A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. And a strange collection of very curious photographs. It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine'...
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reviews
Aug 24, 2011
Tatiana
rated it: 
Let me tell you a secret, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children is actually:
(I don't think what follows is a spoiler, but am marking it as such anyway as some people think it is.)
<spoiler>
for elementary school kids.
Yes, the book tries to pretend it is something else, embellishing itself with creepy and weird vintage photographs
but the reality is, it is nothing more than a regurgitated version of X-Me More...
(I don't think what follows is a spoiler, but am marking it as such anyway as some people think it is.)
<spoiler>
for elementary school kids.
Yes, the book tries to pretend it is something else, embellishing itself with creepy and weird vintage photographs
but the reality is, it is nothing more than a regurgitated version of X-Me More...
124 comments
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(159 people liked it)
Feb 21, 2012
Annalisa
rated it:
2.5 stars
Have you ever played that game where one person starts a story and stops mid-sentence and the next person in the circle has to pick up the story? That's how reading this book felt, only instead of jumping from disjointed person to person, it jumps from disjointed photograph to photograph.
Too bad because it started off fantastic. I loved the writing, the humorous way Riggs has with descriptions, and the old-fashion carny photos were a nice touch. I especially love More...
Have you ever played that game where one person starts a story and stops mid-sentence and the next person in the circle has to pick up the story? That's how reading this book felt, only instead of jumping from disjointed person to person, it jumps from disjointed photograph to photograph.
Too bad because it started off fantastic. I loved the writing, the humorous way Riggs has with descriptions, and the old-fashion carny photos were a nice touch. I especially love More...
15 comments
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(32 people liked it)
Jan 07, 2012
Crystal Starr Light
rated it:
Looks can be deceiving
Who hasn't seen this creepy book, lurking proudly in the "New Releases" section? It practically SCREAMS Halloween--a nice, delightful scare that makes you lock your doors tighter, leave on the nightlight, and snuggle deeply under your covers.
Only...it doesn't.
Sure, the girl looks REALLY creepy on the cover and many of the back images are enough to give you the eebie jeebies, but NOTHING that remotely scary EVER occurs within th More...
Who hasn't seen this creepy book, lurking proudly in the "New Releases" section? It practically SCREAMS Halloween--a nice, delightful scare that makes you lock your doors tighter, leave on the nightlight, and snuggle deeply under your covers.
Only...it doesn't.
Sure, the girl looks REALLY creepy on the cover and many of the back images are enough to give you the eebie jeebies, but NOTHING that remotely scary EVER occurs within th More...
10 comments
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(29 people liked it)
Dec 29, 2011
Kelly
rated it:
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children also known as the Tale of <spoiler>Time-Traveling X-Men</spoiler>.
Before I spew out my thoughts, I'd like to give credit where credit's due. Mad props to the author for incorporating visual eye-candy as in the vintage photos peppered throughout this novel. Excellent job with that endeavor. And I do adore Riggs' writing style. One word - Enchanting. Now on with the show . . . .
Little known fact: a hellmouth far worse More...
Before I spew out my thoughts, I'd like to give credit where credit's due. Mad props to the author for incorporating visual eye-candy as in the vintage photos peppered throughout this novel. Excellent job with that endeavor. And I do adore Riggs' writing style. One word - Enchanting. Now on with the show . . . .
Little known fact: a hellmouth far worse More...
6 comments
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(21 people liked it)
Sep 19, 2011
Giselle
rated it:
This book started with a bang. It was very creepy, exciting and really intriguing, but it all went downhill from there. Once the mystery around the house was explained - which was fairly early and without any nuance - it became a very boring and almost childish story, which I didn't expect at all.
One thing I can say I enjoyed was the photographs- they're scattered throughout the book, all black and white and remarkably creepy. They add a nice eery touch to the story and gives it a More...
One thing I can say I enjoyed was the photographs- they're scattered throughout the book, all black and white and remarkably creepy. They add a nice eery touch to the story and gives it a More...
4 comments
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(40 people liked it)
Aug 21, 2011
Fizzypops
rated it:
It's pretty hard to show any originality in books these days, but I was pleasantly surprised by how different this book was. The plot has been cleverly interlinked with many unsettling vintage photos of children doing unusual and spectacular feats.
The story is complex with many mysteries, that are sporadically punctuated with strange photographs. This creates a realism that draws you in and keeps you hooked, as I found myself reading for longer to reach the next picture. For me the More...
The story is complex with many mysteries, that are sporadically punctuated with strange photographs. This creates a realism that draws you in and keeps you hooked, as I found myself reading for longer to reach the next picture. For me the More...
3 comments
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(20 people liked it)
Feb 06, 2012
Archer
rated it:
Actual Rating - A little over 2.5 stars I liked it but it had some major flaws in it that dragged the rating right back.
