| The truth about Neverland is far more dangerous than a fairy tale Claire Kenton believes the world is too dark for magic to be real—since her twin brother was stolen away as a child. Now Claire’s desperate search points to London…and a boy who shouldn’t exist. Peter Pan is having a beastly time getting back to Neverland. Grounded in London and hunted by his own Lost Boys, Peter searches for the last hope of restoring his crumbling island: a lass with magic in her veins. The girl who fears her own destiny is on a collision course with the boy who never wanted to grow up. The truth behind this fairy tale is about to unravel everything Claire thought she knew about Peter Pan—and herself. Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Release Date: July 21, 2020 Click here to get your copy! |  |
My Review
Nothing and no one are as they first appear...
I'll make my confession right now, I never liked the original Peter Pan novel and I don't remember if I liked the animated Disney film or not because it's been nearly 30 years since I saw it as a tiny child. I also don't usually care for modern additions to an old classic. So, you'd think I would definitely want to steer clear of Dust. But, nope, I was so intrigued by the cover blurb I knew it was one I wanted to read. Plus it was published by Enclave and I'm really starting to like their books. I'm glad I did choose to read it because this first book in Kara Swanson's Heirs Of Neverland series is by far my favorite iteration of Peter Pan!
Seriously, Dust is Peter Pan like you've never seen him before! Oh sure, there's all of the action, adventure, and magic that you've come to expect but there's so much more...and it's so much darker... Peter's selfishness, poor decision making, and irresponsibility is catching up with him, Neverland, and with our heroine, Claire, whose own traumatic past has her terrified of herself and of getting close to anyone. Author Kara Swanson's blend of fairytale and reality, action and introspection, action and a small touch of romance, in addition to her ability to weave a tale that both nods toward the original J.M. Barrie story while maintaining her own unique voice, captures the imagination and brings a little pixie dust back into reading.
Kara Swanson is off to a good start in her brand new Heirs Of Neverland series, so, whether you are a fan of the original novel, the Disney animated film, or just YA fantasy, Dust is one of those books you should consider adding to your collection.
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Dust by Kara Swanson a 4.5 Bark rating.
I'll make my confession right now, I never liked the original Peter Pan novel and I don't remember if I liked the animated Disney film or not because it's been nearly 30 years since I saw it as a tiny child. I also don't usually care for modern additions to an old classic. So, you'd think I would definitely want to steer clear of Dust. But, nope, I was so intrigued by the cover blurb I knew it was one I wanted to read. Plus it was published by Enclave and I'm really starting to like their books. I'm glad I did choose to read it because this first book in Kara Swanson's Heirs Of Neverland series is by far my favorite iteration of Peter Pan!
Seriously, Dust is Peter Pan like you've never seen him before! Oh sure, there's all of the action, adventure, and magic that you've come to expect but there's so much more...and it's so much darker... Peter's selfishness, poor decision making, and irresponsibility is catching up with him, Neverland, and with our heroine, Claire, whose own traumatic past has her terrified of herself and of getting close to anyone. Author Kara Swanson's blend of fairytale and reality, action and introspection, action and a small touch of romance, in addition to her ability to weave a tale that both nods toward the original J.M. Barrie story while maintaining her own unique voice, captures the imagination and brings a little pixie dust back into reading.
Kara Swanson is off to a good start in her brand new Heirs Of Neverland series, so, whether you are a fan of the original novel, the Disney animated film, or just YA fantasy, Dust is one of those books you should consider adding to your collection.
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Dust by Kara Swanson a 4.5 Bark rating.
