Review Detail

There are very few books that are able to embed themselves deeply into my heart... and I can honestly say that Tiger Lily's story is one of those.

There are no right words for me to explain to you the emotions I felt while reading this book. This story is raw and beautiful. Tiger Lily is such a strong, loyal, spirited and capable girl, in more ways than one - she can do anything from hunting, climbing and running to being able to hide her emotions and was undaunted by the villagers ridicule and criticism. She cared deeply for her adoptive father, Tik Tok. And though she continually reminded herself that she only puts up with her two so-called friends, Pine Sap and Moon Eye, she cared very much for them too.

When Tiger Lily meets Peter Pan, their worlds collide and tilt over.
Peter Pan was thought to be a myth since none of the villagers had ever seen him.
He was so much more than Tiger Lily ever imagined... The only boy out of the group that had no memories of his childhood. And his only way of protecting 'the boys' and himself was by living in denial and surviving one day at a time. Peter was mesmerizing and enthralling while at the same time impulsive, scattered and broken... and he became Tiger Lily's secret.

And yes, Tiger Lily and Peter Pan's story is told through the eyes of Tinker Bell, sort of. As a fairy, Tink is able to feel what those around her are feeling and at times, she can even feel what they are thinking. And even though she is just a tiny speck of fairy dust who is ignored throughout the majority of their journey and is incapable of communicating with anyone other than other fairies - she does play a major role to their story. It was perfect.

We also meet Captain Hook and Smee. Hook is what I would have expected. But Smee, I was taken by surprised with him. Let's just say that he is the one that people will write horrors about!

And let's not forget Wendy. At first, I wanted to be angry with Wendy. If it wasn't for her, perhaps there would have been a different ending to this story. With her "Englander" and motherly ways, of course she was different from Tiger Lily. But she gave all of the boys hope to being loved and cared for, like the ways that they remembered. The same for Peter, a dream he always dared not to have.
I understand now why the story ends the way that it does.

We've all read Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie, and we all know how that ends. No spoilers were told here.

Tiger Lily's story is bittersweet... heartbreaking.
Jodi Lynn Anderson captured Tiger Lily beautifully.
There will never be another more magical story between Peter Pan and Tiger Lily than this one.