Library of Souls

October 1, 2015

Gr 8 Up-A thrilling and satisfying installment in Riggs's "Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children" series. The book picks up where Hollow City (Quirk, 2014) left off without missing a beat, catapulting the children on a dark chase through London and various time loops in a final confrontation against the evil wights and the monstrous hollowgasts. In Hollow City, the children were trying to save Miss Peregrine. In Library of Souls, the fate of all Peculiardom is at stake. As in the previous books, the characters, their relationships, and their special abilities help to inform the world-building, and the detailed descriptions set the tone, which covers the spectrum from humorous to suspenseful to downright terrifying. An old adage states that a picture is worth a thousand words, and, as in the previous books, found photographs continue to illustrate the unique cast of characters and fantastical settings. The photos collected by Riggs are a highlight, adding a believable confirmation to the spectacular narrative. Readers new to the series should start with the first book, and interest in the titles will only grow, as Tim Burton's film adaptation is scheduled for March 2016. VERDICT This YA series has strong crossover appeal; this latest volume is a must-purchase where fans have embraced the first two.-Billy Parrott, New York Public Library

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2015
Grades 8-12 The third installment in the Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children series sees Jacob and Emma journey to the wights' headquarters in Devil's Acre to rescue Miss Peregrine and the other captured peculiarsand save them from a fate worse than death. Giving a nod to Charon, ferryman to the underworld, they arrive in this hellish time loop via a boat piloted by Sharon, who serves as their occasional guide. Devil's Acre throws countless new dangers at the pair as they fight to reach and infiltrate the wights' fortress. Over the course of this journey, Jacob and Emma grow closer, and Jacob hones his newfound ability to control hollowgasts. As in the previous books, Riggs builds atmosphere with eerie vintage photos that amplify the curious nature of his imagined world. This novel proves perhaps too neat a conclusion to Jacob's story arc, but satisfying answers are given to long-standing questions about peculiardom, and all major story lines see resolution. Fans will easily lose themselves in this most peculiar tale of all. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children is soon to be a Tim Burton film, which will swell this best-selling series' ranks of dedicated followers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)