Wicked Review: Hollow City by Ransom Riggs

Published: January 14, 2014

Publisher: Quirk Books

Series: Miss Peregrine #2

Acquired: Borrowed Paperback

Amazon || Barnes and Noble || The Book Depository || Fullybooked

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.

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.

The whole thing is an epic journey of epic proportions! The peculiars are lost. They have nothing and their home is gone and Miss Peregrine is now a bird. World War II is underway. Wights are wreaking havoc in all peculiardom.

Jacob's abilities in sensing hollows seemed to have developed slowly. His body is now a hollowgast compass. I always thoughts Jacob as a mere 12 year old like how I pictured the peculiars. But he isn't. He's a teenager and he's in love with Emma. The romance aspect is like a breath of fresh air amidst the war and dark days ahead. I learned so much about the lore of the peculiars, like how it all started, the different loops and the secrets.

Not only did Jacob grow up emotionally, physically and mentally, do did the others. Now that they are no longer in their comfort zones, they seemed to be adapting in the scary world outside their loop. Emma, Enoch, Bronwyn, Horace, Hugh, Olive, Fiona, and Claire each have their own scary pasts and I am in awe of what they have experienced and their wisdom is something to be reckoned with.

But what book is complete without a major plot twist. Plot twist to battle to all the plot twists in all of peculiardom.

And the cliffhanger ending. I need book 3, Ransom Riggs!

Ransom Riggs is an American writer and filmmaker best known for the book Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

Riggs was born in Maryland on a 200 year old farm, and grew up in Florida where he attended the Pine View School for the Gifted. He studied English literature at Kenyon College, and studied film at the University of Southern California. His work on short films for the Internet and blogging for Mental Floss got him a job writing The Sherlock Holmes Handbook which was released as a tie-in to the 2009 Sherlock Holmes film.

Riggs had collected curious vernacular photographs and approached his publisher, Quirk Books, about using some of them in a picture book. On the suggestion of an editor, Riggs used the photographs as a guide from which to put together a narrative. The resulting book was Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children which made The New York Times Best Seller list.

Another book inspired by old photographs, Talking Pictures was published by Harper Collins in October 2012. The sequel Hollow City: The Second Novel of Miss Peregrine's Children was released January 14, 2014.

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Wicked Review: Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Published: June 7, 2012

Publisher: Quirk Books

Series: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Acquired: Digital copy

Amazon || Barnes and Noble || The Book Depository || Fullybooked || National Bookstore

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.

Wicked Journey: Tahereh Mafi, Ransom Riggs and Veronica Rossi in Manila!

HAPPY MONDAY EVERYONE! It's been two days since I got to be face to face with Tahereh Mafi, Ransom Riggs, and Veronica Rossi. I am still shaking from the experience. This is my second book signing too. So, I arrived at Glorietta at around 7 am and the line was pretty long already. I was praying that I could get a seat at the venue. Luckily, I found a friend of mine, Alia, while waiting in line. I got to convince her to save me a seat in return that I register seven books since I only have one book and National Bookstore set a limit for eight books per person.

After I registered, I quickly got to my seat and set up camp. I met my Twitter friends there and met new ones as well. It was sort of a meet up of everyone. My inner talkative goddess came out because of them.

By 3 pm, they came out to meet us! (Sorry for like super unHQ pictures. TT_TT)

(This was the crazy crowd. Credits to National Bookstore for this picture!)

(Credits to National Bookstore for this photo)

The screams were deafening when they took on the stage. I was shaking and screaming and taking pictures and videos at the same time. Tahereh was so beautiful and she wore these neon colored heel less pumps that looked so pretty yet so scary to wear and walk around with. But she handled it gracefully. But Veronica Rossi was much beautiful in person. I haven't read her series yet but now I am currently reading Under The Never Sky. I just, like, fell in love with her face. I think I found myself an author crush. :)

Ransom was adorable with his little camera taking videos and pictures of everyone. Like Tahereh, he's one snappy dresser. So, the interview started. Under The Never Sky is slated for a movie under Warner Brothers. Shatter Me is also slated for a movie under 20th Century. And Miss Peregrine is also going to be a movie with Tim Burton as directed. How awesome is that?! Ransom also said that auditions are open for any male aged 18 who wants to play Jacob, the lead in Miss Peregrine. I wonder if the guys in the crowd ever considered auditioning for the role. :) Tahereh also shared that she knew from the first book who Juliette was going end up with. TEAM WARNER RAISE YOUR BANNERS! :) Veronica also shared that there ain't any love triangle in the Under The Never Sky series.

(Credits to National Bookstore for this photo)

In case you didn't know, Tahereh and Ransom got married last year. Everyone ships Ransereh because they are just the cutest, most awkward author couple ever. Tahereh shared to the crowd how she and Ransom met and Ransom was looking at her lovingly and I think I just died on the spot. And to add to that, the crowd screamed for a kiss, which of course they did. *cue FANGIRL SCREAMING*

(I'll post videos on the interviews later on. As I'm writing this, videos are currently uploading. Sucks right?)

Thanks to the books of my friends I got to have a picture with Veronica and Ransom because technically I only have Ignite Me with me. I know, loser me. Haha! I was number 156. At my first book signing, I was number 342. It pays off when you're early. There were three girls who literally camped out though. They were there in front of National Bookstore at Glorietta at around 2 AM! Crazy, right? Booknerds, take cue!

My picture with Tahereh was like a family picture because Ransom's face was in the background. <3 I didn't get to say anything to her because I was just so starstruck because this was the lady who created Aaron Warner for me to fall in love with. <3

Look at Veronica! She is just so pretty. We had a little conversation.

Veronica: Hi!

Me: Hi!

Veronica: How are you?

Me: I'm good.

Veronica: Are you having fun?

Me: Yes! This is so cool!

Veronica: Is this yours? *as I handed her the copy of Into The Still Blue*

Me: No, it's for a friend.

Veronica: Oh, I see.

And then we posed for this picture. *__*

Another incident happened with Ransom Riggs. The girl in front of me was chatting him up while he signed the four books I have. And then when she was done, it was my turn. But then the two of us got like confused with which book belonged to who and Ransom was like: "Oops! Tsk! Tsk!* He crossed his arms ad his face had this fake angry expression. It was so adorable!

I was in cloud nine when I got back to my seat and I was like so stunned after that. When I got back to my senses, I took my chance and selfied with all of my friends. :)

(Me with Jayvee of Writer For Misfits.)

(Me with Alia of Pondering of Psyche.)

(Me with Raine who is also a fan of 5 Seconds of Summer.)

(Me with Neil. He's so tall and he's wearing a 'Tider and Proud' shirt. I'm very jealous.)

(Tahereh Mafi doll! This came along with a Ransom Riggs doll but unfortunately I didn't get to take a picture with it. Credits to Joan of @DanahYumi on Twitter for the doll!)

I went home with my arms throbbing but it was all worth it. I was so so happy that I got to meet three authors all in the same day. I am thanking my lucky stars for this. Here;s to more book signings.

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