Publisher: Quirk Books, 2011
352
The loss of his grandfather and attempting to solve the puzzle of his final words sends sixteen-year-old Jacob on a journey 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 the abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. And somehow - impossible though it seems - they may still be alive.
There is a great deal to love about this book before you even get to actually reading it. Open that deliciously creepy looking cover and discover beautiful black and brown pages that remind one of Victorian wallpaper - this features throughout in pages between the chapters. The text is printed on thick , pure white paper that has a luxury silky smooth finish. All quite gorgeous and very cleverly designed to appeal to potential readers by offering something new and original.
Then there are the vintage photographs - I loved those too and they created a marvellous spooky atmosphere.
Would Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children be receiving the attention it's getting without the above two elements? I doubt it although the story is entertaining enough - a mixture of adventure, time travel , a haunted house , ghosts and spooky happenings that should particularly appeal to young teens.Personally, not being a YA fiction reader, although I quite enjoyed the first half I then began to lose interest so skimmed through the second half very quickly. I'm still glad I brought it home even if it was only to enjoy the presentation and the photographs,
I have been debating reading this book on my kindle but judging by your descriptions of the pictures I think the paper version would be the better choice. Thanks for your review.
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly why I keep considering but haven't brought it. Like Whitney I was going to download then realized it is the ultimate package deal, which you represented brilliantly.
ReplyDeleteI loved the packageing too..and love when any sort of illo's are in a book..the story took a turn at the end, and I know it was so there could be more books, and so the "kids" might have more adventures.. however I was disappointed that the father got left out in the cold never knowing more about his father and now having a son disappear..so I was disappointed in the ending but overall enjoyed reading the book
ReplyDeleteI read this one over the summer and loved it so much that I'm now reading it out loud to my kids during our annual spooky read-aloud season. They are really enjoying it!
ReplyDeleteI have this one waiting patiently for me but it's on my kindle so I won't get to experience the design plusses which is a bit disappointing. I do like YA so I hope I enjoy the read.
ReplyDeleteI'd started the audio of this one but couldn't get into it. Sounds like the paper version is the way to go.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the vintage photos. I probably wouldn't have enjoyed this book without them. This is the sort of book I wouldn't really enjoy if it was an e-book or an audio. Well, some e-book readers might do it justice.
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