The Sun and the Shadow

by Ilya Ellis

Pan grew up.

Then he went missing.

The fight for control of Neverland has come around yet again; it is time for the ruler to be decided in the Crowning Games.

Nathaniel has stood by the undefeated king's right hand side for forty years, helplessly watching his cruel governing of the island.

Only this year, rumours that Peter Pan has come back to claim his crown have started to be passed from fairy to fairy. Nathaniel doesn't know if the return of the man he once called friend will bring about peace or more destruction.

For when it comes to Peter Pan, dangerous shadows from the past always follow.

Genres: Fantasy, Retellings, LGBT, Queer, Romance, Fiction, M M Romance

311 pages, Paperback

Published December 11, 2021

Reviews

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neverland has never been so richly imagined as it is in THE SUN AND SHADOW. The legends we know have been layered with nuanced characters, where the Lost Boys have lost their boyhood and found deeper, and sometimes crueler, connections; where mermaids would love nothing more than to drown you because they can, where desires burn as hot as fire, and where men must learn to embrace their true selves for the very first time. Beautiful, captivating, and full of heartbreaking revelations, THE SUN AND THE SHADOW will take your breath away.

[Flor ):) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pan and Nathaniel have my heart

[Samantha (bookstasamm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good retelling and was so excited to get to read this queer retelling of Peter Pan. The Sun and the Shadow takes place after the Peter Pan we are familiar with. Peter grew up and then he disappeared. Things in Neverland are not the same as they were when he ruled.

The writing in this story is so imaginative and I love the way the author recreated Neverland. Nathaniel, Peter’s best friend and love, was a great character. I loved his innocence even as he’s getting older and his love for Peter is so pure.

The book is told in three parts, and I really liked part two where we learned Peter and Nat’s backstory. I enjoyed reading about them and their journeys. It was a great way to learn about their relationship and how it affected the other characters.

In part three, we see the Crowning Games, where the king will be crowned. I liked hearing about the different magic the competitors had and wished this had been developed more. I think it would have been fun to see more of the competition.

One of my favorite parts of the story was how the author included some of the creatures and characters from the original Peter Pan. There are fairies and mermaids and maybe even an appearance from Captain Hook. Overall, this was a great story, and I loved how the author reimagined Neverland.

Thank you Pride Book Tours for a gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these characters with all of my heart <333


If you’re a fan of retellings or Peter Pan, then THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU!! The way this book has been living rent free in my mind, ever since I read the first few chapters. 😩✋🏻 This story is rich in imaginative legends, taking place years later after Pan flees from Neverland; leaving the lost boys to fend for themselves. As the years of go by, it’s time for a new ruler of the once beloved “Neverland”. However, there are rumors that Pan is back to take his crown… Including heartbreaks, destruction and a dangerous magic, this story is sure to keep you hooked. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Antonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Le tengo mucho cariño a la historia de Peter Pan, por eso cuando escuché de este libro, corría a leerlo, y la verdad es que no me decepcionó. La historia gira en torno a Peter y Nathaniel, uno de los niños perdidos y mejor amigo de Peter; muchos años después de la historia que todos conocemos, ahora Peter y los niños perdidos han crecido por alguna razón, lo que trae nuevos conflictos, pero también nuevas aventuras.

Me gustó mucho la forma en la que se nos va contando la historia, no resulta aburrida, y como es un libro cortito, se lee muy rápido. La relación de Peter y Nathaniel es muy bonita, han pasado por mucho, pero al final siempre terminaban volviendo al otro, cuidándose y protegiéndose. Me gustaría ver más de ellos.

Otra cosa que me hizo feliz fueron todas las referencias y personajes que aparecen o nombraron de la historia original, siento que le dio más profundidad e importancia al personaje de peter, y al porque de sus decisiones. Me hubiera gustado que mostraran un poco más de los juegos, de los niños perdidos y de la vida en otras partes de neverland, o cuando empezaron a crecer, creo que con unas cuantas páginas más se podría desarrollar un poco más, sin embargo lo que se nos dio estuvo muy bien para entender a los personajes y la historia. El final, también, me pareció bueno, un poco nostálgico pero con esperanza de más aventuras.

En fin, que disfruté leerlo y lo recomiendo mucho, no solo si te gusta la historia de Peter Pan.

