People have been telling me to read this reimagining of Peter Pan for ages. Well, folks, I've finally read TIGER LILY, and I didn't just enjoy it, I loved it. This is easily among my all time favorites. 
 In some ways, it's a departure from the original tale, and Pan purists might take issue with certain elements. Anderson's Neverland is more brutal and savage and real. There is no flying or magic. The 'Wendy Bird' most of us know doesn't appear until the final third of this book. And yet, the themes of Barrie's original work exist here in stunning glory--first love, loss of innocence, time and the uncertain future--along with supporting and complex commentary on colonization and identity. Still, none of these themes hit the reader over the head. This is a beautifully tragic, bittersweet book that feels, much like its source material, timeless. 
 Narrated from Tinker Bell's point-of-view, Anderson is able to provide a fresh take on Neverland, giving us glimpses of her very complex cast of characters. Tiger Lily is captivating yet flawed, Peter cocky and mischievous (though not as naive as Barrie's Pan), Hook disenchanted and forlorn. Even secondary characters like the members of Tiger Lily's tribe are nuanced and well-developed. I cannot say enough good things about this book. If you haven't read it yet, change that as soon as possible. 
 Originally reviewed here.