Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

The haunting picture on the cover was what first drew me to this book.  Curious title, too.  Those two combined conjured up images about an orphanage where children were being mistreated (the child does not look happy in the picture).  I was wrong and happy to be wrong.

I really enjoyed this book by Ransom Riggs.  He created a world of fantasy using old photographs and fast-action storytelling.  He does not take long to set up the scene, but they are described mostly to support the events.  The mood is dark and dangerous, there is danger in every turn, but there are moments of triumph as well, albeit short-lived.

Book # 5 for 2014

Spoiler alert!  The central character in the book, Jacob Portman, set off to learn more about his grandfather's past.  His grandfather was violently hurt and told Jacob cryptic things before he died.  Jacob set off to learn more about his grandfather in the island where he grew up and discovered that what he thought were made-up stories were true.  His grandfather was a peculiar, was under the care of Miss Peregrine during the war, along with other supernaturally talented children.  He also found out that they were still alive and have been living in  a time loop for so many years.  They are being hunted by peculiars-turned-monsters who want to use their talents for to gain power and control.  Jacob discovered he has the same talents as his grandfather and had to decide whether to return to his 'normal' life or stay in the loop to help Miss Peregrine and the children.

Hollow City, the second book in this series, has just been released.

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