I feel decidedly unsatisfied after reading Miss Peregrine's. When I went into the book I was expecting something vastly different to what I got. I had been mislead by the following:
"A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. And a strange collection of very curious photographs.
It all waits to be discovered in "Miss Peregrine's H More...
I feel decidedly unsatisfied after reading Miss Peregrine's. When I went into the book I was expecting something vastly different to what I got. I had been mislead by the following:
"A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. And a strange collection of very curious photographs.
It all waits to be discovered in "Miss Peregrine's H More...
19 comments
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(10 people liked it)
Feb 19, 2012
Kathryn
rated it:
If I could, I would give this book 2 1/2 stars because it was more than OK but I didn't actually like it. I found the central character, Jacob, completely unlikeable. He reminds me of the female protagonist in "Revolution" but she had a dead brother, a sick mother, and an absentee father to blame for her emotional turmoil. Jacob, on the other hand, has a two-parent cushy life that he can't seem to get comfortable with. Fair enough, it happens, but I was never sure how Riggs wanted me
More...
0 comments
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(4 people liked it)
Oct 26, 2011
Bry
rated it:
Visually this book is easily 5 stars, but in reality it is like a beautiful airheaded woman.
The photography is amazing especially considering it is real, but the plot is weak.
This book sold itself as a creepy, quirky ride, but sadly it never reached the heebie jeebie level it promised. The photographs while beautiful and odd were used as too much of a crutch within the book, depended on too much. Instead of being supplemental to the plot, they were the only glue hol More...
The photography is amazing especially considering it is real, but the plot is weak.
This book sold itself as a creepy, quirky ride, but sadly it never reached the heebie jeebie level it promised. The photographs while beautiful and odd were used as too much of a crutch within the book, depended on too much. Instead of being supplemental to the plot, they were the only glue hol More...
6 comments
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(14 people liked it)
Jan 17, 2012
Mike (the Paladin)
rated it: 
I want to go slow here. I'm always aware at times like this that I'm still unpublished and I really do hope to do something liked by some readers as much as this is.
Still, tastes vary and while I didn't dislike this I think maybe the synopsis and blurbs I'd read had given me more anticipation than is fair. I read a short review (or two) from readers who really liked this book and so was looking forward to it.
The idea of using the "vintage photos" (many of a " More...
Still, tastes vary and while I didn't dislike this I think maybe the synopsis and blurbs I'd read had given me more anticipation than is fair. I read a short review (or two) from readers who really liked this book and so was looking forward to it.
The idea of using the "vintage photos" (many of a " More...
5 comments
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(7 people liked it)
Aug 11, 2011
Isamlq
rated it: 
Peculiar indeed...
The title and the cover decided things for me, and between the two of those, I was half convinced this would read like one of those YA historicals ala-Vixen or Luxe (given the cover) or one of those Series of Unfortunate Tales (given the title.) Wrong on both counts.
The Good:
Pictures. Everything Jacob said when describing those portraits were accurate: creepy, formal and yeah, creepy. They remind me of my grandparent's portraits hung in the More...
The title and the cover decided things for me, and between the two of those, I was half convinced this would read like one of those YA historicals ala-Vixen or Luxe (given the cover) or one of those Series of Unfortunate Tales (given the title.) Wrong on both counts.
The Good:
Pictures. Everything Jacob said when describing those portraits were accurate: creepy, formal and yeah, creepy. They remind me of my grandparent's portraits hung in the More...
Aug 21, 2011
Sarah
rated it: 
Every so often a book comes along that is pure magic, and "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" is one such book. Part fantasy, part adventure, part eccentric photo collection, this is a story that will enthrall and enchant teens and adults.
Jacob is the sixteen year old narrator, and he is intelligent, funny, realistic and perceptive. He is very close to his secretive grandfather, who used to tell him fantastic tales of his youth, and the children's home where he grew u More...
Jacob is the sixteen year old narrator, and he is intelligent, funny, realistic and perceptive. He is very close to his secretive grandfather, who used to tell him fantastic tales of his youth, and the children's home where he grew u More...
Jul 18, 2011
Laura (Bookish Belle)
rated it:
This book was different and interesting. I'm so glad I can finally read and watch reviews on it so I don't spoil myself. ;] The beginning of this book was great, and the early middle (does that make sense?) was a little boring, but the ending was spectacular! The perfect amount of suspense and action.
The main character named Jacob who has a strong bond with his grandfather. He's been told these fairy tales about an orphanage he used to live at. Something happens to his grandfather a More...
The main character named Jacob who has a strong bond with his grandfather. He's been told these fairy tales about an orphanage he used to live at. Something happens to his grandfather a More...
