Another Pan by Daniel & Dina Nayeri
Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: Candlewick (October 26, 2010)
Book summary: Sixteen-year-old Wendy Darling and her insecure freshman brother, John, are hitting the books at the Marlowe School. But one tome consumes their attention: THE BOOK OF GATES, a coveted Egyptian artifact that their professor father believes has magical powers. Soon Wendy and John discover that the legend is real—when they recite from its pages and descend into a snaking realm beneath the Manhattan school. As the hallways darken, and dead moths cake the floor, a charismatic new R.A. named Peter reveals that their actions have unleashed a terrible consequence: the underworld and all its evil is now seeping into Marlowe. Daniel Nayeri and Dina Nayeri return to reimagine Peter Pan as a twisty, atmospheric, and fast-paced fantasy about the perils of immortality.
My review: Another Pan has an interesting premise with its updated version of Peter Pan. The Lost Boys are networked across the world and the Darling kids, Wendy and nerd John, attend the Marlowe School where their father, the brilliant but not respected Mr. Darling teaches ancient civilizations. Their mother has left them for another man and they have to live with this disgrace. While cataloging items for their father's exhibit, the Darlings come upon ancient Egyptian artifacts. Accidentally they open a door to an underworld filled with labyrinthine places and scary beings. Death has been robbed of something it wants and will not stop until it has received it. Peter knows about this place and the dark force who heads it. With his help Wendy and John try to battle an evil force and rid the school of it before it takes over. But can they trust the charismatic Peter?
I enjoyed Another Pan. This modern retelling of a classic story is fun, intriguing and held my interest. I did find it slow going at first but once Peter arrived at Marlowe, the adventures and thrills kicked in. Fans of Peter Pan will certainly enjoy the bumps and chills of a unique and intriguing story.
Rating: ++++
Favorite excerpt: From page 230, ARC edition.
""We made it," echoed Wendy, focusing only on Peter now that they were safe. Watching him lying there, clutching his prize with everything he had, Wendy was sure that she was falling for him, a lot worse than she had ever fallen for Connor. And judging from the way he looked at her just then, she was starting to believe that maybe he had fallen for her too. But then Peter turned back toward Harere's hand and his attention was gone. He looked at it with all the affection of a lost love."
Cover comment: Kind of dark, mysterious and cool. I like the updated look of Peter Pan.
Book source: Around the World tours
I'm not one for retelling of old tales unless it's really subtle and hard to tell. But, since you gave it four stars, I might check it out!
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