Look out! Whew! That cantankerous crocodile almost got you but you’ve finally made it to stop #27. Have you been enjoying your adventure through Neverland as part of the Dust Blog Tour? I know I have and I’m looking forward to telling you all about Kara Swanson’s latest novel, Dust!
The truth about Neverland is far more dangerous than a fairy tale.
Claire Kenton believes the world is too dark for magic to be real–since her twin brother was stolen away as a child. Now Claire’s desperate search points to London… and a boy who shouldn’t exist.
Peter Pan is having a beastly time getting back to Neverland. Grounded in London and hunted by his own Lost Boys, Peter searches for the last hope of restoring his crumbling island: a lass with magic in her veins.
The girl who fears her own destiny is on a collision course with the boy who never wanted to grow up. The truth behind this fairy tale is about to unravel everything Claire thought she knew about Peter Pan–and herself.
Dust by Kara Swanson is a delightful, page-turning story that asks:
- What’s happening with Peter Pan in 2020?
- What would happen if Peter Pan were kicked out of Neverland and couldn’t get back?
- What happens if Peter Pan is forced to grow up?
- Can Peter Pan fall in love?
These are all fascinating what-ifs which Swanson masterfully weaves into a story that will make you laugh, cringe, cheer, and stay up way too late reading. There were times I wanted to shake some sense into each of the main characters, but Peter Pan and Claire are both relatable and engaging. With a freshness and realism that aren’t often associated with fairy tales, this story will have you seeing the characters and world of Peter Pan in a brand new way. If you enjoy well-written adventures with heaps of magic and a splash of romance, you’ll love Kara Swanson’s Dust!
I’d like to add that one day my children were bickering during chore time and I interrupted to say that if they did their work with a good attitude I would read my current book aloud to them. They agreed out of curiosity, but as I read Dust they grew more and more engrossed by the story. I kept catching them standing like statues, eyes unfocused, listening in fascination. When I finally stopped reading aloud because my voice was giving out, they protested and begged me to keep reading, offering to bring me water. The ones listening were ages 10, 12 and 14. All boys. All completely enthralled with this story. Thus, I definitely recommend this as a family read for those with late elementary or older children. It will certainly prompt great discussions and create wonderful memories.
The only caveat to my high recommendation is that Dust has an unquestionable cliff-hanger ending. The final chapter of this book isn’t so much a conclusion as a logical stopping point. So be prepared. That said, this story is well worth the suspense and I am eagerly awaiting, Shadow, set to release July 2021!
The keyword for this stop is: to choose
Anyone who completes the blog tour treasure hunt wins a small physical swag pack that includes:
- Bookmarks
- Print of Dust art
- Peter + Claire Character Cards
- Signed Bookplate
The first winner to solve the clues and finish the hunt wins:
- All the above swag plus
- An autographed Advanced Reader Copy of Dust with exclusive notes from Kara in the margins
Quick! Don’t let Hook and his crew beat you to the treasure chest! Fly on over to stop #28 (tomorrow) where your next bit of stardust awaits!
If you missed stop #26 you can find it here.
Did you fly through a cloud and get turned around? No worries! You can head back to the Dust Blog Tour Kickoff Post and start again.
I really liked this review and completely agree with you! 😀
I’m so glad you enjoyed my review! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