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Tiger Lily By:Jodi Lynn Anderson

Sunday, July 1, 2012
15 year old Tiger Lily, proud and fierce, wild and misunderstood, doesn't believe in love stories or happy endings. Then she meets the teenage Peter Pan in the forbidden woods of Neverland, and immediately falls under his spell. Peter is unlike anyone she's ever known. Impetuous and brave, big-hearted but hard to reach, he both scares and enthralls her. As the leader of the Lost Boys, the most fearsome of Neverland's inhabitants, Peter is an unthinkable match for Tiger Lily. Soon, she is risking everything - her family, her future - to be with the haunted, hunted, courageous boy who loves her. When - as a punishment for her rebellious ways - she is faced with marriage to a terrible man in her own tribe, she must choose between the life she's always known and running away to an uncertain future with Peter. With enemies threatening to tear them apart, the lovers seem doomed. But it's the arrival of Wendy Darling, an English girl who's everything Tiger Lily is not, that leads Tiger Lily to discover that the most dangerous enemies can live inside even the most loyal and loving heart.

From the New York Times bestselling author of PEACHES comes a magical and bewitching story of the romance between a fearless heroine and the boy who wouldn't grow up.


Goodreads Summary


As a kid who loved the “Peter Pan” story, I think my favorite characters were Tinker Bell, Wendy, and of course, Tiger Lily. For Halloween, I was Tiger Lily. Our dolls were sometimes named Tiger Lily.  She was brave, strong, and beautiful.

Telling the story from Tiger Lily’s perspective is very imaginative.  The friendship and then love that grows between Peter and Tiger Lily captures the energy and restlessness of Peter’s personality.  Tiger Lily’s character is close to how I imagined her, but the meanness, harshness, and weaknesses of some people in her village surprised me.   
Anderson’s writing is enchanting.  She describes afaerie’s heart as “small and hard, like tiny grains of sand.”  Tiger Lily “stalked” rather than “walked”.  She still had the“invincibility of a child”. 

Probably because of my love for the original story, this version seemed rather dark and glum.  Even a lesser character like Smee has a scary, twisted mind.  Mermaids, rather than being catty and jealous, are dangerous. This really well-written, creative story intrigued me, but also disturbed me.  Teens and young adults may enjoy reading about these troubled characters, but childhood fans like me may cringe at the presence of cruel realities (other than Hook) in Neverland.

Three and a Half Stars

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11 comments:

  1. Yael said...:

    When I first heard about this book, I thought it was the last in a desperate chain of fairy tale re-tellings that didn't need to exist. But the way you're describing this book, it seems like something I might actually like. (ie, Peter Pan's character, the grimness, etc.)

  1. Unknown said...:

    Here's my theory based on the blog reviews I've read: if you're a middle grader, I think you'll enjoy the book but if you're like 17 and ip it'll probably fall short. The nlogs I follow who really liked it are between the ages 12-15. That's my tally so far so since I'm old-er (LOL) I think I'm going to pass on this one.

  1. Alyssa Susanna said...:

    @Brain Talk Supe - lol!!!!! I have yet to read this book (as it hasn't come out yet), and I would love to, but I am 17, so I probably wouldn't like it as much?

    I was never much of a Peter Pan fan (haha that rhymes), and I don't particularly like reading about 15-year-olds (16 and up is good forme; rarely does a 15-year-old impress me). But, I'll probably read it still. Thanks for the review!!!

    Alyssa Susanna

  1. Lili said...:

    The grimness in the novel doesn't surprise me. We all know Peter Pan's story from our childhood, so what happens with Tiger Lily is easily predictable. This book has been on my TBR list forever and I can't wait to read it!

    Awesome review.

  1. The darkness of this story would pull me in! I have found that dark and twisted has really been interesting and pulls me in. I can honestly say that your review has piqued my interest 110%

  1. Unknown said...:

    See I seriously don't remember Tiger Lily!!! LOL I love Peter Pan but mostly I just think of him, Wendy, and Tinker Bell. I have heard this is really dark and sad which is why I'll probably pass but it sounds like an interesting retelling.

  1. I can't wait to read this book. Peter Pan was one of my favs. growing up!

  1. Unknown said...:

    Hmmm I LOVED this book but I'll admit. I was kinda surprised at what twisted minds they had too. >_>

  1. Anonymous said...:

    I've heard a lot of mixed reviews on this one, exactly for the twistedness of it. I'm torn between wanting to read it because I love Peter Pan and not wanting to because what if it's too different from J.M Barrie's book?! I'll probably read it anyway. :D

  1. Anonymous said...:

    This book sounds amazing! I've been wanting to read it for awhile. Thanks for the review.

    melissargolden@yahoo.com

  1. Jennifer said...:

    I'm reading this book right now and must agree that the book is rather darker than the original tale but it intrigues me! I love the dark, almost unrecognizable world of Neverland!
    I am truly afraid of the ending though. I've heard it's sad and I've grown too attached to Tiger Lily and Peter... Ah, my heartache!
    Short, but direct review! Great job! :)