by Ransom Riggs
Publisher: Quirk Publishing
Release Date: June 7, 2011
Source: sent by publisher
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Summary from goodreads.com:
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.
My Review:
I absolutely love the concept of this book. The author used eerie "found" vintage photos and developed a back story for each photo. The photos weren't the whole story, but there was an eerie and supernatural explanation for each strange photo.
I loved the beginning of the book, when Jacob was re-telling the stories his grandfather had told him, and before the mystery had really unravelled. I also liked the spookiness of when he first found the orphanage. But after Jacob actually meet the kids and how he was able to meet them, things grew a little confusing for me. I won't give any spoilers, but there was a lot going on and it was pretty out there. I had a lot of questions about how exactly everything worked.
The presentation of the book itself is gorgeous. In a world of e-books and e-readers, this book really reminds you how beautiful books are and what a great experience that reading a real book can be.
Main Characters: 4/5
Supporting Characters: 4/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 3/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Writing: 4/5
Bottom Line: The beautiful book and intriguing photos make this story a keeper.