A parent might reach for this book for a teen who loves classic stories but craves high-stakes, thrilling adventures with a darker edge. "Everland" reimagines Peter Pan in a bleak, post-apocalyptic London destroyed by a virus that has killed all adults. The protagonist, Gwen, must protect her younger siblings from the marauding Marauders, led by the ruthless Captain Hanz Otto Oswald Kretschmer (Hook). When her sister is kidnapped, Gwen teams up with the charming rogue Pete and his Lost Boys to fight back. This steampunk-dystopian tale explores intense family loyalty, courage in the face of fear, and the difficult choices made for survival. It's a gripping read for mature middle schoolers and teens ready for action, peril, and a touch of romance.
The Marauders are menacing, and descriptions of the ruined city and the deadly virus can be unsettling.
Sad ThemesModerate
Deals with orphanhood, the loss of family, and survival in a bleak, dangerous world.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with the death of parents (in the backstory) and the constant threat of death from disease and violence. The approach is secular. The resolution for the main conflict is hopeful, but the world remains bleak, and loss is a persistent theme. The ending is realistic within its dystopian context, setting up a sequel rather than offering a complete, tidy resolution.
Ideal Reader
A 13 to 15-year-old who loves dystopian fiction like "The Hunger Games" or "The Maze Runner" and enjoys creative fairy tale retellings. This reader is not easily frightened by violence or grim settings and is looking for a fast-paced, plot-driven story with a strong, determined female protagonist.
Parent Prep
Parents should be aware of the level of violence. While not overly graphic, there are frequent fights with weapons, serious injuries, and character deaths. The concept of the "shadowed" children fading away can also be unsettling. No specific page prep is needed, but a conversation about the book's overall dark tone might be helpful. A parent overhears their teen saying they are bored with "regular" fantasy and want something "darker" or "more intense." The teen has enjoyed movies like "Mad Max" or shows with survival themes and is ready for a book with similar grit.
Age Experience
A 12-year-old will likely focus on the action, the cool steampunk gadgets, and the Peter Pan parallels. An older teen (15-16) will pick up more on the dystopian themes, the moral compromises of survival, and the weight of Gwen's responsibility for her siblings. The budding romance will also be more resonant for older readers.
What Makes It Special
Its unique blend of steampunk aesthetics and a classic fairy tale within a post-apocalyptic, WWI/II-inspired London setting. Unlike many retellings that focus primarily on romance or magic, this one is gritty, mechanical, and grounded in survival and warfare. The character of Pete, with his life-sustaining clockwork heart, is a memorable and unique twist on the boy who wouldn't grow up.
Read plot summary
Gwen, Joanna, and Mikey Darling are orphans surviving in the ruins of London after a war and a deadly virus. The virus killed all adults, and now children who contract it get "shadowed" and slowly fade away. The city is controlled by the ruthless Captain Hook and his Marauders. When Joanna is kidnapped by Hook, who seeks a cure, Gwen must team up with Pete, a boy with a clockwork heart, and his band of Lost Boys to rescue her. It's a steampunk adventure featuring hovercrafts, clockwork mechanics, and a dangerous journey to the hidden, protected world of Everland.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Gwen feels immense guilt about not being able to protect her sister Joanna. Do you think she was responsible for what happened? Why do we often blame ourselves for things outside our control?
2
Pete's clockwork heart makes him different from everyone else. How does this physical difference also become one of his greatest strengths? What does this say about the things that make us unique?
3
Captain Hook believes the ends justify the means in his quest for a cure. At what point do a character's actions become unforgivable, even if their goal seems noble at its core?
4
This book is a retelling of Peter Pan. What elements of the original story did you recognize, and how did the author change them to fit her dystopian, steampunk world?
5
Survival often requires making difficult choices. Discuss a choice Gwen or Pete made that you found particularly challenging. Would you have done the same thing in their position?
