Peter and the Secret of Rundoon (Peter and the Starcatchers, #3) by Dave Barry

Peter and the Secret of Rundoon (Peter and the Starcatchers, #3) Reviews

• 
  Thomas

  If you’ve read the previous two books in the Peter Pan prequel trilogy, then you ought to take the time to read through this last book in the series. It follows the other books pretty logically, and it maintains the same sense of whimsy, adventure, and imagination that the previous books had. Unfortunately, it’s a little dense with detail, and more than a little overlong in its presentation.
  
  Let’s be honest for a moment: Peter and the Starcatchers was really the only book necessary as a prequel to explain why Peter became the flying, ageless boy that we all know from fairy tales. My guess is that the story was originally planned as a standalone book, and after it proved to be popular, the publisher asked the authors to write the prequel into a trilogy. Think of how Star Wars was a nice, complete film in and of itself, and how The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi seemed a little … well, not tacked on, but at least produced based on the first movie’s success. The way the story develops over the course of the novels suggests that the Peter Pan prequels were written in much the same way.
  
  To carry the Star Wars analogy a bit further, reading Peter and the Secret of Rundoon was a little like watching Revenge of the Sith — by the end, the authors seemed to be struggling to connect everything from the first two books to everything that followed after, resulting in some plot tangents that probably wouldn’t have existed in a standard book. It’s like they were trying to cram as much as possible into the final volume, making the end result a little messy. There seemed to be three major plots going on in the book, and each one resolved itself more or less independently from the others. In that sense, it was a little like watching the end of The Return of the King, with the viewer wondering when, exactly, the movie was going to officially end. And I probably should stop comparing the book with movie trilogies, lest I lose my point entirely.
  
  So, it’s a good read, and reminiscent of the previous two books in the series. If you can divorce yourself from the fact that the last two books in the trilogy really aren’t necessary, and don’t mind the meandering cross-wise plots, you should enjoy the book. At they very least, they’re entertaining and compelling.
• 
  Sheila Beaumont

  I had already enjoyed this delightful Peter Pan prequel (third in the series by Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson) in print. This time, I enjoyed the story even more, listening to the brilliant Jim Dale (who also narrates the Harry Potter series) read the audiobook.
• 
  Melissa

  I loved this trilogy to set up Peter Pan - the authors were meticulous in addressing details I'd even forgotten about (the ticking clock, the name Pan . . ) I wish I could live in this world a bit longer. I was sad to see this series end but loved ever minute of it!
• 
  Kyra

  I think this one is the best in the series! It is absolutly posotivly an AMAZING BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!
• 
  Kathy Davie

  Third in the Peter and the Starcatchers children's fantasy-adventure series based upon the Peter Pan of James Barrie fame.
  
  My Take
  We learn a tiny bit about Peter's parents as well as a wee bit about Peter himself. The important part of the story is saving the world from Lord Ombra and his Darkness and eliminating the slave trade between Rundoon and St. Norbert's, even as Peter fears the watchfulness of his own shadow. Is it even his own?
  
  I do love how Barry and Pearson manage to tie in bits and pieces form Barrie's Peter Pan, from the clock inside the crocodile to the boys' hideout from the pirates, the flying ship, and Molly's darling future. Using fanciful parts of other tales such as the flying carpet just keeps the fun alive. The authors really have a handle on the gross humor of children — wait'll you read how Hook trims his toenails — yuck!
  
  They also give a reasonable explanation — well, story-wise it's reasonable — as to why Peter will never grow old. Why he can fly and heal so quickly. It's a fate that reveals the truth to Peter eventually.
  
  Full of hazards and perils and a bit of seat-of-your-pants terror, you can't help but gasp and laugh as you enjoy the adventure and remember a bit of your lost childhood as you read Peter and the Secret of Rundoon!
  
  The Story
  It's a two-pronged attack with the Scorpion tribe scouting Never Land to invade the Mollusk people, and Lord Ombra anxious to make up for his losses against Peter and the Starcatchers with his plan to snatch Peter. For it appears, from what Molly and George Darling discovered, that Peter is a lot more than he seems.
  
  New clues have risen up and the Starcatchers are concerned about the lack of communication from the Watcher. Never before in the history of the organization has the Watcher not warned them of a starfall, and it takes Molly and George to discover why. Armed with this information, they hurriedly make plans to bring Peter back to London only to have everything go cockeyed.
  
  The triumphant invasion by the Scorpions with some bright notes when Shining Pearl escapes.
  
