Review: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I kind of went into this book not knowing what to expect, I knew it was going to be creepy and vintage just by looking at the cover.

Review: The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As a hard core Hardinge fan I was slightly disappointed with this novel. Don't get me wrong, I still loved it. Between the drastic transformation of the protagonist, the lack of romance, and the original story, this was a really enjoyable read.

But, it was lacking something, all her other books have this mystical and dreamlike quality in them. Beyond the mystery of her father's death and the sexist issues covered in the book, it kind of felt like it was lacking the usual "Hardinge magic". It could be that it just wasn't my cup of tea, but I think there were some parts that kind of dragged on.

The mystery felt too underdeveloped and anticlimactic. Even though the culprit wasn't obvious, it didn't feel shocking because I didn't really feel any attachment/hatred towards the villain. They were just kind of there.

I really did enjoy it though, I loved the concept of the lie tree, the whole debate of evolution vs religion, the hidden world of women that was explored. This book is creepy, very creepy and I can't really see why my library placed it in the juvenile section.

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Review: The Butcher's Hook by Janet Ellis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Here's the short review: If you like dark, realistic stories that punch you in the face with characters that will probably (I said probably, so they still might get a happy end, technically I haven't spoiled anything) not get a traditional happy ending, then you'll like this book.

Now, here's the long review: So we start off by following this young girl from very early childhood to adolescence. The book starts off sweet and innocent, but the language gradually shifts to darker tones, and coarseness. As a psychology major this novel was like fuel for my brain, I read this for leisure, but I couldn't help myself to some serious psychoanalyzing of this incredibly damaged girl.