectively turns the table on what we think we know. Peter Pan is now a villain and Hook is now a hero, sort of. The role reversal is a little strange and conflicting but makes an interesting story.

My main complaint is that it takes too long for Rommy to get to Neverland and for Hook to be introduced into the story. I also had a hard time visualizing Peter Pan as a villain, but maybe that’s just me. In the main, if you're in for an interesting take on a classic, I’d say go for it.

[Oh, Hush! Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

We just finished Hook’s Daughter and had a blast revisiting Neverland through a fresh lens! My 8-year-old and I loved recognizing the familiar characters and embarking on a swashbuckling adventure.

The twist of Peter Pan as the villain definitely kept things interesting! The story did take a bit longer to unfold than we expected, and we didn’t meet Hook until much later in the book.

Also, a tiny gripe: why do so many middle-grade books make the parents out to be a bit of a mess? We think cool parents can exist too! Overall, it was a fun and imaginative read that brought some new magic to a classic tale.

[Suzanne Mainor · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a disappointment to me after the high standards of the original, not only as a sophomoric literary product but in the way it twisted the portrayal of Pan. I suppose in order to recast Hook as a loving father to his surprise-daughter the author felt they had to recast Pan as a villain. There are other more inclusive ways to do this and I found this presumptive dramatic license insulting to the legacy and purpose of the original story of Peter, who was created out of the love a family felt for a real boy who would never have the chance to become a grown up. The real Peter was not mean or a bully as this book makes him out to be, only sometimes perhaps whimsically irreverent or disrespectful in a forgivable boyish way. (Perhaps I am a wee defensive because I have so many man-cubs of my own.)

I also thought that it was slow to action and anticlimactic at the end leaving an unsatisfying taste in the mouth by having too many questions for a sequel to address and didn’t had enough credible threads of truth tying it back to the original story, although told from a different perspective. And I found the tired and cliché theme of Rommy (the surprise-daughter) having to deal with the stigma of “not being able to fight as good as boys” trite and annoying. Definitely written for a very specific and young age range.

It had its good moments and did entertain us for a few weeks as we waited patiently to see how the story would play out. but overall I was disappointed.

My 7YO loved it. I’m refusing to read him the sequel whenever it comes out. He can read it for himself in a couple years, if he’s so motivated, and report if it’s any better.

As an alternate recommendation, we loved The Mad Wolf's Daughter The Mad Wolf’s Daughter (and its sequel) by Diane Magras for it’s empowering young female warrior themed narrative, which it accomplished in a much classier and sophisticated way (even though I remember being annoyed by its ending not leaving me satisfied with unanswered questions as well). Also a cool period piece of Scotlandish nature.

[shereads_theworld · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really great, clean, and excellent book. Perfect for young readers as it has amazing dialogue, an action packed plot, and ends on a bit of a cliff hanger.

It does have one formatting error and a few typos that made me stop and reread a few sentences.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that captain hook was a bad guy at first! I can't believe that he's actually a good guy!!!

[K. Loomis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a middle-aged "child" and I loved this book. I wish I had grandkids to read it to. The characters were spunky, clever, and edgy, yet compassionate. Murderous mermaids, bird-eating flowers, and pixie dust were only a few of the things that made this adventure fun. Fantastic start to a series. Kudos to R.V. Bowman.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun read!

I couldn’t put this book down and found myself incredibly bummed when I was at the end. I can’t wait to read more from this author!!

[Anthony R Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good twist on Peter Pan.

A good twist on the story of Peter Pan. Captain Book has a daughter who is kidnapped by one of the most boys and brought to Netherlands.

[Emaliyah Stierwalt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my word this book was intense so many battles and action. I loved this book so much I don't to spoil it for any one but the books starts at a school in London. I can't wait to read the next book in her series. I would definitely recommend this book to peter pan lovers. or captain hook lovers in this book I don't think you'll like pan that much because I sure don't like at all. I loved Fin he is almost my favorite character of all. If you like the movie peter pan you might not like it any more and might change your mind on hook being the bad guy in the movie this book might change you point of view on things because it sure did mine.

[Norah Rehner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. I thought it had a lot of adventure, which I loved. I thought it was a bit simple, this book was good it just didn't stick out to me. Can't wait to see what the next book in the series is like. overall I recommend this book for Disney fans and people who love magical books.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Very much enjoy the twists and turns from the source material.

[Cecily Rehner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the book! I've been waiting to read this book for a while and it was as good as I expected. The characters were good. My favorite characters was probably Rommy. I can't wait to read the next book!

[Q · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personally 10 year old me would watch a tv show about a little Edwardian girl who can sword fight

[Daniel H Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun book

My kids really enjoyed this book
They are so excited for the next book and already planning to dress up as these characters for Halloween.

