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johannaliest's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
herri1je's review against another edition
5.0
Truly a book that you can dive into and reside inside.
reydeam's review against another edition
3.0
Here is the low down, I did not like this book as much as the majority of people have seemed to like it. I found it boring. There ya have it. Boring. But, in the midst of boredom, I could see a good story. And that is what has me in a state of strangeness. A good story and yet I was still bored and that dichotomy feels strange.
A quote on the back cover of the book states "A tense, moving, and wondrously strange first novel. The photographs and text work together brilliantly to create and unforgettable story." Well for me, it was not tense outside of one scene, it was not moving outside of grandpa, and it was not strange outside of how I feel about the story being good yet I was bored. I do agree that the photos and text worked very well together, probably the best part. But it is forgettable. Sorry, John Green, I don't agree with your quote.
Grandpa was by far the most interesting character to me—he was fascinating. I wish his story was far more prevalent; I wish it was more about him rather than Jacob's journey of discovery. And truly, my heart ached for Grandpa. So sad. The rest of the characters, they were fine. I didn't dislike them. But, I also didn't like them.
Tonight during the bookclub's discussion (this was our July book choice), I realized that this book is not driven by characters but rather by the storyline itself. I am a character driven reader. I think this settles the reason for my disconnect with the good story, and as to why I was bored.
So why the three-star rating? The story is good. I did enjoy some parts of it. I do appreciate the uniqueness of the storytelling done by both the photos and text—this was done super well. I did almost rate this book two-stars because I did stop short from finding the entire book enjoyable. And, I was bored due to my lack of connection with the characters outside of grandpa (and he was only prominent in the beginning of the book).
Bottom line: A good story that is quite unique with its use of photos and text. This is definitely a storyline driven book. I am a character driven reader. I was bored.
A quote on the back cover of the book states "A tense, moving, and wondrously strange first novel. The photographs and text work together brilliantly to create and unforgettable story." Well for me, it was not tense outside of one scene, it was not moving outside of grandpa, and it was not strange outside of how I feel about the story being good yet I was bored. I do agree that the photos and text worked very well together, probably the best part. But it is forgettable. Sorry, John Green, I don't agree with your quote.
Grandpa was by far the most interesting character to me—he was fascinating. I wish his story was far more prevalent; I wish it was more about him rather than Jacob's journey of discovery. And truly, my heart ached for Grandpa. So sad. The rest of the characters, they were fine. I didn't dislike them. But, I also didn't like them.
Tonight during the bookclub's discussion (this was our July book choice), I realized that this book is not driven by characters but rather by the storyline itself. I am a character driven reader. I think this settles the reason for my disconnect with the good story, and as to why I was bored.
So why the three-star rating? The story is good. I did enjoy some parts of it. I do appreciate the uniqueness of the storytelling done by both the photos and text—this was done super well. I did almost rate this book two-stars because I did stop short from finding the entire book enjoyable. And, I was bored due to my lack of connection with the characters outside of grandpa (and he was only prominent in the beginning of the book).
Bottom line: A good story that is quite unique with its use of photos and text. This is definitely a storyline driven book. I am a character driven reader. I was bored.
chiarahcl's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
4.75
emeszee's review against another edition
4.0
[4.5/5]
11.30/19: okay uH,,, so this book. I still LOve it. Damn, the plot though. It went FAST. Still enjoyable though. I'm ready to keep reading Hollow City.
7/2/19: I've checked out this book from the library multiple times in hopes of actually opening it. Now, the time has finally come! I have heard many good things about this book. Example: Jessethereader also known as my favorite booktuber said this is his favorite book. [b:Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children|9460487|Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children, #1)|Ransom Riggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1546430481l/9460487._SY75_.jpg|14345371] does, in fact, live up to expectations. [a:Ransom Riggs|3046613|Ransom Riggs|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1475462673p2/3046613.jpg] invents a perspective on the paranormal that is interesting and new. You'll have to read to find out. Also, there's a romance I wasn't expecting, and I surprisingly like it. Overall, I highly recommend. I'll try getting a copy of [b:Hollow City|23164983|Hollow City (Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children, #2)|Ransom Riggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1429175859l/23164983._SY75_.jpg|17377739] soon, yE.
11.30/19: okay uH,,, so this book. I still LOve it. Damn, the plot though. It went FAST. Still enjoyable though. I'm ready to keep reading Hollow City.
7/2/19: I've checked out this book from the library multiple times in hopes of actually opening it. Now, the time has finally come! I have heard many good things about this book. Example: Jessethereader also known as my favorite booktuber said this is his favorite book. [b:Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children|9460487|Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children, #1)|Ransom Riggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1546430481l/9460487._SY75_.jpg|14345371] does, in fact, live up to expectations. [a:Ransom Riggs|3046613|Ransom Riggs|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1475462673p2/3046613.jpg] invents a perspective on the paranormal that is interesting and new. You'll have to read to find out. Also, there's a romance I wasn't expecting, and I surprisingly like it. Overall, I highly recommend. I'll try getting a copy of [b:Hollow City|23164983|Hollow City (Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children, #2)|Ransom Riggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1429175859l/23164983._SY75_.jpg|17377739] soon, yE.
aurelia2's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
The inclusion of vintage photographs is really cool, and gives this fantasy story a bit of weight. I enjoyed the creepy atmosphere created, but the pace was a bit slow.
lulu_canread's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ethorwitz's review against another edition
2.0
Rather disappointing. It's not that the premise is bad-- scratch that, the premise is a young man who joins a school of magical kids hidden from the outside world, so it's painfully derivative. But the concept of crafting a story around strange old photographs is a genuinely creative use of multimedia. The problem is that you either display the photograph or describe it, not both. This is the first time I've ever encountered both show and tell. Honestly, it's appalling.
catjbowen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0