#BookReview: Darling by K. Ancrum

Synopsis: A teen girl finds herself lost on a dangerous adventure in this YA thriller by the acclaimed author of The Wicker King and The Weight of the Stars—reimagining Peter Pan for today’s world.

On Wendy Darling’s first night in Chicago, a boy called Peter appears at her window. He’s dizzying, captivating, beautiful—so she agrees to join him for a night on the town.

Wendy thinks they’re heading to a party, but instead they’re soon running in the city’s underground. She makes friends—a punk girl named Tinkerbelle and the lost boys Peter watches over. And she makes enemies—the terrifying Detective Hook, and maybe Peter himself, as his sinister secrets start coming to light. Can Wendy find the courage to survive this night—and make sure everyone else does, too?

Acclaimed author K. Ancrum has re-envisioned Peter Pan with a central twist that will send all your previous memories of J. M. Barrie’s classic permanently off to Neverland.

An Imprint Book 



Goodreads | Amazon

Rating: 5 Stars
My Review: This book was so much fun! I loved the thriller and Peter Pan mash up and I could not put it down. There was so much rep in this book that just made it so much better.  I loved the characters and how they correlated with the Peter Pan twist. I need more books by this author! 

From School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up—Wendy Darling's first Saturday night in Chicago takes an interesting turn when a charming boy named Peter crawls through her window and invites her to a party. With her BFF Eleanor a text away, Wendy jumps at the chance to explore the city with the handsome, albeit slightly reckless, Peter. Along the way, she meets friends like Tinkerbelle, Ominotago, and Fyodor while establishing a new enemy in Detective Hook. What begins as one impulsive night on the town turns ominous as a darker side of Peter is revealed. If Wendy makes it till morning, she'll never be the same again. Ancrum delivers a creative modern adaptation of a children's classic. Wendy is a character to root for as she maneuvers her way through the streets of Chicago. While cleverly transitioned to the 21st century, this Peter Pan retelling lacks the character depth needed to elevate the intrigue and mystery. Eleanor's presence on the page serves more as a plot filler rather than a critical piece of the story. Though savvier readers may predict the creepy twist, it's nevertheless sure to leave their skin crawling. Wendy is Black, Peter is white, and the supporting cast is diverse in ethnicity and sexual orientation: Ominotago (the Tiger Lily replacement) is Ojibwe and Irish and bi, Fyodor (Wendy's romantic interest) is Russian and biromantic asexual. VERDICT A solid reimagining of Peter Pan that will satisfy those looking for a thrill in their retellings.—Emily Walker, Lisle Lib. Dist., IL  --This text refers to the hardcover edition.

Review

Praise for Darling:

“Bright, beautiful, and deeply unsettling, Darling is pure magic. It will lure you in, but it won’t let you go.”―Marieke Nijkamp, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of This Is Where It Endsand Even If We Break

“This spellbinding and diabolical adventure could only come from the brilliant mind of K. Ancrum. You’ll read it straight on till morning!”―Caleb Roehrig, author of The Fell of Dark

“Darling is the magnetic and addictive Peter Pan retelling we deserve. It takes you on a hurricane of an adventure filled with earnest and aching characters you will immediately want to protect, versus sinister and chilling truths you won’t see coming. I could not stop reading!”―C. G. Drews, author of A Thousand Perfect Notes and The Boy Who Steals Houses

“Darling is the Peter Pan retelling with the diverse cast and queer representation of your dreams.”―Aiden Thomas, New York Times–bestselling author of Cemetery Boys

“Spellbinding and psychologically compelling.”―Kirkus Reviews

“Upholding the spirit of adventure and the value of found family, Ancrum ramps up the tension . . . creating a layered reworking.”―Publishers Weekly 

--This text refers to the hardcover edition.

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Posted in: 5 Stars, Edelweiss, Imprint, Review, Young Adult