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?
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 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?
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