Peter and the Sword of Mercy (Starcatchers, Book 4) (original 2009; edition 2009)

Summary: Molly Astor and all of the rest of the Starcatchers had thought that the dark forces of Lord Ombra were defeated forever in the desert outside of Rundoon. Molly has grown up, married George Darling, and had children of her own. But something is stirring... passengers are disappearing from the underground, and the King has been behaving strangely. Molly's father, Lord Astor, tells Molly of a secret cache of starstuff hidden somewhere in London - the last starstuff on the planet, other than that which keeps Peter and the inhabitants of Neverland forever young. The cache was thought to be safe, reachable only by means of a sword that has been lost for generations. But it soon seems like the Others will stop at nothing to get their hands on the starstuff, and now neither London nor the island is safe from evil.

Review: What I really enjoy about the Starcatchers books is how well they function at a number of different levels. On the surface, they're fun and exciting kids' adventure stories, and even if that's the only level you read them for, they succeed really well. There's plenty of action and adventure and danger, with likeable protagonists, believable dialogue, a nicely drawn setting, and quite a bit of humor mixed throughout. The story manages to hit a nice balance of ages as well, since I think it'd be understandable and engaging for kids, but isn't dumbed down or juvenile, and is perfectly enjoyable by adults. I did think that this book had an overly-complicated ending, with too many people showing up so that it made it a little difficult to keep track of who was where, but it also managed to integrate the London and Neverland storylines better than have previous books.

But the real reason I enjoy these books so much is the level that's below the surface, and that's the level that appeals to someone who has grown up with the Peter Pan story close to their heart. In the first few books, this came across mostly as identifying the various elements of the familiar story - the crocodile, Captain Hook's hook, the name "Neverland", etc. - and seeing how Barry & Pearson weave their origins into an original story. But as the books have progressed, the thing that has intrigued me most is seeing how Peter interacts with "normal" people, and how that changes. This story takes place right before Barrie's original Peter Pan story - Wendy, Michael, and John are all present. But in the context of the other Starcatcher books, that means that Peter now has to deal - for the first time - with the fact that he stays a boy forever while his friends grow up and move on. I think the authors managed to get Peter and Molly, and then Peter and Wendy's relationship note-perfect, and there's actually a really poignant and almost heartbreaking story lurking underneath all the action and adventure. 4 out of 5 stars.

Recommendation: I've loved Peter Pan ever since I was a kid (literally; he was my first crush), and I think that anyone else who feels the same would enjoy this series... but definitely start at the beginning; they're not at all stand-alones. ( )

Although this fourth installment wasn't as good as the previous three, this was still a fantastic book. It was fun to get to know Wendy and some of the other characters as adults. The historical mystery and wanderings through London were fun and interesting. It was also refreshing to see our hero Peter seem to meet his match. Another well done book by these two talented authors. ( )

Easily my favourite in the series and a strong contender for the title of "best in series". This story is set 20 years after Peter and the Secret of Rundoon, and it is closer in time to the events in the actual Peter Pan novel/movie (probably more the movie, judging by the way characters like Smee are portrayed). For the young and the young at heart, this story has it all -- action-packed chapters, lively characters, amusing dialogue, and a consistent, smooth narration and pace. I can honestly say that this started out exciting and never let up. There are a few rather disturbing bits toward the end of the book and some offstage violence, but really, look at that cover. You can't say that those scary gold dudes didn't warn you. This is an excellent, excellent book and I would heartily recommend this and the rest of the series to people with kids, older kids, and people who just enjoy good children's literature. ( )

I did not enjoy this book as much as I have the other books in this series - but still well worth the read. I would recommend for younger/pre-teen readers. But for me, it is time for Peter to stay on the island ( )

Out of all the Peter Pan books probably the one with the most action. Answers all the questions about Peter Pan and leaves loads more. ( )

Not as good as previous books in the series. I was sooo excited when it came out, but slightly disappointed. It was a fun read as usual, but it almost seemed as though it was rushed. I noticed several distracting typos/grammar errors. Nice to finally see Wendy in the picture though. ( )

Such fun. Peter, Wendy, Molly, George, Captain Hook, Smee, some of the old Lost Boys, some of the same bad guys, lots of complications, lots of action, and best of all, lots of Tinker Bell. Recommended for the young and the young at heart. ( )

I've always loved the story of Peter Pan. I grew up watching the Disney cartoon and the VHS we had of Mary Martin in the filmed stage musical. Around the time I turned 10 or 11, I found a copy of J.M. Barrie's novel at a used book store. It was already an old copy, but I didn't care for a new one. I had already cultured a love of old books. I read it for the first time with fervent interest. I'd had no idea that the story of the boy who won't grow up actually extended past the worlds of what the films portrayed. Reading Peter Pan for the first time was like sitting in a fairy garden while the fireflies zoom above my head, whispering their secrets with me, alone.

I've read it a few times since that first time, but once I went to high school I had so much else to do that I nearly forgot about it. So I grew up. Lives do not change so much, you see, from century to century. No matter how much technology we have, people still lose touch, people will still suffer memory loss, time still moves on.