[Liz W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hook's Daughter tells the story of Rommy, who has just won a position on the varsity fencing team at her boarding school, and is the youngest girl to do so. Excited to tell her father of her recent accomplishment, she's heart broken when he doesn't show for one of their two yearly visits. Her friend, Francie, convinces Rommy to go to the docks where her father's offices are. Along the way, she saves young Alice from being attacked by street boys and meets Finn, a boy her age who tags along. He quickly reveals that he's from Neverland, and with the help of his fairy friend, Alice and Rommy are quickly flying after him; Rommy intrigued by Finn's promise that her father isn't who he says he is.

Bowman's depiction of Neverland has many of the same well loved features as the Disney movie; the Crocodile, mermaids, magic, and adventure. However, Rommy quickly learns that Peter Pan isn't as nice as he claims to be, her father isn't the man she once thought, and if she wants answers to all her questions, she'll have to prove that she's not a helpless young girl.

With sword fights, flight, and lingering questions, Bowman creates a continuation of Peter Pan that fans will love.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This creative reimagining of a much-loved tale made for a fun, swashbuckling read. When twelve-year-old Rommy’s seafaring father doesn’t turn up for a birthday visit, she escapes school and heads for London docks to find out why. Here, she runs into the mysterious Finn, the feisty Alice, and meets a fairy, too. Rommy ends up flying to Neverland with her new companions, where adventures ensue.

I love strong heroines and Rommy is as determined as they come. She faces every obstacle bravely, including murderous mermaids, flesh-eating plants and a rather menacing Peter Pan, in her quest to find out the real identity of her father. The author’s talent for language took me right inside each scene and each character brimmed with life. A great twist on a classic story and I'm looking forward to the sequel.

[Mrs Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didnt realize this was a series. I really enjoyed this, read it fairly quickly. Its a pretty short book. Cant wait to find out the answers in the next book.

[Sherry Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a grandma, I can’t wait to read Hook’s Daughter to my twin granddaughters. I can’t wait to read the whole trilogy to them, The Pirate Princess Chronicles. I enjoyed book one so much myself, I felt like a kid again. And I’ve ordered the next two books. Bowman’s writing is wonderful, magical and would engage any middle school child who loves adventure and fantasy; which most do. It’s written in a style that demonstrates a love of children’s literature, but with a lively current voice that today’s child will enjoy.

The concept for Hook’s Daughter captured my imagination. Andromeda, “Rommy,” lost her mom at an early age and has lived most of her 12 years at an exclusive boarding school. Her dad is a successful businessman in the shipping industry and captain of his own ship. He only visits her two days a year, her birthday and Christmas. He never takes her with him because it is much too dangerous. But Rommy is determined to prove him wrong. She is the youngest to win the fencing competition at her school, which should convince her dad she is competent for adventure, and she hopes he will take her with him for the up-coming summer vacation. She is so excited, because it is her birthday. But her dad doesn’t show. That never happens. As Ms. Bowman says, “Worried that something awful has happened, Rommy dresses as a boy and sneaks out of her school, traveling through nineteenth-century London only to find more questions than answers. To find her father she’ll have to travel to the magical island of Neverland where heroes are villains, and her father might be the biggest villain of them all.”

All the characters in the book will be relatable to middle school readers, from the endearing best friend Francie, to the bullying older girl, Primrose, who is jealous of Rommy. Rommy is delightful. She is full of spunk and determination, with the right amount of vulnerability and caution to make her believable. Primrose is a real friend, confident in Rommy’s abilities, compassionate, mischievous and funny.

And then the adventure truly begins. Rommy meets Finn, one of the lost boys, who seems to be following her. He is full of boyish bravado and the knowledge of a place called Neverland, where she will find her father. There is of course the fairy, with the needed dust and an orphaned younger girl, Alice, who Rommy takes under her wing. Alice is precocious, street wise beyond her years, but underneath the showmanship, she is just a sweet and intelligent child who needs protection. Now just wait till your young reader arrives in Neverland. There are murderous mermaids! It all comes to life in Ms. Bowman’s story. Pan is an original. He has some of the characteristics of the Pan we know, but is a unique character and not exactly who you might think he is either. Captain Hook, Rommy’s dad, will blow your mind. The ending is thrilling and leaves you with satisfaction and enough unsolved questions to make you want to jump right into book two, Pan’s Secret. This is a must for your middle school reader. Why not enjoy it with them.

[Georgette]

Not to be rude but why did the author go with every single possible overused cliche?

A 'smaller than other girls' girl who disguises as a boy by tucking her hair into a cap *eyeroll* (cause OTHER girls are too fat and busy drinking tea and being snobs) to run away and meet some bullies (the most cliche scene ever) where she meets a boy named FINN of all the overused names.

The beginning was really terrible and you'd feel like you're reading something you've read 100000 times before that was never good in the first place.

But once it gets to the Neverland part, and the Not Like Other Girls part is finally done, it gets better!
(There was really no reason at all to make Rommy disguise as a boy except that the author WANTED to use this cliche. Really makes it annoying when a girl MC can never just be themselves without putting all other girls down and acting like they're big freaks who can never have any fun or go out in public lest they get raped.)

