I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
It Came From Neverland by Cynthia Pelayo Published by Crooked Lane Books on June 9 2026
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Horror
Pages: 288
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: Cynthia Pelayo reimagines the story of Peter Pan, with elements both new and familiar, in this emotionally charged tale.
This isn’t the first Peter Pan retelling I’ve read that casts Peter as the villain—check out Lost Boy by Christina Henry for an excellent example of that—but it was a good one! Cynthia Pelayo did some unique things with the Peter Pan story that I haven’t seen before, and even better, she sets her tale during World War I and draws parallels between the war and Wendy’s experiences in Neverland. As with other Pelayo books, the story is beautifully written and evocative, and I enjoy it a lot.
It’s been twelve years since Wendy Darling and her brothers John and Michael managed to escape Neverland, after being held captive by the monstrous Peter Pan. It’s the beginning of WWI and Wendy has found work as a teacher at Marigold House, an orphanage for children of war torn families. Wendy herself spent several years there after her return to London, and for her it’s a safe haven, a familiar place where nothing can go wrong.
Until she starts seeing and hearing odd things: crows gather outside, unfamiliar shadows appear on the walls, and someone is calling her name. Wendy and her brothers killed Peter—or did they? Wendy always checks the windows to make sure they are locked, but it seems Peter might have found a way back. And when one of the young children in her care goes missing, Wendy decides to ask John and Michael for help. It’s time to return to Neverland to finish what they started, once and for all.
In Pelayo’s version of Peter Pan, the writer J.M. Barrie based his beloved classic on the real life experiences of Wendy, John and Michael. Wendy and her brothers have grown up under the scrutiny of a public who read Barrie’s happier, shinier version of the story, unwilling to acknowledge that the children actually had a very traumatic experience in Neverland. Poor Wendy was nearly institutionalized after trying to explain to the adults in her life what happened, and she soon realized that no one actually believed her. I loved this “story within a story” element, especially the sadder, darker consequences of hiding the truth. The three siblings haven’t seen or spoken to each other since their return, and for Wendy, it’s heartbreaking not to have her brothers in her life any more.
Most of the story is told through Wendy’s eyes, and I loved her combination of vulnerability and strength. Wendy is a caretaker at heart. She was responsible for her little brothers, and when they were swept away to Neverland, she became “mother” to the other boys on the island. After tragedy struck and many of the boys were lost, she’s having to deal with not only her own trauma and trying to make sense of everything that happened, but the fact that she couldn’t protect the boys from Peter. The story is told in the present, but through flashbacks we eventually learn what really happened in Neverland.
Pelayo gradually builds tension, and the events in Neverland become more and more menacing as the story progresses. What starts as a fantastical adventure soon turns dark and deadly. Peter isn’t a boy at all, but what is he? I’ll leave that for readers to discover. Late in the story Peter’s origins are revealed, and I quite liked the author’s idea, especially because it’s one I’ve never seen associated with this story before. The bottom line is that in this version, Peter is a predator, stealing children, playing cruel games, and ultimately casting them aside when he’s done with them.
And always in the background is the war. Wendy decides to volunteer at a hospital and is asked to comfort the dying soldiers by reading to them. Michael has enlisted and is about to leave for the front lines in a matter of weeks. The uncertainty and tragedy of war intermingles with the return of Peter and his evil intentions, casting a dark cloud over everything. Still, Wendy is the bright shining light in the story, ready to vanquish the threat and save her loved ones.
Readers who love Peter Pan retellings should definitely pick this up. And even if you aren’t a fan of the story, It Came From Neverland offers so much more than the story you might be familiar with.
Big thanks to Kaye Publicity and the publisher for providing a review copy.
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