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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
I'm pleased that I picked Miss Peregine's Home for Peculiar Children as my first book of 2015. I think I enjoyed the conceit of the book more than the story itself, but I enjoyed the story as well. I was really into this book in the beginning, right up until I approach books with some element of magic/mysticism from a 'Scully' perspective rather than a 'Mulder' one, so it was a big pill to swallow. Once the magical element became more of a fixture in the book, I went along with it.
The inclusion of the photographs was a nice addition to the story. It's an impressive exercise to write a book to conform to a selection of found photographs, and things tied in rather nicely. There were a few times where I felt like the photos were a little shoehorned into the story, but overall they added a nice touch.
The overall world-building felt solid here (though I do have some questions about.
All in all, I enjoyed Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and I'd put this one on a 'recommended' list.
Spoiler
the magic 'loop' cave. I assumed there would be some element of magic in this book, but that felt kind of abrupt.The inclusion of the photographs was a nice addition to the story. It's an impressive exercise to write a book to conform to a selection of found photographs, and things tied in rather nicely. There were a few times where I felt like the photos were a little shoehorned into the story, but overall they added a nice touch.
The overall world-building felt solid here (though I do have some questions about
Spoiler
the time travel piece. Aspects of it didn't seem to be fully thought out. It possible that they may in the sequel, howeverAll in all, I enjoyed Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and I'd put this one on a 'recommended' list.
I initially rated this book as a two star, mostly because it seemed like a cross between The Famous Five, Harry Potter and Groundhog Day.
Then someone pointed out that it is a book for young adults, which explains why I found it so childish!
I have now upped my rating to three stars, but still found much of the book unconvincing, particularly the portrayal of the Welsh community on the island off Wales.
Then someone pointed out that it is a book for young adults, which explains why I found it so childish!
I have now upped my rating to three stars, but still found much of the book unconvincing, particularly the portrayal of the Welsh community on the island off Wales.
- Interesting concept. I love time travel and magic/supernatural things.
- Enjoyed the history of the kids and how it was linked to Jacob.
- Loved the Abe/Emma tragic romance.
- Didn't like Jacob/Emma, felt incesty considering she loved his grandfather. It does make me curious to know if that relationship will be broken down in the following books, since is Emma projecting her feelings for Abe onto Jacob?
- The way Jacob's dad was treated was very typical of a YA book. He wasn't around and didn't seem to care where Jacob was, even though he did. He was written out in a really weird way that made me wonder if he even cared at all.
- Loved the twist of the therapist being the bad guy.
- Did feel genuinely frightened by the wights.
- Slow-paced. The action didn't pick up until Chapter 10. It was pretty cruisey for the majority of the book.
- Don't understand why Miss Peregrine thought it was a good idea to keep Jacob in the dark about his ability. Doesn't that just endanger him? The reveal was very predictable and annoying, especially given how he was deliberately kept in the dark.
- There wasn't much interaction with the loop's setting of September 1940 and the war, which I thought was a missed opportunity.
- Forgot who the secondary characters were.
- Wish we had spent more time with the peculiars and had more build up toward the appearance of the bad guys. I didn't feel like anything was really at stake.
- Therapist wasn't all that frightening in the end, which was a shame because of the wight stalking Jacob built it up to be a really frightening beast.
- Photographs were a nice touch. Did wonder if the photographs were leaned upon to describe the appearances of some characters. Sometimes it felt like the story was written around them rather than the photographs found to support the story.
- Not sure if I'll read the other books in the series because of how this one was too slow for me. But interesting concept.
- Enjoyed the history of the kids and how it was linked to Jacob.
- Loved the Abe/Emma tragic romance.
- Didn't like Jacob/Emma, felt incesty considering she loved his grandfather. It does make me curious to know if that relationship will be broken down in the following books, since is Emma projecting her feelings for Abe onto Jacob?
- The way Jacob's dad was treated was very typical of a YA book. He wasn't around and didn't seem to care where Jacob was, even though he did. He was written out in a really weird way that made me wonder if he even cared at all.
- Loved the twist of the therapist being the bad guy.
- Did feel genuinely frightened by the wights.
- Slow-paced. The action didn't pick up until Chapter 10. It was pretty cruisey for the majority of the book.
- Don't understand why Miss Peregrine thought it was a good idea to keep Jacob in the dark about his ability. Doesn't that just endanger him? The reveal was very predictable and annoying, especially given how he was deliberately kept in the dark.
- There wasn't much interaction with the loop's setting of September 1940 and the war, which I thought was a missed opportunity.
- Forgot who the secondary characters were.
- Wish we had spent more time with the peculiars and had more build up toward the appearance of the bad guys. I didn't feel like anything was really at stake.
