Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs | Book Review

A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of curious photographs.

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 were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

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THE HYPE RUINED IT!!!

Now that I have this off my chest, let’s talk about this book.

MSPC (the title is too long so excuse while I’m taking a shortcut) was on my never-ending TBR, so, yes; I was going to take it up one day anyway, and when I saw the trailer for the movie, I thought that it was now or never.

I’ve heard a lot of things about this book – mostly good things – and I have never read any horror books before; I was thus expecting a lot of things out of MSPC. *sigh* I was so disappointed.

I did not like Jacob as the narrator. As a character? Well, you could say he was okay, but as a narrator? Excuse while I yawn in boredom mixed with disapprovement. (can you even do that?) His voice was monotone and not very interesting. The only thing that kept me going was the plot and the fact that I was waiting for a jump scare after each page. Did the jump scare even bothered to show up? Uh. No.

The writing felt flat. There was a flow but it was as if the author did not want to convey any emotion through Jacob, which was needed mostly because Jacob was the narrator. Except that in this case, he was so flat and annoying that I wanted to strangle him a bit. I mean, come on! There’s such a big mystery about your grandfather and it’s as if his enthusiasm was forced! *re sigh*

Also, this book was about a home for peculiar children. A house full of people with superpowers. Who dare to show up after a lot of those lengthy chapters. Seriously, here I am, reading a book, expecting to find people with powers and the like, and instead I am met with Jacob and his whinings.

So of course, when they finally show up, I was excited.

I told myself that reading up to this was fruitful and that the real stuff could start now. Did it? Did it? The next part consists of Jacob who goes to visit his peculiar friends again and again! -_- I am not against making friends… but! There was nothing relatively scary or whatsoever, and I was so disappointed.

Also, I couldn’t understand the peculiar children in that, given the situation they are in, they never tried to do something about it (I am trying to stay vague to avoid spoilers) but instead decide to roll with it FOR THIS LONG? Excuse me while I say that this is not believable.

Another thing I did not like was the romance. Again, trying to stay vague, but YOU LOVED HIM AND NOW YOU LOVE HIM? AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO IS TOTALLY AGAINST IT? I MEAN, IT DOES NOT SOUND RIGHT?! UGHHHHH

I may read the sequel only because the ending was quite good, and I want to know what is going to happen next out of curiosity. And, who knows? Maybe I’ll like the characters better…?

 

What about you? Have you read the book? What are your thoughts about it? Are you excited for the movie? (I have seen the trailer and it looks like they made some changes but I hope it’ll be for the better 🙂 ) Tell me in the comments below!

See you all soon!