Lost in the Never Woods

By: Aiden Thomas

4/5 🌳 (really acorns, but I guess there's not an emoji for that)

**I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

Description from the publisher: "It's been five years since Wendy and her two brothers went missing in the woods, but when the town’s children start to disappear, the questions surrounding her brothers’ mysterious circumstances are brought back into light. Attempting to flee her past, Wendy almost runs over an unconscious boy lying in the middle of the road, and gets pulled into the mystery haunting the town. Peter, a boy she thought lived only in her stories, claims that if they don't do something, the missing children will meet the same fate as her brothers. In order to find them and rescue the missing kids, Wendy must confront what's waiting for her in the woods."

Aiden Thomas is a master writer, there's no way around it! I think this book will truly resonate with those who were obsessed with the live-action Peter Pan movie from the 2000s... which was me! I loved reading these tidbits that reminded me of that darker movie rather than the animated Disney version. Thomas' focus particularly on the acorn was something that truly invoked those images of the movie for me.

This is a retelling like no other. Rather than focus on some fanfic-level romance, Thomas chose to put energy into trauma responses and affects. There is some romance, don't get me wrong, but it's not the main focus in the sense we readers are used to. It does have a significant impact on the plot as a whole, but is otherwise absent (which means no awkward fanfic/50 Shade sex scenes, so thank you, Aiden!). In my opinion, the trauma was really well written. At times, I felt as though I was feeling everything Wendy was. It was hard to read at some points because the emotions felt so real. It's clear that Thomas put so much feeling into this retelling.

I also have to give Thomas kudos for masterfully tying in parts of Peter Pan without making it so obvious. A good example is that all the police officers have the same name as pirates in the original. Another fun plot is the missing shadow. I honestly can't get over the overall creativity that went into this story. The writing itself was also wonderfully done and the book was clearly given a lot of love during the process! I also have to add that the cover is stunning! (My hardcopy finally came in the mail and I'm officially obsessed... one of the most beautiful covers I own!)

Honestly, the only reason this story lost a star is because I had trouble getting through at some points. I feel like this is my own personal problem, however, and not because of the story itself. For me, this book was less of an escape and more of a reality slap in the face so to speak. I definitely needed to be in a certain mindset while reading it, and reading while anxious was not in the cards for me. The ending was so well done, though, and I'm glad I powered through my own emotions. I think readers who enjoyed Monday's Not Coming and are big fantasy fans will love this read!