Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children [Book Review & Giveaway!]

Hello everyone!

Title: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children #1)

Author: Ransom Riggs

Publisher: Quirk Books

Published Date: 7^th June 2011

Rating: 4 Stars

*Thank you to Quirk Books for this copy!*

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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.

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Review: YOU GUYS. I finally read this book! I was kinda forced into reading it, because one morning my mother told me that we were going to see the movie in the evening. I’m very much the ‘read the book before watching the movie’ kind of person, so I spent the entire morning reading until I had finished the book. Even though I was rushing it a little, it didn’t matter, because I head over heels adored reading this one. I was sucked right into the novel.

First of all, I thought this was going to be a horror read. With that kind of cover, and the images which the book includes in it, my mind had been made up. I’m pleased to let you know that while this one does have the eerie kind of creepy feeling to it, this is actually more of a paranormal young adult read than anything else. It isn’t horror related at all, even though there are monsters in the book. So if you are skipping over this book under the belief that it is just going to be too scary for you, then you need to pick it up! You’re safe now ;)

Speaking of those images, the post cards and vintage photos were a brilliant addition to the novel. It added a sense of realism to the story, and they acted like illustrations to a novel. In fact, I have the images stuck on my wall now. They are a bit creepy, but I like them. Weirdly enough.

As for the plot and story itself, it’s very well done and different from the movie! (I know this is the book review, but having read/seen both, now I can’t avoid making those comparisons.) The story is quite slow going in the beginning, as it takes Jacob, the protagonist, a while to stumble upon the world and everything that is included in it. But once he does, the secrets to their world are slowly unveiled, and the plot quicks in. Then a layer of suspense is added, and the conclusion to the novel is quite good. I can’t wait to go on and read the other two books in the story.

I especially loved the author’s writing style. His word choice was very particular, and what added the most to the story. The idea of using the word peculiarities, over powers, because it was more suited to what the kids had, and made it more unique, was brilliant thinking. And generally, when it came to his descriptions of things, I think the word choice was spectacular. It was a joy to read this book.

There were themes of war and family issues in this novel. Jacob doesn’t have the best family, and we can see this misunderstanding of communication between him and his parents really getting to him. But he doesn’t quite manage to solve and bridge that distance, which is actually quite saddening to think about it. And after a while, his parents kind of fade out of the picture. I hope this isn’t the last we hear of them in the stories, otherwise that is quite a sad ending for the relationship he has with them. The war themes were more so in the background rather than prominent. But they do appear from time to time.

I really loved getting to know all the characters and all their different peculiarities and personalities. I can’t wait to see where the sequel will take me!  

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Gif Summary:

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Giveaway! Enter to win 1 of 2 paperback copies of My Sweet Vidalia by Deborah Mantella. This is open internationally! I haven't been giving enough love to my international readers lately :(

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Links: Goodreads and Amazon!

Olivia’s Question: What would you do if you found out your best friends all had powers, but you didn’t have one?

Olivia-Savannah x