Book Title: Hooked
Book Author: Emily McIntire
Series Name: The Never After
Series No.: 1
Genre: Dark Romance
First Published: 5th September 2021
I picked up this book because of what the series was called. The Never After. I was also drawn in by the cover’s illustration of a clock, and the name “Hooked”. It looked like a fun twist on a classic story, brought into the modern day. Excuse the pun, but I was immediately hooked.
Synopsis of Hooked
James has one goal: to destroy his enemy, Peter Michaels. When Peter’s daughter Wendy enters his bar, James seizes the chance to use her for revenge. As his plans begin to unravel, James starts to see Wendy as more than just a pawn. Wendy, sheltered by her cold, wealthy father, is irresistibly drawn to the dangerous James, despite knowing the risks. As their relationship intensifies, Wendy grapples with whether she’s falling for the man known as James or the monster called Hook.
Making Peter Pan modern
Many already know the story of Peter Pan and Hook. What Emily McIntire has done is bring a modern take to it with clever, subtle references to the original story. Wendy is also a grown up as opposed to the child that she is portrayed in the original alliterations. I also cannot help, when I see James in my mind, imagine Colin O’Donoghue. O’Donoghue plays a young, charming Hook from Once Upon A Time which also adds to the modern take.
They call one of Peter Pan’s businesses’s the Never Airland. The Jolly Rodger is now a bar, and Pixie is not a faerie but a type of drug. Tiger Lily is Hook’s yatch. I love how McIntire is using elements of the fantasy story to bring it to a modern setting. Because it is set in a modern time and location, there is no need for as much world building as other fantasy books that are set outside of the current time.
In this modernised retelling, James still has a weakness to wristwatches due to unpleasant memories of his uncle from when he was younger. There is someone in the underworld working to undermine James who uses the alias crock.
Narrative style
This story is duel narrative. It is told from the perspective of James and Wendy. The narrative is first person and the chapters alternate between the two main characters. I think the narrative is done very well and its quiet clear and it draws you into the characters’ world by each chapter. And though their stories sometimes interlace, McIntire also treats them as two different perspectives. She doesn’t basically copy the content from one chapter to the next. The story moves on quiet quickly and each point of view progresses the plot.
How the plot is handled in Hooked
The book is very intense with many twists and turns. Its very layered. Jame/Hook’s constant back and forth act is deep enough to keep audience on their toes. It also lives up to the title as it shows the intensity and somewhat toxicity of James and Wendy’s relationship, but I as a reader cannot help but route for their relationship. I also like how Peter is not portrayed as solely the good person in the book and Hook is not solely treated as the bad person in the book.
You also see a, not necessary a threat, but a darker adversary coming in the background. McIntire handles the tidbits and foreshadowing very well.
Scenes
This book has kept me engaged from start to finish. Everything is fantastic – especially as James personas keep you on tender-hooks. I think if I had to choose two scenes that were my favourite, it would be how James woos and seduces Wendy at the beginning. If his actions were done in real life, James could easily come off as a creep but the way McIntire handles it is so well that you can’t help root for him as the reader and wants Wendy to go on a date with him.
I also like a scene near the end when it comes to a head between Hook, Peter and Croc, with Wendy right in the middle as personas and true motives are revealed which turns Wendy’s world around and the true reality of betrayal and deep emotions slam into her.
Characterisation in Hooked
McIntire developed the characters very well.
I loved Wendy even more, knowing that she is an adult. I really did think of her as a strong character, with her first thinking she was protected by her father, Peter. She comes to realise he is not as perfect as she first thought. Initially a daddy’s girl, Wendy does a lot of growing up within the time of the novel. Because she is an adolescent she is naïve to James’s true motives until three quarters of the book.
You can see the relationship grow on both sides, particularly by Wendy. She starts to hold her own as Hook reveals his dark nature, and with Peter when it’s revealed that her father, Peter is not very innocent. Throughout the narrative, Wendy learns to hold her own between her father and Hook.
I also like James’ development as he has two personas. He is James to the majority of people in his life but when he takes the alias Hook when he is up to no good. I like his character development because you see him being ruthless in some scenes but you also see him vulnerable and innocent in others which helps with his character development.
With Pan, I see a different character. My first introduction to Peter Pan was the Disney’s version and he’s not the villain. McIntyre brings back Barrie’s original vision in a unique and interesting way, causing the mysterious Pan to not be trusted by either protagonists.
Overall thoughts
One thing I will say is that I was shocked by how graphic this book was in terms of sexual relationships. Just be aware of how, where and when you read it but do not let this put you off reading the book. It is McIntire’s first book in the The Never After series. After reading this book, I brought the other four and I am looking forward to reading the sixth one later this year.
Sophie has also reviewed A Curse So Dark and Lonely, and also After. You can also find my book reviews across the site. One of my favourites is Blame.