4 comments
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(24 people liked it)
Aug 17, 2011
Kathleen
rated it:
At first glance, I thought that Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children would be a horror story, and I do love a good book that can scare the daylights out of me, but when I started to read the book, I realized that the storyline was from the fantasy genre which I admit is not one of my favorites. That being said, I thought the first half of the book was strange, as in really weird! Trying to follow the author's direction with the storyline was a bit slow for me, it just couldn't hold my att
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5 comments
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(4 people liked it)
Jul 06, 2011
Megan
rated it:
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is a beautiful work of art and the first novel by Ransom Riggs. Sadly, I didn’t love it nearly as much as I wanted to, and am still feeling conflicted by it.
What this book has going for it is that it is strikingly beautiful. The cover features a super creepy old black and white photo of a levitating little girl, the title printed in a lovely font, and doodles which are reminiscent of tombstone art from Victorian era cemeteries. Inside, th More...
What this book has going for it is that it is strikingly beautiful. The cover features a super creepy old black and white photo of a levitating little girl, the title printed in a lovely font, and doodles which are reminiscent of tombstone art from Victorian era cemeteries. Inside, th More...
17 comments
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(45 people liked it)
Aug 21, 2011
Heidi
rated it:
Four stars: Highly recommend this book.
Wow! What a pleasant surprise this book turned out to be. The old adage don't judge a book by it's cover is definitely pertinent for this book. When I first saw the cover I thought, I don't want to read that book it is probably some creepy, horror story. You do have to admit the cover is a little disturbing, Then I started seeing all to the positive reviews and thought I would give it a whirl. I am so glad I did. The story was so creative and di More...
Wow! What a pleasant surprise this book turned out to be. The old adage don't judge a book by it's cover is definitely pertinent for this book. When I first saw the cover I thought, I don't want to read that book it is probably some creepy, horror story. You do have to admit the cover is a little disturbing, Then I started seeing all to the positive reviews and thought I would give it a whirl. I am so glad I did. The story was so creative and di More...
0 comments
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(9 people liked it)
Jun 30, 2011
Lee
rated it:
Wow, in the last week I've read 3 extraordinary books...and they've all been YA novels. Now that doesn't surprise me as much as it would surprise the regular reader. I've been a bookseller for more than twenty years and in the last fifteen have witnessed the rise of talent in this wide open genre. From paranormal romances (Stephenie Meyer, the Cast mother/daughter team, Libba Bray, Lauren Kate, Melissa Marr, Maggie Stiefvater, Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl and 3 of my new faves Jennifer Lynn B
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(16 people liked it)
Aug 09, 2011
Chris
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Sep 06, 2011
Kelli
rated it:
You know the saying "Never judge a book by its cover"? well, in this case, DO! It was what grabbed my attention. Upon reading the premise, I was even more sure I had to read this. I am so glad that I did! It's such an amazing and creative story. The vintage pictures included complement the story so well. They truly make you believe these things are real.
*SPOILERS MAY FOLLOW*
I found the beginning of the story touching in so many ways. Jacob (protagonist) and his stories More...
*SPOILERS MAY FOLLOW*
I found the beginning of the story touching in so many ways. Jacob (protagonist) and his stories More...
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(4 people liked it)
Nov 01, 2011
Angie
rated it:
Well this book was not what I expected at all. I thought it was going to be a scary book and it turned out to be different then I thought. There was a little spookiness at the end but that was about it. I like that the story was different then what I have been reading lately for young adults. I like that the pictures are real pictures found at flea markets and other places by photograph collectors. I also like how the book ended and hope there is NOT a sequel. I did think it got a little l
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3 comments
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(3 people liked it)
Jun 26, 2011
Carrie
rated it:
This book was just fabulous. It was a complete surprise and I found it incredibly refreshing. The book combines actual antique photos with a fantastically woven storyline. The peculiar children grabbed onto my heart and lead me through each page. I highly recommend it!
10 comments
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(18 people liked it)
Feb 01, 2012
Jana
rated it:
Miss Peregrine’s House of Peculiar Children
2-2.5*
The first 150 pages or so had me sitting almost biting my nails in suspense wondering what would happen next (or rather when something would happen finally). However, I have to admit that early black-and-white photography portraying serious people in rigid postures and unsmiling faces creep me out no matter what. There might have been a horror movie or two that I watched at too young an age. Anyway, fuelled by this little s More...
2-2.5*
The first 150 pages or so had me sitting almost biting my nails in suspense wondering what would happen next (or rather when something would happen finally). However, I have to admit that early black-and-white photography portraying serious people in rigid postures and unsmiling faces creep me out no matter what. There might have been a horror movie or two that I watched at too young an age. Anyway, fuelled by this little s More...
