Wednesday 30 November 2016

Book Review - Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Title: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
Author: Ransom Riggs
Publisher: Quirk Books
ISBN: 978-1594746031

Synopsis
A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of curious photographs.

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 heard a lot about this book when it first came out but never picked it up, then I saw trailers for the film and thought it looked really good. I never see a film before I've read the book so I decided to give it a go.
As a young child Jacob loved listening to his grandfathers stories of monsters and strange children with mysterious gifts but now he's sixteen he feels he's too old for such nonsense. However when his granddad is attacked by a strange being, Jacob finds himself emerged in a world he didn't think could actually exist. He must journey back to his Granddad's children's home but what Jacob finds there truly changes the way he sees everyday life.
I loved the pure imagination within this story and all the strange places and 'talents' of the Peculiars. I found it very hard to put it down and had to know more, the book is a bit dark in places and some of the photos included are purely creepy but they really add a layer of atmosphere to the book. 
This is a book that really grabs you in and makes you want to know more so you can guarantee i will be diving into the second book as soon as possible.


Movie - I have since seen the film and thought it was very good but was disappointed by how much they changed, given the Peculiars different skills seemed silly and changing the date was pointless but other than that was most enjoyable. Book is definitely better though - as usual!

My Rating


2 comments:

Rebecca said...

If you read the rest of the books, you'll see that they implemented a little bit of books 2 & 3 into the movie. It makes me wonder if they will do a sequel because they sort of took a big spoiler from book 3 (how the wights and hollowgasts were created). Anyhow, hope you enjoy the rest of the books!
Rebecca @ The Portsmouth Review
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beffenny said...

Unfortunately I didn't enjoy the book as much as you did! I recently read it and didn't exactly find it a page turner, but it was enjoyable enough to read to the end. I didn't really like the writing style and felt Jacob and Emma's relationship was VERY forced - it was as if Riggs thought he may as well throw a romance in to attract a younger audience! I also wrote a review on my blog and would love to know what you think :) http://writtenbybethany.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/review-miss-peregrines-home-for.html