I liked this book quite a lot. Except for the parts that I didn’t like. Hmmm. The premise was great and there were parts that made me laugh out loud. There is also a giant creep out vibe that I enjoyed. I thought the author worked a bit too hard to incorporate the vintage photographs that are sprinkled throughout the book. The pictures themselves were striking and interesting but it seemed that the story bent in unnatural ways to make them fit.
All in all? I would recommend it if you’re looking for a spooky/funny/poignant read.
Per Indie Bound:
A mysterious island.
An abandoned orphanage.
A strange collection of very curious photographs.
It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, 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.
An abandoned orphanage.
A strange collection of very curious photographs.
It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, 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.
The Relentless Reader 
It sounds like this book is really innovative. If I understand it correctly, the photographs are a key part of the work. I do not know of any other fictional books that this is true of. I really like it when someone tries something different, even if it does not always work perfectly.
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You're right about that, I have to give him big props for trying something a bit different. Brian, check out The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt 🙂
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I have this one in my stack. My hub grabbed it out of my hands one day and sat down and read the whole thing. He loved it. I don't know if that translates into me loving it or not.
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Just looked up \”The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt\”. It looks fascinating. I am going to try to get to it. Thanks for the recommendation!
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I'll be looking forward to hearing what you think of it!
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This is one of my favorite reads of this year. I loved it, except the ending was too abrupt. I didn't even realize it was the first book in a series until it ended and I was like what the heck just happened?! Can't wait to read the next book when it comes out 🙂
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Towards the end of the book I thought to myself, well there is no way to wrap this up any time soon! And then at the ending..I thought ah man a series?! LOL I'll read the next book(s) though 🙂
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I have this book on my zune and I am wondering if I am missing out on alot be listening to the audio of this book. I have yet to finish it……
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I liked Riggs's book for the most part, but the ending… Not so much. Very abrupt! I plan to read book #2, although I wish Riggs would base his pictures around the plot rather than the other way around! I think it would feel more… organic, but it's still an enjoyable read — it's one of those books I managed to like despite flaws. There's been talk about the series having film adaptions, too, which I'll be curious to see.
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Oh, that's a good question! The pictures are pretty darn cool..and creepy too. They do add to the experience of reading this book but I wouldn't say you're going to miss anything of real importance to the story.
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I'll definitely read book 2 as well. I have to know what happens next of course! 🙂 Even with the flaws it was still a cool story and a good read. I'm glad you liked it as well!
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I agree, the pictures were neat but I'm not sure they were necessary — it felt more gimmicky than organic.
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Exactly Katya! Now I wonder what he'll do for the next book? Does he have more of these types of pictures to work into the next one? Time will tell.
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I will have to go back and finish this one. Just didn't grab me at the time, but that happens. Same thing happened with Paris Wife, but loved it when I was done 🙂
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Sounds deliciously creepy – and liking parts, not liking other parts – makes loads of sense to me. 🙂
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Deliciously creepy is a great way to put it!
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