Library of Souls brought  Ransom Riggs’ “Peculiar Children” trilogy (currently #3 on the New York Times Bestsellers list for Young Adult Series) to an epic conclusion.

The events of the series are set in motion when 16-year-old Jacob Portman’s grandfather dies mysteriously. Clues left behind by his grandpa lead Jacob to a mysterious island in Wales and into the world of Peculiars. Pecuilars are people with unique gifts (like shapeshifting or healing). Jacob meets Peculiar children under the care of Miss Peregrine. Just as Jacob is introduced to this world, a growing menace threatens to violently change Peculiardom for the worst.

As the series goes on, Jacob gets to see more and more of the Peculiar world and learn more and more Peculiar history. Ransom Riggs is a wonderful world builder, which makes discovering this world with Jacob an exciting and unforgettable experience for the reader. By the third book the reader already has formed a solid idea of what the Peculiar world is like. Riggs challenges that idea by revealing the dark underbelly of Peculiardom piece by piece.

Library of Souls is a story of hope. A story of persevering in the face of near impossible odds. Jacob risks his life and goes through hell to try to save a world he’d found out existed a couple of months ago. All these trials make Jacob bolder and braver, a true leader, very different from the meek Jacob in the first book. Library of Souls is chock full of action and emotion, a book that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat from start to end.

The most noteworthy aspect of the books is the photos. Riggs is inspired by and incorporates vintage, sometimes kind of creepy photos. These photos are spread throughout the book and add an extra level of immersion to the story.

The 5 out of 5 star book is available on Amazon and at Barnes and Noble for about $12

By Sienna Mata