Tiger Lily by
Jodi Lynn Anderson
My rating:
4 of 5 stars
The world, and Neverland, is a complicated place. The familiar characters of Peter Pan, the Lost Boys, Captain Hook & the pirates, and Tiger Lily and the natives are shown to be bittersweet, aching, layered people who fall in love, betray, and learn to be brave. Through the eyes of Tinkerbell, we get to see Tiger Lily and Peter develop a relationship that involves all of those things.
This was much darker in tone and character than I thought it would be, but all the better for it. It explores deep issues of the heart--not just love, but also bravery, isolation, and friendship. Still has some of the fancy and magic of Neverland, but definitely shows a more savage side.
Some people didn't like Tink as a narrator, but you can't help but appreciate the insight she gives into characters, and how fairies were crafted in this interpretation of Peter Pan to have those insight-giving abilities. Sure, Tink as narrator had some minor flaws . . . sometimes she disappeared into the plot a little bit, and small somewhat forced plot actions reminded you she was there.
Powerfully written, this was quite the ride of raw, beautiful emotion that I didn't quite expect but am glad to have experienced.
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