What started out as a knee jerk reaction to reading this after finishing Lost in the Never Woods - a Peter Pan novel with no Captain Hook present - ended with thorough enjoyment and pleasure that I had finally picked this book up.

It's written in the style of Wicked, from the point of view of the villain character who would like to redeem themselves. It begins with a summary of James' time in Eton prior to being abducted onto a ship that would then take him to Neverland. James and Peter were friends long before the Darling children, or even Tootles, first came to Neverland.

Interestingly enough, the word 'Neverland' is never used in this novel; James calls it only the Never-isles. He does this with a few things. JM Barrie is never mentioned, only named 'the Scotsman', and Peter Pan is only ever named when necessary.

I loved such details as how people who have been in Neverland don't age even once back in London, unless they are there after the sun rises, at which time their whole age catches up to them. Also, the real treasure of Neverland being the Flying Sand was a stroke of genius that had nothing to do with belief in fairies.

Honestly, there wasn't anything that was bad about this novel. It was funny and light in all the right places, weaved around the plot of the original novel skilfully, didn't shy away from the tough moments and had enough plot that I wanted the story to keep going even after the final page was done.

If you enjoy books told from the villains point of view then you should enjoy this one.

This is less a retelling of beloved children’s story Peter Pan and more a recounting of the life of James Cook, who we know and love (or loathe) as Captain Hook.

A bit darker than the original, but what can you expect from a protagonist who’s been cast as the villain his entire life?

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

This Peter Pan retelling isn’t as “adventurous” as the original story is, but it is much more realistic. The entire story is told from Hook’s pov and is all prior to him garnering the moniker. Before he was Hook, he was just another 14-year-old boy, by the name of James Cook. I’m struggling to really review this since most people know the details of Neverland, Peter, and the folk of the Never Isles. So instead, I’m going to list some of the differences between this retelling and the original Peter Pan story, and how I felt about the differences in relation to the original story.

•This story isn’t about the Darlings (much), and isn’t about Peter. It’s James’ story of being born after his father had already been lost at sea as a notorious Captain. We get to see his childhood and all the events that leads up to his finding the Never Isle. It is entirely from his POV and the only things we learn in the book are things he could’ve learned. You never get a background on Peter or Tink because James never really learns anything of their past. Although this was sometimes difficult (I really wanted to know how Peter came to be who he was), it was better for this story to not focus on Peter at all. I mean, really, he’s always the focus and I’ve always hated that because I never liked Peter. He also came off like a psychopath to me and I never could figure out why everyone loved him.

•Tiger Lily – I really can’t go into detail on this at all because it would be super spoilery, but suffice it to say her story is NOTHING like the original book, and it was so much better for it. She really gets to be her own character in this book, and we get a lot more details about her environment and family.

•James’ hand and how he garners a hook. Again, NOTHING like the original book but much more realistic. The idea of man-child Peter cutting Cook’s hand off is ridiculous, and this was a much better version of that.

•Daisy the crocodile. All I can say is that I LOVED this! Loved the change of the crocodile and the watch.

•The mermaids have sharp teeth and facial hair (regardless of gender).

•How the ‘magic dust’ works isn’t really explained because it isn’t really known. But, no, happy thoughts do not make you fly.

•The backstory of Peter’s shadow.

Again, I don’t really know what else to say on this as it’s all spoilerish, but this story isn’t as “fantastical” as the original Peter Pan. There’s more malevolence and real-world emotions and consequences. All-in-all, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I received a hardback of this book through a GR Giveaway, as well as receiving an arc via Netgalley. Thank you both!!

I love it when the villain gets to tell their side of the story .... and in this instance, it is the tale of Captain James Cook - of Captain Hook as he became known.

Yes, this is the story one that famous piratical character that has terrified children worldwide - Captain Hook! Here, the story is told through the eyes of young James Cook, who following misfortune, finds himself pressed into service with the Royal Navy. A treasure maps leads the mutinous crew to Neverland where ".. the rules - the laws of astronomy and geography and physics - even Time - all broken.."

