Challenge Corner discussion

In this beautiful, grounded, and darkly magical modern-day reimagining of J. M. Barrie's classic, to save her daughter's life one woman must take on the infamous Peter Pan--who is not the innocent adventurer the fairy tales make him out to be . . .

Life is looking up for Holly Darling, granddaughter of Wendy--yes, that Wendy. She's running a successful skincare company; her son, Jack, is happy and healthy; and the tragedy of her past is well behind her . . . until she gets a call that her daughter, Eden, who has been in a coma for nearly a decade, has gone missing from the estate where she's been long tucked away. And, worst of all, Holly knows who must be responsible: Peter Pan, who is not only very real, but more dangerous than anyone could imagine.

Eden's disappearance is a disaster for more reasons than one. She has a rare condition that causes her to age rapidly--ironic, considering her father is the boy who will never grow up--which also makes her blood incredibly valuable. It's a secret that Holly is desperate to protect, especially from Eden's half-brother, Jack, who knows nothing about his sister or the crucial role she plays in his life. Holly has no one to turn to--her mother is the only other person in the world who knows that Peter is more than a story, but she refuses to accept that he is not the hero she's always imagined. Desperate, Holly enlists the help of Christopher Cooke, a notorious ex-soldier, in the hopes of rescuing Eden before it's too late . . . or she may lose both her children.

Darling Girl brings all the magic of the classic Peter Pan story to the present, while also exploring the dark underpinnings of fairy tales, grief, aging, sacrifice, motherhood, and just how far we will go to protect those we love.

Through 11 chapters

I always (view spoiler)[ thought Peter Pan's original story was dark and Peter always seemed a bit. . .scary and possibly violent - so I don't think she's too out of line
but. . .is Eden the first child of Peter to father. Because if not, then. . .just yuck lol

I hope Jack's okay through all this as he gets worse. .

oh and I love the Darling line doing skin care. so awesome lol. (hide spoiler)]

through 22

well (view spoiler)[ that did paint Peter and particularly. . .not cruel, but willing to push the limits

I'm a little worried about Jane. We don't really know what's going on with Eden - would she move her to get her to come back and try to draw Jack out?
also, we don't have any pulse on the Tinkerbell. . .she could be really bad news. could it be her?

also, love Cooke's addition to the story even though he hasn't done much yet (hide spoiler)]

through 30

(view spoiler)[ wow she should have stopped lying years ago. I think it was probably obvious is wasn't sustainable. her son growing up at the very least

I don't like Barry much though.

and intersting she found Eden but then she ran.

I wonder how this will all conclude (hide spoiler)]

and done

(view spoiler)[ I'm was worried about Jane the whole time. I'm glad she really did pick her daughter and then her grandaughter over Peter.
interesting that bell maybe picked him up too

I'm just so glad Eden made it out alive and so did Jack
(hide spoiler)]

this one was pretty good!

I'm just barely into the book but I am curious who the stranger Robert was? I'm still not sure where this story is going to take me but I'm super intrigued and ready for this

Okay, wait... I am so confused which it doesn't take much to confuse me but wasn't that the name of Holly's husband Robert? and if so wasn't that the name of the stranger she met in the beginning??

Ohhhh this is a darker twist.. Eden is Peter Pans daughter. Wow!!

right?! Such an interesting twist!!

Trisha wrote: "right?! Such an interesting twist!!"

Crazyyyyy...but I love how creative Michalski is with the original fairy tale!!

Sorry it's taking so long for me to finish this one. I've been sick for about 5 days now and I'm moving like a salted slug with this one.. :(

I'm just sitting here with my lower jaw on the floor.

Did Peter just take advantage of a woman??? I mean I always had a feeling his story was a little darker than others but does he realize what he actually just did was evil considering he only knew how to act towards a woman based on watching the animals at the zoo??

This is getting really really dark?

Also, poor Jack, all this danger going on around him.

I can't even right now with this book..

Peter is both Eden and Ed's father.. what the heck!! Seriously my mind is blown.

This is amazing!

Just finished this! AMAZING!!! That’s all I can say other than it was one of the best books I’ve read

I hope you are feeling better!

I know, SO many surprises right?!?!

(view spoiler)[ as soon as she mentioned Ed kind of shimmered or looked really strong on the field when they were playing (he and Jack), I wondered if he might be. . .

and Yeah! Peter right?!?! (hide spoiler)]

Carrie wrote: "Just finished this! AMAZING!!! That’s all I can say other than it was one of the best books I’ve read"

YAY! I'm so glad you loved this one!!

Trisha wrote: "I hope you are feeling better!

I know, SO many surprises right?!?!

as soon as she mentioned Ed kind of shimmered or looked really strong on the field when they were playing (he and Jack), I wond..."

It took me a little longer to realize Ed was Peter's son as well and I'm not going to lie, I cried when they found him dead.

This book was a fresh and mesmerizing reimaging of Peter Pan.

Thanks for letting me in on the buddy read! I'm looking forward to the next one with you.

Now I want to read Owned By The Lost Boys!!

Prologue: (view spoiler)[OKAY I'm hooked. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 1-10: (view spoiler)[Lowkey confused about some things. Peter Pan's her father? Right? Also, what's going on with Jack? So confused and need all the answers! (hide spoiler)]

Ch 11-20: (view spoiler)[Wow. Eden's blood helps Jack. Didn't see that coming. Like at all. Again, I have so many questions. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 21-30: (view spoiler)[You'd think the lying would stop after they caught up with her, but nope. Definitely keeps things interesting - I guess? (hide spoiler)]

Ch 31-40: (view spoiler)[HOW IS THIS GOING TO END? (hide spoiler)]

Ch 41-Finish: (view spoiler)[Okay, so happy with the overall outcome. This was definitely a different version of Peter Pan. (hide spoiler)]

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RESTARTING SEPTEMBER 28TH, 2022

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Chapter 1-11 (view spoiler)[I thought it was weird that Jack didn't remember. I figured he would find out. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 12 - 18 (view spoiler)[So Peter and Holly are married? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 19-20 (view spoiler)[That's awful that Holly is using Eden's blood to give to Jack. Eden should have a right to this, but it just seems like Holly is using her. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[That's sad that Holly was raped, but it just put me off that Eden's blood is being used like that. (hide spoiler)]