Two characters were a part of uncaring situations in foster care.

TW: One character attempted suicide in the past and has many scars from the aftermath. And in the end, she finds that she was meant for another world after all. She doesn't belong, but she always keeps searching. Peter lied to her, but her heart wanted her to remember the good that he'd shown her. This is despite the fact that she lost her brother at a young age and doesn't have any parental support. She studied at school, works jobs, and pays rent for her own apartment. And yet despite her flaws, Claire is also someone we can look up to. Her character is like an ode to all those who feel lost, who are lonely, and who believe they will never belong. Claire grew up in an entirely different world from the Neverland Peter knows, but she is broken, too. He’s Peter Pan, but there’s more to him than just confident leadership and lighthearted adventures.Ĭlaire. And Kara Swanson is a genius at showing readers his journey, his pain, and his internal conflict. Neverland isn’t the only thing that’s broken. But he also tries to be brave and kind and steadfast and to understand. Want an example? Remember that one time he just pushed Claire off the roof? Yeah… He can be too loud, too rough, too fidgety, and even too arrogant. He has a difficult time controlling himself, almost like a child trapped in a teen’s body. He’s never had anyone to look up to or anyone to take care of him or anyone to tell him right from wrong. Kara Swanson's Peter is growing up, and he's realizing his ignorance and selfishness and it's overwhelming him.ĭeep down, Peter is broken and conflicted. I know society usually sees him as a boy without a worry in the world, but honestly, that comes with consequences. It's about the villainy that lives within us all and the light that shines brightest in the darkness. Dust isn't about perfectly good heroes fighting perfectly bad villains (although I bet Captain Hook is pretty bad). We can either let our brokenness and our circumstances overwhelm us with darkness, or we can rise above it all and turn it back to good. This book shows us that we have a choice to make. Peter's carefree nature was also supposed to be a gift, but it brought about a curse. Claire's gift is supposed to be a blessing, but for much of her life, it was a curse. Am I the only one who experiences this? It's super frustrating! So, even though I don't think I can quite convey how I feel for this book, I'm going to try.ĭust is one heck of a book! It shows the nuance of human life and the brokenness of the human spirit. I keep saying 'review to come' on my reviews, but then I don't feel like writing a review anymore after a day or two.

Dust by kara swanson