Review: Should be 10 STARS!!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 7, 2014
"Pan's Revenge (Neverland #2) by Anna Katmore5 out of 5 stars (should really be 10!)Pirates! Adventure! Epic battles! Quests! Love lost and then found!  All of this and more can be found in the pages of Anna Katmore's follow-up to "Neverland".  Don't hesitate to jump on this nonstop thrill ride and see for yourself where the story will lead you in "Pan's Revenge"!Captain James Hook has lost his one true love but he is determined to find his way back to her.  As he sets out on his quest to open the door between his world and hers, Jamie knows that he won't ever be truly happy in Neverland again without his Angel.  When he confronts Peter and uses a little trickery to break the spell holding Neverland captive, he sets forces in action that he never dreamed of.  Will be able to find Angel and win her back in time or will he lose everything that he once held dear?Once again I have to focus on the descriptive talents of Katmore.  She could teach a master class on imagery.  She continues to paint a beautiful picture and breathe exquisite life into Neverland.  I could easily picture myself right along with James as he visits the fairies, sails the seas, and climbs to the top of the volcano.  Every descriptive word pulls you farther into the story and makes you never want to leave.  Not only has she created this delightful world of forests, seas, volcanoes, caves, and more but she extends her talents to the suburbs of London.  Angel's house and the park she visits are vividly drawn, the walk between them one the reader could travel on as well.  It's rare, for me, to focus on the scenery but in Katmore's case it's a character in its own right and one I love to spend time with.Jamie is my dream guy.  He's a little bit old fashioned but in a way that is all about respect and adoration for the girl he loves.  His commanding presence keeps your eyes on him in every scene and his vulnerability will have you aching for him.  While Jamie's brawn is apparent it's his quiet strength and determination that continue to pull me in and have me rooting for him to complete his journey.  I love his devotion to Angel and his fearlessness in his pursuit of her.  Every girl dreams of a guy who would stop at nothing to find her and Captain James Hook is that guy.Peter has become an even more developed character in this book.  In the previous story, he fit quite nicely into the idea of Peter Pan, but here has become so much more.  Katmore has peeled back the layers and given us new insight into the boy who never wanted to grow up.  As Peter faces the life he never wanted, vengeance slowly threatens to take him over.  Watching him as his world shatters around him it's easy to feel his devastation.  Even when revenge is clouding his judgment, Katmore still allows the little boy lost to peek through.  It would be overly simplistic to label Peter the villain of the story because he possesses so many different dimensions...each one motivated, at the core, to keep the world/home he has created just as he has always known it.  Everyone deserves their happy ending and Peter is no exception.Angel is almost two characters here.  The first one is a girl who goes through the motions but senses there is something missing...something she once had but has lost.  Her sadness is subtle yet seems to weigh heavy on her.  The second character is the vibrant one from the first book.  As she begins to reclaim her memories it's like watching a flower bloom in the spring.  She slowly comes back to life and the half-life she was living slips away with each new memory she gains.  Her spark with Jamie is immediate and their witty banter is just as sharp as before.  I found myself falling in love with these two all over again.I love that the focus is on Jamie and Peter in this adventure.  The heart of this book isn't just the love story between Hook and Angel, but the bond between brothers as well.  As the strength of their bond is put to the test in a new and life-altering way, I loved seeing both guys rise to the occasion and realize how much they truly mean to one another.Katmore has created a unique story in "Neverland" and "Pan's Revenge".  There aren't any other books out there like them and they are a definite must read.  I'm sad to see this journey come to an end and I still harbor a sliver of hope that I can one day return to Neverland and continue my adventure there.  A girl can dream after all!*I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*Shannon, My Secret Book Spot