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."


First, let me start off with saying this book is not what it seems. Do not judge this book by it's cover! I waited for a ghost story that never came. Also, do not be misled by the book trailer, which also gives the story a ghostly atmosphere. 


Aside from those aspects, this was quite an enjoyable read. My favorite part of this whole book were the antique pictures scattered throughout it. Each unique photograph went along with the story, which led to a clearer mental image of what was being described. 


The setting was on an island off the coast of Wales. The weather there was a mix of fog, haze, rain, and stormy days, which made things much more intense. Imagine seeing a man you suspect could be dangerous from a distance, but all you can see is his silhouette due to the amount of downpour. Creepy right?


Jacob, Abraham Portman's grandson, is the main protagonist in the story. After an unfortunate turn of events, Jacob ventured off to the island his grandfather had always told fascinating stories about. The reason for his venture to foreign lands? To uncover the secret of his grandfather's past. 


Although not fast-paced at times, it was a memorable read filled with mind-blowing pasts and dangerous secrets. I give Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children 4/5 stars.