Publishers Weekly
01/25/2021
Coping with tragedy and growing up too fast takes center stage in this compassionate rural Oregon reimagining of Peter Pan. Five years ago, Wendy Darling and her brothers vanished in the dangerous woods outside town—and six months later, on her 13th birthday, she alone was found, amnesiac, with her brothers’ blood under her fingernails. Now 18 and ready for nursing school, Wendy compulsively sketches a sinister, twisted tree as well as Peter Pan, the imaginary protagonist from her mother’s bedtime stories. When children start disappearing again, the real Peter appears, fearful of growing up and begging Wendy to help find his rogue shadow, locate the children that his shadow is stealing, and perhaps save her still-missing brothers. But as Wendy’s memories begin to resurface, she realizes that Peter’s been keeping secrets—and that she’ll need to face her own painful truth. Despite a somewhat simplistic antagonist, Thomas’s (Cemetery Boys) immersive prose and nuanced, trauma-informed perspective add real depth to Barrie’s classic characters. Readers of Seanan McGuire’s Wayward Children series and Laura E. Weymouth will settle into this emotionally generous update. Ages 13–up. Agent: Jennifer March Soloway, Andrea Brown Literary. (Mar.)
From the Publisher
"A poignant novel about resilience, the magic of childhood, and the impossible choices that survivors often have to make in order to move forward, this will haunt readers long after they put it down—but will also leave them looking up at the stars." — Booklist, starred review
"Absolutely delightful! Lost in the Never Woods is chock-full of suspense, excitement, and nostalgia. Peter Pan is as thrilling and seductive as ever, and Thomas’ heartfelt tale feels as ageless as the legend himself." — Romina Garber, New York Times-bestselling author of Zodiac
"Thomas’s immersive prose and nuanced, trauma-informed perspective add real depth to Barrie’s classic characters. Readers of Seanan McGuire’s Wayward Children series and Laura E. Weymouth will settle into this emotionally generous update." — Publishers Weekly
"Thomas brilliantly creates a malevolent tone to what should be a safe small town, crafting a feeling that something terrible is just around the bend.... Characters are well-developed with surprising and emotional story arcs which will leave readers looking at Peter Pan in a whole new light. A captivating mystery that will ensnare those who enjoy retellings and stories with a touch of magic." —School Library Journal
"This spin on a well-known story focuses on childhood trauma, growing up, loss, and letting go.... An intense, cathartic, bittersweet tale." —Kirkus Reviews
For Aiden Thomas and Cemetery Boys:
Longlisted for the 2020 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature
"This stunning debut novel from Thomas is detailed, heart-rending, and immensely romantic. Don’t miss this book." —Mark Oshiro, author of Anger is a Gift
"Aiden Thomas' debut novel can't help but charm and captivate readers of all ages, though teen readers will invariably identify with and appreciate the high jinks and emotional vulnerability that make each character and scenario deliciously enchanting." — Booklist, starred review
" 'Scooby-Doo' meets 'Love, Simon' in this inclusive supernatural romance steeped in East Los Angeles Latinx culture." — New York Times Book Review
"This book is magical, tender, loving, and so so so important. I love it with all my heart." —Mason Deaver, author of I Wish You All The Best
"Cemetery Boys is a celebration of culture and identity that will captivate readers with its richly detailed world, earnest romance, and thrilling supernatural mystery. This delightful debut is a must-read for all paranormal romance fans." —Isabel Sterling, author of These Witches Don't Burn
" Thomas marries concept and execution in a romantic mystery as poignant as it is spellbinding, weaved in a mosaic of culture, acceptance, and identity, where intricately crafted characters are the pieces and love—platonic, romantic, familial, and communal—is the glue." — Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Cemetery Boys is nothing short of an astonishing work of art. Aiden Thomas masterfully weaves a tale of family, friendships, and love in a heartwarming adventure full of affirmation and being your best self." — C.B. Lee, author of Not Your Sidekick
"Both the romance and mystery burn slow and hot until the climax... Heart-pounding." —Kirkus
"A story much bigger than the paper that binds it, Cemetery Boys is the tender intricacy we have all been waiting for." —Kayla Ancrum, author of The Wicker King
"Speaking from experience, this is the kind of book that you read and then immediately go force all your friends to read so they can share the pleasure." —Buzzfeed
"A wildly memorable novel." —Paste
"Magical, swoonworthy, and utterly charming." —Bitch Media
"This one is just what your heart needs right now." —TOR.com
School Library Journal
02/01/2021
Gr 9 Up—This dark reimagining of Peter Pan concentrates on 18-year-old Wendy Darling. She's struggling to get over the disturbing events of a kidnapping five years earlier that left her in the middle of the woods with no memories of what happened, and her two younger brothers missing. When kids begin disappearing in her sleepy hometown of Astoria, OR, it reignites the drive to find out the truth about her past. Once she runs into an older Peter Pan and his fleeing shadow, she begins to question what she knows about her childhood and starts to recover memories. Thomas brilliantly creates a malevolent tone to what should be a safe small town, crafting a feeling that something terrible is just around the bend. This modern-day fantasy touches on the classic source material while inventing new mythology that perfectly fits into place. The difficulty of overcoming a tragedy is realistically portrayed as Wendy and her family are traumatized by their shared history and have become estranged from one another as they have trouble moving on. Main characters appear to be white with the exception of Wendy's best friend and sounding board Jordan, whose family is Latinx and occasionally speaks Spanish. Characters are well-developed with surprising and emotional story arcs which will leave readers looking at Peter Pan in a whole new light. VERDICT A captivating mystery that will ensnare those who enjoy retellings and stories with a touch of magic.—Rebecca Greer, Hillsborough County P.L. Coop., FL
JUNE 2021 - AudioFile
Narrator Avi Roque delivers this retelling of the classic Peter Pan story in a tone of childlike wonder that transitions into a devastating story of trauma and loss. Five years ago, Wendy’s brothers disappeared in the woods behind their house. Now more children are going missing, and Wendy is forced to confront her fragmented memories about her brothers’ disappearance as well as the sudden appearance of the magical boy from her childhood stories. A few minor errors in character voices and narration will be noticeable by the most focused listeners, but overall this is an interesting story for those looking for a grittier version of the classic tale. H.C. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2021-05-11
Wendy Darling discovers there may be more to her brothers’ disappearance than meets the eye.
On her 18th birthday, a spate of child disappearances in quiet, rural Astoria, Oregon, brings back memories of her and her brothers’ disappearances five years prior. Only Wendy came back—found in the woods by a park ranger, clutching an acorn, and with large gaps in her memory. Complicating matters even further, a strange boy calling himself Peter Pan arrives, asking Wendy to help him track down his shadow before more kids go missing. Convinced that she may be able to find out what happened to John and Michael, Wendy agrees. Pressures mount on all sides as Wendy and Peter embark on a race against the clock. Wendy has an anxiety disorder, signs of survivor’s guilt, and a compulsive hand-washing habit; the narrative treats her sympathetically, and her mental health issues are clearly linked to her past. This spin on a well-known story focuses on childhood trauma, growing up, loss, and letting go. Peter Pan’s shadow serves as an oppressive force throughout, evoking terror in both Wendy and, likely, many readers at the mention of darkness or nighttime, and some scenes, especially those regarding the missing children, are quite intense. Most characters are White by default; Wendy’s best friend is cued as Latinx.
An intense, cathartic, bittersweet tale. (Fantasy. 14-18)
