The PAN

The PAN Trilogy #1

by Jenny Hickman

Since her parents were killed, Vivienne has always felt ungrounded, shuffled through the foster care system. Just when liberation finally seems possible—days before her eighteenth birthday—Vivienne is hospitalized with symptoms no one can explain.

The doctors may be puzzled, but Deacon, her mysterious new friend, claims she has an active Nevergene. His far-fetched diagnosis comes with a warning: she is about to become an involuntary test subject for Humanitarian Organization for Order and Knowledge—or HOOK. Vivienne can either escape to Neverland’s Kensington Academy and learn to fly (Did he really just say fly?) or risk sticking around to become a human lab rat. But accepting a place among The PAN means Vivienne must abandon her life and foster family to safeguard their secrets and hide in Neverland’s shadows… forever.


(This book rates a 3 on the Romantic Content Rating System (RCRS) i.e. romance with moderate romantic content; heavier kissing; references to sex)

Genres: Fantasy, Retellings, Young Adult, Romance, Young Adult Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fairy Tale Retellings

414 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 14, 2020

About the author

Jenny grew up in Oakland, Maryland and currently lives in County Tipperary, Ireland with her husband and two children. Her love of reading blossomed the summer after graduating high school, when she borrowed a paperback romance from her mother during the annual family beach vacation.

From that sunny day forward, she has been a lover of stories with Happily-Ever-Afters.

Member: The Authors Guild & ALLI

Reviews

[Sowmya (bookishelflife) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

"Fly Away Lost Boy, I am not looking for that kind of Trouble!"

Well well well guess who read another retelling this year? However The Pan gotta be definitely a unique one 1)Because ofc course it is a Peter Pan retelling which we don't see often(I have never read one before) 2)This book has a unique blend of genre's- Fairytale retelling+YA Fantasy Sci-Fi , in simple take the classic Peter Pan and blend it with X-men series which is the vibe I got from the book which I absolutely loved because I am a sucker for school setting, super powers and a good retelling
Jenny Hickman's re-imagination of Peter Pan is not only interesting but also immersive, I really enjoyed how she brought in the elements from the classic tale which we all love into a 21st Century story with such ease

PAN is a secret organization for "People with Active Nevergene" led by none other than Peter Pan to recruit children with special abilities, who otherwise would be looked down as misfits.Neverland is a safe place for these lost children to give them a new life and purpose while keeping their existence a secret. Deacon Ashford has to try and convince a very confused and hospitalized Vivienne Dunn to take her to Neverland before she turns 18 which is when her Nevergene supposedly "kicks in", Vivienne is put in a contemplative dilemma to choose between a random- albeit excruciatingly handsome Deacon, taking his word for the existence of secret world which can give her a new life and teach her to fly OR go back to her not so exciting life with her foster family.However, before she could make a decision, she learns that another group HOOK- Humanitarian organization for order and Knowledge (aka the bad folks who ruins magic for everyone) is tailing her wanting to "experiment" on her while neutralizing her abilities in the process.What will she choose? will this new life give a chance to unearth her foggy past finally making the pieces fit together? can she trust this strange lost boy?

As you might see the story is super interesting with all the intriguing aspects keeping you on the edge all through the book, I adored the writing style which is witty and hilarious. The romance between shameless flirt Deacon and a strong willed Vivienne is an ode to Peter Pan's lost boy theme-non committal, full of angst and dark secrets which I enjoyed quite a lot. I think it is a perfect pick me up if you want a fun, fast paced book with good many mix of genres, I cannot wait to pick up the next book- The Hook

[Jenny Hickman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please note, this is NOT a Peter Pan sequel. Instead, this book builds a world where Peter Pan exists in the 21st century. It brings together Vivienne and Deacon’s lives, setting them on a journey together that promises adventure—and love—if they can learn to trust and overcome the many secrets haunting their pasts.

[Katie Prouty · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Don't you have anyone else to haunt?"
"Why would I haunt someone else when I can haunt you?"

