Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Summary from GoodReads:

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.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.

My Review:

I am admittedly a cover fanatic.  I cannot resist a good cover, unfortunately the story contained within the cover doesn’t always live up to that initial hook.

While I wasn’t displeased with Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, I do admit to having struggled a little bit with it.   Honestly, were it not for the inclusion of some of the most peculiar, fascinating photos I’ve ever seen, I don’t think the story would have had enough strength to stand on its own two feet.

However, because the pictures and the story were blended together so incredibly well (although it felt a bit stilted toward the beginning, at times feeling as if the story had been forced into fitting with the pictures, this improved through the book very quickly) the story takes on a more masterful life of its own and about 50 pages in or so I was hooked and couldn’t put the book down.  It was those initial 50 pages though that has me struggling with my opinion on the book overall.

Because, frankly, that first part was slow.  Even a death, pictures and strange things happening couldn’t keep my interest and I had to force myself to keep going knowing just how much I loved the cover and how much I’d been anticipating this book. I was rewarded though, so please don’t be put off by that part, I just felt it was necessary to give full disclosure regarding why I feel so torn.

The last half of the book was fascinating, filled with adventure, fun, spookiness and mystery.  I loved getting to know the “peculiars”, I loved every moment that I turned the page to see a new picture and I loved following Jacob’s journey as he found out about his history as well as his own special talents.  In some ways, I was almost reminded of the new X-Men movie which made me laugh and appreciate this WWII/Modern story even more.

This was dark, twisted, exhilarating fantasy – just push through those opening scenes if they don’t immediately grab you because you will be rewarded.  And the pictures make this one a great addition to anyone’s shelf.

And I’m not usually a book trailer person – but this is one you need to see.

Check out these review(s)!

The Well-Read Wife