[Rubi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting retelling

Honestly, I always thought Pan was a lil brat so Pan being a bit nasty in this novel wasn't surprising or far fetched to me. I was interested however in Hook's backstory.
The story took forever to get to the Neverland connection, so if it wasn't for the title, I may never have known where this was going. But since I did I was curious. Who did Hook fall in love with? When did he start a family? Why is his daughter's mother out of the picture? What does Pan have to do with any of it? SO many questions 😹
I liked his daughter, Andromeda! She's so spunky, kind, smart, active, and resourceful. Not exactly a damsel in distress here, like Pan wanted lol
She fought for her new little friend Alice, and even her kidnapper Finn, and the lost boys just because it was right. The pirates were surprisingly nice to her too but I think it helped that she had their respect.
I really liked this story and looking forward to the answers in book 2!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rommy is a great character, with a lot of emotional development. Finn and Alice add depth to the story, making it feel more genuine somehow. Pan feels very one dimensional so far.

The book is very well written, but I have a pet peeve about books that end on a cliffhanger because it comes across as such a plot to make people keep reading. I didn't love the book that much, but there are a lot of unanswered questions I'd like to see how the author will address: what happened to Rommy's mother, and what will become of Alice, where does Pan get the boys, what are Finn's motives, why is Hook fighting Pan, how and why did Finn find Rommy at school in the first place?

Overall, a fun, short, easy read, even if it felt slow in parts and anticlimactic at the end. Not sure if I'll read the rest of the trilogy.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read for me- I think it would be great for my kids. There were a few typos/print errors that got to me but it was a cute quick story.

It seemed to get right in to everything- it does hint at the qualities of Pan, Hook and Finn which I think is great for the targeted age group. It allows some suspicion on their morals and character develop in the readers mind.

I also like that although Pan “hates” adults/parents and seems to make it his mission to have everyone else do the same- the writer shows glimpses of how strong a parents love is.
It shows how sometimes parents make hard decisions to try to keep you safe, may keep you in the dark (for what seem like good reasons), are stern when needed but round it all out with how much love they have.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I already read the sequel series starring little Alice and now it was time to meet the big sister she's constantly talking about. This book is a middle grade, where the Alices series is more of a YA series, and yet I enjoyed it just the same! The author does an amazing job twisting the well known tale of Peter Pan and I can't wait to find out what's truly going on here! I most of all loved the heroine of the story though. She's relatable and despite the magical elements of the story she also feels realistic. And it's clear her journey has only just started. I will soon dive into her next adventure!

[JacQueline Vaughn Roe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, what fun! I can’t wait to finish this trilogy! I’ve enjoyed what felt like The Little Princess meets Peter Pan. We meet a well-mannered young lady at the beginning of the story and watch as she slowly begins questioning the world around her. Who is her father, really? Why has he missed his bi-annual visit? And then, as the title implies, she discovers Neverland, Peter Pan, and Captain Hook. While some of Rommy’s questions are answered at the end of Hook’s Daughter, there is so much left to explore. The lovely narration pulls me along in the well-paced story. Can’t wait to learn more!

[Jamie (jamies_shelves) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series was recommended to me by a student (4th grade boy). He loved the book and when I saw the cover I told him that I love Peter Pan, Peter Pan retellings, and books about Peter or where he is the villain and Hook is the hero. He was finishing the third book at this point, and sweetheart that he is, he brought all three into school the next day for me to borrow.

I'm glad I read it!

It was a cute, fun read and I can definitely see why he loved it.

I didn't think this one was super exciting, but I did like it and flew through it!

[Cassandra Walston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I happened across this book while searching for something else. It looked intriguing so I gave it a try, but then I couldn’t put it down. It was an absolute page turner: action-packed, good values, real feelings, hope and heroes, and that touch of magic. It does not rely on cheap drama but engages complex characters with realistic inner struggles overcoming difficult circumstances to stand up for what is right and giving of their selves for the greater good. When I finished this one, I rushed to the next and the next. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole trilogy. I read it for myself, but i intend to re-read it aloud to my children, as I think it will be a fun and engaging experience for all of my kids regardless of the wide age-range and plethora of personalities.

[Jolee Franklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I reread this around the beginning of 2024, it has always been a great book for Peter Pan lovers, I personally love it, just like Peter and the Starcatchers, though in my opinion, I’d say this is better for like 11-13 year old girls, and Peter and the Starcatchers is better for like 11-14 year old boys or 12 year old girls. I love Hooks Daughter and I kinda always will, every book I read in general, all the ones I love, they all hold a special place in my heart.

-JojoDaBookworm

[Cindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imaginative story-telling with good twists from the original. A small spoiler with an important cautionary warning: The end battle has a bit of unnecessary detail and a bit of gore so if you have a sensitive reader you are considering this for, you might want to read this first to make sure it's something they can handle.

[Jamie Withem · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun read!

It was an absolute accident that I stumbled Upon This Book. There are several spelling and grammar issues, but the story itself held together well. Looking forward to reading the next in the series.