Another reread for this year, to finally finish the series.

I was actually surprised by how much I forgot in this book. Because I basically forgot everything. Like, even the main, huge plot twist. Somehow they all vanished from my mind, dropping through the nooks and crannies without me even realising. So it was probably a good job I actually reread this book before going on to finish the final one. Lord knows it wouldn’t have made sense without doing so.

Let’s talk about Hollow City!

Title: Hollow City

Author: Ransom Riggs

Publisher: Quirk Books

Series Status: The 2nd book in the Miss Peregrine’s trilogy

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical Fiction

Number of Pages:  428

(Found on Goodreads)

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children was the surprise best seller of 2011—an unprecedented mix of YA fantasy and vintage photography that enthralled readers and critics alike. Publishers Weekly called it “an enjoyable, eccentric read, distinguished by well-developed characters, a believable Welsh setting, and some very creepy monsters.”

This second novel begins in 1940, immediately after the first book ended. Having escaped Miss Peregrine’s island by the skin of their teeth, Jacob and his new friends must journey to London, the peculiar capital of the world. Along the way, they encounter new allies, a menagerie of peculiar animals, and other unexpected surprises.

Complete with dozens of newly discovered (and thoroughly mesmerizing) vintage photographs, this new adventure will delight readers of all ages.

*First read in March 2015*

What a wonderfully unique series this is!

While it’s not one of my favourite series – it did used to be, but this year I’ve been going off quite a lot of the series I used to love – it’s one that I can definitely say I’ve read nothing similar to.

So this one picks up right where the first book left off. Right from the start, I knew I’d like this one more, purely because of the change in setting. The majority of this book is set in war-torn London, instantly posing another, bigger threat to the story. Not only are they trying to handle their own issues, but their surroundings are just as dangerous. And that just added so much more to the story for me.

With all these dangers and happenings going on, the book really sped by. Though the chapters are long – the bane of my life – it sort of balanced out thanks to how quick I’d read it. Weirdly, it feels like a “fun” series. Sure, it looks dark and gloomy and horror-like, but I can’t help but find it a fun. I can’t take it too seriously.

I find it interesting to see how so many characters managed to have a balance through the story. It wasn’t confusing, trying to keep track of them all, yet no one was forgotten about for lengthy periods of time either. They all managed to stay in the story, relevant when needed, and actually reacting to each other and the events as you’d expect them to. Granted, the dialogue seemed to be mostly arguing about what they should do next, but I found that more realistic than anything, considering it’s a group of children. Luckily it doesn’t get too annoying.

The only thing that let it down for me – and quite a lot, I’m afraid – is how mightily convenient half the situations were. They’d be looking for an answer, a really far-fetched idea taking hold in the smallest corner of a brain, turn around and LO AND BEHOLD. The answer is right there.

And that’s not even an exaggeration. So many times, one of them would turn around and the answer would be stood right in front of them. *facepalm*

The convenience of it all just made me roll my eyes sometimes. And it’s probably the reason I couldn’t really take the story seriously at all. Nothing was logical, it was all just pot-luck. But hey ho, what can you do?

I AM glad I reread this book. I’d forgotten the majority of it from the first time round, and like I said before, it was a fun read. I just kind of wish there was more…logical, detective, let’s work this out moments, rather than guesswork and conveniences.

Rated 3.5/5 stars

Amazon

Share your thoughts!

Have you read this book/series? What did you think?

Maybe you’ve watched the film adaptation?

If you haven’t read this series, is it on your TBR?

Let me know in the comments!

Until next time…

Come and visit me!

Snapchat: frolic_fiction