Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar
Children
Ransom Riggs
Publisher: Quirk
A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. And a strange collection of very curious photographs. It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children who once lived here - one of whom was his own grandfather - were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a desolate island for good reason. And somehow - impossible though it seems - they may still be alive...
This
was the book you guys chose for me to read this month and once again you picked
a book that I probably wouldn’t have picked up from the TBR pile any time soon,
but has turned out to be a good choice! This really is a book of two halves.
The first part is spooky and atmospheric with our main character, Jacob, going
through a big emotional upheaval as well as struggling to figure out what he
wants from life - as opposed to what everyone else has planned for him. The
mystery of his Grandfather’s past and what happened to him is intriguing and
compelling and Jacob’s fragile emotional state gives a nice question over what
is happening – is it real or just in his head...?
However,
the second half of the book changes tracks completely and moves it to a familiar
plot for many YA stories – the discovery of
hidden skills and a clash of good and evil hidden from the world and should
come as a startling revelation. But the discoveries on the island and what Miss
Peregrine’s home really are follow a track that seems very familiar to many
readers of YA. The bonus is that it is done very well here and it takes a while
to realise that the haunting atmosphere has changed to the recognizable design
of adolescent discovery of magic. However, there is enough skill in the
characters and events that helps balance with the slight disappointment that
the story isn’t as unique as you first thought.
The
writing hits the right balance between modern and timeless. The haunting photos
add to the atmosphere and I did find I spent a lot of time staring at them,
trying to read details for the plot into them. While I preferred the first part
of the story, I was never less than invested in Jacob’s journey and I’m curious
about what a sequel will bring – hopefully it will be able to take the familiar
and make it seem new and different.
Recommended
for fans of Laini Taylor and Erin Morgenstern. 8 out of 10
I have this checked out of the library and I can't wait to read it. Have to finish The Iron Daughter and Clockwork Prince first though!
ReplyDeleteI was with you. A bit disappointed in the lack of originality, but still invested in the story. I think if he went too far off, it wouldn't have worked, but I'm with you and still hoping those pictures will spark something more in the next book. Brilly review!
ReplyDeleteI will get it from the library one day
ReplyDeleteGreat review, I'm glad you liked it.
ReplyDeleteI think there's a film in the works?
Huh. I wouldn't have picked it up anytime soon either. Sounds like a great read between those cover pages. :) Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you - I quite liked the second half too but I do see why some people might find it disappointing. It's a good read, though, and I'm looking forward to finding out how his story goes on!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this too but do also think that the second half was a lot more familiar than the first!
ReplyDelete