Suffered to perish for abandoning his post and allowing the enemy (pirates) to attack, young James is rescued by none other than one Peter Pan. From this point on, James meets the characters of the traditional story - Tiger-Lily, Tinkerbell, the Darling family. The story behind James' loss of this hand, his revenge, and the tales of the lost boys is revealed.

It is a charming story of Pan's nemesis Captain Hook as told by Hook himself, or rather James Cook. It is quite captivating in its narration, keeping the story peppered with elements of JM Barrie's original work.

Simon & Schuster: A rollicking debut novel from award-winning playwright and screenwriter John Pielmeier reimagines the childhood of the much maligned Captain Hook: his quest for buried treasure, his friendship with Peter Pan, and the story behind the swashbuckling world of Neverland.

Kirkus Review: The author's thorough, affectionate knowledge of both the original book and the historical period grounds this fantasy in rich detail.

Interesting into the collection of re-written well known tales a la Gregory McGuire.

This book was well written and an interesting tale of the "true" story behind Captain Hook and Peter Pan. The author added all of your favorite tidbits from Peter Pan and explains how it all came to be. How did Hook meet Smee and where did they get their names? What's the deal with that crocodile? How did the Lost Boys come to be? Did Peter's shadow really escape? All your questions are answered in this one.

Unfortunately, the book didn't work very well for me, but it was a matter of choosing a book that didn't fit my interests as well as I had expected. I found myself bored while reading this one. Yet when describing it to others, it sounds entertaining. I think it was just a case of the wrong person / wrong book / wrong time and others will enjoy it more than I did. Give it a try and see what you think.

Thank you for the ARC. This book didn't catch my interest after 50 pages, so I did not finish.

Pielmeier’s debut novel gives poor, maligned Captain Hook an opportunity to share his side of the story. The teaser promises a “rollicking” story, and at first it seems to be exactly that, but it runs out of steam early on. Nevertheless, thank you, Net Galley and Scribner, for the opportunity to read and review.

At the outset, Captain James Cook (his name isn’t Hook!), named for the famous sea explorer, describes himself as looking nothing like the “unbearably pompous actor”, a clear reference to the hilarious Cyril Ritchard, who played Hook in the twentieth century complete with high heeled boots and a beauty mark; however, our pirate assures us, those periwinkle blue eyes do fit the bill. There is an assumption that the reader is well steeped in both the stage and cinematic depictions of the character, and it seems like a fair one. I love reading Hook’s fond and hugely original description of Smee, and our introduction to Hook’s pet crocodile.

“I named it Daisy, after my mother.”

Unfortunately, somewhere between the ten percent and twenty percent mark, the narrative founders, and the most frustrating part for this reviewer is that it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what goes wrong. The concept is strong, the voice clear, and yet my interest is gone before the quarter-mark is reached, and at that point I am reading for duty rather than pleasure. I came away with two considerations.

The first is the linear quality of the prose. The formal, old-school language is fun at the outset, but it might be more powerful if alternated with a present day narrative. Hook could have a grandson or other present-day relative that contributes; since Hook marries Tiger Lily, that might be a way to get there. Readers of the digital era may not have the patience to read the rather Victorian-sounding dialect all the way through. An alternating narrative would probably pick up the pace and make for a more compelling arc.

The second consideration is audience. There are two characteristics here that suggest completely different types of reader, and they don’t overlap very well, which may make for a small readership. We have the Boomers and those that came right after them, folks that may have seen the Cyril Ritchard version of Captain Hook on television. It was a childhood favorite of this reviewer, and you can watch the entire thing here:

[YouTube Clip]

The assumed knowledge and detailed descriptions jibe with this audience. But then there is the other sort of detail, the gore and guts that are more suited to a young reader, perhaps one in his early teens. Older readers may wince at the graphic gore here, decapitations and intestines and fountains of blood—I certainly did—but younger readers that are more likely to love it are unlikely to tolerate the formal prose style adopted. It’s hard to tell whether the writer had a particular audience in mind, but if so he shot wide of the mark.

Another possibility is that the story really is better as a visual medium. Reading about people flying is not as enjoyable as seeing them do it, and I say this as a person that prefers the printed word over film almost always. J.M. Barrie’s work itself is difficult to plow through, and also racist as hell; the story took wing on stage and screen. In addition, the stage version was the first time an actor had been hooked to cables and “flew” in front of a live audience; what seems like corny, ancient technology now, was new and exciting then.

