Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children Series by Ransom Riggs

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs From Goodreads: 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. A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

Hollow City by Ransom Riggs From Goodreads: The extraordinary journey that began in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children continues as Jacob Portman and his newfound friends journey to London the peculiar capital of the world. But in this war-torn city, hideous surprises lurk around every corner. Like its predecessor, this second novel in the Peculiar Children series blends thrilling fantasy with never-before-published vintage photography to create a one-of-a-kind reacting experience.

I really wasn't sure what to expect going in to these, the photos used in the covers have that old time eerie feel combined with an extra wrongness that's intriguing and unsettling. I was prepared to find them just too weird, but while they are odd, and really "peculiar" is the perfect word for it, they are also endearing.

The characters are all very alive, with their own distinct personalities aside from their peculiar talents.  The world is our own, current and historical, but also fantastical, often dark and despairing during their travels.  I really felt invested in their struggles, and a bit haunted by some of the scenes presented and their outcomes.

I actually listened to the audiobook so I didn't have the additional photos to look at, but I do intend to go find a real copy so I can check them out.  The covers definitely drew me in, my mind not agreeing with what my eyes were seeing, even though it's there plain as day.

There is a movie scheduled for July 2015, directed by Tim Burton, so I'm definitely on board for that, interested to see how they handle the effects.  I don't see any news on a third book listed yet, but I'm hopeful since the story thus far indicates there should be more. 

Ransom Riggs' website is definitely worth a look as there is information on his other work there, he is deeply interested in photography and old photos and there is a free download there about 13 photographs that changed the world.

When you're ready for something a little different, give these a try.  You might not want to like them at first because parts are just so odd and out of our normal comfort zone of what is, but you'll come around.  I did. ;)