PAN stands for People with Active Nevergenes. Deacon Ashford's position as recruiter is combing the countryside, searching orphanages for lost children, and bringing them to Neverland. He's a dark angel in the night sky. Days before her eighteenth birthday, Vivienne Dunn finds herself admitted to the hospital with an "inconclusive" diagnosis. Watch out for HOOK! Humanitarian Organization for Order and Knowledge. HOOK is real. HOOK's poison deactivates Nevergenes and grounds the lost children who possess the incredibly rare chromosome. Vivienne has a choice to make: Escape with Deacon to Neverland's Kensington Academy and learn to fly.

Or risk staying with her foster family where HOOK agents could capture her. Will Vivienne be able to steer clear of HOOK? Or will the duo be off saving the world on PAN at a time?


What a fantastic, modern retelling of Peter Pan! SUPER fun story that had me rooting for Deacon Ashford (Dash). He's funny. And British. And kind of cute. KIND OF CUTE?! My friend's dog is kind of cute. Deacon is DDG (drop-dead gorgeous). He can write a book on double entendres that will have you snort laughing. Dash is Akin to Damon Salvatore season one: pining over Elena, dating Caroline, and flirty with everyone.



Does he have any flaws? The answer is... most definitely but I still stan him. Flirt and fly away. Horrible and he knows it. Please, stay guardian angel. Vivienne is a BAWSE. I appreciate stories with strong female leads. The PAN is a solid choice for fantasy fanatics! Readers! Do you like the Origin and Lux series by Jennifer L Armentrout? I think you'll love this YA sci-fi romance trilogy. You’ll be hooked! Get it! 😛 😬👏🏼 Like J.M. Barrie, Jenny Hickman gives us magic; she gives us adventure; and she gives us contemporary Neverland. And love- if the OTP can learn to trust and overcome their pasts. Crossing my fingers!! I have questions so gimme The HOOK!

🎶 song: Lost Boy Cotone Remix by Ruth B 🎶

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

My sweet friend @katieprouty has kindly shouted at everyone who will listen to read The PAN and I could not be more thrilled that I picked it up! It’s a Peter Pan retelling with a 21st century feel and a dash of sci-fi! Filled with puns, lost boys, and have I mentioned how much I love Deacon? Seriously, #DamesForDeacon. No shame, we’re all trash for him. I mean, who doesn’t love a British bad boy? Need any more convincing to pick this up?

If you love:
- sci-fi
- modern day Peter Pan
- puns and double entendres
- magic and lost boys
- upper YA romance
- flirty characters
...
THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU. What’s even better? The HOOK releases on March 3rd! If you start now, you won’t have to wait long for the sequel which is also *chefs kiss* 😍

Still need some convincing? #IsThisAKissingBook? YES IT IS.

Warning: You will binge this book in a day, Deacon will haunt your dreams, and you’ll likely reread it at least once before The HOOK releases. You might even order tons of merch from Jenny Hickman’s store (apologies to my bank account, it was for a good cause)

[Nicole Fiorina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been trying to find a book that was original, creative, and magical, and this book was exactly that and so much more. The P.A.N. is like a breath of fresh air. It's a fairytale reimagined and what life is like today–in the modern world–after Peter Pan's story. This is about Deacon and Vivienne living with real eighteen yr old relationship struggles, but also with a sprinkle of fairy dust and mystery. I'm in love with this new trilogy and the spin on a classic that still contains the magic as I remembered. I absolutely adored all the details that went into this story, and the way Hickman took the scientific route was brilliant. You can tell there was so much research and thought put into this! I'm so in love and cannot wait to read the rest of the trilogy as well as add these hardbacks to my favorites collection!

"You're as much a part of this story as I am. Welcome to Neverland." -Peter


2020 needed this book. It gave me all the happy thoughts.

