#BookReview Lost Boy by Christina Henry @C_Henry_Author

Title: Lost Boy

Author: Christina Henry

Publisher: Titan Books

Category: Contemporary Fantasy

My Review:

One of my favourite childhood stories is the tale of Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up. Ask my kids what I’ll always say when it’s a starry night, and they’ll reply ‘second star to the right and straight on till morning.’

When I saw Lost Boy on a recent bookshop browse, I was initially drawn in by the gorgeous cover. Upon reading the blurb, I knew I had to read more.

Blurb:

There is one version of my story that everyone knows. And then there is the truth. Once I loved a boy called Peter Pan. Peter brought me to his island because there were no rules and no grownups to make us mind. He brought boys from the Other Place to join in the fun, but Peter’s idea of fun is sharper than a pirate’s sword. He wants always to be that shining sun that we all revolve around. He’ll do anything to be that sun. Peter promised we would all be young and happy forever. Peter will say I’m a villain, that I wronged him, that I never was his friend. Peter Lies.

The quote on the front of the book reads ‘Christina Henry shakes the fairy dust off a legend: This Peter Pan will give you chills.’ It’s a quote that perfectly sums up this exceptional book.

We are introduced to Jamie, a lost boy. In fact, Jamie is the first lost boy on Peter’s island. Told from Jamie’s perspective we see Peter Pan through the eyes of his first and oldest friend. There are many boys on the island with a variety of skills and characters. As the story unfolds, we learn how many boys have died over the years as they battle the pirates, the crocodiles, and the Many-Eyed.

It’s pure fantasy fiction with a deliciously dark thread that pulls at your happy childhood memories and unravels them with astonishing speed. I loved this book! Although it utterly destroyed my ‘I love Peter Pan’ vibe I couldn’t put it down.

If you love your tales dark, bloody, and gripping, then I highly recommend Lost Boy. It will change the way you look at the bad guys forever!

I’m off to grab a copy of Alice now which is Christina’s unique take on Alice in Wonderland – ‘A dark and deeply disturbing revisit of Alice’s adventures in Wonderland. Who wouldn’t like it?’