  The Characters
  Peter whose last name turns out to be Pan is the son of a Watcher. A special breed designated to pinpoint starfall leaking through the cosmic pipeline.
  
  The Lost Boys are getting older and becoming impatient with Never Land; Thomas, Prentiss, Tubby Ted, and James display some of that maturity with their kidnapping and the rescue of other boys sent by St. Norbert's to be slaves for King Zarboff III: Slightly, Curly, Tootles, Nibs, and the twins.
  
  Fighting Prawn is the leader of the Mollusk people, and Shining Pearl is his very resourceful daughter leading Mr. Grin in a sneak attack.
  
  Molly Aster leads George Darling, her neighbor across the square in London, into more mischief than her father, Lord Leonard Aster, can handle even if it does create unexpected opportunities of help. We finally get to meet Bakari who was instrumental in the last book.
  
  Lord Ombra struggles to re-materialize and redeem himself in the eyes of his fellows after events in Peter and the Shadow Thieves. King Zarboff III is a nasty, little, despot of a king using his gigantic snake, Kundilini, to keep everyone in line. Hah! He who laughs last...
  
  The Cover and Title
  The cover is gorgeous with a touch of the Russian lacquer box style with Peter and the Lost Boys in the flying carpet escape scene as King Zarboff the III screeches on his throne, the great snake, Kundalini, poised to strike while Molly and George Darling shout encouragement from atop their flying camel while a golden green swirl of holographic ink marks Tinker Bell's trail. A deep red metallic holographic effect creates the names of the authors, the borders and the book title.
  
  I'm not quite sure what Barry and Pearson believe is the secret of Rundoon as there seem to be so many. And, no, I'm not telling. It might give the game away!
• 
  Alice

  I'd been taking these books out on audio from the library. But I enjoyed them so much, I went ahead and purchased this one. They're fun, entertaining, and the narration is excellent.
  
  This is the third book about the origin of Peter Pan, which posits that he got his ability to fly from a long exposure to "star stuff," a glittery powder that can bring about all kinds of miracles. In this, he's kidnapped to Rundoon, where the bad guys (the Others; why they call themselves that is beyond me) have a base. There, he learns more about the mysterious forces opposing the Starcatchers, finds out who his parents were and why he wound up in an orphanage, and sails a flying ship. By the end of the story, it feels like a logical progression into the events of J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan.
  
  The book doesn't tie everything up neatly. There are still questions remaining. What happened to Peter's parents is implied, but there's a lot of room to further explore. We learn what star stuff is and why it keeps falling from the sky. We learn where the creepy shadow creatures like Lord Ombre come from, and what their purpose is. Peter deals with the ones in Rundoon, but there are lots more of them to contend with, all over the world. There are aspects of the Starcatchers that deserve further exploration, too.
  
  As in previous installments, the pacing is quick. It takes place over a period of weeks, but it never feels like that much time has passed. The narrative follows several threads, and switches over to the most exciting ones when the others sag. There is no good time to put the book down. The urge to know what happens next is strong with this book.
  
  There's also a healthy dose of humor. Some of it is the physical or repetitive humor that would entertain the book's intended audience, but there are also plenty of wry comments that might make a grownup reader laugh. The series is clearly written to be read aloud by parents, who'll enjoy it just as much as their children.
  
  Despite the lingering questions, I'm not sure if I want to read the next book. The description implies it's a rewriting of Barrie's story, and I feel like the series' strength has been in how easily it's fit with the original work.
  
  We shall see.
  
  As I mentioned, I read this on audio, narrated by Jim Dale. He has a delightful voice, well-suited to reading bedtime stories to kids. I don't know how much he plans in advance, but he keeps the voices unique enough that one can always tell who's speaking. Two characters who sound similar are never in the same scene together, which helped a lot with keeping them straight.
  
  I highly recommend the audio edition of this book, as well as anything else Jim Dale narrates.
• 
  Charlyn

  Peter's quiet life on the island is changed when the island is attacked by a murderous tribe. When Peter tries to come to the aid of the peaceful Mollusk tribe, he is downed by a poison arrow from the Scorpions. His weakened state allows him to be captured by the evil, reappearing shadow Lord Ombra who takes Peter to Rundoon. Peter's magical abilities to locate starstuff fall, a quality that he himself didn't even know he had, is needed for nefarious purposes by Ombra and the dark side he represents. Peter is not able to help rescue the Mollusk or himself and things begin to go from bad to worse very quickly when Leonard tries to intervene and is captured, too, along with his accomplice Bakari, and Molly and George have to fend for themselves after having stowed aboard her father's boat.
  
