In this dark reimagining of the Peter Pan mythos, Peter is an ancient, blood-stained creature who recruits desperate teenagers from modern New York City to fight his wars. He lures Nick, a boy fleeing drug dealers, through a magical veil into Avalon, a dying island rotting from a magical smog called the Flesh-Eating Mist. This isn't a playground; it is a brutal battlefield where the "Devils" face off against Captain Hook—here a fanatical Puritan leader—and his group of undead, zealot soldiers.
Horror enthusiasts and fans of grim folklore read this for its unflinching violence and the deconstruction of childhood innocence. The narrative appeals to those who want a visceral, high-stakes version of fairy tales where the magical entities are predators rather than protectors. Readers finish the book with a cynical perspective on the cost of eternal youth and the cycle of trauma that drives Peter to replace his fallen child-soldiers with fresh, disposable recruits.
Balanced in tone; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Curious Generalist. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2009
- Language
- EN
