Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Where do I start with this novel...Not even sure of the genre really, but here goes my review!

Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (Who names their kid Ransom Riggs for real?!?) is his debut novel and it is an original story if nothing else. Set in the present and involving time travel to WW2, this story is about children who have fled the monsters of Europe and live in peace on an island off the western coast of England. Each child has a special gift ranging from the ability to levitate, start fire in the palm of one's hand, lift incredibly heavy items, speak with others but be entirely invisible etc.

Jakob, a boy from the present, is told by his dying grandfather to go back to the island, and help the children slay the monsters and stay safe. Jakob's family think that he is a troubled youth who is mentally disturbed and sees monsters. Check out the movie trailer which is not a spoiler:

The story twists and turns and is a very original. I have never read this type of novel, and I have to say that I enjoyed it quite a bit. It was unpredictable, and very entertaining. I thought the author did a wonderful job developing the characters and created a realistic world filled with demons and monsters.  It had some troubling parallels with the rise of Naziism and I found myself trying to figure out if the novel was a commentary on the triumph of evil over good, and the eradication of so many defenceless Jewish children by the Nazis.

The novel itself is really entertaining as Riggs includes many vintage photographs that were contributed by collectors. The photos compliment the story so well, and really fleshed out the story. Some of them are chilling, and I loved seeing them. I found myself wanting to read at all hours of the day, and I did think about the story throughout my day. Wikipedia classifies this novel as children's fiction...I think it's a bit scary for children so I would suggest young adults and older should give it a try.

Riggs is writing a sequel now called Hallow City, and it is planned for January 2014.

I recommend this one, and would love to hear what you think?

The Unlikely Pilgrimage is a Likely Hit!!!!

Value Village Rocks for
Great Title at a Fraction of the Cost!

While shopping at my favourite book store, Value Village, I found The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold
Fry sitting there, just waiting for me to bring it home! I love shopping at Value Village; the deals are just waiting to be found there. For those of you who don't know, VV is a thrift shop that sells everything from used clothes and furniture to housewares and books. It is truly a treasure trove for those who aren't afraid to dig a little. Any way, I found Unlikely Pilgrimage for a whopping $4, so I thought I would give it a whirl.



Right from the first page, author Rachel Joyce had me hooked, and I loved every page there after!

Here's a summary courtesy of Goodreads: 

Harold Fry is convinced that he must deliver a letter to an old love in order to save her, meeting various characters along the way and reminiscing about the events of his past and people he has known, as he tries to find peace and acceptance.
Recently retired, sweet, emotionally numb Harold Fry is jolted out of his passivity by a letter from Queenie Hennessy, an old friend, who he hasn't heard from in twenty years. She has written to say she is in hospice and wanted to say goodbye. Leaving his tense, bitter wife Maureen to her chores, Harold intends a quick walk to the corner mailbox to post his reply but instead, inspired by a chance encounter, he becomes convinced he must deliver his message in person to Queenie--who is 600 miles away--because as long as he keeps walking, Harold believes that Queenie will not die. 
So without hiking boots, rain gear, map or cell phone, one of the most endearing characters in current fiction begins his unlikely pilgrimage across the English countryside. Along the way, strangers stir up memories--flashbacks, often painful, from when his marriage was filled with promise and then not, of his inadequacy as a father, and of his shortcomings as a husband. 

This novel uses different perspectives to develop the characters and lets the reader flesh them out. Rachel Joyce quickly develops the characters and is very skilled at creating dynamic portraits.

It's really well written with several plot lines being developed. There is some beautifully written passages that made me stop and think.

This book is a breath of fresh air. It is creative, original and so enjoyable. My copy will be shared with many, but I will have my name clearing stamped on the inside cover so that it always comes back to my "keeper" bookshelf!

Here is the Facebook page for this great novel:

https://www.facebook.com/unlikelypilgrimageofharoldfry

Enjoy and let me know what you think!