[Molin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A modern Peter Pan retelling story. SO ENTERTAINED ME. I need to read the sequel ASAP. 🤧

Deacon Elias Ashford, if u are reading this i’m free on thursday night and would like to hang out if you are also free on thursday night please respond to this and lets get into trouble with me on thursday night when i’m free✋😩

[Bozena · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading a lot of fantastic,  swoony and romantic reviews about this series by my friend Michelle, I couldn't resist it anymore. I needed to experience it for myself.

Let me put it this way, this book is definitely sweet, swoony and romantic, but also incredible fascinating and exciting 😀
A Peter Pan retailing with thrilling, gripping and mysterious storyline.

I love this lost boys and girls vibe mixed with real world and a romantic, sometimes very annoying, love story 😂

The characters are not light and sweet, but flawed and even dark.
I love not only the main characters, but the whole group of PAN's that are a very interesting clique of mismatched personalities.
The whole PAN universe is not just a nice and easy place, it has a lot of secrets and mysterious old rules that are giving a creepy-crawly feelings.

I love that I really don't know what will happen next.
The suspenseful and nerve-wracking anticipation of the the unknown future makes this book unbelievable exciting.

I'm definitely in love with this story and am already reading the next book in the series ❤

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun new take on Peter Pan! This story is set is current times as an urban fantasy novel! I loved getting a new view to Neverland and Peter Pan! I highly recommend if you love a good fantasy adventure!

[Lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You’re as much a part of this story as I am. Welcome to Neverland.”

We all KNOW I love a good Peter Pan retelling, and The PAN is no exception! Everything about this story is so magical and unique, I couldn’t put it down from the moment I started it! I LOVED Jenny’s take on the world of Neverland, it was unlike anything I could’ve imagined and was definitely one of my favorite aspects of this story. Turning a magical world that we all know and love and putting in into a modern day setting worked so well for this story.

While I was reading I found myself screaming (maybe a little too loudly) at all of the minor Peter Pan references throughout the story. They were so well incorporated and, if you didn’t know the story of Peter Pan, you wouldn’t have even thought anything of it. Me, on the other hand, screaming.

The CHARACTERS, don’t even get me started on the characters. There’s nothing I love more than a story where I instantly fall in love with the characters and think about them even when you put the book down, and The PAN fits that description perfectly!Vivienne was a character that I found myself relating to often and there were so many times that I had to remind myself that she was fictional, because she felt SO real to me. And Deacon.. Oh boy where do I begin. My love for Deacon honestly can’t be put into words, but I must say some of the things that he did had me shaking my head. Though, that isn’t much of a surprise when you know who he is.

The PAN is an absolute delight, a mixture of sci-fi, romance and fantasy that all come together into the perfect tale. Plus, it has Neverland and there’s nothing that you could want more from a story (at least not in my book). Having a retelling not be solely about Peter but rather what he created is a new spin that I ADORED. I will not stop thinking about this book until The HOOK is released, then I will do it all over again.

[Cait | GoodeyReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHO KNEW.

BLOG || INSTAGRAM

Who knew that I would read a book that’s a retelling of Peter Pan and enjoy it? Nay, really enjoy it? NOT ME. [I’ve never been a fan of Peter Pan]

This had the romance that I’m clearly always on the look out for. Deacon and Vivienne have this insta-ish, heated romance that I loved! This connection felt right and their banter and antics had me lovin’ every minute of it. I like how both of them have flaws and things to work on and you can see the character changes over time.

The world set up is a fun urban fantasy type. There’s only a touch of magic, but it works so well! I love the HOOK take and how the battle between the PAN and HOOK shake out. It’s very interesting and I’m curious how it will continue to go in the series. I like that I found out a lot, but that there’s still plenty more to deduce in book two!

It went back and forth between a bit of younger YA drama/immaturity to some older more mature YA vibes. I hope it continues to hang out in the mature area because that’s really working for the story. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Overall audience notes:
- Young Adult Urban Fantasy / Retelling
- Language: a little
- Romance: kisses / make-outs
- Violence: physical, sexual harassment, kidnapping, loss of parents

[Amber Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this has made me want to find every modern day fairy tale out there and read them. This was beautifully written. So much thought and time went into this amazing story. I can’t wait for book 2!!