  Following more than one plot line may deter some readers, but those that stick with it are in for many plot turns, death and destruction (and possible annihilation of the world), a touching conclusion and the humor of Peter's constant mistranslations of Tink's statements about anything having to do with Molly.
• 
  Brandon Miller

  Altogether this was the least put together of the first three Starcatchers books. Two completely different storylines that hardly intertwined gave it something of a hodgepodge feeling. But it still had lots of the same fun, swashbuckling feel of the first two, and also a few good laughs. Every once in a while, the villains did some actually evil things, which honestly helped the story pop a little more. (I still think Lord Ombra could have been scarier if he'd said many less words.)
  
  In the end though, I didn't expect a Starcatchers book to try and make me cry.
  I also didn't expect a Starcatchers book to explain how Peter went from this loveable, adorable kid Dave and Ridley wrote to Mr. Barrie's selfish, narcissistic, adrenaline junkie.
  The last couple of pages here did both.
  Wow. Don't be immortal, guys. It's bad for your soul.
  (Also, don't put on any clothes that belong to Captain Hook.)
  (Very glad that they didn't forget about the clock though!)
• 
  Jayelee

  That one part though. The carpet flys and im like 🤨ALADIN??
• 
  Nancy85

  DNF
• 
  Camille Hoffmann

  Like the first two, an easy read that's fast and enjoyable. You find out a lot more about Peter's history- though we never find out what actually happened to Peter's parents, which in my mind is a huge oversight! I also wish there was a better explanation about how Peter "detaches" from this shadow. Also, I'm not gonna lie- Molly gets on my nerves. You would think after ending up in a bind SEVERAL different times by thinking she can handle things on her own, she would learn! I was pretty ticked at her for choosing to free her father instead of helping Peter with the rocket like her father advised- and then of course she just ends up captured anyway. But despite her stubborn ways ;), I still enjoyed this book :). You get to meet Tootle, Nibs and the other classic Lost Boys as well as learning why they never grow up; and you find out why the Crocodile "ticks" :).
• 
  Cassandra

  My Thoughts - 5 out of 5 Unicorns - I loved it!!!
  ***Borrowed the audiobook CD’s from the library
  
  The cover is definitely a magical adventure that grabs your attention and says read me :)
  
  I really do love that Jim Dale has continued as the narrator :) I love when there is consistency, and my son feels the same way. We listened to this book to and from school. It makes our ride enjoyable, and I get to share my book addiction with him.
  
  This adventure was just as epic as all the other Peter and the Starcatchers books. This book links in even more of the Peter Pan nuances and story traits that you know and love. Peter is an amazing boy with so much courage especially when it comes to saving his friends. I love that my son gets to hear these lessons as we listen to the books in this series. Peter and his friends are all present in this story, and then we meet some new friends that I was excited when I heard the names. There is so much action and stuff happening in this book. It kept both my son and my attention throughout the whole thing. I can’t wait to start the next book with my son :)
  
  I highly recommend this series to Peter Pan and Tinker Bell fans who want a new take on old stories especially if you are an adventure loving boy or someone who loves one :) The audio version is a fantastic way to share the story together :)
  
• 
  Tara

  This book was SOO good! I loved it, how the characters changed from the first book to this one, how Ombra's true purpose was finally explained, and exactly who "His Highness, King Zanbroff the Third" is. It filled in all the plot holes of the classic story of Peter Pan(except Tiger Lily. . .), and I liked how everything about the classic story was finally explained in a way J.M. Barrie never did.
  
  SPOILERS:
  I was sad to say that I HATED the ending!!! I hated that James, and who I thought the Lost Boys would be, left, to be among the adults of the world, and to grow up. I hated the way it was left with Molly, and how she left her (who I think is) her one true love, for GEORGE!! I mean, I started liking George in this book, but when Molly chose him over Peter, who I think she liked a lot, it made me EXTREMELY angry!!! I knew it had to end that way, though, but I still was mad! Anyway, it's a fantastic book, and I think it's a classic that should be as famous as Harry Potter or Twilight, because I think it is and could be just as good!!!
• 
  Amy

  I am going to review all three of these ("Peter and the Starcatchers" "Peter and the Shadow Theives" and "Peter and the Secret of Rundoon" in one review.
  
