Review Hollow City

Hollow City by Ransom Riggs

The Second Book of Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children

Available Now

Bookologist's Analysis: This book had sunk with historical fiction, fantasy, horror (at least's that is what the local library dubs it), and vintage photos. 

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.

This book was the required read for historical fantasy. I love holing with sequels that I have earnestly been waiting for. The book was a bit exaggerated with all the scenes, but was an innocent non-sequel-slumper. It tied in nicely at the end of the book.

This book was a sequel to Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children which was more of a fantasy-horror-mystery-for-about-a-mentally-disturbed-boy. This book is more about an unsure boy that doesn't know what to do. It also doesn't help that his power his passive until the enemy is near and is ready to eat/kill them. This book was about self realization and trying to find one's self. I felt that this book was that much more mature because of what Jacob's been through and how he has grown up to become person that is responsible for more than just his safety. I felt Hollow City was a sweet romance that just was in the wrong place at the wrong time (I mean love takes a back seat when your running away from bombs, hollowgasts, wights, random people trying to kill you, etc.) This book was just the highlight of my read the 1/12 of 2014. 

What I Loved:

1) Formatting- I'm a very big visual person in how a book feels and looks that is why I prefer hard books as opposed to an ebook. I really don't think that Hollow City would work as an ebook because of all the photos little tidbits. The cover has a cool design with the head as a Victorian head and line designs with Hollow City in a child's chalk writing. I also like how the author's name is on the side instead of across the bottom. The pages where there is no writing on them also feel very cool with their Victorian designs. The pictures are also placed next to their scenes, unlike Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children where all the photos were in one spot I like this better so you can get visualization. The formatting for the book was superb; the book itself is a piece of art.

2) Humanity- The humanity and honesty of the book is very realistic. The fact that Jacob admits he is confused and doesn't know what to do is an honest fact for a sixteen year old from Florida that is a bit spoiled. His power is not as destructive as a fire-maker (Emma), oracle (Horace), or even a raiser of the dead (Enoch). All he can do is feel the enemy (gut feeling is literal), and see the enemy who are invisible to all else. This is the painful truth that Jacob keeps close heart far from his friends. I felt that despite all most of the characters being peculiar they were still down to earth and all the normal human traits like being a jerk, smart aleck, or pessimist. 

3) Historical- The book takes place on the British isles in 1940. The reality of War World II and the suspicions of everybody are quite real. I mean doesn't someone get a little strange when you see floating clothing (Millard). I mean what better way to show the wights and hollowgasts are evil then have them ally with the Germans.  I liked meeting the Gypsies that were syndrigasti (peculiar in Old Peculiar) and were cool and helped old Miss Peregrine's kids. The bombings in London were scary though, but very realistic. The historical aspect was just more icing on the cake.  

What I Didn't Love So Much

1) SLOWNESS- The book went zigzag south to London, but it took forever with somewhat predictable action with the hollows which was a methodical action. The only bright side was that each time the hollows came there was nice people/peculiar on the hand.  When the action would happen became anticipated. The ending however was very twisty as the whole mission seems to be over and then boom what happens the end of the world. The book in the middle was a bit anticipated, but the end made this book that much better.

Hollow City is really one of the most creative books I've ever read with vintage photos, formatting, and other worldly characters. The setting just topped it all off with being in London during the height of War World II and the new concept of time travel. I can't wait till the next installment for the Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children Trilogy/Novels.