[Joee (booksandacupofjoee) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a unique, cool, modern Peter Pan story!!! It reminded me a little of Jennifer Armentrout's Lux series and the Harbinger series. But yet still so different.

I thought the whole Neverland setting was so different than I've ever imagined which was cool. The whole time I read this I wanted to rewatch the movie Hook even though it's nothing like it. 😂 This almost had a futuristic feel.

The romance was cute and definitely had me looking forward to their interactions. It was a little frustrating at times though. My friend Katie nailed it when she said Deacon is like Season 1 Damon from the Vampire Diaries. He's got that sexy, british bad boy appeal that I loved but yet his hot and coldness drove me nuts. He's such a flirt which is fun until he's flirting with someone that isn't Vivienne. But I did enjoy seeing his POV and getting to know him more. I wanna see that soft, protective side more. Vivienne is super awesome and so likeable!!

While some of the drama felt like typical teenager drama, I did really like the saucier, mature YA feels. It was a touch slow at times and the ending felt a little anticlimactic but I still really enjoyed it. I'm pumped to see where things go especially for more of the romance if they can get their act together!

[avasbibliotek · Rating 4 out of 5]

deacon is so babygirl.

that’s all I have to say, thank you.

[Margarida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook
Amazing imaginative story with great narrators. Everything I enjoy, action, romance and good writing.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Llegué a este libro tras leer el último libro de la autora A Cursed Kiss . Me gustó tanto que busqué más libros suyos y me encontré con esta saga. OMG.
Hace mucho que no leo libros ambientados en el mundo real y actual, con adolescentes que van a clase, y al principio fue un poco decepcionante y me costó salir de mis mundos de fantasía y lugares irreales llenos de magia y seres fantásticos. Pero una vez me metí en la historia y cambié el chip, empecé a disfrutar de todo eso que antes me encantaba.
Aun así, aquí tenemos un poco de magia, ya que está basado en Peter Pan, aunque desde un punto de vista más actual.
Creo que hacía tiempo que no devoraba una saga de esta manera. Que no me llenaba de esos sentimientos tan típicos de adolescentes, con emociones demasiado intensas, con todo ese drama que lo vivía como mío.
La autora tiene un don para crear situaciones, personajes, diálogos y chicos de ojos verdes. Su pluma te engancha y te atrapa en un sinfín de emociones, y he de confesar que no he conseguido quitarme estos libros de la cabeza.
Escribo esto habiendo acabado ya la saga, porque no quería parar de leer ni siquiera para escribir una reseña.
Iba a coger estos libros en ebook, que salen muy baratos, pero merecen tapa dura y estantería nueva.
Deacon, eres uno de los chicos más encantadores que he conocido en un libro. Mi corazón se ha roto en mil pedazos por ti y creo que no se ha recuperado del todo.

[Aundreya · Rating 4 out of 5]

💚 "What do you say?" He leaned forward until he was only a breath away. "Would you like to try with me?"💚

Welcome to The P.A.N.dom. Where all of us obsess over The PAN trilogy and the world @authorjennyhickman has created.

Neverland wants her... but so does HOOK

Sounds familiar right? We all know the story of Peter Pan and his band of lost boys... but you having heard a retelling like this?
The Pan is YA sci-fi with the a twist of an old "tale".
Meet Peter 2.0 Deacon. Recruiter for Neverland. His job? Find individuals with the active Nevergene mutation and get them safe before HOOK makes them test subjects .
Deacon is also: charming, flirty, a bit of a bad boy, and B.R.I.T.I.S.H and his game is on full dial when it comes to Vivienne, the new recruit.

Vivienne- confused about her parents, the Nevergene and where she belongs in it all, she see Deacon for what he is... a handsome face and a smooth talker, but will her constant reminders of that be enough to stay away?

While this story was addicting and everything I needed right now, it leaves you with a lot of questions and running for The HOOK.