All of this notwithstanding, you may love this book. It was released July 18, and is for sale now.

What a swashbuckling account of the rivalry between the much maligned (in his opinion) Captain James Hook and the villainous Peter Pan. I just loved this book. For some reason, I have always felt that Peter was a bit annoying and it was great fun to have things told to us from Hook's perspective. What I really liked here was the detail. We have an explanation about fairy dust, an explanation about the crocodile and a reason for the 'pirates' being in Neverland. The writing is wonderful, with authentic touches of the Victorian period and yet at no time does it become verbose or turgid. Hook has become a sympathetic figure grossly hard done by in the hands of Barrie and Peter Pan has become a psychopathic child abductor. For anyone like me, this book is a gem. For those of you who revere the original or love Peter, I'm not sure how you'll feel about it, but you should definitely give it a look.

If you like Wicked (or anything else Gregory Maguire has written) and especially if you enjoy the show Once Upon A Time, you're going to want to pay attention.

At last, we have the true story behind Captain Hook. Or rather, James Cook, which is his real name.

The lies we have been fed by that scurrilous Peter Pan and his scribe J.M. Barrie!

Thank God Cook was finally able to tell his tale of woe and woeful it is indeed.

He writes, "I promise you this, dear reader: I will not lie about him as he (and his biographer) did of me" (p. 23.) We learn about his past, first meets the baby crocodile Daisy, and how he winds up on Never-Archipelago. He does not have an easy time of things, that's for sure. But things go from bad to worse once Pan gets involved.

This was a short enjoyable read. I am a sucker for fairy tale/classics retellings so this hit all my buttons in the best of ways, though I wished Cook's tale had a little more luck to balance out his hardships. I suppose, though, when the world knows you as the villain, it's harder to come across good luck.

At least now we know the truth.

This was a light and fun romp of a book telling the tale of Peter Pan from the point of view of Captain Hook. Not at intricately plotted or developed as McGuire's Wicked, but, still, a worthy beach read.

A retelling of the Peter Pan story, from Captain Hook's perspective. I enjoy origin stories, and this one is definitely intriguing, especially for a character who is so well known (I always prefered Hook over Pan anyway). It's a bit darker, but since he's been labeled a villain, the storyline seems appropriate and fitting. Probably best for YA or adult audiences because some themes may be a bit graphic for young children. The author did good job of reintroducing characters from the original novel, and I liked how Jack the Ripper made a cameo. For adaptation and origin story fans or readers who like all things Neverland.

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"Hook's Tale" is probably my new favorite Pan retelling. In fact, it might just be my new favorite retelling. And its a debut novel!! Seriously, the writing is captivating, the perspective is unique, and overall the reading is pretty easy. In the Introduction, the book proclaims itself to be the Peter Pan/Hook version of The Wizard of Oz/Wicked Witch tale and I'd say that's pretty accurate. I actually am not a big fan of the Gregory Maguire books, but this was much easier to read.

James Cook (aka the character "the Scotsman" JM Barrie writes as Captain Hook) basically writes his own autobiography from his life as a young boy in school, to his voyage to Neverland, to his quest for a full life. It was really fun to hear the "real truth" behind James' family, how aging/not aging in Neverland works, what all of the pirates are like (hint: they're hilarious), how Hook really got his hook, the story of the crocodile, and several other Hook-isms.

This was a great fantasy read. Just a heads up, though: every time I started to think that this book could be for younger (middle grade?) readers, something violent or mildly gory would happen. So just be warned that there are a few descriptive scenes in the book and some very mild swearing. Overall if you like Peter Pan, if you are a fan of retellings, if you enjoy fantasy books, or just need a quick and fun read, give this book a go. I definitely recommend it!

This was a cute and enjoyable re-telling of Peter Pan. Although, this is the "true" story of Captain Hook, nee Cook. He isn't the villain that the dubious scotsman wrote about. I liked the tale that James Cook told and the different outcomes that were different from the original story. Especially that Peter Pan isn't an innocent little boy that is often portrayed. Captain Cook was misunderstood and friendlier than what people know about him. It was nice to read a different side to Hook. I would definitely recommend this to any Peter Pan fans.

