Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children - Ransom Riggs

The Miss Peregrine series of books was originally inspired by a collection of old photos that Ransom Riggs found at a flea markets and second hand shops. His unusual hobby of collecting other peoples photos, particularly older ones, led to his surprise bestselling series of books.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children is told through the eyes of Jacob Portman. The death of his grandfather, who filled Jacob's head with wild tales, sends him on a journey to a remote Welsh Island. Whilst their Jacob stumbles on the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children which looks long deserted.

But Jacob ends up transported to the home where he meets the peculiar children and Miss Peregrine. And this starts a journey that means Jacobs life will never be the same again.

Rigg's decision to include the real photos which inspired his characters into the books sets them apart from the other young adult fantasy books out their. The photos of an invisible boy, a girl who can fly and creepy looking twins helps bring the charavters to life in the mind of the reader and creates a unique connection to them.

The story is a unique one which is a great idea and the first book starts strong. But there are clear issues with this book. The writing style shows the inexperiance and of the author and needs improving. The books also because almosy childish and could have been more grown up to appeal to a bigger audience. Also the photos are interesting and help elevate the story but some are irrelevant, they don't inspire any characters and are included for no reason.

Weirdly this is a series of books where they get better. The second and third books, Hollow City and Library of Souls, are much better written and the author seems to have learnt from his first release. All the photos tie in with the story and help bring it to life. The stories are more captivating and bring this magical life to world, whilst appealing to a much wider audience with less childish stories.

If you can get through the slower moving first book the second and third will be worth it.

Snapping Turtles average 4