Until then... if you'd like to join me and my new obsession please follow #damesfordeacon.

Read if you like:
-flirty boys
-a little magic
- The Lux series by JLA (similar vibes)
- a NA feel in a YA book
-romance #thisisakissingbook

Rating:
Story- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Romance- first time love
Steam-meter- Well.... we know the boy can flirt and talk a good game.

Song- Fly with Me Jonas Brothers 🎼

[Janet Womack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Jenny Hickman's reimagining of a modern-day Neverland. This story has magic, romance, and sci-fi aspects. Being able to see what was going on in Deacon and Vivienne's thoughts was great. I was told this is supposed to be a trilogy. So, that should take care of all the unanswered questions I still have.

[Dreamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘The P.A.N.’ is a cleverly written blend of contemporary YA and fairy-tale re-imagining which blends and continues the ‘Peter Pan’ story we all know and love. This tale is somewhat self-aware; it explains the existence of JM Barrie’s book, ‘Peter Pan and Wendy’ and provides background for different elements associated with it; Peter Pan, Tink, fairy dust, flying, second star to the right, lost boys and girls, never growing up, Hook, and the crocodile.

We follow Vivienne as her Nevergene activates around her eighteenth birthday and the charming and handsome Deacon shows up to help her through the change and bring her to Neverland, one of the P.A.N. headquarters.

I really liked Vivienne’s optimism. She is a believable character with just enough skepticism to keep things realistic in the fanciful new world of secrets she finds herself in. Author Jenny Hickman chose to keep the tone relatively light; though Vivienne’s life in foster care was mediocre and she misses her birth parents and siblings, she doesn’t spend much time being upset about these things, which helps the story move forward in a lighter way.

Vivienne meets some really good people at Neverland; her roommate, classmates, and Deacon’s friends are all caring, and lots of fun when they start breaking the rules. Deacon is a great love interest for her; their interactions consist of witty banter at times and shy, hesitant conversations at others. He was raised in the Neverland environment and knows the answers to nearly all her questions, even though he doesn’t always share them.

The characters alone are enough for me to want to continue reading this series, but there are a few unanswered questions, especially one regarding H.O.O.K. that has me hooked on the P.A.N. and their world.

Fly away with ‘The P.A.N.’ on September 1, 2020! I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. Read more reviews! http://dreamerjbookreviews.blogspot.com

[Lauren (thebookscript) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy a great retelling! And I’ll read multiples of the same story if done well with a great premise.

The Pan has a great back bone and is really creative. It takes the original tale and flips it into more of a science fiction type setting. PAN are actually members of a secret society that have a special gene that allows them to fly. HOOK is actually a team of people set against the Pan, their genes, and have made it their goal to bring them down.

This has all the elements that make it a good romantic drama. A girl who doesn’t quite know where her future leads and a sexy British lead who has all the qualities of someone who refuses to settle down....but like all good YA stories....he just might for the right girl. There’s quite the physical connection between the two characters and a few mild kissing scenes at that.

The thing that didn’t do it for me was that I found the characters to be pretty baseline in their connection and personalities. I didn’t get depth in any of the main characters that’s I’d usually like to see in a romance. It just felt purely physical and Deacon was so hot and cold I didn’t quite fall for him. I don’t mind a bad boy but he better have a better back story then one who just wants to get inside the bedroom with as many girls as he deems fit.

I’m sure as the story continues on, we will get more of his story and hopefully a little more than solely a physical connection between the two main characters. I think this has a good audience...it just wasn’t as much for me.

3.5 stars.

[Sarah Quilt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am honestly not a fan of Peter Pan, the original story (or movie adaptations). I bought this book for myself and a copy for my sister-in-law because she loves Peter Pan and I thought it could be something to bond over. She hasn't touched her copy yet, but I have zero regrets in reading mine.

