Ms. Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

This book has been getting buzz for forever.   Some have even deigned to call it "the next Harry Potter".   I usually avoid books with this kind of hype like the plague, but I finally gave in.  My youngest wants to see the movie and the rule in our house is that you have to read the book first.  So I did.

It starts out with a very unique concept.  I love the idea of Peculiar children and the monsters who chase them.    The pictures included with the book created a surreal air to the characters that the book creates.  The pictures were actually my favorite thing about the book.

So now down to the nitty gritty.  The next Harry Potter?  I think not.   In my estimation, and keep in mind that I am a sci-fi/ fantasy reader,  this book created more questions than it answered. 


SPOILERS.......................................



























First of all, why were the time loops necessary?  Was this simply to keep the children safe from the Hollows?   At the end of the book, when the loop collapses and the children go off on their adventure, how do the explain the answer of the children aging suddenly?   The fact is that this, while pointed out in other parts of the book as to why the children can't leave, was completely ignored at the end. 

I gave this book 3 stars.  It was entertaining, but nothing great.