SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY
Because of an old enemy Peter ends up far from home, in Ombra's hands. All the while Molly and George try to uncover the truth about Peter's past. And Leonard Aster sets off to rescue Peter.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Peter doesn't necessarily change, but he does learn about his past. Which is rather important for him. He learns about his parents, his last name, and about his own abilities.
Molly is just as brave as before, but she also comes off as rather naive. Twice she disobeys her father and both times this results in trouble.
George remains with Molly through most of the book. He shows bravery and boldness, especially when they separate and he attempts a dangerous task. Even Peter admits being impressed with him.
Leonard Aster attempts to rescue Peter but is portrayed as rather incompetent. He messes up twice in the book and it isn't quite believable. Why wouldn't he notice two men following them in the middle of a huge desert? It's not like they were in a crowd.
King Zarboff III is an evil King who rules a desert kingdom and gets his slaves from Peter's old orphanage. He has a huge snake who eats anyone who gets him angry.
Professor Glotz is man who works for King Zarboff. He has little sympathy for those who he hurts.
Tinker bell plays an important role. She helps George and Molly find Peter as well as providing a distraction so Peter can free some enslaved boys. While it's Amm the porpoise who tells them what happened to Peter, Tink tells them that Peter was injured. She also refills Molly's locket with starstuff.
Shining Pearl is a part of a side story involving Smee and the other pirates. She is a sympathetic heroine and the humor used throughout her story is amusing.
PACING
The pacing is good, if it starts a bit slow. The story is set up, with the return of Ombra and his heading to Rundoon. Then the Scorpion Tribe planning to take over Neverland. From then we go to Molly. So three separate stories are starting. But the slow start is to build suspense and from then one the pace is back to it's usual speed.
TWO STORIES
There are two stories, one off the island and one on it, just like last time. But this time, I think the situation is more dire and certainly less humorous than the previous side story. A warrior tribe called the Scorpions plan to invade the island and enslave it's populace.
PETER'S RECKLESSNESS-SPOILERS
Peter disobeys Fighting Prawn's orders and goes out to sea, scouting for the Scorpions. Because of this he gets injured and poisoned. Peter has been reckless in the past, and he usually paid for it. Like when he got James in trouble. It's nice to see this time that the consequences are ones he personally suffers.
A USELESS FATHER?
In the last book, after Leonard is furious at Molly and forbids her from leaving the house, she manages it anyway. She actually ends up helping, although she does cause some trouble as well. The reason this didn't make Leonard look like an idiot was the fact that is was Molly's mistake that caused him to be in danger. She forgot to tell him about Ombra gaining knowledge by touching a shadow.
In this case though, Leonard seems rather incompetent and there isn't much of an excuse that can be made for him. Molly notes two men following her father on their camels. But for some unknown reason, Leonard, who is a seasoned star catcher, doesn't. It just made him look stupid, and I didn't like it.
MOLLY'S RECKLESSNESS
Molly doesn't want to be treated like a child. After all, she has been through lots of danger and helped the star catchers already. But you can't blame Leonard for not wanting to put his daughter in danger.
But Molly disobeys and sneaks onto the ship her father is on. She is surprised when Leonard is furious at her. The reaction was warranted. He clearly forbid her from coming and she willfully disobeyed. I was kind of surprised at her shock. Yes, she got away with disobeying once before, but that was because she knew it his her own fault he was in danger.
DISGRUNTLED LOST BOYS
In the beginning we learn that the Lost boys are getting sick of living on the island. Peter notes they are growing up, unlike him. This sets up a reveal at the end of the story.
HOOK'S ROLE-VAGUE SPOILERS
For most of the story, Hook is just in the background. He was taken prisoner by Ombra too. I kept waiting for his role, knowing he had to play one. Barry and Pearson never leave puzzle pieces without a place in their stories.
Eventually, Hook does get one. He is crucial to the escape of Leonard. He also helps steer the ship. Because of this, he is crucial to the plot. But I wanted him to evolve into an ally, even if it was only for a short time. And it never felt like that.
He immediately went back to being an enemy (and not a very smart one). It kind of annoyed me, but I guess it was necessary to the plot, as the star stuff drops all over the island like rain, seeping into it.
THE ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSE
I have this preference, completely subjective.
I don't like when stories attempt to explain the origin of the universe with their McGuffin of choice. It always comes off as cheesy and trying too hard. I don't need to know the origin of the universe.
And in a scene of exposition clearly meant for the reader (Ombra has no real reason to reveal his motivation to Leonard) Ombra reveals deep secrets of the universe.
But bypassing star stuff accidentally creating the universe, (which bothers me, but probably won't bother others) it's the vagueness of the explanation of Ombra's motivation that annoys me.
Ombra thinks humanity gets in the way of him being evil, because before their existence, it was easier...to be evil? He doesn't say what he is, just that he is not human and has been alive long before humanity. He calls himself a force of darkness (which is as unoriginal as it gerts) and his enemies the forces of light. Are they aliens? Demons? Angels? Anything? I don't know because it's not important enough to know.
The thing is, if that's not relevant, then neither should the origin of existence be relevant. Barry and Pearson gave into the temptation of constantly having to make the stakes more extreme then previously. It's not just saving someone, or some city, or some country. Or even some planet. It's all of existence ever. Ha! Top that.
But I didn't need such extreme stakes, I was just fine with not understanding star stuff and happy with just learning about Peter.
THE LAST PIECE OF NEVERLAND'S ORIGIN STORY-SPOILERS
At the end of the story we see how star stuff seeped into the whole Island and ended up changing the water. So as long as you drink the water, you won't age. I thought it was interesting, meaning that whoever decides to live with Peter will no longer age as well. Also, it means whenever you decide you want to grow up, it's an option open. For everyone but not Peter.
CLIMAX
Peter defeats Ombra, returns to the Island and helps free the Mollusks, with help from Shining Pearl. Hook ends up where he started and we learn more about Neverland.
CONCLUSION
Barry and Pearson create an exciting finish to their trilogy just as fast paced as their others. We learn more about Peter's history as well as the origins of star stuff (although it's quite vague).
George steps up and plays an important role while even Hook is crucial to the plot.
My only objective criticism is that Leonard is made to look the fool while Molly keeps disobeying, but never really understands that she should be learning.
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