Customer Reviews

Cave of the Dark Wind: A Never Land Book (Never Land Adventure Series)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As an avid fan of anything to do with the Peter and the Starcatchers series it only made sense for me to be excited about the NeverLand Books. The 2 books are not as good as the Peter and Starcatchers books of course but they are great companions to the series.

If you didn't like the first one "Escape from Carnivale" don't worry "Cave of Dark Wind" is much better. I think the reason this is because Carnivale was lacking anything to do with real Pirate topics like treasure! Fortunately the second book Dark Wind has the topic throughout the story which makes for a much more exciting book. I would recommend to anyone who likes to read about Peter Pan or Captain Hook. Have fun!

Have you ever wondered what was going on with the Mollusks. The pirates, and The Lost Boys while Peter was away having adventures in Peter and the Starcatchers, Peter and the Shadow Thieves and Peter and the Secrets of Rundoon? Well, this easy chapter book series (billed A Neverland Book) neatly fills that gap quite nicely. This story takes place in between Starcatchers and Shadow Thieves and features James (along with the other lost boys and of course, Shining Pearl and Little Scallop) on a madcap mini-adventure involving a mysterious "monster", pirates, a cursed treasure, and the infamous Black Stache (and his gang). We begin the story with The Lost Boys learning of "The Taker" an evil monster living in the Cave of the Dark Wind and being somewhat interested in proving he too can have adventures, James becomes convinced that he can solve the mystery of The Taker and make the goats of Mollusk Island safe again. Along the way they encounter a lot more adventure and danger than they bargained for...will they discover the identity of The Taker? Is it really a monster? How will Black Stache and his gang of greedy pirates try to foil their plans and try to get the treasure for themselves? And more importantly, will they succeed? You'll have to read to find out!

Overall, this is a cute addition to the Neverland stories, though I would wager this is most appropriate for a slightly younger age range than the longer Pan novels Barry and Ridley have written thus far. Cave of the Dark Wind comes in at 166 pages and is a nice early chapter book with large spacing and type (and some nice black and white pen and ink illustrations) with an entertaining and easy to follow storyline that younger fans of Peter Pan and get into easily on their own (best for ages 4-8) and it would certainly make a great read aloud story for younger readers! I give it four stars, both of my kids loved it and we all hope that there will be many more of these to come...we absolutely loved reading more about the Mollusks, the Lost Boys, the stranded pirates and of course the mermaids!!!

Book was received promptly and in superior condition. No flaws; protective packaging was helpful so item was not damaged during shipment. Will definitely buy more books here!

Aiming for a younger audience than their other Peter Pan books, these Neverland Books are meant to take place while Peter is away. After all, what do they do when their fearless leader has gone to London on his own grand adventures?

At first, nothing. But boys will get bored and James, the de facto leader after Peter, decides he wants to do something. Mostly, he wants to impress Peter (and perhaps make him jealous). When Shining Pearl and Little Scallop (daughters of the Mollusk Tribe's chief) let slip that there is a mysterious cave where goats disappear and people go blind, James decides this is the place to explore. And he won't change his mind no matter the protest. What he discovers is GOLD! Hook hears about the gold too and as any pirate worth his salt, he wants it. Even if it makes turns anyone who sees it blind.

But there are more mysteries than the boys anticipate to be solved, such as who or what takes the goats.

Pearson and Barry are so good at catching the way children think. For example everyone is scared but no one wants to be the one to admit it so they end up continuing. It captures the Peter Pan humor I remember from watching the Disney movie when I was little.

I'm not rushing out to buy another Neverland book, but I'm certainly not opposed to reading another one hear and there. There's something nostalgic but still unique about this book, though I do miss Peter nearly as much as the boys do.

The Lost Boys, Little Scallop and her older sister Shining Pearl are spending another idyllic day in Never Land. After unsuccessfully trying to race snakes, the Lost Boys quickly become bored and seek other ways of passing the time until Peter Pan returns home from his visit in London. When Thomas suggests exploring a hill above the Mollusk village, Shining Pearl reveals this would be a bad idea. Near the Goat Meadow is a cave that they are forbidden to go near, for it is the home of the Goat Taker.

Several years ago, when goats began to go missing and all that was left behind was a bloody trail leading to a dark cave, the Mollusk tribe decided to find out who or what the Goat Taker was. However, when the venture yielded unfortunate results, the chief deemed the place too dangerous. Now, once a month, a goat is left tethered near the cave --- dubbed the Cave of the Dark Wind --- in order to prevent the Goat Taker from nabbing more than just goats.

This dark possibility doesn't deter James, the leader of the Lost Boys, from wanting to explore the cave, much to the sisters' disappointment. Reluctantly, Shining Pearl decides to join the boys in their exploration of the Cave of the Dark Wind. They get more than they bargained for, however, when James makes a surprising discovery, and the Pirates, led by the fearsome Captain Hook, decide to go on an expedition of their own in hopes of finding legendary treasure. Will the Lost Boys solve this mystery, or will they be captured by pirates?

Despite being the second book in Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson's series, CAVE OF THE DARK WIND is a great adventure story worth reading as a stand-alone. Mystery, humor and exciting action will entice young people to keep turning the pages as they follow Shining Pearl and her friends (along with foes) on their latest adventure on the magical island of Never Land.

We have read all the books in the Peter series, and had a whopping good time, I might add! Our favorite version has been the Jim Dale audio tapes--he could make repair manuals sound like a dramatic adventure, I am sure. This was our favorite of the shorter books, a good story, good chance to spend time with the characters we had gotten to know. It seemed a bit like a screenplay in parts, one good adventure after another, but it appealed to my boys. I appreciated a relatively fantastical but still believable plot. I'ld recommend all the books in order, though the Carnivale story was a bit odd for my taste, once you get to know the stories, you'll want to know them all.

The Never Land books are wonderful extensions of the Peter Series by Berry adn Pearson. The neverland books are an easier read with larger print but still entertaining.

My daughter says Cave of the Dark Wind is just as exciting as Escape from the Carnivale. She can't wait for more Never Land Adventures.

This is one of two children's books that were published by the same authors of the three Peter Pan Prequel books. They are fun but really for children.

I read this book not because I'm a fan of Peter Pan's Lost Boys, but because I'm a fan of Karen Marie Moning's "Fever" series. Moning mentions a "Dark Wind" in one of her hints regarding the mysteries in the ongoing Fever books. I followed that clue, read this book, and was rewarded with a "two-fer".

1. I learned what this Dark Wind is, and yes, it could be a clue in deciphering one of the Fever series' many ingenious puzzles.

2. I read a thoroughly enjoyable children's book that I can now recommend to parents and children alike.

Dark Wind starts with bored children who decide to do what they've been told not to do. Not a new theme by any means, but handled here with humor and a light hand in the "I told you so" message. Yes, they get into trouble. And yes, things in the end are better than they were previously for all the good guys. But throughout, it's an adventure for the characters and the reader, and one that never sounds dumbed-down or preachy. My only negative response is to the repeated mentions of Tubby Ted's obsession with eating -- maybe a tad overdone.

This is an easy read, but (as an adult) I never found it boring. The writing is colorful, fast-paced, and the illustrations an added treat. Even though my other "Dark Wind" question was answered early in this book, I finished it anyway. It was a satisfying short detour from usual weightier topics.