I will try not to spoil anything, but I greatly enjoyed this retelling of Peter Pan and the explanation of a genetic variant that causes the ability to fly. Peter is real, he is mentioned, but he is not a major player in this story. There is a TINK, but no annoying faerie Tinkerbell to get on my nerves (thank you!). Deacon and Vivienne have an instant attraction to each other, but I'm so glad the author didn't fall into the trope of instant teenage obsessive love. At the end Vivienne proves to be a strong capable woman and I am so proud. Can't wait to read the rest of this trilogy! I need to know more about HOOK and the history there.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4,5 ☆)

A modern day Peter Pan - how cool is that?! I was caught up in the story the moment I started reading! I like both Vivienne and Deacon, and even though I prefer first person narrative, I think we got to know their reasons and thoughts well enough.

I found the pacing just right and enjoyed not knowing exactly what was coming next. Some things revealed didn't surprise me, but it didn't bother me. The only "complaint" I have is that the ending was a bit abrupt. I would have liked it to have been more prolonged; it felt like it ended a little sudden. Even though we didn't get answers to all the questions, I'm thankful it didn't have a cliffhanger ending. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't read the next book right away - had it been available!

*I received an ARC from the author and I'm giving my honest review.*

[Sissy Lu {Book Savvy Reviews} · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not a huge fan of sci-fi, but this was just enough sci fi with a hint of fantasy in it that really kept me engaged with the story. The characters are also unique, all have their own personalities, and continue to grow with the story.

It’s a wonderful take on Peter Pan and the Lost boys, one that I haven’t seen before which is amaaaazing. It takes place a few generations AFTER Peter Pan.

If you love all things Peter Pan and unique retellings then you may want to pick this up!

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I don’t want a guardian angel.” “Then what do you want, wicked little witch?” She froze. It was a good question. And she didn’t care if he was talking about something obscure. He needed to know where she stood in whatever this was. “I want someone who isn’t going to fly away, Peter Pan.”

Hi, yes, I am now an official member of the P.A.N.dom.

What a magically unique modern twist of Peter Pan! This was my first retelling of Peter Pan and I feel bad for all the other retellings I read that have this book to stand up to. Jenny Hickman did such an amazing job creating a new world based on this fairytale.

The P.A.N are People with Active Nevergens. The people with this active gene have the ability to fly and never age once they turn 18. Though they have to live in hiding because the H.O.O.K, Humanitarian Organization for Order and Knowledge, are after them. Near Vivienne's 18th birthday she experienced a dizzy spell that put her in the hospital. At the hospital, she meets this strange yet very handsome boy who tries to save her from people that want to run more tests on her. Deacon who is a recruiter for the P.A.N. tries to persuade Vivienne to come with him to Neverland. A place where she doesn't have to hide who she truly is. It takes another encounter with the H.O.O.K in order for Vivenne to accept moving to this new place. At Neverland's Kensington Academy, Vivienne makes new friends, learns to fly and falls for the devishly wicked lost boy.

Let me start out by saying yes I am in fact #damesfordeacon! I don't understand who could not be! Like my friend Katy stated, Deacon is just like the early version of Daemon in Vampire Diaries. He is gorgeous, flirty and has double entendres down pat that will make you laugh everytime. He is a lost boy who makes it his agenda to never follow the rules and to pull pranks on the outsiders whenever he gets a chance. While Vivienne is very strong willed, she finds it hard to stay away from his charm.

The romance is cute though very teenage drama like but it also has that mature YA feel to it. I was always looking forward to the interatctions with Deacon and Vivienne. Their angst was driving me insane but it was well worth it. I am very excited to start The H.O.O.K!!!

[Elle Cheshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This modern-day Peter Pan story is an incredibly fun story filled with hilarious banter, magic, YA romance, and a whole host of flirty relatable characters.

I have never read or seen a Peter Pan retelling and wow was I missing out. This was such a wonderful story; I loved the whole concept of the Nevergene and Neverland versus HOOK. It felt like such a realistic way to integrate this beloved fairytale into our modern world.