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
More from Kara
I wrote Dust not just for those who grew up loving the original Peter Pan story — but especially for the children who were left behind. Those of us who never escaped through a window to a magical world, whose childhoods oftentimes felt a little shadowed.
| Dust follows Peter Pan when he is cast out of Neverland, grounded in London. For the first time, this Peter has to start thinking about someone other than himself—and become a beacon to remind any Lost ones that there is still magic to be found. Dust also follows a young woman named Claire who can create pixie dust, but is desperately afraid of herself because when her fears and insecurities leak out, her dust starts to burn. Claire has seen too many shadows to believe in fairytales anymore and is doing everything she can just to lock away the strange dust dripping from her fingertips. But when she meets Peter, he challenges everything she thought she knew. I wrote Claire for those of us who may feel too weighted to even remember what it feels like to have hope lift your soul. Who can look at ourselves and all we see are our own shadows and shortcomings. |  |
Throughout the course of the novel, Peter has to teach Claire how to see the spark of light inside herself that is far brighter than the darkness. As he helps this girl learn how to fly, Peter rediscovers what it is that truly makes him Peter Pan: the unquenchable childlike belief that there are weightless thoughts in all of us that can lift us out of the shadows.
This story is a love letter to anyone who has ever needed that reminder. We have value simply because we exist. We do not have to be weighed down by our shadows. There is still light that can lift our hearts if we have faith, trust…and a dash of the impossible.
This story is a love letter to anyone who has ever needed that reminder. We have value simply because we exist. We do not have to be weighed down by our shadows. There is still light that can lift our hearts if we have faith, trust…and a dash of the impossible.
 Kara Swanson | As the daughter of missionaries, Kara Swanson spent her childhood running barefoot through the lush jungles of Papua New Guinea. Able to relate with characters dropped into a unique new world, she quickly fell in love with the fantasy genre. The award-winning author of The Girl Who Could See, Kara is passionate about crafting stories of light shattering darkness, connecting with readers, and becoming best friends with a mermaid—though not necessarily in that order. Kara chats about coffee, fairy tales and bookish things online (@karaswansonauthor) and at karaswanson.com |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Kara is giving away the grand prize package of a
Dust-themed bundle that includes a signed hardcover, bookmarks,
character cards, Peter + Claire art print, and an exclusive Dust pin!!
Dust-themed bundle that includes a signed hardcover, bookmarks,
character cards, Peter + Claire art print, and an exclusive Dust pin!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
Blog Stops
Andrea Christenson, July 31
Rebecca Tews, July 31
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 1
Texas Book-aholic, August 1
For the Love of Literature, August 2
deb’s Book Review, August 2
Emily Yager, August 2
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, August 3
Blessed & Bookish, August 3
Through the Fire Blogs, August 4
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 4
Worthy2Read, August 5
Losing the Busyness, August 5
Adventures of A Travelers Wife, August 5
Remembrancy, August 6
Wishful Endings, August 6
Inklings and notions, August 7
April Hayman, Author, August 7
For Him and My Family, August 8
Musings of A Sassy Bookish Mama, August 8
Inside the Wong Mind, August 9
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 9
Nancy E Wood, August 9
Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 10
Mia Reads, August 10
Simple Harvest Reads, August 11 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Faery Tales Are Real, August 11
Artistic Nobody, August 12
Ashley’s Bookshelf, August 12
Pause for Tales, August 12
Just the Write Escape, August 13
Blossoms and Blessings, August 13
Rebecca Tews, July 31
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 1
Texas Book-aholic, August 1
For the Love of Literature, August 2
deb’s Book Review, August 2
Emily Yager, August 2
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, August 3
Blessed & Bookish, August 3
Through the Fire Blogs, August 4
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 4
Worthy2Read, August 5
Losing the Busyness, August 5
Adventures of A Travelers Wife, August 5
Remembrancy, August 6
Wishful Endings, August 6
Inklings and notions, August 7
April Hayman, Author, August 7
For Him and My Family, August 8
Musings of A Sassy Bookish Mama, August 8
Inside the Wong Mind, August 9
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 9
Nancy E Wood, August 9
Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 10
Mia Reads, August 10
Simple Harvest Reads, August 11 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Faery Tales Are Real, August 11
Artistic Nobody, August 12
Ashley’s Bookshelf, August 12
Pause for Tales, August 12
Just the Write Escape, August 13
Blossoms and Blessings, August 13
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