- Therapist wasn't all that frightening in the end, which was a shame because of the wight stalking Jacob built it up to be a really frightening beast.
- Photographs were a nice touch. Did wonder if the photographs were leaned upon to describe the appearances of some characters. Sometimes it felt like the story was written around them rather than the photographs found to support the story.
- Not sure if I'll read the other books in the series because of how this one was too slow for me. But interesting concept.
A great read, the book is well written and the photos just fit perfect to the story. Looking forward reading the second book!
Initially this book reminded me of Jane Yolen's Briar Rose. Both are about a grandparent telling strange stories, that have something to do with the Holocaust. However, where Yolen's book it turns out the tales hide a human story, this one turns to fantasy.
It's not a bad story, and has some wonderful ideas, but much of it seems added as an afterthought. The story is a way to link together photos found by the author (either bought himself or viewed at a collector's) but bits feel added just because the author found a new and interesting photo.
I guess, there will be a sequel, which I may read, but I doubt I'll be re-reading this one.
This is a tricky one because I really enjoyed the story pretty well, but it ended in such a way that I found I didn't care what came next. The ending of this, while supposed to be a cliff-hanger, really just was anti-climatic for me.
This review is more a note to myself about what I thought of this book, and whether or not I wanted to come back to this series. For now, no, but maybe another time.
This review is more a note to myself about what I thought of this book, and whether or not I wanted to come back to this series. For now, no, but maybe another time.
Originally reviewed on RED Book Reviews.
Story: Jacob has been told strange and horrible stories by his grandfather for much of his childhood. Then when a strange accident befalls his grandfather, he sees something which sends him into therapy sessions, and eventually to a quest into his grandfather's past which will change his life forever.
Featuring remote Welsh islands, pipe-smoking birds, and many very peculiar children.
Thoughts: The old black and white photographs worked perfectly with the story. I do not think I could stress this enough. I loved them. They contributed to much of the atmosphere of weirdness, and reminded me of my favourite aspects of Lemony Snicket.
The story itself was strange and twisty, filled with many fantastical elements which I always enjoy, but will not mention here due to spoilers. Although I did guess some of the main plot twists, this did not in any way detract from my enjoyment of watching them unfold.
In the words of John Green (the author, vlogger, and nerdfighter himself), written on the back jacket cover:
"A tense, moving, and wondrously strange first novel."
Story: Jacob has been told strange and horrible stories by his grandfather for much of his childhood. Then when a strange accident befalls his grandfather, he sees something which sends him into therapy sessions, and eventually to a quest into his grandfather's past which will change his life forever.
Featuring remote Welsh islands, pipe-smoking birds, and many very peculiar children.
Thoughts: The old black and white photographs worked perfectly with the story. I do not think I could stress this enough. I loved them. They contributed to much of the atmosphere of weirdness, and reminded me of my favourite aspects of Lemony Snicket.
The story itself was strange and twisty, filled with many fantastical elements which I always enjoy, but will not mention here due to spoilers. Although I did guess some of the main plot twists, this did not in any way detract from my enjoyment of watching them unfold.
In the words of John Green (the author, vlogger, and nerdfighter himself), written on the back jacket cover:
"A tense, moving, and wondrously strange first novel."
I don't know what it was about the writing but I was completely drawn to this book and had a hard time putting it down! I especially liked the incorporation of authentic photographs, which added to the creepy vibe in the beginning though that intensity died down around the middle of the book. Overall, it was a very interesting read and I mean c'mon, The cover art is BEAUTIFUL. In all honesty I didn't even read the synopsis when I picked this up... One look at the cover and I was sold.
Really enjoyed this. Love the idea of the photos alongside the text - reminiscent Tiger Lillies vibe... which I LOVE
Did find the voice wobbled for me - sometimes felt like it was trying to be contemporary/street talk then almost seemed to get more literary in style...maybe that was purposeful...with the shift in locations/time/environment? I just sometimes felt the writing had been through no editing, first draft feel, and then felt - wow - what great writing, editing...
But the story is great.
The movie was very, very, disappointing after reading the book.
Did find the voice wobbled for me - sometimes felt like it was trying to be contemporary/street talk then almost seemed to get more literary in style...maybe that was purposeful...with the shift in locations/time/environment? I just sometimes felt the writing had been through no editing, first draft feel, and then felt - wow - what great writing, editing...
But the story is great.
The movie was very, very, disappointing after reading the book.
It ended rather ubruptly for me. I turned the page and next thing I know I'm looking at the acknowledgments, I had to go back and make sure I didn't miss something. It did take a turn that wasnt expecting, not some exciting turn, just like "Huh?".All in all though, it was a good book and I enjoyed reading it, good short read.