Book Review: ****^ Peter and the Sword of Mercy

Several years ago I read the trilogy of the Peter and the Star Catchers.  It is written by Dave Berry and Ridley Pearson.  This book is published by Disney Hyperion Books 2009.  This series of Peter Pan Books is terrific, and this book carries the torch well.  I had thought the series had ended, but the authors explained they were convinced to return to the characters that make this series so enjoyable.  Their evil characters, are just so evil, and have such great evil powers, Skeleton who if he touches you causes great pain, and Ombra, the shadow stealer.  We are introduced to Wendy in this series who is now a young woman, and she has the task to find Peter.  There is an unlikely group of allies put together, including two college professors, a member of the star catcher group—big strong fellow with an even bigger and stronger bear as his right-hand man.  What a terrific story with such a finish.  I had difficulty putting it down, and when I finished I was looking for something more to read.  Fortunately there is another book in the series.  I need to get to the library and see if I can find it.

Book Review: Bridge to Neverland (Star Catcher Series)

Bridge to Neverland.  This is the fifth in a series of books written by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson.  The fourth book concluded the adventure, however in this book we are introduced to new characters 100 years later.  Aidan, 15 and his sister, Sarah, 17 find a secret message in an old desk.  It has a clue telling where additional information can be had so they can find Magill’s stuff.  The family is on vacation in London, and while there the siblings follow up on the clues.  Magill was a Starcatcher in the original services of books.  The clue leads them to the Spanish Embassy, which 100 years ago was a hotel.  On the floor they find another piece of the clue, and then an adventure in a tunnel close to Bathe, and they find a golden box containing star stuff.  The wolves challenging them for the box make a pretty scary moment.

The only problem is their discovery excites the ravens, which turn out to be Ombra, the shadow catcher.  He is still weak, and for this reason his being is split between many ravens.  The ravens begin to attack Sarah and Aidan, but they make it out of London and back to their home, thinking everything is better now.  The ravens follow them, in the baggage compartment of the plane.  When their neighbor shows up, with blackened eyes and no shadow, they know they are in danger, and also leading their parents to danger, although their parents do not know what is going on.  They take off into the night, trying to keep others safe.  They don’t know what to do, and reach out over the internet for someone to help.  They are looking for Starcatchers.  They get a response, and head to New Jersey, Princeton.  J.D. is descended from Starcatchers, but doesn’t really believe in the stories.  However Aidan and Sarah convince him by making him fly with the star stuff. 

The police break in, taking J.D. for a kidnapper.  The kids all escape this time by making the police van fly, and then flying away themselves.  J.D. has Molly’s (Wendy’s) old journal, and they discover about the bridge to Neverland.  They head to Florida, where there is someone who may have worked on the bridge, with Albert Einstein.  Ombra continues to follow them, and every time they use the star stuff, he senses it and is on their trail.  They find the bridge, in Disney World, in the “Flight of Peter Pan” ride.  (One of my favorite looking down on everything.)  Aidan gets his shadow stolen, but Sarah and J.D. make it over the bridge to Neverland, where they are captured by Captain Hook, who confiscates their star stuff.  With this he is able to repel an attempts by Peter, to recapture the stuff.  Peter is captured, and tied up cruelly with a pending execution.  However Hook is enjoying the torture part too much to finish the job.   The Mollusks also fail as Hook flies the ship, using up most of the star stuff.  The Lost Boys come to the rescue, and Tinker Bell talk to Mr. Grin and forms an alliance.  They will lead him to Hook if he won’t eat them.  The descend on the pirate compound and send everyone running, especially Hook.  They recover what they need, and there is just enough to send them back over the bridge.    Peter comes with them to contend with Ombra

This is a fun read.  It is exciting and holds your interest.  Ombra is one of the most evil bad dudes in literature.  He is just evil.  Disney World is brought into the story which is fun.  Of course this book is from Disney Press.  It is also set up for more books to follow.