Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

#1 Miss Peregrine
Copyright: 2011
Publisher: Quirk Books
Genre: young adult
Pages: 352
Author's Website
My rating: 3.5/5


Simple Description: 
When Jacob was much younger his Grandpa would tell him stories of his childhood.  His Grandpa grew up in a Children's home in the early 40's, on an island off the coast of Wales.  His Grandpa would even show him pictures of children he said he grew up with. As Jacob got older he recognized his Grandfather's stories for what they were, stories and not truth.  The pictures of the kids doing peculiar things, well, pictures can be altered.

When Jacob's Grandfather is killed and Jacob see's a monster near the body, he begins to wonder if the stories were real or not.  He has a hard time dealing with the death and see's a psychiatrist, but that doesn't seem to help.  Then he finds a letter in a book and some of his Grandfather's last words start to seem real.   Jacob and his father head to the island where his Grandfather grew up so Jacob can try and get some closure.

While there Jacob learns that the  home was bombed during the war and is just a shell of a place, supposedly haunted.  While exploring it one day he see's children, children he recognizes from his Grandfather's pictures. He follows one of the girls and ends up on the island..at the house..before it was bombed.

Jacob learns that all the stories his Grandfather tells him are true.  He also knows there are secrets nobody is telling him.  He also realizes that they are in danger and he might be the only one who can help.


My Thoughts:
I thought this book was rather interesting and good.  The book has black and white photo's scattered throughout that show pictures of the characters.   I loved this. I felt it really enhanced the story and made it interesting.  When talking about a girl who levitates, you turn the page a bit later and there's a picture. How can you not like that?  I almost feel that I wouldn't have liked the story as much if the pictures hadn't been there.

As for the story itself, very interesting. I liked the concept of it and it kept my interest.  Jacob is lost as a teenager. He doesn't really have friends, he doesn't fit in.  He is just kind of there.  Going on this adventure to see where is Grandfather grew up and to gain some answers helps him start to grow into himself. I liked seeing that.  I also like "peculiar" things so of course that aspect of the story is what really drew me to it.

I did check out the author's website and found that he is working on a second in the series.  The ending was such that it was left open to there being at least  sequel but at the same time you know how some books just end like that, so I wasn't sure. I'm happy to see there will be a 2nd book.  It also appears the movie rights for this one have been bought.  If it does make it to the big screen I think it would be very interesting. It could go either way, it could really suck or it could be really good.

2 comments:

bermudaonion said...

This sounds so unique. I want to check it out.

Cathy said...

This is sitting on my TBR shelves. Heaven only knows when I'll get a chance to pick it up and read it!