Lisa Maxwell (2)

The beginning of this was a tad bit slow - but as soon as Gwen is taken into Neverland. So many things are upside down! Peter Pan isn't a good guy; Tinker Bell isn't a cute fairy; the Lost Boys are, well, lost, but also a bit bloodthirsty. Gwen is such a mentally and emotionally strong heroine! She doesn't panic and freak out when she comes to understand that she's in Neverland, far far away from London. She goes toe to toe with the Captain, never backing down, always trying to find out show more more. She's persistent and never stops trying to remember her home, to find a way to get out, to get to Olivia. Captain Hook is young, a few years older than Gwen, but he is hardened and wicked and very much a roguish pirate. The Captain has this innate charm to him, almost seductive, but not in a manipulative way. There are so many scenes with him and Gwen that made me swoon and reread and pause and reread again. There is NO LOVE TRIANGLE in this book. None. I promise you. Gwen falls for one guy... the other one is a manipulative bastard who never touched her, mind or body. Captain and Gwen have such a fiery, passionate relationship; every interaction between the two of them have some charged tension to it. The climax of this book had me biting my nails! I had NO idea what would happen at the end of the book, especially given the amount of foreshadowing that the author set in place about one particular aspect of the book. No love triangle and our pirate was very charming and wicked and Neverland was craaaazy - this book was great! show less

Me the 1st time seeing this: Mwahaha! I’m waiting for you, Captain Hook…

I expected “roguish pirate” and “swoon-worthiness”, and Unhooked happily comply with my wish. (yes, I’m talking Neverland and its belief system here)

List of why this book is awesome:

1. Hallelujah, there is no love triangle.
2. Yes, Captain is surely one mess of hotness.
3. Pan is an a-hole.
4. Captain is a good boy. He doesn’t curse. He used “behind” instead of “bu-“.
5. More kisses…

First, let’s show more talk about the writing, because Lisa Maxwell’s writing can be described as exquisite, compelling, and spellbinding. Lisa Maxwell did an incredible job on creating a Neverland of secrets and beautiful dangers, with vicious mermaids and vibrant island. The world-building was vividly made, and the characters are extremely well-developed. I can’t seriously ask for more of this book.

Gwen, our protagonist, is a self-possessed and intelligence young girl. I can’t really say I love her, but Gwen’s characteristic is sure something I can admire. I’m extremely pleased of how realistic Gwen was built. Growing up reading about Peter Pan, I’m sure any of us (who wasn’t yet exposed to Killian Jones’s mess of hotness, a.k.a. Captain Hook, from Once Upon A Time), would definitely choose to believe The Flying Boy instead of The Captain. I also love how the gray area was beautifully painted out in this book, with lies within truths, and that what beautiful is not always good. I was absolutely hooked by this book — pun intended.

I enjoyed this book greatly. It’s captivating, gripping, and just simply amazing at a Neverland’s level. I’m looking forward to read Lisa Maxwell’s other works, and wholeheartedly recommend Unhooked! show less

”Liars do make the best magicians, and he happened to be exceptional.”

FORMAT READ: Paperback & Audiobook
SIMILAR VIBES: Six of Crows, Passenger
READ FOR: great time travel plot, slow burn

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*All of my reviews are as spoiler-free as possible unless states otherwise*

OVERALL: 4.0

UPDATE: Sorry for the trash of a review but what you guys should know is that: 1. great time travel plot 2. I loved the characters 3. this is an underrated gem so you should show more read it


THE HEIST THE HEIST THE HEIST !!! LET US TALK ABOUT THAT… BECAUSE IT WAS SO MUCH MORE THAN A HEIST AND I LOVED IT !!!

Although book had a slow start and took some time to pick up, I was able to really appreciate it in the end because it was part of the world building. And everything just played out beautifully in the end. I also suddenly understood how the cover is like a time thing.

This might be my favourite time travel book yet. It had what I was looking for in a time travel plot… mix that with the Six of Crows vibes… I was in love by the end.

And I was SO INVESTED in Harte’s character and I just had no idea what was going to happen. The plot does a good job building up the suspense because we already know how everything is suppose to end but then we’re not sure if Esta is going to be successful or not. I am just so happy there was more to the heist plot than the book led be to believe and…. *sigh*… I am satisfied.

The plot intrigued me and Esta was an interesting MC. She’s not so much of a typical female MC because SHE’S A THIEF IF YOU DID NOT ALREADY KNOW. That made her really interesting to me because it puts her in kind of a morally gray position and I feel like I never entirely know what she’s going to do next. Though, she did start to grow like the female MCs we all know and love. I was cheering Harte on from the very first page and I really like his dynamic with Esta
They are both far from perfect people in the beginning of the story but I really liked their character development. They seemed to both grow into their roles in the story and I think there masterfully written to intrigue you. Other than that, I thought that all of the characters were actually flushed out well and played into the story in a beautiful way.

”Who said I was you to be anything but what you are? I like your angles and edges, …I have plenty of my own, you know.”

I really liked how most of everyone’s affinities weren’t outright and plainly said. You kind of had to figure it out along the way and that just added a little something to the story for me. It honestly kind of gives me Six of Crows vibes but then everyone has powers.

And here I was thinking that ime-travelling wasn’t as explored throughout the majority of the book though which made me kind of disappointed but OH BOY WAS I WRONG!!

I really enjoyed this book and I seriously cannot wait to get my hands on the next one once they restock in my bookstore :”)

PLOT: ★★★★★
WRITING STYLE: ★★★★☆
WORLD BUILDING: ★★★★☆
CHARACTERS: ★★★★★
THEMES: ★★★★☆
PACING: ★★★☆☆
PAGE TURNER: ★★★★★

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PRE READ:
time travel books always hype me up show less

I have to admit I was first drawn to this book because of the cover; it was giving me flashbacks of The Neverending Story so I became deeply intrigued.

The fantasy and historical settings of the book flowed beautifully and definitely lived up to the amazing artwork on the outside that draws you in. Maxwell knows how to create detailed worlds that are magical but somehow feel very realistic too as if you could walk down the streets of New York and believe her characters and their lives show more actually unfolded on these streets.

Getting to travel back in time was a delight to experience and her writing is so fresh and vivacious I was able to pull away from the modern era and dive full in as if I was walking alongside her characters which are absolutely delicious. A book with such strong, independent, kickass female characters is a must for me since I have 2 daughters who need books showing they can be just as strong as their imaginations.

My only complaint is that the length and amount of detail would have been easier to read and enjoy in paper form than tablet. My eyes felt like they were going to burn out so I’m looking forward to giving this another try when I can do it the old fashioned way. show less