by Ransom Riggs

4 Stars

In the second installment of Ransom Riggs’ bestselling series, Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children escape the island of Cairnholm, where most of them have resided for the past seventy years, en route to London. They have just three days to make it there and find Miss Wren, the only ymbryne who evaded wight capture at the end of the last book and their only hope for saving their own ymbryne and guardian. Putting their abilities to the test and Miss Peregrine’s fate in their hands, the peculiar children set off on the journey of a lifetime. On it, they will meet new friends—some peculiar and some not, some human and some not—face off against new enemies, and explore worlds more dangerous than any they’ve ever known. 

*** 

I know they say sequels are never as good as the original, but I was actually quite pleased with this book. In fact, I think Ransom Riggs must have felt the same about the first book as I did because he made a much greater effort to flesh out his characters this time around. I can now differentiate between the children, and I can now identify Emma as “the leader,” Bronwyn as “the protector,” and Enoch as “the pessimist.” Jacob’s character, who becomes increasingly confident in himself and in tune with his abilities, has also been developed nicely. I suppose my biggest criticism of this book is that I don’t feel I’ve been properly integrated into the world of what Riggs calls “peculiardom.” Certain things about it are beginning to make sense, but I can’t seem to wrap my head around the loops—one of its most important concepts. I think I understood J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World better after two chapters than I do “peculiardom” after two books!

Catey F.

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