Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children – Ransom Riggs

Title: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

Author: Ransom Riggs

Despite this book being mentioned by John Green in several of his Vlogbrothers videos, and countless reviews by top Booktubers on Youtube, I have always avoided this book to be honest. It may be because it has been hyped quite a lot and I didn’t want to be disappointed, but odds are, I was a little scared of the old photographs that adorn the pages.

“A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. And a strange collection of very curious photographs. It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children who once lived here – one of whom was his own grandfather – were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a desolate island for good reason. And somehow – impossible though it seems – they may still be alive” – synopsis taken from Goodreads

One of the best things about this novel is that the words are supported by old photographs that not only show what the text is talking about, but add a creepy, almost haunting, feel to the pages. Although the story itself doesn’t kick in until quite far through, I found the beginning captivating and the mystery surrounding Jacob’s grandfather intriguing. The writing style reminded me somewhat of that of John Green, with the writing being intelligent yet well-paced and slightly humourous at times.

My favourite thing about this book is definitely the book itself. It’s heavier than most, even in it’s paperback form, and the pictures give it an almost ‘text book’ feeling, which adds to the historical nature of the plot. I would give this book 5 out of 5 stars and would recommend it to anyone who loves to read books that are a little out-of-the-ordinary.