Review: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Another sigh-inducing, lovely, wonderful book.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children has been mentioned on this site before, but I just had to put in my own two cents because it was hauntingly fantastic.


So, just to review: 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.

• Originality:  9 - This book was a unique premise, with amazing (apparently real?!) photography sprinkled in throughout and every loose end tied up. It was a breath of fresh air after some less than stellar reads!
• Absurdity: 7 - If I think about the fact that I could travel to a remote island by plane and then boat, then walk a few miles, climb through a conch shell-type thingy and come out in the same day in the 1940s surrounding by children that sound like they could have made up the most amazing circus side show ever, then yes, I would consider this plot line slightly absurd. Plus, did we talk about the author's name being Ransom Riggs? That sounds absurd - but his writing is so badass, eventually you don't care!
• Level of Paranormal Romance: 8 - I think the relationship between Jacob and Emma (who'd previously been in love with his grandfather) is just so sweet and heartbreaking. Not too mushy, but awkwardly real, I loved them!
• Level of Harry Potterness:  9 - This book is so well written, at points, I found myself smiling because there was a great turn of phrase. Can't beat that!