**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It is easiest to say that this book is the Captain Hook version of Wicked by Gregory Maguire but that does a disservice to both Mr. Maguire and Mr. Pielmeier (or theoretically Mr. Cook himself as this is presented as a memoir). Similar to many of Maguire's books, this book is a different version of a well-known and loved tale. But, after that the similarities end. Maguire's work is much more intricate and high brow (in a good way). Pielmeier (or Cook, you pick) presents the tale as a memoir and in a much more casual, accessible format. I really enjoyed how Cook showed that he isn't the villian we all think of him as but is in fact the maligned hero of the story. This is definitely a fun book and one that would be great to read with/to a younger reader.

Absolutely Delightful! I enjoy reading the classic fairytales that have a new twist. This one was so well done and I enjoyed every minute of it. The flow was great and the "twists" were spot on for me. I don't think anything/anyone was left out. I loved the storyline with Tiger Lily and the crocodile the best. Kudo's to the Captain and Mr. Pielmeier! I would read something of his again!

**Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley in exchange of an honest review**

I fell in love with Peter Pan as a girl watching the 1953 televised version starring Mary Martin as Peter Pan and Cyril Ritchard as Captain Hook. In Sixth Grade I found out that before the Broadway musical and the Disney cartoon, Peter Pan had been a book!

I read Peter and Wendy by J. M. Barrie and then set to read all of Barrie, including The Little White Bird and Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens.

I felt the book was very 'grown up' in its understanding. I loved how Wendy's heart cried, 'Woman, woman, let go of me," as she wished she could return to Neverland with Peter. I understood; I did not want to grow up and pitied her womanhood. And I loved Peter facing the rising water on Marooner's Rock, thinking "To die will be an awfully big adventure." What a paragon of bravery!

In Hook's Tale, author John Leonard Pielmeier views the wicked pirate character of Captain Hook as a legend and warped history. He offers instead James Cook, a teenager pressed into service. James has his father's treasure map and the ship's captain follows it to Neverland where they become trapped. Things turn ugly for James, but at the last minute, he is rescued by Peter, and he becomes Peter's first and best friend.

Tiger Lily tells James she knows he is new to Neverland, for "too many people here...forget that there is more to life than the Now." Peter and the bear wrestle and kill each other daily, only to be resurrected the next day. Their actions have no consequences. Peter hates change, so he is very able to forget the past.

There is a crocodile, but one named Daisy, and a pocket watch. James does lose his hand. We meet Starkey and Smee and the pirates. Tiger Lily and the mermaids appear, and James meets Wendy Darling. Tinker Bell is one of the last living fairies, and there is a cache of magic sand.

But this tale is very different from the one 'that over imaginative Scotsman' left us. James rescues a marooned sailor, Arthur Raleigh, whose identity will greatly impact his life.

James wants us to know his 'true' story, as opposed to the popular image of him set in literature and on the stage.

"Why, dear reader, do you always insist on believing that sad little Scotsman, who only heard the story third-hand, instead of believing one who lived it? "

Barrie's words, characters, and scenes crop up, but altered. "To die will be an awfully big adventure," James remarks, "was becoming something of an annoying cliche."

The story is told in the first person and has the feel of a 19th c tale. Readers who enjoy the fractured fairy tale versions of Once Upon A Time and Wicked will enjoy Hook's Tale.

"And for some inexplicable reason, possibly having to do with the unbearably pompous actor who first portrayed me professionally, I will always be depicted as bearing an unfortunate likeness to King Charles II."

Mary Martin as Peter Pan and
Cyril Ritchard as Capt. Hook

In the Acknowledgements, Pielmeier admits his lifelong love of Peter and J. M. Barrie. He believes that Peter is misunderstood: "He was not a boy who refused to grow up he was a boy who grew up too quickly."

I received a free ebook from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

I'm pretty in love with the idea of showing the other side of the story and having Peter Pan as the antagonist in Hook's story. I think this version of Hook's story is well written and compelling. I would recommend this book and will definitely read again at a later date.

I really enjoyed this book! Loved the twist to a classic villain!