From the Bookshelf of Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge…

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children, #1)

Ransom Riggs

Discussion: 2015 Challenge Prompts

Why we're reading this: An author I never read

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2015 Challenge Prompts

Prompt 25: A book you were supposed to read in school but didn't
By Ann · 67 posts · 992 views

last updated Jan 17, 2023 03:51PM

Prompt 39: A book with magic
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last updated Jan 02, 2019 05:46AM

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What Members Thought

Jan 20, 2012 Rae rated it liked it

Shelves: ya-childrens, 2012

A young boy has been fed odd stories by his grandfather for his entire childhood. When the grandpa dies a violent death, Jacob heads off to a remote island off the coast of Wales to find some answers -- only to be found by some peculiar children.

What I REALLY liked about this book is the originality -- using bizarre vintage photographs to create a story. That really worked for me. I was less impressed with the writing, character development and lack of resolution. When I was toward the end and q ...more

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Jan 01, 2014 Lindsey rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2014-reads

Quirky book full of interesting characters and twists. Loved how the photographs added to the story. Fun read.

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Feb 10, 2011 Lydia Presley rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2011, fiction, fantasy, dark-fiction, wwii, 2011-debut

I am admittedly a cover fanatic. I cannot resist a good cover, unfortunately the story contained within the cover doesn't always live up to that initial hook.

While I wasn't displeased with Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, I do admit to having struggled a little bit with it. Honestly, were it not for the inclusion of some of the most peculiar, fascinating photos I've ever seen, I don't think the story would have had enough strength to stand on its own two feet.

However, because the pic I am admittedly a cover fanatic. I cannot resist a good cover, unfortunately the story contained within the cover doesn't always live up to that initial hook.

While I wasn't displeased with Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, I do admit to having struggled a little bit with it. Honestly, were it not for the inclusion of some of the most peculiar, fascinating photos I've ever seen, I don't think the story would have had enough strength to stand on its own two feet.

However, because the pictures and the story were blended together so incredibly well (although it felt a bit stilted toward the beginning, at times feeling as if the story had been forced into fitting with the pictures, this improved through the book very quickly) the story takes on a more masterful life of its own and about 50 pages in or so I was hooked and couldn't put the book down. It was those initial 50 pages though that has me struggling with my opinion on the book overall.

Because, frankly, that first part was slow. Even a death, pictures and strange things happening couldn't keep my interest and I had to force myself to keep going knowing just how much I loved the cover and how much I'd been anticipating this book. I was rewarded though, so please don't be put off by that part, I just felt it was necessary to give full disclosure regarding why I feel so torn.

The last half of the book was fascinating, filled with adventure, fun, spookiness and mystery. I loved getting to know the "peculiars", I loved every moment that I turned the page to see a new picture and I loved following Jacob's journey as he found out about his history as well as his own special talents. In some ways, I was almost reminded of the new X-Men movie which made me laugh and appreciate this WWII/Modern story even more.

This was dark, twisted, exhilarating fantasy - just push through those opening scenes if they don't immediately grab you because you will be rewarded. And the pictures make this one a great addition to anyone's shelf. ...more

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Aug 09, 2011 Hannah rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ya, magic-realism-spec-fic, time-travel

This book is far from perfect, but all in all, I thought it was really wonderful. I absolutely loved the photographs and most of the premise, though I think the action at the end felt rushed and put there only for the purpose of being able to mine it for a sequel, when it could have remained a little more character-driven and literary and still compelling without the crazy chase scenes. I hate the current convention of requisite trilogies at the expense of good standalone novels.

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Jul 06, 2011 Katie rated it liked it

I feel as if I should be a little more generous and give this book 3 stars, but the bottome line is I really didn't care for it. I only realized after I finished that it's actually a young adult book, and had I known that going in I might have been a little more forgiving. But I've read my fair share of YA books as an adult that I really did like, so I think I'm being fair enough. ...more

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