Book Review: Shadow

Review by Madeline Oliver

Shadow by Kara Swanson - Sequel to Dust

Shadow follows Peter Pan as he crashlands into Neverland’s ocean and gazes upon the devastated island. After Tootles rescues him from the water and blood thirsty sirens, the two old friends catch up. Peter thought he was a couple days behind Claire’s trip to Neverland but due to the time difference, it’s been months. 

During those months, Claire finds Connor but he’s not the brother she remembers. He’s corrupted by dark magic thanks to Peter Pan’s long lost sister — the first lost girl. Connor locks Claire in Skull Rock and refuses to visit her until he asks for her connection to the island to be transferred to him. Hopeful that the transaction will bring back the Connor she loves, Claire complies and he leaves. 

Around this moment, Tootles and Peter rescue Claire and they hurry, along with Tiger Lily, to Tiger Lily’s village. After Tiger Lilly wins a duel and becomes the tribal leader, Peter and Claire enjoy a moment to themselves. They visit the core of Neverland below the village and notice it’s dying. 

Then Connor attacks, trying to reach the core and enact his twisted intentions. When he succeeds, all of Neverland is swept into his peaceful assumption of what he dreams of. Claire and Peter have to drag him from the illusion to restore Connor’s true nature with hope and truth.

Content Warning: Conner kills Nibs by forcing water into his mouth and drowning him. Conner is also a very twisted and cruel character, but he reveals why to Claire when he escapes the darkness that has trapped him even though it’s only for a brief moment. Peter’s sister uses Claire’s dust to burn two or three lost boys as a punishment for their disobedience to her.

Page Count: 287

Age Recommendation: 14-19

Other Works by Kara Swanson: The Girl Who Could See, Dust, Ignite, and Inferno (Which hasn’t been released yet).