Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

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.

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When Jacob witnesses his grandfather’s death and a terrifying face at the scene of the crime, he starts to question the whimsical but perhaps authenticity behind his grandfather’s fantastical stories of his childhood home and the curious photographs of his fellow orphan refugees. Daring to find the truth, Jacob travels to a small island off the coast of Wales where he discovers a group of very peculiar children and a way of life he never would have imagined.

Although some of the points or concepts in the book may not be entirely “new”(the fantasy part of it), the best part about this book is the beautiful but haunting authentic photographs that go with the story–I love this idea and it will really set it apart from anything else. Normally I don’t read too many books with this sort of gothic-fantasy plot but I made an exception because of the writing and well, the photos. Riggs is a wonderful writer and is very keen on visual feel–could definitely see this as being a good screen write.

Part fantasy, part paranormal, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children that combines stunning illustrations and photographs to create a strangely enchanting novel that is utterly irresistible and eerily unforgettable.

Recommendation: Readers of paranormal fiction or fantasy and those who just want a new literary experience will enjoy this book. Highly recommend. Ages 12+

Content: Violent and graphic scary images (PG)

|Pages: 352|Release Date: June 2011|Publisher: Quirk Books|

|Genre: Fantasy, paranormal fiction, family|

|Content Rating: 4/5|Cover Rating: 5/5|Overall: 5/5|

This review is copyrighted by Books and Literature for Teens.

Special thanks to Quirk Books.

Another Faust by Daniel & Dina Nayeri

A devilish debut by a brother-sister team invites us into the world of the elite Marlowe School, where some gifted students are having a hell of a year. One night, in cities all across Europe, five children vanish — only to appear, years later, at an exclusive New York party with a strange and elegant governess. Rumor and mystery follow the Faust teenagers to the city’s most prestigious high school, where they soar to suspicious heights with the help of their benefactor’s extraordinary "gifts." But as the students claw their way up — reading minds, erasing scenes, stopping time, stealing power, seducing with artificial beauty — they start to suffer the sideeffects of their own addictions. And as they make further deals with the devil, they uncover secrets more shocking than their most unforgivable sins. At once chilling and wickedly satirical, this contemporary reimagining of the Faustian bargain is a compelling tale of ambition, consequences, and ultimate redemption. - from book jacket

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Another Faust was filled splendid detail and glamours characters, but the overall story fell flat for me. I tried really hard to concentrate throughout the book, but some of the details were so long, my mind would wonder and then I'd have to start all over again.

I understood that the characters were robotic on purpose since they "sold their soul" to the devil, but they were still human and I was expecting them to be a little more personable. They weren't though, they felt too unrealistic.

Many confusing things happened throughout the book which made the storyline feel even more foggy. Some things I understood about how greed and hatred can consume people (I think that was what one of the main points), but I don't enjoy books that are dark and mysterious like that.

Though it took Brice the entire book just to figure out what was going on, it did have a good ending. I must say, because of the exordinary detail, I would try another Nayari book, but one that is not a gothic novel.

Overall, I wouldn't waste eye strain unless you're a gothic novel fan-but even then, I don't think I would recommend because mainly, you're more than likely to get bored with it.

Pages: 387 Year Published: August 2009 Publisher: Candlewick

Age Group: YA, ages 13+ Content: Dark, gothic style/mild sexual references

Enjoyed It: 2/5 Rating: 2/5

Special thanks to Candlewick for sending me this book.