  I loved all three of these books. They make wonderful prequels to the original "Peter Pan" story and set up how Peter became, well, Peter! There are little hints that refer to things to come which are enjoyable (oh that's how Neverland became magical, that's how Captain Hook came to be and hates Peter, etc) So as a fan of "Peter Pan" these three books were lots of fun, and have a nice story in of themselves to tell.
  
  I will add - DO NOT read any of the books past the 3rd ("Secrets of Rundoon") because the 3rd book wraps up everything nicely and leads into the original "Peter Pan" just so. The fourth book breaks all of that and messes up all the canon and timelines and is simply not a good book! I was disgusted with it that I haven't ventured past book 4 to see how the other in the series go. So - do read this if you like Peter and Neverland, but STOP at book 3!
• 
  Sarah Frobisher

  While this was still a very good book; it was as good as the first two in the trilogy. It dragged on in placed and was a little longer than it needed to be. The events also seemed more random, and while they tied together at the end it was a bit of a stretch. But...it is the history of Peter Pan, so I guess a stretch should be expected. I may have also not liked this book as well because I did not have as much time to read it as quickly as the first two(vacation, sickness, etc); and I tend to get bored with books that I have been reading for awhile. I would recommend this series to anyone looking for a fun read.
• 
  Kirstie Schroeder

  I really enjoyed this series and this book was a great finale! Although the authors originally meant this to be the finale, they did end up going on to write two more. I look forward to reading those! I just love these characters and how I have gotten to know and love them throughout the series. It has been fun watching them grow up.
• 
  Maci Dierking

  THIS SERIES!! So adorable and fun. I'm sad that we jump so far into the future in the next book. But hopefully I'll still love it!
• 
  Heidi Lil' Chip

  We read all but 15ish pages before 2021 so I'm counting this😂
• 
  Jonathan Black

  A fantastical page-turner to close out this awesome series. So happy I got to transport back to this world. Will likely read again.
• 
  Twila Newey

  These were a great choice for our epic California road trip. Jim Dale is a wonderful reader and the stories engaged all my kids 8 years to 15 years old. Jon and I enjoyed listening as well.
• 
  Laura

  These are thoroughly enjoyable books. I can’t read them fast enough. They keep me on the edge of my seat very much like the Inkheart series did. So good!!
• 
  Emma Rund

  Still loving the series
• 
  Adrian

  My kids and I have loved this series and the audio books read by Jim Dale are phenomenal!
• 
  Franco Luciano

  Not as good as the first two, but still has some endearing moments.
• 
  Matthew Parks

  Engaging story, fun and creative.
  
  Lots of rewarded disobedience by kids. I don't appreciate this in books.
  
  I don't recall any cursing in this book.
• 
  Emma Marie

  one of the most impressive, captivating, and unique children’s books ever. i will stand by that forever
• 
  Jeffrey Howard

  A fun, fast-paced adventure that young readers will love. The villain, Lord Ombra, is reminiscent of a shapeless, and similarly-frightening Lord Voldemort. He is almost omnipresent as a literal shadow character out to rid the world of light--he is bent on destroying the universe. Cap'n Hook's villainy pales in comparison to him. He makes a few appearances and maintains a minor role.
  
  Barry creates an interesting, magic-infused alternative history of the world based around Starcatchers and The Others (Lord Ombra's evil transcends both groups). More mature readers who are fans of juvenile literature will want to learn more about the history of the conflict--wanting to know how this long conflict has impacted other great world events, or historical figures.
  
  The Secret of Rundoon did well building up the conflict. The Starcatchers and The Others are small characters playing out a much grander-scaled conflict between light and darkness.
  
  Unfortunately, this series deviates from the original book in key ways. These books are writen to a much younger reader, focusing too much on external events and action rather than the inner thoughts of characters--or assume young readers to not smart enough for the original. The biggest flaw is the lack of a strong narrator. The original narrator was a character himself, who colored the world with charm, and wit. Without the narrator, we are left in a world that doesn't express the nostalgic and melancholic joy of childhood-- the hard choice between never growing up or never getting to make adult choices.
  
  Lastly, Rundoon shows little to no character development. The characters have other worldly experiences, and remain unchanged. Peter's friends growing up and being replaced by a new batch of 'Lost Boys' is the exception. We hardly see Peter come to terms with his old buddies growing up while he must stay a boy forever. He chooses to stay, but the action distracts us from feeling his internal struggle.
  
  Put simply, they have a grand adventure, and we move that much closer to knowing the full story of Peter Pan's origins (including the identity of his parents).
  
  The Starcatchers books lack the magic of the original, but today's young readers will love them as action-packed quests they are.