Tiger Lily
Publication: July 3, 2012
Pages: 292
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Publisher: Harper Teen
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Before Peter Pan belonged to Wendy, he belonged to the girl with the crow feather in her hair. . . .
Fifteen-year-old Tiger Lily doesn’t believe in love stories or happy endings. Then she meets the alluring teenage Peter Pan in the forbidden woods of Neverland and immediately falls under his spell.
Peter is unlike anyone she’s ever known. Impetuous and brave, he both scares and enthralls her. As the leader of the Lost Boys, the most fearsome of Neverland’s inhabitants, Peter is an unthinkable match for Tiger Lily. Soon, she is risking everything—her family, her future—to be with him. When she is faced with marriage to a terrible man in her own tribe, she must choose between the life she’s always known and running away to an uncertain future with Peter.
With enemies threatening to tear them apart, the lovers seem doomed. But it’s the arrival of Wendy Darling, an English girl who’s everything Tiger Lily is not, that leads Tiger Lily to discover that the most dangerous enemies can live inside even the most loyal and loving heart.
Jodi Lynn Anderson skillfully weaves fantasy into reality in a Neverland that exists in our world. From the first pages, I was entranced by the broken imagery and haunting tone. Behind Tiger Lily’s stiff exterior lies a girl’s heart, and it is a heart that has suffered heartbreak, betrayal, and tragedy, and it is one that has inflicted the same pain in turn. Neverland may be an immortal place, but it is no paradise. It is a dark place where mermaids eat human flesh and some characters are half-crazed. It is all too easy to fixate your heart on something (someone) and develop an obsession in this world filled with many complex characters and broken souls.
A unique element to the story is that Tinker Bell is the narrator, a character whom I ended up loving just as much, if not more, than Tiger Lily. Tink is well-known for her obsession with Peter Pan, and I’m glad that this story gives both character a chance to be further developed. Tink may be envious of Peter’s affections, but she doesn’t let her envy swallow her good intentions. Being the observer for the most part, Tink is a reliable narrator, and it is through her that we learn important plot details and observations that no one else could have given us. My heart went out for her, the little fairy who fell in love with a human boy, and for the girl that the fairy tries to protect.
Tiger Lily is an oddity who has never really fit into her village, for she is different from the other girls. She is fearless and doesn’t know how to open her heart. She is at the stage where thinks that she can live without love, without someone who accepts her and understands her, but she in truth needs that someone. For this reason, Tiger Lily is someone with whom every girl, and even guys, can relate. And we understand why she finds Peter and his life so desirable. Despite being broken in his own way, he is free unlike her, bound as she is to her village, and it is through their shared broken-ness and desire for recognition that they bond together. Not the healthiest way to start a relationship, but so very real and understandable.
Tiger Lily is a story of youth, first love, and heartbreak; a story about opening your heart to pain and loss, a story with magic and adventure. It is a story about going through the awkward phases of life when you don’t know who you are or what you want to be, and it is about growing up. This story will forever have a niche on my bookshelf. One day, I want to share it with my children, after they have had the chance to revel in the magic of fairy tales with happily ever after’s written at the end, once they have grown up a bit and are ready to face the yearning and heartbreak behind this particular fairy tale.
I recommend these to readers looking for a darker more mature classic retelling, a beautiful and haunting voice in YA lit, and a poignant coming-of-age story.
** I hadn’t read the original Peter Pan prior to reading Tiger Lily, but I hear this story stays true to it.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher. No payment was received in return for a review. The receipt of the book had no influence on the opinions expressed in my review.
Author: Crystal
A story girl at heart, Crystal is a bibliophile who can easily spend the day immersed in a good read. She writes under the name Kristy Wang. You can follow her writing adventures on X and Instagram @_kristywang.
Rubita says
I love that Tinker Bell is the narrator! Third person perspectives on the MCs is one of those things that I love.
Andra says
I've always liked Tinkerbell, so I think it's great we read her point of view. And like you, I have a couple of books on my bookshelf that I dream to share with my kids one day. Books, that have really made an impression on me. 🙂
Helene says
I can absolutely not wait until I have my own copy of this book. When I do I take a day off, close the curtains, make the biggest pot of tea and do not stop reading until it's finished. That would be my most perfect day.
Thanks for the great review!
Chi Kittie says
Thanks for the great review. I keep hearing such wonderful things about the book. I have always been a big fan of Tinkerbell and I love how the story is being told from her perspective. I have never hear about Tiger lily until now but find it very neat and I love fairlytale re-tellings. I like how you said you would share the book with your children one day. Very cool!
– Beckie
Cara says
I love how it's told from Tinker Bell's perspective. She always interested me as a kid. I always felt kinda fishy about her, so it'll be neat to see the story through her mind and get a better feel. I love when authors do twists on fairytales and childhood stories and give the minor characters more of a spotlight.
Crystal says
Same here. Reading from Tinker Bell's perspective, I got more of a feel for you and loved her more, though I really didn't like Wendy, so that was different. Of course, I hadn't read the *original* Peter Pan where I may have ended up disliking her as well. (I only know the Disney Peter Pan, and we all know how Disney takes liberties with stories). I do plan reading the original Peter Pan one of these days!
The Romance Bookie says
I have wanted to read this one for quite some time now! It sounds great! 🙂
Soma Rostam says
Tinker bell as a narrator? It's really great to change the beginning of the Peter Pan story. Great work for the author.. and great review
Crystal says
Jodi Lynn Anderson did brilliantly with her retelling!
Erika says
It is great to know that it starts out good from the beginning and takes you into that world. I really can't wait to read this now:)
Amanda Ray says
Wow. I definitely need to add this to my library of books. I have an 11 year old and 2 nieces. This sounds like it would be a great read for the teen/preteen just finding out about love and loss and the trials/tribulations of growing up. Great review!
fourheadjen says
Great review! I have lived a truly isolated life and have never watched or read Peter Pan so I do not even know the story at all, which is why I'm looking forward to this story!
It seems to be based on characters and their relationships and their evolution which can be so intriguing! And the darker theme would be useful for me right now… >:)
Madisonnnn ^__^ says
I never thought that Tinker Bell could be the protagonist, or a love interest for Peter o-o That being said, it seems like there would be a sad ending (and heartbreak, as you said) to the tale because of the original Peter Pan. Thanks for the review – I'll definitely be buying this when it comes out c:
Crystal says
She's a wonderful protagonist. I wouldn't call her a love interest for Peter, but rather Peter the love interest of Tink. She knows that it can't work out because of the size difference. It's a beautiful, beautiful book. You should definitely check it out!!
Madisonnnn ^__^ says
I think I will (: Did you happen to read her other novel, Peaches? I happened to get it for free, so I'm wondering.
Crystal says
Lucky you! Unfortunately, I never got around to reading Peaches before, but I plan on reading it! I checked out Jodi's books on Goodreads, and it looks like Peaches is a trilogy.
Madisonnnn ^__^ says
It's actually free right now, digitally.
It's a trilogy? o-o;; Wow. Thanks for letting me know!
Crystal says
I downloaded it on my mom's Nook, but for my Kindle I have to wait until July 19th I believe until I it's available 🙁
It is! Let me know what you think about Peaches. I'm about to go to the UK for a five-week-long summer abroad program, so chance are that you'll get to it before me.