4.5

[Laxmama · Rating 3 out of 5]

For some reason I am a huge sucker for Peter Pan retelling. The beginning of this one was promising, along the way too. However it went from a bit dark to YA with holes. I felt like it needed to pick which direction it wanted to follow and stick with it. I liked the premise but felt it missed.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words cannot describe how much I love this book!

The writing was beautiful ! Pan and Nathaniel's love story I could not get enough of! Their relationship made me believe in magic and love. Highly recommend if are a fan of Peter Pan or are looking for a book with LGBTQ+ representation!

[Booksteacoffeepride · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pan and Nathaniel are EVERYTHING

[Maé · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Besides, I want to have new adventures, in new places, and in all of those adventures need you by my side." Nathaniel felt a swelling in his chest. At first he thought it was fire, but he quickly identified it as an overwhelming sense of belonging. He belonged with Pan. Neverland, London, an undiscovered star, it didn't matter where.
"I can't wait to be your next adventure."

I’m always on the search for new Peter Pan retellings, so I knew that I needed to read this queer romance when it first came out. I had absolutely no expectation for it, especially because it’s self published and a bit less know than other retellings. But I ended up completely falling in love with this version of Neverland. The story is centered around Nathaniel, a Lost Boy who was Peter’s best friend, before he disappeared for years and years and left his old friend with the tyrannical new chief of the island. Nathaniel is getting ready for the Games, which will decide who the next King of this new version of Neverland will be.

The story is told in three parts that cover two different timelines: one is the days surrounding the Games, as we discover Nathaniel’s place and role next to the king and we’re only hinted at his past with Pan. We then have an entire part only covering the past, as we see Nathaniel and Pan’s adventures as best friends, and then as they slowly start falling in love, up until their falling out. And I genuinely can’t tell which timeline I loved more! They both manage to tell such a devastating yet lovely story, and every adventure felt so close to the original Peter Pan, while still being entire different. And I absolutely loved how it linked everything to the Peter we all know and love, as it made perfect sense in the story.

"You have always said that I am the sun, your sun. But you are the one who lights up Neverland, the one who brings life and joy. If I am the sun, then I get all of that power and energy from you, Peter."

There’s nothing I love more than a good magical competition, so I was so excited to discover this setting in a world that I adore so much. And it felt like such a fresh point of view to discover Neverland and our characters! I do wish the Games had a bigger place in the plot. I did love seeing everyone preparing for them and the impact they had afterwards, but the fights themselves were more or less useless, and the Games were actually cut so much shorter than I thought they’d be.

You can definitely tell at some places that the book is self published, and was in need of some editing. The timelines can be confusing, the plot could have been mapped out a little bit better, and the grammar wasn't perfect. But the story itself had so much potential that I’m 100% sure it would be one of my favorite books if it was traditionally published. The writing is so beautiful and had a sort of poesy that reminded me so much of Barrie’s own words.

The Pan he had known, had grown up with, was fighting the man he had become. A childlike sense of authority at war with an adult weight on his shoulders.

I genuinely think this book has the best take on Peter Pan’s growing up I’ve ever seen in a retelling. I love how we got to see him at different “ages”, and love the way him growing up actually impacted him. But what I adored even more it’s how he got to terms with it. It’s something very rare to see in retellings, we always only see him already grown up (and okay with it) or always stuck in his teenager years. In this one we get to see adult Pan, with everything that means for his character, but also with a mentality that evolved from the one he had as a child. But he’s still our Peter Pan, with his cockiness and his recklessness. He’s the kind of Peter that Barrie would have loved to read about.

Nathaniel is a completely original character, but I completely fell in love with him. He reminded me so much of James from the most popular retelling Lost Boy. He’s very brave, and will do absolutely anything to protect Peter Pan (even when Pan doesn’t want to be protected). It was almost easy to forget he wasn’t a Lost Boy in the original novel.

"You know, that was my first kiss." Nathaniel smiled and pressed his forehead to Pan's.
"That's not true, I left you a kiss under your pillow," Pan said quietly.
"You know that a thimble is not a kiss, don't you?"
"It is to me, it means as much. I only had one thimble, one kiss, and I gave it to you."

