nut free nerd

Author: Ransom Riggs

Number of Pages: 352

Publisher: Quirk

Release Date: January 1, 2011

“A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. 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 were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.”

– Goodreads.com

I’ve wanted to read this book for what seems like forever, and what better time to finally pick it up than during the spooky month of October? The reviews I’ve read of this book have been nothing short of amazing, so I was eager and excited to dive right in.

The first thing that struck me about this novel was the beautiful writing. Riggs has an impressive vocabulary, but he uses it artfully and effectively. It could have easily come off as overbearing, but in this case it made everything flow nicely and gave the characters distinct voices and personalities. Good writing is something I can always appreciate, so A+++ Mr. Riggs!

The second thing that stood out to me was the creative incorporation of old photographs within the novel. Not only are they creepy and fascinating to look at, but they’ve all got history behind them- they’re real, from photographers who actually found them! They were weaved perfectly into the story and really helped me get a visual in my head of what the many characters looked like. I normally like to form my own images in my mind, but in this instance the characters were so unique and strange that it was really helpful to have the pictures to base my own thoughts off.

Overall, this book was fantastic. The story was suspenseful, excellently paced, and brimming with surprises at every corner. I couldn’t put this book down and ended up reading the majority of it in only one day. I loved how the story unfolded bit by bit, and how by the end of the novel all of the little details finally made sense. It kept me guessing the entire way through, and to my delight I was surprised by the outcomes more than I was correct in my predictions. The peculiar children are strange and creepy but lovable and hilarious at the same time, and I found that really refreshing. This is not an unsettling story void of feeling and emotion- it’s a roller coaster ride of shifting moods, immense character development, and unexpected friendships. Yes, it’s a great spooky book to read during the Halloween season, but it’s also an excellent book to read at any time of the year. I can’t wait to continue on with this series!

My Rating: :0) :0) :0) :0) :0) 5 out of 5 smileys.

Would I recommend it to a friend?: Absolutely! This book has a little something for everyone in it- adventure, suspense, history, mystery, fantasy, and even some romance. Chances are you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

Have you ever read this book before? What did you think of it? Let me know in the comments section below!

Yours,

HOLLY