Publisher: Quirk Books
Release Date: June 7, 2011
Format: Adobe EPUB eBook
Pages: 352 (Hardcover, Book Club Edition)
Source: Destination Download
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Review Date: July 25, 2012
Rating: 4 bookmarks
I usually don't have a hard time classifying a book, yet I had a hard time placing this book in a genre. I ended up going with Young Adult Urban Fantasy, although it doesn't really 100% fit the UF profile. I guess it's a combination of UF, Fantasy and maybe even a hint of historical fiction.
I liked this book more than I expected. There is time travel, supernatural beings, and even a bit of mystery. Ymbrynes, wights, hollowgast, and the peculiar children themselves. All beings that I hadn't read about before, which, I my opinion, makes this book really original! It's a nice change of pace.
In the beginning I couldn't really tell where the book was going. First I thought "Wow, this is a different twist on things," Then I thought, "Woah, his grandfather made up all of those stories??" Then I was back to, "Is this real, or is Jacob dreaming?" I was all over the place for about the first half the book. Then things clicked into place with more explanations and it became pretty apparent that indeed the Miss Peregrine and her peculiar children were indeed real in this story.
Release Date: June 7, 2011
Format: Adobe EPUB eBook
Pages: 352 (Hardcover, Book Club Edition)
Source: Destination Download
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Review Date: July 25, 2012
Rating: 4 bookmarks
I usually don't have a hard time classifying a book, yet I had a hard time placing this book in a genre. I ended up going with Young Adult Urban Fantasy, although it doesn't really 100% fit the UF profile. I guess it's a combination of UF, Fantasy and maybe even a hint of historical fiction.
I liked this book more than I expected. There is time travel, supernatural beings, and even a bit of mystery. Ymbrynes, wights, hollowgast, and the peculiar children themselves. All beings that I hadn't read about before, which, I my opinion, makes this book really original! It's a nice change of pace.
In the beginning I couldn't really tell where the book was going. First I thought "Wow, this is a different twist on things," Then I thought, "Woah, his grandfather made up all of those stories??" Then I was back to, "Is this real, or is Jacob dreaming?" I was all over the place for about the first half the book. Then things clicked into place with more explanations and it became pretty apparent that indeed the Miss Peregrine and her peculiar children were indeed real in this story.
I liked Mr. Riggs writing style. The pace of the book was consistent and it was easy to read. I also liked that it was narrated from Jacob's POV. It's been a long time since I've read a book from a male perspective. Jacob and Emma are interesting characters and I found that I enjoyed their interactions. It was a little odd knowing that a 88 year old Emma (even in a child's body) was into 18 year old Jacob, But then again, it's not so different from any other vampire book, where the vampire is sometimes centuries older than their human counterpart. At first, I did think that Emma liked him as a replacement for what she lost with his grandfather, but eventually you could tell Emma genuinely liked Jacob for himself and it had nothing to do with replacing his grandfather.
I even liked Miss Peregrine. She was mysterious, secretive and had some witty things to say. I liked reading about the history of the peculiar children and how Jacob's grandfather was a part of it. I also though tit was pretty clever how the author wrote on how the peculiars hid in plain site, sometimes as a part of those traveling circuses with the talent who could do weird things.
One thing that I didn't really care for is the parental interaction in the book. It was a little odd. Almost like they had no real purpose in the book. I really felt that even though Jacob is 16, his parents should have sent him to the island alone...(Yes, that sounds crazy). But I say that because there was really no need for the supervision, because there really was none. His dad was just taking up space in the story. Even though his father's history with his grandfather needed to be noted, over all his story-line was a mute point. In the end, he ended up taking off on his own anyways.
Beyond the story. I really enjoyed the various photos throughout the book, they added a little something extra. At the end of the book, the author writes that all the photos, including the cover photo are authentic and vintage. That pleasantly surprised me, I initially thought they were created just for the book. That's actually pretty cool and a little bit weird.
I recommend this book if you like fantasy and are looking for something different to read.
A few if my favorite quotes from Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children:
"At times, young man, you tread a precariously thin line between being charmingly headstrong and insufferably pigheaded."
“Sometimes it's better not to look back.”
“Forgive me. I continue to underestimate the breadth of your ignorance.”
“When someone won't let you in, eventually you stop knocking.”
Happy Reading,
~Tamara~
I even liked Miss Peregrine. She was mysterious, secretive and had some witty things to say. I liked reading about the history of the peculiar children and how Jacob's grandfather was a part of it. I also though tit was pretty clever how the author wrote on how the peculiars hid in plain site, sometimes as a part of those traveling circuses with the talent who could do weird things.
One thing that I didn't really care for is the parental interaction in the book. It was a little odd. Almost like they had no real purpose in the book. I really felt that even though Jacob is 16, his parents should have sent him to the island alone...(Yes, that sounds crazy). But I say that because there was really no need for the supervision, because there really was none. His dad was just taking up space in the story. Even though his father's history with his grandfather needed to be noted, over all his story-line was a mute point. In the end, he ended up taking off on his own anyways.
Beyond the story. I really enjoyed the various photos throughout the book, they added a little something extra. At the end of the book, the author writes that all the photos, including the cover photo are authentic and vintage. That pleasantly surprised me, I initially thought they were created just for the book. That's actually pretty cool and a little bit weird.
I recommend this book if you like fantasy and are looking for something different to read.
A few if my favorite quotes from Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children:
"At times, young man, you tread a precariously thin line between being charmingly headstrong and insufferably pigheaded."
“Sometimes it's better not to look back.”
“Forgive me. I continue to underestimate the breadth of your ignorance.”
“When someone won't let you in, eventually you stop knocking.”
Happy Reading,
~Tamara~
Get The Kindle Version Here: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
