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aperks's review
2.0
This book did not turn out to be what I thought it would be. The first few chapters intrigued me. I was very interested in the story of Jonathan and the mysterious mansion. Unfortunately they fairly quickly left the mansion behind for a complex magical world. Although marketed as Young Adult, I don’t think this book would appeal to most teenagers.
samanthadawn's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
ayanayokie's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
beemch's review
3.0
absolutely bonkers. a nonsensical, wild ride. for fans of vandermeer by way of shriek: an afterword or city of saints and madmen. maybe not so much annihilation. really, perfectly weird.
bestdressedbookworm's review
3.0
i have no idea what this book was about. Some books just go right over my head, i enjoyed it i think but again it was really long and i lost the story somewhere
bookboop's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
vgdesigns's review
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Expect the Unexpected
Jeff VanderMeer explores the duology of word meanings in a world unlike our own filled with odd creatures, and even odder motivations. Jonathan Lambshead is due to inherit a mansion after his grandfather’s death, with one stipulation that he must catalogue all of its odd collections. With the mystery of his missing mother, he is determined find out his family’s secrets. With the help of his two friends, he finds himself exploring another world in search of answers from The Order.
Jeff VanderMeer is known for his play with words, and the interesting double meanings found in commonly used phrases. The plot of this story centers on Jonathan, who is an average American/English boy who has a lot of questions. His ability to accept the weird, allows him to understand the world he falls into. His various companions are comparatively ordinary as well. Except they all enjoy endless conversations involving wordplay. From his first experience in the world of Aurora, each location is more fanciful than the last. Involving talking animals, talking vegetables, and a lot of marmots. All living under an evil and irrational empire ruled by Crowley.
The other main character is the villainous Crowley who has various nonsensical motivations, and his familiar Wretch. Who both are currently ruling Aurora, and looking for spies from The Order. Which involves a lot of nonsensical conversations about spies, duplicity, beheading, and evil laws. The question is who is ruling who, and for what reason. Though they can all agree that they must stop the Golden Sphere, a Celestial Beast with a terrible purpose. The Golden Sphere is entirely chaotic and murderous, which is quite morbidly violent in this story. The Golden Sphere’s intentions are also not explained, except for self-preservation.
Including quite a few side characters who receive their own backstories, and the mysteries of The Builders. Unfortunately, Jonathan receives more questions than answers. What the readers do get is a lot of butt jokes, occasional swearing, randomness, blood, and unnecessarily morbid situations. A Peculiar Peril is the type of book to read for interesting nonsense, and peculiar events.
Jeff VanderMeer explores the duology of word meanings in a world unlike our own filled with odd creatures, and even odder motivations. Jonathan Lambshead is due to inherit a mansion after his grandfather’s death, with one stipulation that he must catalogue all of its odd collections. With the mystery of his missing mother, he is determined find out his family’s secrets. With the help of his two friends, he finds himself exploring another world in search of answers from The Order.
Jeff VanderMeer is known for his play with words, and the interesting double meanings found in commonly used phrases. The plot of this story centers on Jonathan, who is an average American/English boy who has a lot of questions. His ability to accept the weird, allows him to understand the world he falls into. His various companions are comparatively ordinary as well. Except they all enjoy endless conversations involving wordplay. From his first experience in the world of Aurora, each location is more fanciful than the last. Involving talking animals, talking vegetables, and a lot of marmots. All living under an evil and irrational empire ruled by Crowley.
The other main character is the villainous Crowley who has various nonsensical motivations, and his familiar Wretch. Who both are currently ruling Aurora, and looking for spies from The Order. Which involves a lot of nonsensical conversations about spies, duplicity, beheading, and evil laws. The question is who is ruling who, and for what reason. Though they can all agree that they must stop the Golden Sphere, a Celestial Beast with a terrible purpose. The Golden Sphere is entirely chaotic and murderous, which is quite morbidly violent in this story. The Golden Sphere’s intentions are also not explained, except for self-preservation.
Including quite a few side characters who receive their own backstories, and the mysteries of The Builders. Unfortunately, Jonathan receives more questions than answers. What the readers do get is a lot of butt jokes, occasional swearing, randomness, blood, and unnecessarily morbid situations. A Peculiar Peril is the type of book to read for interesting nonsense, and peculiar events.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Cursing, Blood, Grief, Kidnapping, War, and Animal death
Minor: Death of parent and Cannibalism
fire_finch's review
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
sarah0554's review
Honestly, it felt like the author was trying to hard to be mysterious and ended up being vague instead. I couldn't find reasons to care for the main character because I just didn't know enough about him.