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eesh25's review
4.0
As a fan of Cassandra Clare, I'm quite familiar with Cassandra Jean's art, and I wanted to know how it would translate to a graphic novel. So when I stumbled across this book on Kindle Unlimited, I thought, why not?
Besides, I've read the original novel. It was over four years ago, but I know I liked it then, even though I didn't make it very far with the sequel. So this was like revisiting the story—just in a different format, and much faster. And I'm glad to have done it. In fact, since the sequel has a graphic novel as well, I might read it at some point. Unfortunately, it's not on KU.
Anyway, the book is about a teenage boy, Jacob, who grew up with his grandfather telling him stories about his friends with peculiar abilities. Jacob stopped believing in the stories as he got older. Until something terrible happened, which lead to him going on a trip to find the peculiar children, hoping it'll help him understand his grandfather better.
Now, if you're already familiar with the novel or the movie (which, I've heard, was very disappointing) then I'd definitely recommend this book. The art is great—it's simple yet atmospheric. Despite Jacob's perpetual frowny-face. But even if you aren't familiar with either, I think you can read it. Yes, there's a lot of jumping from scene to scene, but it's easy to fill in the gaps between them. And the narration from Jacob's perspective helps.
As for the story, I liked it. It's fast-paced but easy to follow because it doesn't try to dump too much information on you. And it's interesting. You don't get to know the characters very well, but that's expected. There are so many of them and so little time to introduce them.
Finally, some things remained unchanged from the novel, like the concept, which still felt unique. And the Jacob-and-Emma romance is still gross. One thing that changed is the way I see Miss Peregrine. She's the caretaker of all the kids and, I don't if it's because I'm older or if it's specific to this format of the story, but I can't help but think of her as the real villain of the story.
Miss Peregrine has basically trapped a bunch of kids so they'll remain children forever. Yeah, she says it's for their protection, but she could've easily allowed them to get older, thanks to something that was mentioned by her in this very book. But she didn't. And she's made them afraid to leave. It seems like an attempt to keep everyone under her thumb, don't you think? Kids, after all, are easier to control than adults.
I know that's not what the novel is trying to portray (at all), but I would like to know if anyone else feels that way about her. She's gotta be at least a little evil, right?
Besides, I've read the original novel. It was over four years ago, but I know I liked it then, even though I didn't make it very far with the sequel. So this was like revisiting the story—just in a different format, and much faster. And I'm glad to have done it. In fact, since the sequel has a graphic novel as well, I might read it at some point. Unfortunately, it's not on KU.
Anyway, the book is about a teenage boy, Jacob, who grew up with his grandfather telling him stories about his friends with peculiar abilities. Jacob stopped believing in the stories as he got older. Until something terrible happened, which lead to him going on a trip to find the peculiar children, hoping it'll help him understand his grandfather better.
Now, if you're already familiar with the novel or the movie (which, I've heard, was very disappointing) then I'd definitely recommend this book. The art is great—it's simple yet atmospheric. Despite Jacob's perpetual frowny-face. But even if you aren't familiar with either, I think you can read it. Yes, there's a lot of jumping from scene to scene, but it's easy to fill in the gaps between them. And the narration from Jacob's perspective helps.
As for the story, I liked it. It's fast-paced but easy to follow because it doesn't try to dump too much information on you. And it's interesting. You don't get to know the characters very well, but that's expected. There are so many of them and so little time to introduce them.
Finally, some things remained unchanged from the novel, like the concept, which still felt unique. And the Jacob-and-Emma romance is still gross. One thing that changed is the way I see Miss Peregrine. She's the caretaker of all the kids and, I don't if it's because I'm older or if it's specific to this format of the story, but I can't help but think of her as the real villain of the story.
Miss Peregrine has basically trapped a bunch of kids so they'll remain children forever. Yeah, she says it's for their protection, but she could've easily allowed them to get older, thanks to something that was mentioned by her in this very book. But she didn't. And she's made them afraid to leave. It seems like an attempt to keep everyone under her thumb, don't you think? Kids, after all, are easier to control than adults.
