"Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs

Page Count: 352 Pages

Publish Date: January 1st, 2011

Read Date(s): August 7th to 16th, 2015

Genre: YA/Fantasy/Historical Fiction-ish

Synopsis: A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of curious photographs.

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 a good reason. And somehow - impossible thought it seems - they may still be alive.

Review: This book definitely has the unique factor that not much YA possesses anymore. Integrating the vintage photographs was very interesting and I liked how they worked with the story, but, at times, it felt like this concept was pushed a little bit too far. Aside from that, the only complaint I have about the book was that it could be rather slow at points such as after the initial action.

Jacob was an interesting narrator and main character. He definitely developed and grew as the story moved along, which made him very interesting to read. He and the peculiar children are the only ones who get much characterization that isn't one dimensional. This means that his parents and friend in the beginning of the book are annoyingly underdeveloped.

The whole concept of the peculiar children was interesting and reminiscent of X-Men, which was kind of cool because I used to love that franchise as a kid. Okay, I still love it. But it had the same vibe.



Overall, a totally amazing book that I totally recommend. Now, I need to get my hands on the sequel.



Rating: 5 STARS