Wendy Darling by Colleen Oakes is a darker take on the tale of Peter Pan.

Wendy Darling is a prim and proper London girl. She obeys her parents in all things, looks after her brothers Michael and John, and enjoys the wealthy lifestyle her family’s name provides.

Her one downfall might be Booth, the bookseller’s son, who has professed his love for her. She feels the same, but there’s no way her parents would approve of his courtship. She’s willing to break the rules to be with him, but he wants a proper relationship.

Before anything can come to pass, Peter Pan shows up on her windowsill and sweeps her off her feet and on toward Neverland. But the island, and Peter, are not what they seem.

‘Wendy Darling’ book review

Colleen Oakes is not the first one to take on the story of Peter Pan and twist it into something more nefarious. Recently, ABC’s hit fairytale show Once Upon a Time did the same, linking his backstory with that of Rumpelstiltskin and many of our other heroes.

But while OUAT’s Pan was clearly the villain from the get-go, Wendy Darling paints the picture of an idyllic utopia. Neverland is everything you could ever dream of and more. There are no rules, no parents, and no greater fun than flying around with the famous Peter Pan.

And he is charismatic. John and Michael are immediately taken in by him, and even Wendy’s propriety can’t keep her away from the playful boys who love to take her by the hand and soar through the skies.

It’s too bad Neverland and Peter hide dark secrets. The island makes you forget your home, your parents, your past life. And Peter — oh, he’s the worst yet. He’ll stop at nothing to make sure Wendy is his. And if she refuses? There are no lengths he wouldn’t go to in order to convince her otherwise.

Whereas Peter is normally the hero of the tale, Wendy must become her own savior. She must be strong and smart and brave, not only for herself, but also for her brothers. Her life at home may not have been the one she wanted to lead, but Neverland is a worse kind of nightmare.

Fans of Once Upon a Time will surely want to know if a similar twist will occur with their beloved Hook. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, right? By the end of the book, it is unclear where Hook places his loyalties, but let’s just say we’re not going to hold our breath.

Oakes plays in J.M. Barrie’s world, but makes it her own. The light covering the island only makes the shadows deeper, and Oakes is sure to twist your childhood memories into something much more sinister.

Wendy Darling by Colleen Oakes is available today! You can add it to your Goodreads list or purchase it on Amazon or IndieBound.