Reviews

Mrs. Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

coragilb's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

chips_xoxo's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Stalking, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail

stacias99's review against another edition

5.0

This book was a completely unexpected treasure! It was not at all what I was looking for, but I really, really enjoyed it. It put me in the mind of the movie Big Fish (which I also love) in terms of the story-telling of the grandfathers and their fantastical childhood experiences. The characters were well-drawn, the plot is engrossing, the story is well-written, and the pacing is just right. I can't find anything to complain about, and so much to love. I can't wait to read the next in the series!

sewfrench's review against another edition

3.0

This could be one of those few times when the movies is actually better than the book.

kwtulakty's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

_lezreads's review against another edition

5.0

Extraordinary

azure_oblivion's review against another edition

I decided to wait until I had read the second book to write a review, and I'm glad I did, because I liked book 2 a lot more and I can encourage you to stick with the series if, like I was, you're unsure about reading the sequels. Thankfully I bought this book as part of a box set, otherwise I wouldn't have bothered with the rest of the trilogy.

Don't get me wrong, I like the writing style and the world Ransom Riggs has created. It's very detailed and I enjoyed being introduced to it. I also liked solving the mystery of Jacob's grandfather along with the protagonist. However, that's exactly how a lot of this book felt to me: an introduction. Obviously, the stars of the book are the Peculiar Children themselves, but by the end of it I felt like they were mere acquaintances and I hadn't been given more than an overview of who they were and what they could do. Thankfully, Riggs redeemed himself with book 2, which is much more exciting and I recommend sticking with it. I felt more or less indifferent at the end of book 1, I didn't get sucked in, I didn't get swept away, and at times I felt a bit frustrated that things that were obvious to me weren't immediately picked up by the characters. At times I felt like I was at a panto yelling "He's behind you!" at the clueless character on stage, but hey, this is a book for younger readers, so I suppose I can't expect too much.

Spoiler

My only really big complaint is the romance factor. Let's face it, it's a bit creepy, isn't it? And it also seemed a bit pointless, like Riggs was too lazy to find a better reason for Jacob to stick around for the rest of the series, or else it was an afterthought, as though the author felt that to fit in with the whole YA genre this book needed a bit of smooching. I liked Emma's past with Abe. I don't think the story needed her to then act cradle snatcher to his grandson. But hey, this could just be my opinion.

All in all, a nice bit of escapism, but if you're looking for something a bit more impressive, the next book should satisfy this.

cl1cm's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

This was a fun and strange story, right up my alley. Towards the end, the book got a little too long for me. I liked the art though and will continue to read the series

bookishplantmom's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

forever_day's review against another edition

3.75

Engaging writing. A little dark at times, and I didn't totally connect with the characters, but solid YA fiction. I liked the inclusion of the photos, they added to the atmosphere, as well as it feeling very solidly placed first in Florida, then Wales. 

(I'm just going to ignore the existence of the age gap, it does not serve me)