Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs Published by Quirk Books on November 15th 2016
Source: Publisher
Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy
Amazon | Book Depository | Publisher | Angus & Robertson
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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.
If you think you’ve read all the stories featuring kids with magical powers, think again. The haunting, secret world in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, the peculiar children’s abilities, the creepy photographs, time travel and a character with a strong bond with his grandfather tells a unique and wonderfully whimsical story.
At it’s foundation, this is a story of a boy who grew up believing his grandfather’s stories of a magical house filled with children. Like a kid whose told that Santa is not real, Jacob’s world turns upside down as he gets older and his parents take him to therapy. Miss Peregrine’s captures and preserves that magical childhood belief in fairy tales. What if my childhood stories came true? What if magic really exists?
Stumbling upon the deserted island is like walking back into a time portal of olden day clothing, pipes and the threat of World War II. The process of Jacob meeting each of the peculiar children, discovering their abilities and the magical wonder of the time loop is extraordinary. I loved Miss Peregrine’s protectiveness over the children under her care and the ageless youth of the children. Emma, who commands the power of fire, is vivacious, courageous and a true fire cracker. I liked how her initial distrust over Jacob gave way to curiousity and a hint of attraction. The book teases a romance, that I look forward to developing over the sequels.
There’s something sad about the story of Jacob’s grandfather, as honourable of a man that could be, who is forever tainted to his friends and family. All he needs is Jacob to believe in him, and I love how Jacob’s loyalty to his grandfather lead him to discover his true purpose with the peculiars. I liked how Jacob also formed a tentative relationship with his parents, who treated him with eggshells due to his diagnosed mental illness. They play the part of muggles in the story well, who believe they’re doing the best for their son.
I used to dream about escaping my ordinary life, but my life was never ordinary. I had simply failed to notice how extraordinary it was.
The most bedazzling thing about Miss Peregrine’s however, isn’t the imaginative and haunting world, nor the peculiarities that have been constructed through it’s pages. It’s that each and every one of these creepy photographs in the story are real. Mind. Blown. That just brought the story to a whole other dimension for me.
Whether you’re just picking this up or it’s an old favourite, Miss Peregrine’s is a magical, haunting book about extraordinary possibilities. The combination of mysterious photos and the story of children and their peculiarities takes the story to another level. I’m really looking forward to the movie now and I’ve already ordered the next 2 books!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Thank you Penguin Random House for sending me a review copy.
Series Review – Booktube Video
I binge read the whole series this month and had a lot of thoughts about it, so I made a review video! (These are fun, I think I’ll do more!)
I don’t discuss any spoilers, so if you’re thinking of reading the sequels or series, check it out 🙂
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Have you read any books in the series yet? Are you going to see the movie? Leave your thoughts below!
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Oh my goodness, wasn't it GLORIOUS! I've wanted to read Miss Peregrines for a while and started it once and couldn't get into it. Seeing the movie was coming out, I wanted to read it to see whether or not to bother going to see it and I was blown away. There is something magical yet utterly creepy about whole narrative, but what struck me was how vivid it was. From the misty coast, to the derelict home and then stepping through to an era stuck in a time loop. It was amazing and so imaginative! I'll have to go onto YT and watch your video as it's not playing on your page for me. I think I might need a browser update. Awesome review Jeann, I'm looking forward to reading the next two in the series as well <3
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I had no idea this involved a boy and his grandfather and all that, but that aspect sounds so nice! I feel like you don't find many books in which characters have close relationships with their grandparents. And the rest does sound really interesting too. Obviously I've heard of this book, but I don't think I'd ever read a real review for it, so I was just kind of confused before lol. Great review!
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Ah, your review makes me want to read Miss Peregrine's, Jeann! Especially since I have owned it for about three years, and also have the sequel, haha.
I think it's awesome that this book deals with mental health, but is also a fantasy! That is so rare, as most books with mental health themes tend to stick to contemporary. So that actually makes me super excited to read this and see how the author interweaves the two elements.
I'm looking forward to the movie, although I have heard that it is changed quite a bit. But Asa Butterfield is a fave, lol XD
Lovely review, Jeannie <3
I haven't read this series yet, Jeann. I so want to do it before the movie is out (moot point now considering). You make such a convincing case!
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I I feel very indecisive about reading this haha But I'm glad you enjoyed this so much and I do love the pictures! Lovely review, Jeann!
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Did they change the book cover already? >.< ugh I kind of hate when they do that. I been meaning to read this series, it sounds strange but wonderful. Now that the movies is out.. def need to.
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So great to see you loved these Jeann! I read the first one a few years ago but haven't gotten to Hollow City or Library of Souls – definitely will now though 🙂 I love how it's so atmospheric, especially with all the photos – it makes these books really stand out from the rest.
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Thanks for the review. I've been curious about this series Your review really breaks it down for me. I think that after having all the facts. This isn't for me. Your review is so thorough. It helped me make my decision!
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Oh, wow, I didn't know the creepy photographs were real! Now I really want to read this :O Normally I'm not too fond of creepy because I'm such a chicken and creepy photographs are kind of… BUT IT'S SO TEMPTING. Thanks for sharing!
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I can definitely agree! This book was so cool and creepy. I definitely loved the setting and how it was described as well. Overall everything seemed really mystical and cool. I can't wait to see the movie!
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Ohh! The ebook didn't have that helpful little character guide with it lol, but I managed. I did really like this series as a whole but consistently found it creepy that Jacob is essentially attracted to his grandpa's girlfriend and I never got over it. But still excited for the movies. I know they made changes because in the trailer Emma has a different power so I'm wondering how it'll go over. Going to see it tomorrow!
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Surprisingly, I haven't heard that much about the story except that it's creepy, but the magic and time travelling makes me very excited. Now I'm also super excited to see those photos!! Great review Jeann 😀
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I loved this book and yes the pictures blew my mind. Beautiful review Jeann.
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I read this when it first came out, and loved it! I'm super excited to see the movie. Even my husband wants to go!
I actually just started it. I've had it for a while, but I've been putting it off because you're not the first person to describe it as whimsical, and I usually don't like whimsical. I'm glad that you liked it! I hope I do too. (If I ever get out of this reading slump…)
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Although you didn't love the movie, I'm glad you liked the books and the series~ ^_^ So excited to read it though – the photographs being real blows my mind! :O
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Great review, Jeann! I feel like I'm the only person left in the world who hasn't read this series, haha. I'm so glad to see you enjoyed the book, and the pictures, I had NO idea they were actually real pictures? That makes the story even creepier, and makes me even more curious about it all. So sad though that the movie wasn't that great :/ I think I'll start by reading the book, and see if I want to watch the movie anyway or not 🙂
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I kind of feel like I am the only person in the world who did not like this book. ALTHOUGH THE PICTURES OMGGG. So pretty. I'm really curious about the movie now though lol. How bad can it possibly be? :')
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Yeah, I went on GR and it looks like quite a few people didn't enjoy it! The pictures were awesome! THE MOVIE IS SO BAD EMMA. SO BAD.