Synopsis: 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. A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows. Review: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is as much a chilling tale about monsters and danger, as it is a magical story of a lonely boy meeting finding himself. I found myself going back and forth, trying to decide whether this book is for children, teenagers, or adults. The overall simplicity of the story narration seems lower grade, but the diction and photos make the story more mature. Even so, I really did enjoy this book. I initially picked up this book when I saw all the crazy and provoking photos within the pages of the book. I was infatuated. I find it both fascinating and impressive that the author, Ransom Riggs had collected old photographs – which ended up being the inspiration for his story. Like the photographs, the story line itself is really “different”. Though it is quite intriguing from the first page, action and mystery continue to build up until the climax of the story leaves you needing the second book. In a way, I wish that this book was more conclusive on its own. I feel like the book did end with many questions answered, but is almost like a very long prologue to the second book in the series, rather than its own complete story. With this being said, I still thoroughly enjoyed reading it and loved the clash of cultures and characters from different times. Time travel is usually an element of a book that either works or doesn't. The way Riggs managed to create a world of time travel and different species of humans was very well written and developed. I felt like I had a firm grasp on the essence of the world he created and described – without long and tedious descriptions! If you’re a fan of light fantasy, history, or anything “peculiar” I would suggest this book to you. There is time travel, monsters, different dimensions, and most importantly, peculiar children with abnormal abilities. Just be prepared that the second book in this series, Hollow City, is essential to read after this one! Really though, the one word I would use to describe the story, characters, writing style, and photos is, PECULIAR. Rating: 4/5 Stars
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Synopsis: Charlie is a freshman. And while he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. Shy, introspective, intelligent beyond his years yet socially awkward, he is a wallflower, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it. Charlie is attempting to navigate his way through uncharted territory: the world of first dates and mix tapes, family dramas and new friends; the world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite. But he can't stay on the sideline forever. Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a deeply affecting coming-of-age story that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up. Review: 5 platinum stars. Much better than John Green's, The Fault in Our Stars (although this was pretty good). I really don’t understand why this book was never assigned to us in high school. I mean, sure there was much to discuss and lessons to be learned from To Kill a Mockingbird, The Kite Runner, or The Chrysalids. But I’ve never felt that a book has make this much of an impact on me. I feel like a completely different person after having read it – in a good way! While reading this, you feel like you are a diary. Charlie is this innocent, naive, and strange freshman who writes deeply personal letters to you, a stranger. The letters are all roller-coasters or emotions, thoughts, and stories. These letters essentially give us a look into his mind. He is just a boy who is trying to find happiness as he kind of just an observer of the world who struggles to actually “participate”. Charlie is a really intriguing character as he looks at the world from a completely different point of view. He tries to find the good in everything, and when he doesn’t he holds onto god memories of the past. What makes him really special is that he does what is needed of him: he is a shoulder to cry on, he is a straight A student because his parents told him that they don’t have much money for college, he is a loyal friend, and he is gifted. There is no other way to put it. What I love about this book is that it is not always forcing itself to be politically correct, but it does express the good in everyone. So there is drinking, drugs, smoking, abortion, domestic violence, sex, etc. But In context it just works. It shows a truthful view of the imperfect world we live in but still brings out the good within it. Charlie’s year of letters have formed a perfect story about life. Please read it. It really is life changing. P.S. the movie did not do the book justice! Rating: 5/5 Stars WARNING: THIS BOOK IS MUCH BETTER WITHOUT READING THE SYNOPSIS FIRST! Synopsis: As a cassandra sangue, or blood prophet, Meg Corbyn can see the future when her skin is cut—a gift that feels more like a curse. Meg’s Controller keeps her enslaved so he can have full access to her visions. But when she escapes, the only safe place Meg can hide is at the Lakeside Courtyard—a business district operated by the Others. Shape-shifter Simon Wolfgard is reluctant to hire the stranger who inquires about the Human Liaison job. First, he senses she’s keeping a secret, and second, she doesn’t smell like human prey. Yet a stronger instinct propels him to give Meg the job. And when he learns the truth about Meg and that she’s wanted by the government, he’ll have to decide if she’s worth the fight between humans and the Others that will surely follow. Review: Anne Bishop sure has a talent for creating new worlds. Urban fantasies are usually a hit or miss for me – but this one was definitely a hit! Despite the high ratings on Goodreads, I wasn't sure if I was going to like the book. I found the beginning to be very slow. For a while it seemed that the story centered around Meg Corbyn learning how to live like a normal person. But soon enough, everything picked up. I was really intrigued with the idea of the Others. Bishop created a vivid world that was home to a host of dangerous and mysterious species. For a while I was turned off by the fact that the crows were named Crowgard, the wolves were named Wolfgard, the owls named Owlgard, etc… but as the storyline became increasingly exciting and more dangerous, the names didn't bother me so much anymore. The story also had the perfect balance of intriguing information and mystery surrounding Meg Corbyn’s identity and the power of the Others. I also loved the fact that the Others aren't portrayed as sexy, or desirable, or human in any way. They are beasts who tolerate humans, and won’t hesitate to eat any human trespassing on their land. This was such a nice change from the flood of fantasy/paranormal novels out there that make monsters seem…less monstrous. Another strong point of this book is the changing first person point of view. We read from the points of view of Meg Corbyn, Simon Wolfgard, Asia Crane, Lieutenant Montgomery, Vlad Sanguinati, and a few other characters briefly. This gave the story so much depth as we see this new world from the point of view of a wolf monster, a “vampire”, a human officer, a secret enemy of the monsters and Meg, and the main character. I also love that unlike most YA fantasy (this is more NA fantasy) the main character, Meg, is not a normal girl who becomes “the chosen one”. No. This is about a woman without a name who escapes a compound where she is considered “property” and tries to learn how to live as a person, while avoiding being captured due to the hefty bounty on her head. The ONLY reason this book didn't get a full 5 stars is because the first quarter of the book was pretty slow, making it difficult to get into. For a long time it seemed that there were more and more questions building up with no answers. But as soon as the answers started being revealed, there was no way to put down this book. Highly recommended! Rating: 4.5/5 Stars |
WelcomeHey everyone, my name is Amy and this is my reading and writing blog. Look out for book reviews, hauls, recommendations and original writing! xo Archives
October 2016
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