I know that's not what the novel is trying to portray (at all), but I would like to know if anyone else feels that way about her. She's gotta be at least a little evil, right?
reader4evr's review
4.0
I was suprised how much I liked this story better as a graphic novel. I had originally listened to the audiobook and liked it but the pictures and the story made it come alive!
I had read that the illustrator of this graphic novel was the same one that did Beautiful Creatures. I didn't really like that one but I really enjoyed the illustrations in this one.
I can say the only thing that I didn't like was the font size but that always drives me crazy in graphic novels.
I didn't know this is going to be a series because at the end of the graphic novel it was giving a sneak peek of the next story. I thought originally that this was just going to be a stand alone but I'm glad that it is!
I had read that the illustrator of this graphic novel was the same one that did Beautiful Creatures. I didn't really like that one but I really enjoyed the illustrations in this one.
I can say the only thing that I didn't like was the font size but that always drives me crazy in graphic novels.
I didn't know this is going to be a series because at the end of the graphic novel it was giving a sneak peek of the next story. I thought originally that this was just going to be a stand alone but I'm glad that it is!
mehsi's review
5.0
Another fabulous graphic novel. I have been meaning to read this book for almost a year now. I had it reserved at one of my libraries, 8 months ago, but after a month the book was still on my list but nowhere else in the database, and now just a few days ago I got a mail the book is now on the reserved books shelf. I have no clue what happened and why the book magically is around, but eh, I will take it. :P
Like with the second book this one condenses the story, gets rid of most of the bland/boring stuff, but still keeps it a continuing story without the feel of missing something, which makes it a very very exciting re-read.
I also loved how Peregrine's loop was in colour while Jacob's now world was in black/white. For instance when Peregrine goes over to Jacob's time she is in colour while the rest of the world is black/white. I also much more like the relationship between Jacob and Emma. It was a bit too much instalove, but I still loved it, their connection was much more visible in this one.
Like with the second book this one condenses the story, gets rid of most of the bland/boring stuff, but still keeps it a continuing story without the feel of missing something, which makes it a very very exciting re-read.
I also loved how Peregrine's loop was in colour while Jacob's now world was in black/white. For instance when Peregrine goes over to Jacob's time she is in colour while the rest of the world is black/white. I also much more like the relationship between Jacob and Emma. It was a bit too much instalove, but I still loved it, their connection was much more visible in this one.
jess_mango's review
4.0
Another well done graphic novel-ization of a book I've read. A nice way of refreshing my memory of the story, since I read it a few years ago. I am hoping to finally finish this series in the next few months.
harleyrae's review
3.0
For sometime now I have wanted to continue on with this story, but I honestly could not remember much of the first book. This was a nice refresher so that I may get back into this series.
mkhare's review
2.0
2.5 stars. It was definitely a mistake to read this after only having watched the movie (which I disliked), and not having read the book. The plot/character development was far too light, which is fair for an adaptation like this, but not helpful for someone without more in depth prior knowledge. I enjoy how Jean draws people (and the character designs really made me want to know more about peculiars), but the backgrounds were often too sparse and digitally sketchy for my liking. I think I'll give this another try after I get around to reading the original text.
hp_reading's review
3.0
I haven't read very many graphic novel adaptations of novels. I think that graphic novels provide a really interesting perspective to the reader of what exactly the author envisions for their story. I really want to read the original text to compare it to the graphic novel. As far as the story goes, I believe it is one very similar to that of Marvel's X-Men series. Those stories are still very active in today's culture, and because of that I think that is a very profound power to the message they deliver. While we may not have super abilities (that we know of) people do feel alienated for whatever reason. We rely on stories like these to help us escape, give us confidence, and feel like we can be a part of something greater. These characters are relatable, charming, and insecure. Despite their super abilities, they seem just like you or I, and I can always appreciate that.