0 comments
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(3 people liked it)
Sep 11, 2011
Tintin
rated it:
STORY:
When he was a kid, Jacob believed his grandfather’s fantastic stories of levitating girls, bee-controlling boys, and monsters in a far-off orphanage from World War 2. After all, there are pictures to prove it. He’s now 16 and feels betrayed by his grandfather’s lies. But a devastating event leads him to question his beliefs and propel him on a journey to find out who his grandfather really was.
WRITING STYLE:
Ransom Riggs is an author I’m going to watch out for. I lik More...
When he was a kid, Jacob believed his grandfather’s fantastic stories of levitating girls, bee-controlling boys, and monsters in a far-off orphanage from World War 2. After all, there are pictures to prove it. He’s now 16 and feels betrayed by his grandfather’s lies. But a devastating event leads him to question his beliefs and propel him on a journey to find out who his grandfather really was.
WRITING STYLE:
Ransom Riggs is an author I’m going to watch out for. I lik More...
3 comments
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(7 people liked it)
Aug 29, 2011
Courtney
rated it:
I'm not even sure how to classify this wonderful book. What I do know is that there are very few people to whom I would not recommend it.
Ransom Riggs has created a magical world within a world aided by the liberal use of vintage photographs which add an otherworldly quality to the narrative. The story opens with a grandfather telling his grandson tales of his youth in an orphanage off the coast of Wales. He had fled continental Europe during World War II and spent the rest of his yout More...
Ransom Riggs has created a magical world within a world aided by the liberal use of vintage photographs which add an otherworldly quality to the narrative. The story opens with a grandfather telling his grandson tales of his youth in an orphanage off the coast of Wales. He had fled continental Europe during World War II and spent the rest of his yout More...
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(1 person liked it)
Jan 24, 2012
Afton
rated it:
Right away you will notice something different about Miss Peregrine’s home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. Fascinating, odd, and sometimes creepy vintage photographs appear throughout the story which begins when sixteen-year-old Jacob’s world is torn apart. His grandfather is violently killed and Jacob insists that a strange monster was the murderer--a claim that lands Jacob in the chair of a therapist. His grandfather’s dying plea eventually leads him to Carinholm, an island off the coas
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(1 person liked it)
Jan 02, 2012
Jamie
rated it:
Aaah this book was so amazing. Creepy, weird, strange but amazing. I thought I wasn't going to like it, and at first I thought it would be some really disturbing ghost story or something, but I was pleasantly surprised to find out that that wasn't the case. If you haven't read it you really should. The pictures highlight the story in such an integral way that without them I don't think this book would have made such an impact.
3 comments
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(4 people liked it)
Jan 07, 2012
Strange.
Seems somewhat young and incompletely conceived, perhaps one might say, odd. Unfortunately, I had to return the book, so my concerns are from memory of a brisk read. Frankly, it's a little messy. The idea of stories from photographs is wonderful; the trouble is that such old photos are better integrated with another age, not a modern one. Just imagine, if Houdini had a Vegas act now: it would fold within weeks on an age that has fed on David Copperfield and Criss Angel. P More...
Seems somewhat young and incompletely conceived, perhaps one might say, odd. Unfortunately, I had to return the book, so my concerns are from memory of a brisk read. Frankly, it's a little messy. The idea of stories from photographs is wonderful; the trouble is that such old photos are better integrated with another age, not a modern one. Just imagine, if Houdini had a Vegas act now: it would fold within weeks on an age that has fed on David Copperfield and Criss Angel. P More...
0 comments
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(8 people liked it)
Dec 15, 2011
Aleeza
rated it:
*2.5 stars*
the author of this book is hot. the book...um, not so much. (not that i generally go around calling books 'hot', but y'know what i mean.) it really is a little all over the place, like plenty of reviewers have said before.
i think i should just accept that no book will ever truly frighten me. i mean, yeah, there was that sole stephen king book i read but besides that? zilch. *sigh*
the author of this book is hot. the book...um, not so much. (not that i generally go around calling books 'hot', but y'know what i mean.) it really is a little all over the place, like plenty of reviewers have said before.
i think i should just accept that no book will ever truly frighten me. i mean, yeah, there was that sole stephen king book i read but besides that? zilch. *sigh*
9 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Oct 01, 2011
Jordan
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
6 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Feb 08, 2012
Marykcecil
rated it:
The beginning of the book definitely made me curious but then it got a slow start. Soon enough, I was captivated by the suspenseful story line. The plot built and built until the explosive climax. The ending had everything I need in a book with a slow start, a startling finish! As soon as Jacob went into the basement, found the bottles full of organs, met Emma, and stumbled into the loop that the Peculiar children his grandfather grew up with have been hiding all this time.
As a read More...
As a read More...
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(1 person liked it)
