The Mighty Hook

Shadows of Neverland, Book 1

By: Mark Tarrant

Narrated by: Chase Johnson

In this clever reimagining of a classic tale, it's up to Captain Hook to rescue his crew, escape the strange island, and stop that spoiled blood-thirsty brat Peter!

Considered a buffoon by fellow pirates, Captain James Hook is determined to avoid the gallows by leading his crew to an uncharted and mythical island. The deal was supposed to be simple: pretend to be sailors, deliver the goods, and collect payment from a mysterious client.

But now they're on the run from a century-old vampire who looks no more than fourteen and his fang-toothed Lost Boys are hot on their trail. A voodoo priestess, zombies, and cannibalistic mermaids patrol the coast, and all are prepared to use their dark magic to keep James Hook and his crew from escaping alive.

The Captain may just be the only one who can finally end Peter's reign of violent playtime and bloodshed. The future of America, and possibly the world, rests in the hands of the Mighty Hook!

©2022 Mark Tarrant (P)2023 Mark Tarrant

Critic reviews

“A masterpiece of horror, action, suspense, and high seas pirate ship battles.” JOE DAVISON, Stranger Things

Fun Pirate Fantasy Adventure…But more POTC Than Peter Pan

As a huge fan of Peter Pan retellings, I’ve read most of the ones out there. This one kept my attention. The storytelling and descriptions were great. I could see it all playing out like a film in my head. Likewise, the narrator for the audiobook did a good job of differentiating his voice for various characters. The only reason I’m giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is that it wasn’t really as much of a retelling of Peter Pan as a new Pirates of the Caribbean style pirate adventure in general. There were some characters very clearly inspired by POTC, particularly Mama Laveau, who was very reminiscent of Tia Dalma (and also I’m sure by the actual real-life Marie Laveau). Likewise, Hook seemed more Jack Sparrow than James Hook. If you like OUAT’s version of Hook, then you might like this one. But for me, Hook and many of the other original Peter Pan characters just felt…off. Out of character. “Peter is actually evil” is frankly an overused trope in retellings but I will say I am pleased this author at least made him complicated and sympathetic and not just a straight-up monster. Some important figures like the Darling children didn’t even show up at all. Overall, it was fun but not quite what I expected.