The Never King (Vicious Lost Boys Book 1)

Product Information

What’d you do to end up here?’ Krund asked with barely concealed indifference. ‘You have no accent. You don’t look much like a man who knows his way around a blade.’ Because I will chase you,” he says, with a sinister bend to his voice. “And you don’t want to know what happens when I catch you.” The Darling visibly trembles. Good girl.” Did you ever want to read a dark adult version of Peter Pan, Winnie, and the Lost Boys? Look no further than The Never King by Nikki St. Crowe, the first book in the Vicious Lost Boys series. Don’t try to lie to yourself either that you didn’t think about a twisted retelling of Peter Pan. I will admit I did, especially once I got older. 😉 Warning this book is not for children. It’s for an 18+ older audience. I won’t spoil what happens in the series (for the most part), but there are some more changes to the original tale. Dress like an animal. Act like an animal. By the thunder of the Goddess, Jorund thought, even talk like an animal. Barbarism to combat barbarism.

I know those vicious Lost Boys would do anything to protect me. But what if I’m not the one that needs saving? I’m stronger than you think,” I tell him. “Even the mighty oak believes she is strong until a man comes along with an ax to chop her down.” “Is that you then? Do you have an ax?” “All men are born with an ax in their hands, Darling. To take the measure of a man, you just have to pay attention to how he wields it.” Because when night falls, he comes for me .And this time, the Never King and the Lost Boys aren’t willing to let me go. Because when night falls, he comes for me. And this time, the Never King and the Lost Boys aren’t willing to let me go. She clutched the stone in her right hand, surprised by its weight and density, and calmed her heartbeat.Something wailed like a banshee’s scream and a torchbearer’s light in the distance was extinguished.

But things are not all full of magic and sunlight on the island. There's something darker and more sinister haunting the forest. The Twins are Fae Princes that have been banished, and the sons of Tinker Bell. Their sister Tilly is now the Queen of the Fae (Fairies). Only the royals have wings, but the twins (Kastian/Kas and Sebastian/Bash) lost theirs during their banishment. They also are the natives unlike in the original tale where there was Tiger Lily and the Indians. I do like that change in the story, so it’s not as problematic. Hook also has a sister named Cherry, who has been a hostage of the Lost Boys for years… though she really doesn’t mind as she is into Vane, one of the Lost Boys and The Dark One of another island. Trope(s)/Element(s): Dark Retelling of Peter Pan and the Lost Boys; Reverse Harem; Enemies to Lovers; Touch Her and I’ll ‘Unalive’ You; Morally Grey Male CharactersXavir glared at Landril. ‘The man I was, he died out there. Years ago. My swords were taken. I have innocent blood on my hands. They sent me here because of it and they were right to. There is no forgiveness for what we did.’ Nations expand and retract like lungs, spymaster. Nothing new here, especially where the clans are concerned. We’re people bred to fight. You didn’t come here to tell me that all was prosperous with the world.

The old, balding man in front of Landril winced in pain and spat defiantly at the foot of his tormentor. The stories were all wrong — Hook was never the villain. For two centuries, all of the Darling women have disappeared on their 18th birthday. Sometimes they’re gone for only a day, some a week or a month. But they always return broken. Now, on t... Save your enthusiasm for the real fights, Davlor. You’ve only been here a few months and it’s not only your nose that will get disfigured, so get used to it or learn to keep your wits about you. Be vigilant at all times and keep your mouth shut unless it’s necessary. When in a cell with others you don’t trust, concentrate. Listen. Sense movements. But keep your damned mouth shut. Control your anger. Deploy it tactically. If you still have time to waste then listen to Tylos’s poems.’ But . . . things were different now that Landril had given him a vision. The outside world – the duchies and Stravimon – was in crisis. People were dying. Lupara, of all people, was involved with Landril’s scheme. That suggested ill times indeed. In a way, being in Hell’s Keep was no longer a punishment, but a shelter from the storm. No, lad,’ Xavir grunted. ‘No revenge. They’re still bitter about Jedral gouging Fellir’s eyes ten days past.’

You don’t believe that. Many in here come from good breeding. A man of your calibre would know that from their accents. And you’re in here as well, are you not?’ Ohhhh, please give me more! Incredible story, relatable characters, with an amazing enemies to lovers trope. I can’t wait for the next book!” ★★★★★