Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

WARNING: There might be a few mild spoilers...but nothing you couldn't of predicted.

Type of Read: 
Young Adult Fantasy/Horror

Plot Summary:
Jacob has grown up listening to his grandfather's fairy tales about a hidden orphanage for peculiar children. One night his grandfather dies and leaves Jacob mysterious pictures that prove his fairy tales were in fact true. Jacob sets out in search for his grandfather's childhood home, hoping that it will allow him closure to his grandfather's untimely death. Instead, Jacob is pulled into an adventure and a world that is very...peculiar.

Strengths:
The biggest strength of this book is the idea that started it all. Ransom Riggs started to collect odd, old photographs from yard sales and antique stores. He selected 50 of the pictures and created a story out of them. How cool is that?! And the pictures really do add to the story. So much so that I got spooked one night after looking at a picture of a creepy Santa. (I'm a bit of a weenie when it comes to horror.)

Another strength comes from the writing. Riggs is beautifully descriptive. He brings the characters to life and makes each one believable. Even the peculiar children. He also has a way of describing the setting. A very clear picture is presented and the reader is transported.

Weaknesses:
The biggest weakness was the plot line. The first half of the book was spooky and filled with mystery. Where was this orphanage? Why would his grandfather send him to the middle of nowhere? Why was it so important that Jacob find the truth? But once that mystery is solved, there isn't much else to hold the reader. There are the peculiar children and the world that surrounds them, but I honestly couldn't get myself to care enough about them. There were some intense fight scenes that were pretty cool, but I personally found the ending lacking...maybe the sequel will be more thorough.

Opinion and Recommendation:
There is a lot of hype surrounding this book. It hit the bestseller list quickly and for good reason. The whole idea behind this book was brilliant. The pictures lend the story a creepy vibe and the descriptive writing makes it all believable. There are a few low points in the story itself, but it is still worth reading. I personally probably won't re-read this book, but to each their own. Definitely give it a chance and pick up a copy from the library.

P.S. It is rumored that Tim Burton will be making a movie of this book...thought you would want to know ;)