Peter and the Sword of Mercy (Peter and the Starcatchers)

Peter and the Sword of Mercy is a continuation of the Peter and the Starcatchers series. It is book four. The books are by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. They wrote this series together beginning at an attempt to answer questions their children had about Peter Pan. Interestingly, they wrote these long distance communicating by phone, email and texting, and fax. They managed to make it seem as though only one person wrote the books. They are simply fascinating especially for those who love Barrie’s Peter Pan.Molly Darling, once Molly Aster, had an unexpected visitor. It was James Smith, one of the original Lost Boys of Neverland. He had come back with Molly along with Prentis, Thomas and Ted and had grown up in the “real” world. The boys kept in contact with each other; but Molly only rarely did. James told her his suspicions about von Schatten having some type of hold on the King and the possibility that Ombra was back. He wanted her help. She didn’t want to help; but agreed to talk to him the next day. When he left, she ended up telling her eleven-year old daughter, Wendy, about the Starcatchers and their adventures in Neverland and Peter Pan. When George Darling came home, Molly told him about James’s visit and he vehemently told her to forget it. His reputation was at stake as was any possible promotion.The next day when James did not appear, Molly became very concerned. She went to Scotland Yard to talk to his boss to see if anything had happened to James. She was assured he was on vacation and not to worry. Of course, being Molly, she did worry. She decided the following day to visit her father and see if he could shed any light on the matter. Before she left, she gave Wendy her locket just as a precaution. As she drove away in a cab, she waved back at Wendy and that was the last Wendy saw of her. Molly went missing.Wendy and her brothers were sent to Uncle Neville’s until George could find out something about Molly. However, Wendy couldn’t help herself and she began tracking down her Mother on her own. Her only hope was to go to Neverland and persuade Peter Pan to help her. Of course, with Peter came Tinker Bell. Once more the Starcatchers are out to save the Starstuff. Where were James, Molly, and George? What does the King have to do with any of this, he is just going to be crowned at his coronation? Will Peter help?This is a fascinating book just like the others. I can’t wait to read the next book, The Bridge to Neverland. Luckily it is sitting next to my computer so I don’t have to wait long.

My son, who has a PhD in mathematics, introduced me to this series; I was initially skeptical about reading another book about Peter Pan, after all, what more could be said I thought. I read the book as a child, and had seen the animated movie so what could possibly be left to write about?Was I ever wrong about that notion, I was captivated by "Peter and the Starcatchers" and became a devoted fan of this series! What a fun trip to read of Peter's beginning and an explanation of how he became the boy who would never grow up as ably and entertainingly penned by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. The incredibly fertile imaginations of these writers seemed to really blossom as they decided to fill in the details that get us to the point where J. M. Barrie takes up the narrative.I have had the joy and pleasure of reading "Peter and the Starcatchers," "Peter and the Shadow Thieves," "Peter and the Secret of Rundoon," and now "Peter and the Sword of Mercy." All four books have been a delightful romp through sometimes humorous, yet sometimes threatening, action filled adventures as the reader follows the story of Peter and his friends. Some of the imaginative villains in these books make Captain Hook seem like a "not so bad" kind of guy.I was definitely amused as I read the suggested age range for these books, 9-12; there is no question in my mind that children in that age range who enjoy reading a good adventure should certainly enjoy all of the books in the series. The truth of the matter, at least in my experience, is that readers of almost any age who enjoy a well written adventure story will have fun reading these books not only once but more than once.I am truly pleased to have read them and have them available to read again. I can recommend them highly to anyone whose inner child has not shriveled and died.

I’ve been reading this with my 5 yr old grandson and he loves all the books.

It's been 23 years since we last visited Peter and Molly. While life hasn't changed much on the island, Molly has grown up, married George, and had three kids of her own. The Others have been silent all this time, and the Starcatchers have been lulled into a feeling of security.All that changes when James shows up with some disturbing news about what is happening in the palace. But when he disappears, Molly really worries. Molly is the next to vanish, and it is up to her daughter Wendy to find help against the new forces of darkness.Meanwhile, on Mollusk Island, four shipwrecked men appear. Their story doesn't quite hold together, and Fighting Prawn wants them off the island as quickly as possible. Is he right to be suspicious? Are The Others on the move again? Can Peter stop them?Obviously, there is a lot going on, and those who have enjoyed the previous three books about Peter Pan will enjoy this one as well. Once again, the story starts quickly and the danger just keeps building until we reach the suspenseful climax. For once, the story on the island felt as important as the story in London, and both kept me turning pages. The characters are fun as well, and I enjoyed getting lost in the story.Don't start here since it is assumed you know what has happened before. But if you have read the previous volumes, you'll find this one just as captivating.

All the Peter Pan series have been great. I bought them all for my nephew but read them first. An excellent read. My 8 year old says they are the best books she has read (better than Harry Potter). I have been raving about them to anyone who will listen.

Excellent

Wonderful!