~Happy Halloween~ Hollow City by Ransom Riggs

                Happy Halloween!  I can't believe it's tomorrow.  I hope you all have a fun and safe time.  My plans include hanging out with my friend and her family (lots of little ones there) and walking with them and hanging out candy after.  Okay mostly I want an excuse to wear one of my masquerade masks.  I thought today's review would go with the creepy and spooky vibe of Halloween.  Hollow City by Ransom Riggs, book two in Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children series, I reviewed the first book here.

                This second book picks up where we left off with our gang of peculiar children so if you haven't finished the first book then you should turn back now and come back after  you've finished book one.  Also as a reminder I have a giveaway running until December 6th check out the details here and don't forget to enter!  Now seriously spoilers again for book one….you've been warned.

Rating: 4 Stars

                We left Jacob and the gang in little boats leaving their home and their loop off in search of a way to save Miss P.  The theme of the book is still the same mixing the creepy and interesting antique photos into the story giving it a haunting type feel that again felt totally unique to this story.  The crew is on their way to London, the peculiar capital of the world where they hope to find answers.  They encounter new allies, new peculiars, and uncover many new facts about their worlds. 

                Hollow City moves faster than the first book but that has more to do with having the world and most of the rules already set in place and having us gotten to know most of our key players, so we're able to move forward into the story and the quest.  We find several different loops and meets lots of new and interesting peculiars.  My favorites might be the peculiar animals like what that just blew my mind (but those chickens….nope).  Also Jacob gets to develop his power a bit more and figure out what he can do, which is neat and total trial by error since he has no one to really guide him but the unit is pretty strong. 

                But I kid you not there is a bunch of things happening.  They are setting a serious pace.  Time loops and travel for a group of kids during 1940s…they have their work cut out for them.  Still you do take the time to get to know more about our gang as well as meet some really interesting peculiars along the way.  Ransom has a way with the world for sure.  He seems able to pull you in and out of different loops without breaking a beat which was nice.

                Still with all of this there is still plenty of time to be surprised.  Twists and turns in the story and discoveries the kids make.  There is always something new to learn in the world of the peculiar.  Still how creepy is it to run from something and try to fight it when only Jacob can see them.  Talk about fighting blind.  I really enjoyed the story and am looking forward to when I'll have enough time to finish out the trilogy with Library of Souls.  Tell me in the comments who your favorite new character was in Hollow City or what your favorite time loop was.  I'm curious. 

                Until next time…

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

                Hey everyone!  I'll jump straight into it today, I am sharing with you my thoughts and feels on Miss Peregrine's Home forPeculiar Children by Ransom Riggs.  This is the first book in the trilogy, which is now finished the last book came out at the start of the month.  I had the great fun of going to one of the 5 book launch/release parties and the theme for it was a Peculiar Ball.  So many people showed up in costume, I admit I was drawing a blank on what to do to dress up but seeing so many it all made perfect sense.  At this event as well were my three favorite Booktubers, one of which the reason I finally started this series *cough* Jessethe Reader, with Katytastic and Polandbananas.  So much fun.  Questions and talking plus I made some new friends who booktube, Sanaa at InkBonesBooks and Sara at SarawithoutanH.  I also got to meet the author and get my books signed plus a cool tote bag (and who doesn't love tote bags), a peculiar calendar and poster so this event was a huge win in my book.  I'll post pictures throughout post, sorry for the quality I was using my phone and well it's hard to focus and laugh at the same time.

Rating: 4 Stars

                Okay for those of you who don't know what this series is about I'm going to try and explain the idea without ruining the story.  This series is based around a bunch of old photographs, some of which are kind of creepy.  They also include the images in the book (I've been told they don't work as well on e-reader though) which really adds an extra element into the book.  Modern day sixteen-year-old Jacob grew up on tales of his grandfathers adventures and of a home full of peculiar children.  He grows to not believe the tales of course but after a tragedy, Jacob finds himself going to the isolated island in Wales where this home of peculiars was said to live.  He finds the abandoned and crumbling home he finds there may be truth to his grandfathers old tales, and even stranger, these peculiar children may still be alive. 

                Basically this book has a lot going for it, especially for October.  It has the whole creepy mood going for it with old photographs that seem hard to explain some of, monsters, time loops, and children with peculiar powers!  I went in a bit unsure, knowing after hearing Jesse the Reader gush about this series and push it so often I'd have to give it a try but then when Bogdana at Bogdana The Booknerd said she wanted to read them as well and gave me more information, that peculiar meant powers, I was ready to check them out.  Then Ransom coming to the area for the release of the third book I had to be on top of things, so we read them with our Goodreads group. 

                The book starts out moving pretty quick, drawing you in.  Then for me it had a bit of a slow moment where I was questioning if I'd finish but then right as I thought that it drew me right back in.  The story was well written and seemed to go quickly with the design of whole pages taken up by pictures here and there.  Also the book itself has one of those old school feels under the cover and it is beautifully done design wise. The cast of characters are so unique in their peculiarity but also their distinct personalities were fun to get to know.  I think Mildred might be my favorite, though I have a special place in my heart for each of them.

The Costume winners!  OMG I just adored little Addison!

                 I will say the biggest suggestion I can make is to go into it without much information and be surprised.  Also don't over think the time loop aspect, just go with it.  Just know you're going to meet some peculiar children, do some peculiar things, have some monsters to deal with, and lots of interesting learning about the world.  

My new friends!

                That's all for now.  I hope you check it out.  Also don't forget tomorrow I am posting my spot on the blog tour for Quanta and I'll have goodies like an excerpt from the story, hilarious one that doesn't spoil, an author interview, my review of course, and they are hosting a giveaway as well so check back tomorrow for that.  Also despite my wanting to quit having 8 books going at once I am still reading several at once and plan to have some good reviews heading your way.  Share your thoughts and comments below please.

Xtinemay, Jesse, and Kat!  

                Until next time…