Genre: Young Adult Urban Fantasy
Overall Rating: 5/5 I don’t like retellings, and I really don’t like Peter Pan. Since Dust is a retelling of Peter Pan, I came into it with some skepticism. But I absolutely loved it. 🙂
Literary value: 4/5 For someone used to Austen and other literary giants, the writing of this book might be a disappointment. But for the genre of young adult fantasy (and for a modern book in general), I found the writing surprisingly clear and beautiful.
Worldview: 5/5 While Dust isn’t explicitly Christian, Swanson’s Christian worldview shines through in themes of sacrifice, integrity, and redemption.
Enjoyability: 5/5 I loved this book—and I don’t say that easily! I came into Dust with my “editor” glasses on—trying to dissect the plot and characters—which doesn’t usually make for fun reading! Yet I utterly loved it—Dust combined the innocence and joy of my favorite childhood stories with the sweet encouragement that growing up is just the next adventure.
Caveats: Dust tastefully addresses depression and self-harm (in a brief flashback). It also includes a pub scene that escalates into a brawl, placing the female main character at risk. There is some kissing (wholesome and chaste). The book doesn’t always embrace traditional gender roles (one character is an exiled warrior princess), but the male protagonist is generally chivalrous, and Dust doesn’t blatantly promote a feminist worldview. With that in mind, I would be confident recommending Dust to anyone 13+, but some younger readers might be ready for it as well.
Sequels/other books by this author: The sequel to Dust is Shadow—also an excellent book, though I preferred Dust. (The ending of Shadow felt rushed, which was disappointing after the perfect pacing of Dust—but it’s still a satisfying finish.) Kara Swanson’s other books are The Girl Who Could See and Ignite—I haven’t read either yet, but from what I know of this author, both should be safe reads. 🙂 If you read/have read them, let me know what you think!