Release Date: June 7, 2011
Publisher: Quirk
Rating: MG/YA 12+
Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy, Adventure
Pages: 352
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.
** A review copy was provided by Quirk (thank you so much!)**
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Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar was a surprisingly warm, funny and sweet story about friendship, love, discovery, and being accepted for who you really are - quirks and all. When I first saw the cover I thought it would be scary, and creepy, and the type of book that would give me nightmares. And there definitely were some aspects of creepiness and times when I felt like huddling under my blanket, but overall, this was a really fun, unique, fantastical read! I loved it!
Riggs introduces us to a very lovable character, Jacob. Jacob is a bit of a mis-fit, with parents who don't really understand him. When his Grandfather dies in a sudden and horrific death, Jacob is overcome with guilt, for not taking his whimsical Granddad more seriously, and more importantly, for not believing his Granddad's strange and peculiar stories. With the support of his oddball shrink, Jacob convinces his parents to let him go to Wales, for a change. In fact, he is actually going to Wales to uncover the mystery behind his Granddad's gruesome death.
There, he discovered an orphanage. The children there have strange and wonderful gifts, gifts that set them apart from the rest of humanity. They live in a kind of alternate world, where September 3, 1941 repeats itself, over and over again.
Miss Peregrine's wonderful world is amazing. Riggs writes with such detail and care, and I, for one, could totally picture the whole world. Sometimes I even caught myself wishing I could go live there with Vincent, and Jacob, and all the other wonderfully crafted characters who I grew really attached to throughout the course of the novel!! Miss Peregrine's mythic world is a world of acceptance, kindness, love, and structure. In this world, magic is possible--including the magics of love, and friendship--because people are taken in and accepted for who they are.
Jacob is left with the heartbreaking and difficult choice of deciding whether to stay in this fantastical alternate world where he is accepted and understood, or to go back to the normal, human world, where he is seen as strange, and obscure, and as a problem to be 'dealt with' rather than a wonderful, special human being with a fantastic gift to be nurtured.
And the pictures! Wow! What a fantastic collection Riggs has put together for this book. While I know some people thought that the pictures took away from the writing, I thought that they added such depth to the book, and allowed us to take a look into the magical world of Miss Peregrine's. Each picture tells us a different story, and they all fit together so unbelievably well. From the mysterious hovering little girl on the cover, to the picture of the young man with strength like no one has seen before, they made this book so much more believable and really drew me in.
I thoroughly enjoyed this amazing book, because Riggs' writing is beautiful and magical, the characters are so wonderfully quirky and special in their own ways, and also because of the fabulous pictures. I can't wait for the movie!! I'm sure it will be great. <3
5 Muffins - Positively Enticing!
If you like this, try:
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
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Related Works: Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children Trailer
Riya, I literally took a breath of relief! I got this for review a few weeks ago and it's been at the bottom of my TBR for a while now. I'm a bit put off by the creepiness and keep thinking it'll scare me out of my wits. But then your wonderful review came just at the right time :) I'm so glad it's much more than a horror story and I'm surprised to hear it's warm and sweet! I am much more looking forward to it now since I love authors who take care with detail and if you say it's 'Positively enticing', I'll take your word for it.
ReplyDeleteLovely review, Riya <333 Thanks so much for making me think again about this book :)
This always seemed like a very unique and 'strange' book to me, I don't know why, but this one really fascinated me. I love it when people are accepted, despite their quirks :D And the use of pictures really sparks my interest.
ReplyDeleteThanks for telling me more about this one!
A brilliant review, Riya! I can barely remember reading this book as it feels like I read it so long ago, but I did enjoy it. The cover is what drew me towards it! Isn't that just the creepiest cover ever? ;) I'm glad you found this to be such a fulfilling read! Amazing review. :)
ReplyDeletewow 5 stars! I've heard a mix things about this so was unsure about picking it up, but the fact that you loved you has give the me the extra encouragement to pick it up. I also love books which add illustrations/photos makes it even more realistic. Fab review Riya! :)
ReplyDeleteI saw this book in the bookstore the other day, nearly bought it but decided not to when I read some reviews saying that the book ended in a cliffhanger! Now I really regret not buying this book. I did have a flick through and the pictures looked really scary and creepy! I love books with beautiful writing and this book sounds really AMAZING!
ReplyDeleteAwesome review, Riya! ♥ Glad you enjoyed it :)
Wow you really loved this one! Sadly it wasn't for me I was really underwhelmed by the MG feel of it. But the pictures were an awesome touch and super creepy I'll give you that!! Awesome review!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe those pictures were real! I didn't completely click with the story but I loved getting to see the unusual pictures.
ReplyDeleteI read this last summer and loved it as well. I was like you and thought it would be creepy and scary but was so suprised to find it was way different. The pictures were amazing and I was excited to find that they were real pictures, the author found at flea markets.
ReplyDeleteI read this last summer and loved it as well. I was like you and thought it would be creepy and scary but was so suprised to find it was way different. The pictures were amazing and I was excited to find that they were real pictures, the author found at flea markets.
ReplyDeleteI still really want to read this one! It sounds wonderful and I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I think the photographs would be a wonderful addition. I like when books have something a little different to them.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back from vacation, by the way! It's nice to see you around. :)
-Lauren
I love books that manage the sweet and funny. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteBrandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog
All you had to do was recommend it for people who loved A Monster Calls and this automatically goes on my BOOK MUST list! x) I remember seeing this around for the first time before and not being intrigued at all by the dankish cover -- and I thought it meant this would be a darker read to, so it's SUPER cool how this is actually a really fun book instead! And this is going to be a movie too?? Now I NEED to read this before the film hits theaters! ;)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely amazing review (as always), Riya! Your sweetness ALWAYS convinces me :) <3
Even though I've seen this book around, I never really bothered to pick it up because I didn't think it would interest me. After reading this in-depth review, however, I may have to change my mind:) The orphanage sounds absolutely creepy in an amazing way. Relieving the same day over and over again? Living with people who can do, well basically, magic? WOW!
ReplyDeleteI've heard about the pictures, and I've caught a glimpse of a couple of them. I'm glad to see they add to the book, rather than detract from the writing. Thank you for the in-depth review!
Brilliant review! This book has received a lot of buzz for the past year or so, with mixed reviews mostly from readers. I'm really pleased you enjoyed this! I'm honestly considering picking this up now since your review is so convincing and because I love it when illustrations are included in books. :)
ReplyDeleteI've had my eye on this one for some time!
ReplyDeleteMy friend said it's not as spooky as the cover. I'd like to read it if I had a chance, though I'm not really like the ghost stroies
ReplyDeleteI think I must not have been in the right kind of mood when I read this book. I loved the pictures and some of the chapters towards the end. But I was bored a lot while reading it. And that makes me feel awful because objectively I can see that it is fabulous and fabulously written! I will have to try it out again, once the second book hits stands!
ReplyDeleteHello! Oh... I love this book so so much!! But this cover is... weird. I think. Good review!
ReplyDeletei am so fascinated by this story, and I can't wait to read it. I've read a couple of other reviews as well, and all have highly recommended it. I like the idea of combining storytelling with photography. Thanks for your review
ReplyDeleteThis has been on my TBR list since forever! The cover and entire vibe sort of spook me, which is why I've been procrastinating on it. But, I'll read it soon, for sure!
ReplyDelete