Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Title:               Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children
Author:           Ransom Riggs
ISBN:              978-1-5947-4476-1
Publisher:       Quirk Books
Published:      2011


Synopsis: 


A mysterious island.An abandoned orphanage.
A strange collection of very curious photographs.
It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow - impossible though it seems - they may still be alive.

My Thoughts:

The first thing that grabbed me about this book was the vintage photographs that have been used throughout the book, they really help bring the story to life. The characters were believable and well written. It is not a speedy read and is better to devour slowly in order to fully appreciate the peculiarities and twists along way.
A haunting read that will delight lovers of vintage photography, fairy tales and the unusual.

Dark Alchemy: Magical Tales from Masters of Modern Fantasy

Title:               Dark Alchemy
Edited by:      Jack Dann & Gardner Dozois
ISBN:              978-0-7475-8954-9
Publisher:       Bloomsbury
Published:      2007


Synopsis:  

Throughout the ages, the wizard has claimed a spot in human culture-from the shadowy spiritual leaders of early man to precocious characters in blockbuster films. Gone are the cartoon images of wizened gray-haired men in pointy caps creating magic with a wave of their wands. Today's wizards are more subtle in their powers, more discerning in their ways, and-in the hands of modern fantasists-more likely than ever to capture readers' imaginations. 

My Thoughts:

A fantastic collection of beautifully woven tales by a wonderful selection of authors. I thoroughly enjoyed all the stories in this book but my favourites would have to be Color Vision by Mary Rosenblum and Barrens Dance by Peter S Beagle. If you are a fan of wizards and magical fantasy you will find a story in this collection to suit your tastes.

Follow Fiday

Q. Talk about the book that most changed or influenced your life (was it a book that turned you from an average to avid reader, did it help you deal with a particularly difficult situation, does it bring you comfort every time you read it?). 

Checkers by John Marsden. 

I read this book in my early teen years and in a way it helped me to understand some of the issues that arose through my teenage years. It made me feel as though I was not alone during what were some particularly difficult times.

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Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

Title:               Linger
Author:           Maggie Stiefvater
ISBN:              978-0-5451-2328-0
Publisher:       Scholastic
Published:      2010
Age Group:    Young Adult


Synopsis:

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other.  Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack.  And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.

My Thoughts:

Linger picks up nicely where Shiver left off. Written in the same captivating style as the previous novel, it was everything I was expecting it to be and more. The addition of being able to see the events unfold in the eyes of Isabel and Cole and intriguing dimensions into the plot.
A very engaging story and despite some slow areas in the middle it ended fantastically and left me eager to find out what will happen in the next installment.