“If you like fast-paced fantasy retellings, Never Lore: Journey to Mt. Smolder is for you!”
Review by Rayleigh Setser
Explosive content contained within. (Rebel boys and indomitable girls have always been a combustible combination.)
All the signs of Fairy’s unraveling were a strict rationing of pixie dust; the disappearance of a magical species; a reckless reliance on spies plucked from human orphanages. Annabelle was no orphan. Her father was perhaps the most infamous man in Childerbridge-and she’d never live down the shame of it, though she’d also never accept that the charges against him were true-not most of the time.
She’ll have to go to the end of Never to prove what is true…about Never itself, about her father, and her own work-worn self.
Release Date: 3/31/2023
Genre: Middle Grade | Fantasy Retelling
Pages: 249
Never Lore: Journey to Mt. Smolder is a middle grade reimagining of Peter Pan. You'll encounter many familiar characters and themes, but there are new twists and new characters that make the story so different that you just thought you knew Peter Pan!
I'm rating it 3.75 stars out of 5 because while I loved Annabelle during her spunky adventure, the story just moved so fast that I continually had to stop and re-read pages because we'd jump to totally new scenes in a single sentence or major plot points would be solved in only a few words. If the story would've slowed down, allowed the reader to process what was happening, I think I would've enjoyed it much more. As it is, I felt like I experienced the story set on "fast forward".
There are strong themes of honesty and doing one's best to do the right thing. Also strong friendships and a good display of communication between friends when a disagreement arises. It's an exciting story perfect for middle graders who love Peter Pan.
Also, the book is beautifully designed. I loved the unique chapter headers!
Overall, if you like fast-paced fantasy retellings, Never Lore: Journey to Mt. Smolder is for you!
Content Ratings:
Action & Gore:
3. Mild action (common injuries with some details).
Romance & Spice:
0. None
Cursing & Vulgarity:
0. None
Other Trigger/Content Notices:
Some themes of child abandonment and servitude because of social status. Bullying.
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