I absolutely loved reading about Nathaniel and Pan’s relationship, because it was so complex yet you cannot help but genuinely root for them. The way they grow from best friends to enemies to lovers to rivals again was so subtle yet fit so well with the story. It never felt forced, especially as, no matter what their minds were at, it was so easy to feel the genuine bond that linked the two of them. Even Pan dealing with being in love made complete sense with the character. The tears I shed for these two!

I absolutely loved rediscovering this version of Neverland. It still felt familiar, but it was also so different. The way the author imagined this “futuristic” Neverland, with different cities and colonies, was beyond intriguing and I kept was always looking forward to learn more. I wish we had an entire series in this universe just to explore more.

"Why are you crying?"
"I never knew that I could feel this way. I used to think that I was the happiest person in the world, being carefree, without any worries. But, no, I had no idea what I was missing out on. We might never know what caused me to start aging, but I no longer fear it, Nat, because if I didn't grow up I would never have found this with you. You are my new adventure."
”And you are mine."

As I mentioned, I really enjoyed the way they linked everything with the original story. It’s very different to other retellings I’ve read, and has nothing to do with Barrie’s novel, but there are so many easter eggs to find throughout Pan and Nathaniel’s aventures. You can tell how much the author researched on Peter Pan, with the number of quotes, characters and little elements of the story referencing to the OG.

It’s not the best Peter Pan retelling I’ve read, but it still managed to completely steal my heart. I completely fell in love with its universe and its characters. It had so much potential, and given the proper tools, I’m sure the plot could be rearranged and it would be the absolutely mesmerising story it’s fleshed out to be. I had such a fun time reading it nonetheless, it deserves nothing less than 5 stars for me.

[Booksteaandlove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful retelling. I think the best Pan one I have read actually.

Nathaniel is wonderful and I think that the inclusion of mental health and panic attacks within this character was very well written. Pan was a flawed character, grown but still holding his childish ways.

I loved seeing a certain old character show up (I won’t say who because of spoilers) and LOVED the little Easter eggs from the original story (The name Tippy-Toe being the original name for Tinkerbelle)

Highly recommended.

[Mooneyrooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super fun read. Loved the fairies. Nat and Pan are adorable too. I hope there is a sequel.

[Edyta · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 60%

Chaotyczna od początku. Postacie nie są przedstawione - trzeba się domyślać.

(Nie jestem osobą, która nie zna historii Piotrusia Pana, ale jakaś baza świata przedstawionego powinna być... Bo co jeśli ktoś nie zna? O tym twórca nie pomyślał?)

Chaos jest też w stylu, którego praktycznie brak, nie ma polotów, wyobraźnia stoi w miejscu - bo nie ma opisów. Jest tak: oni są tu, teraz robią to, Nathaniel to, Pan tamto. Trochę całusów, uderzeń serca. Są tu, a za chwilę tam. Miesza się przeszłość z teraźniejszością.
Nie wiadomo w sumie o co chodzi, brak fabuły.
A relacja między głównymi bohaterami jest jakaś niewyjaśniona. Nie ma początku, nagle jest, potem wspomnienia, kłótnie, wyzywanie się od głupich. A niech to. Nigdy więcej.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Super great premise, but I think the plotting needs some reworking. The pacing and time jumping had me losing interest and skimming over full sections and the character development was a little back and forth? I think all the issues here could be fixed with some more developmental editing. I would love to see this book reworked and re-published because it fits perfectly with all the retelling being released rn.

[Rainbowletters · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this after reading Peter Darling which I sadly didn’t enjoy very much. So I was a bit wary about this book. But wow I loved it so much! Nathaniel is so sweet but with such a deadly power, I enjoyed the contrast. Pan was petulant and slightly bratty, not wanting to be an adult, I liked that he kept those child like attributes but also grew and learned to love.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐

[Luna Holdensten · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely beautiful Peter Pan sequel with wonderful representation. The imagery is lush and gorgeous, with well written characters. A must read.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

No tengo palabras de lo wholesome que fue leer a Nat y Pan 🥺🥺

[Rania · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know if the problem is me but i found this really hard to sit through for some reason. It definitely needed some editing.

[Stephanie DiMambro · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this story it was the first book to get me out of a reading slump, but I feel somewhat dissatisfied. I loved the retelling of peter Pan, but I felt like sometimes the transitions in the story were hard to follow. I also felt like I needed a little more interactions between the main characters.