A Review of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children--Finally!

I know, I know.  I promised this last week.  But better late than never, right?  Right??  :D

 

From Goodreads:

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.

What I liked:

This story started out very Big Fish-esque (which may have occurred to me because I watched the movie the day before I got the book--and seeing as I love that movie, this is a huge plus for me).

Jacob's grandfather likes to tell stories, fantastic stories about a levitating girl (see cover), a bird who smokes a pipe, an invisible boy, and other peculiar things. But as much as the grandfather insists his stories are true (with gorgeous pictures to prove it), he comes across as pretty senile to the rest of his family.  That is until something horrible happens, and then everyone thinks Jacob is senile too.

So the quest for the truth is on and there are plenty of times when you wonder if maybe Jacob and his grandfather weren't just a couple of loons.  It's definitely not a story where you know right from the beginning how it's all going to pan out.  And I like that because that's what makes it a good mystery.

I have literally never read anything like this book before, and I'd be willing to bet few of you have.  Ransom Rigg's Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children revolves around authentic antique photos, which litter the pages.  And some of those photos are absolutely freaky.

In fact, this book is so gorgeously crafted with antique-looking paper, scrolly details, and the black and white pictures, that it's become a work of art in itself.  In fact, if you have an ereader, I suggest you buy the hardcover anyway.

What I didn't like:

I'm honestly trying to be nit-picky here so I can come across as fair, but I can't think of anything I didn't like.  Well...maybe one of the relationships did border on creepy for a second or two, but I got over it and I'm sure you would too.

What I would rate it:

5 stars!!  As in, go and buy this NOW! 

And for your purchasing convenience, I offer you this link.

Have any of you read it?  What did you think?  And if you haven't read it yet, are you going to now?