Then two years ago, as a Christmas present, I received a series of books called Peter and the Starcatchers. I had no idea what it was, but my mother had purchased the 3 hardcover books, and the third one was a signed copy. It was explained to me that they were related to Peter Pan, and that they were co-authored by my favorite humorist and journalist, Dave Barry (no relation to J.M. Barrie) and by thrill-writer Ridley Pearson, who has done other work with Disney in recent years. I looked at the Hyperion (Disney) label on the back and groaned inwardly. I was afraid that I was entering into a tawdry Disney mess.

When I took the books home, they stared at me from the bookshelf for 2 weeks before I gave in and began the first one (from which the series takes its name ).

Within a week, I had finished all 3, and I craved more. I immediately took out every single Peter Pan-related work from the New York Public Library. I read the original play, then the other plays written by Barrie. I read Pearson & Barry's suplemental interludes to the series, and then a ton of material on the psychology of the story, etc. The child was back. The series had reawakened the kid I left behind when high school started. She woke and returned to the fairie garden where the story was waiting to be re-attended.

The series takes place about 20 years before the events of Barrie's novel. Wendy's mother (Molly) is the youngest in an almost eternal line of persons meant to protect one of the world's most ancient and most dangerous secrets. How Peter and the other orphans get involved is something I'll leave out since I do strongly recommend the series. I will say, though, that at one point Peter either falls or is thrown from the ship. Molly dives into the ocean and saves him. Peter never forgets this, and once he stumbles upon his eternal youth and ability to fly, he does everything he can to keep Molly safe.

It is, however, the beginning of his tragedy. Molly mustgrow up and, according to this series' mythology, Peter could not leave and grow up to be Robin Williams even if he wants to. Peter, with his love for Molly, is trapped in a boy's body and will never be able to understand his feelings for her. And once she does leave him, one can easily assume the 20 year jump between the end of the third novel and the beginning of Barrie's.

But then, last year, Pearson & Barry published a fourth book in the series - this Peter and the Sword of Mercy. We pick up about 20 years from where we left off. Yes, just before Barrie's story begins. Molly has married George Darling (whom I believe is introduced in the third book, but it could have been earlier; Peter never got along with George). The Darlings have three children--yep. Wendy, John & Michael. And they've never heard of anyone called "Peter Pan."

Now, I haven't read the other novels in about two years so the glow of the starstuff has worn off and I'd forgotten quite a bit. And Pearson isn't really one for exposition. He kind of catches you up along the way instead of briefing you before the story happens. I love him for that. Eventually I remembered it all and I wanted to go back and read them all again! But it seems more right this way. By delaying the fourth book, I feel like Molly. She's grown up, and she's not so much a part of the adventure anymore. It's time for her daughter to step up and save the day with Peter (blushing) by her side. Molly's feelings are much more adult now, though a part of her will always wish that she'd found a way to stay on the island with Peter.

The newest addition to the series retains most of the charm of the first three, but it's not only Molly (and the gang) who has grown up. England has as well. There are phones and giant steamships and underground subway tains. Mollusk Island (what the reader knows to be Neverland) is now separated so much more from the world we know. And the evil's a little bit scarier. And life is a bit more tragic. I said before that one could have easily leapt from the end of the third installment, forward 20 years, and into Barrie's Peter Pan. Not so for this book.

Barrie's Peter has been a boy in Neverland since almost before he can remember. Peter is forgetful. He barely remembers Wendy after an hour, let alone remembering her mother after 20 years. Barrie's Peter is selfish and undeniably vain - faults that could have been easily explained by Molly's leaving him. Peter goes through fairies like candy. Fairies don't live very long and when Barrie takes us forward to when we see Wendy's daughter, Wendy inquires after Tinkerbell, and Peter has no idea who she refers to. Pearson and Barry have the whole island affected by the youthfulness that Peter endures, yet they do not introduce a key character like Tigerlily. And then there's the matter of George Darling. After the events of this novel, there is no way that he would act with the ignorance and fervor that he does in Barrie's story.

So what does all this mean? Are we meant to assume that J.M. Barrie's version is a mere story told by Wendy as an elaborate ruse? The end of the book leaves it open to a potential fifth book, but the evil of the first four has been dealt with soundly. There's not very far to go--Wendy cannot get much older between this and the original tale. So where do we go? It leaves me unsure. But if there's a fifth book, it'll definitely make it onto my shelves. Perhaps all of the discrepancies will be fixed and the questions answered. If, however, they're not planning a fifth book, then I should forever wonder why I have two distinct and unresolved versions of Peter in my mind.

Lauren Cartelli
www.theliterarygothamite.com ( )

23 years after PETER AND THE SECRET OF RUNDOON, it is now 1901 in our story, when James one of the original Lost Boys who returned to London, contacts Molly informing her that the believes the heir to the throne is under the influence of shadow creatures, when now married to George Darling with there three kids, Wendy, John, Micheal. She goes off to research these claims and goes missing as well, but not before informing Wendy about the Starcatchers. Wendy goes off to look for Peter to help her mother...

I really enjoyed this book after a disappointing third this one is on par with the 1st and 2nd books, I recommend this series to all fantasy lovers ( )