“All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust.” - Peter Pan
TAB hosted Wendy Spinale, author of Everland, and boy, was it ever magical! Wendy arrived dressed in a steampunk inspired dress and shared her recently purchased steampunk shoes (the bee on the boots may inspire her to alter an element in her next book!). Fashion on point!
To get to know and introduce Wendy, TAB offered a quick-fire round of random questions...
- Coffee or Tea? Coffee!
- Paperback or E-book? Paperback
- Dogs or cats? Dogs
- Peeta or Gale? TEAM PEETA (these are the important questions, amirite?!)
- Netflix or Hulu? Netflix
- Twitter or Instagram? Instagram
- Apple or PC? PC
- Beach or the mountains? Beach
.@WendySpinale writes in coffee shops because pups+hubs are a bit distracting. "I have to run away!" #Everland #writingprocess— Hicklebee's Books (@Hicklebees) May 21, 2016
Before diving into all things Everland, TAB members warmed up the audience with some speed reading from a set of curated works with one similar theme - Peter Pan. The audience was treated to an interesting variety of Neverland lines.
- Everland in 5 or less words: A fairytale cast in a steampunk world. (close enough ;))
- Gabs is her favorite character because he’s based on her son, who is on the autism spectrum and likes to talk a lot. (We love Gabs, too!)
- Everland is book one of three (with two novellas!). Book two is called Umberland. Hmm.
- Wendy is #TeamPete all the way - Peter Pan is her favorite Disney character!
- How does Everland stand out from other Peter Pan tales? Everland stands out from other Peter Pan reimaginings because of the steampunk elements. It’s darker, grittier, not your typical happily ever after.
The clock inside the #alligator in #PeterPan inspired the #steampunk elements in #Everland @WendySpinale— Hicklebee's Books (@Hicklebees) May 21, 2016
How did you come up with the idea for Bella’s wings?
Pinterest! I typed in “steampunk wings” and all these ideas popped up. The research for the steampunk elements was really fun. I had to think about things how the Lost Boys would light their city. The world is built in an alternate universe altogether.
Is there redemption for Hook and Jack?
I foresee good things for Hook and Jack, but you'll have to wait for book two to find out exactly how that will play out.
I've signed a lot of books but never with my own name. Everland gives me the opportunity to do that.
Forget the story of Peter Pan you know. Because in Everland, the only way to grow up is to survive. London has been destroyed in a blitz of bombs and disease. The only ones who have survived are children, among them Gwen Darling and her siblings, Joanna and Mikey. They spend their nights scavenging and their days avoiding the ruthless Marauders -- the German Army led by Captain Hanz Otto Oswald Kretschmer. Unsure if the virus has spread past England's borders but desperate to leave, Captain Hook hunts for a cure, which he thinks can be found in one of the survivors. He and his Marauders stalk the streets snatching children for experimentation. None ever return. Until the day they grab Joanna. As Gwen sets out to save her, she meets a mysterious boy named Pete. Pete offers the assistance of his gang of Lost Boys and the fierce sharpshooter Bella, who have all been living in a city hidden underground. But in a place where help has a steep price and every promise is bound by blood, it will cost Gwen. And are she, Pete, the Lost Boys, and Bella enough to outsmart Captain Hook?
Our Thoughts (Spoiler Free):
Everland is your new favorite fantasy/scifi/retelling thanks to rich characters, an engaging world, and familiar story that keeps you curious throughout! It’s easy to see how Spinale took the premise of Peter Pan and placed it into the steampunk world.
- Why would kids be orphaned? There’s a deadly virus that kills adults first.
- Why would a deadly virus get out? Because war.
- Why would a war be happening in England? The (evil) Queen of Germany wanted to take over Napoleon style.
- Why would Hook be pirating in England? He wants to please his mom, the Queen.
- Why would Tinkerbell have wings and fairy dust? She’s infected by the virus, which causes her feet to blister. Also, it’s not fairy dust but gold dust used to leave glinting trails to follow.
- Why is Hook looking for the kids? One of them is rumored to be immune and have the cure.
There’s no doubt that Everland is dark and gritty. Gwen is tasked with taking care of her siblings, Joanna and Mikey, after her parents have gone missing. She must forage for food while also keeping them safe from being captured by roaming marauders. The kids fashion armor out of kitchen utensils and the like, which add to the steampunk elements. All that remains of London (now dubbed Everland) after an invasion are never-ending fires and sorrow. Along the way, Joanna is captured and Gwen must go on a mission to save her. It’s during this time that she meets Pete, the original Lost Boy who later introduces her to his vast city of other Lost Boys. All the while the kids are on a race against time with the deadly virus killing more and more people every day. Many twists and turns ensue where we find out the Jolly Roger is a Zeppelin and Tick and Tock still exist along with other alligators living in the city sewers. In fact, nearly all of the characters from Peter Pan make an appearance of some sort in Everland. Gwen shows considerable courage throughout the story and shines like any heroine should. Pete and his Lost Boys only add value to her story. Hook is as deplorable as you’d expect but there is hope for him in the future (his eye and hand are non-negotiable, though!). Do we really have to wait another year for the next book to comes out? We can’t wait to hear Pete’s Lost Boy story.
The book itself is aesthetically pleasing, with the foil cover and the raised image. To add character, the pages are deckle-edged (they’re natural and uneven). It's not only a great read but will look great on your bookshelf so be sure to come in and pick up your autographed copy before they're gone!
-TAB