I absolutely adored both Vivienne and Deacon, their flirty banter and double entendres had me laughing constantly and I couldn’t put the book down. This story focussed on these two characters learning to overcome their secrets and their pasts to find some adventure together as well as love. There’s nothing better than a story with characters that you instantly fall in love with and that’s exactly what happened in this book. Vivienne’s thoughts were hilarious but highly relatable, and I devoured every interaction between Vivienne and Deacon. We also had a great lineup of side characters, all of whom added a great dimension to the story. I can’t wait to jump back into life with these characters in HOOK.

I loved the set-up of Neverland and how the author interweaved aspects of the Peter Pan tale into this new world. I found myself constantly wishing I had an active Nevergene so I could join with this wonderful world.

Overall, this was an original, creative, and magical story, full of characters finding a place to belong, love, and a good deal of magic. I am so happy I’ve discovered this wonderful world of the PAN and I cannot wait to dive into the next one, whilst I eagerly await the release of book 3!

[Frank Chillura (OhYouRead) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been wanting to read this series for quite a while. I saw a friend had raved about it on Bookstagram and after hearing it was a Peter Pan retelling, I knew it was going to be a book I loved!

The story is so fresh and exciting. It wasn’t an exact retelling, which made it that much better. Being a “Pan” means you live infinitely longer lives… Oh! And you can fly!! The only downside is you are hunted by H.O.O.K: The Humanitarian Organization for Order & Knowledge. They have a mission to cure the disease that is the Pan’s by eradicating the genes that cause this anomaly.

The MC’s, Vivienne and Deacon, are incredible. They are literally the perfect Wendy and Peter. What is even better is the job that the audio actor does on this book. Zura Johnson did an impressive job giving us precise voices for each of the characters. I have listened to books recently where I’m confused who is speaking, but never once did I have that problem. Even if a name wasn’t said, I would have known the character. My hat is literally off to you, Ma’am!

I am super excited to see where this story goes! I am immediately picking up Book 2!!

[Lora · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Unique, contemporary retelling. All your favorite parts of the classic fairytale with a 21st century twist" - @katieprouty.

Yes!! Katie nailed the summary while we decompressed from reading this story. This is exactly what I'm feeling, but so much more eloquently stated. I stayed up until 2am last night to finish. Do I regret it? No!

This story has the qualities I'm looking for in a book. Strong female orphan making her way, stumbles upon a secret world thanks to a very attractive love interest. Finding a sense of belonging for the first time in this new world, V begins to learn things about her past she's never known, but [enters notorious villain]!!

I could cut the tension with a knife! It is magnetic. I'm loving Hickman's take on this Peter Pan retelling. Check it out for yourself. You may just find you want to be looking for Neverland too.

[Mads | MadLeReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an overall enjoyable and entertaining Peter Pan retelling. There were a lot of fun moments, mostly because Vivienne is a pretty funny sassy girl.

I enjoyed the creative take to the Peter Pan story with a special genetic mutation affecting a certain population. The world building was intriguing but I felt maybe it wasn't quuiitte there yet. This may be due to the fact that there wasn't enough exposition or details. To tie in with that, I also felt that the scenes/pacing was too quick and abruptly ended. There was a lot of weekly or monthly time skipping where I thought a lot of character development and world building could've happened. Maybe we'll get more of that in the next book.

The story is entertaining and I sure will read the next book to see where this goes. I'd love to see more character development for Vivienne and Deacon.

[Nite0wl29 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a unique take on the beloved fairytale Peter Pan. I adored Deacon and Vivienne, even though their constant miscommunication made me want to pull my hair out! XD I still enjoyed it, and the modern world the author built around the fantasy world of Neverland. The story ended with me having even more questions than I did answers. Which, hopefully, some of these things will be addressed in book 2.

[CrystalS · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such an interesting take on Peter Pan. I love fairytale retellings, but I’m not a huge SCiFi fan but this grabbed my attention right away. This story definitely has more to tell as the series goes on and I look forward to reading it. I will be starting HOOK immediately.

[Nina Peluso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, quick read ✨