Ransom Riggs' Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children captivated readers with its unique blend of eerie vintage photography and a gothic fantasy narrative. The story of Jacob Portman discovering a world of "peculiars"—children with extraordinary abilities living in a time loop—left fans clamoring for more. The inevitable question arose: could the sequel, Hollow City, possibly live up to the atmospheric magic of the first book? As a dedicated reader of the series and a critic of young adult fantasy, I embarked on the journey through Hollow City to see if it expands the peculiar universe or falls into the dreaded "sequel slump." This review will dissect the plot, character development, and overall execution of this pivotal second chapter.
From Safe Haven to Perilous Journey: The Plot of Hollow City
Hollow City picks up immediately where the first novel ends, denying readers any respite. Jacob and his peculiar friends—Emma, Bronwyn, Enoch, Olive, Hugh, and Millard—are fleeing their destroyed sanctuary. Their mission is desperate and clear: they must travel to 1940s war-torn London to find a cure for their beloved ymbryne, Miss Peregrine, who has been trapped in her bird form. This shift from the contained, loop-bound world of Cairnholm to the vast, dangerous landscape of mainland Europe and London is the sequel's most significant narrative evolution.
The journey structure allows Riggs to showcase a wider array of his fascinating vintage photographs, which now depict war-torn cities, peculiar animals, and new, often menacing, characters. The plot is a relentless chase, filled with narrow escapes from hollowgasts and their human allies, the wights. The pacing is breakneck, offering little time for the reflective, creepy atmosphere of the first book. Instead, Hollow City trades atmospheric dread for the tangible, immediate dangers of a world at war, both mundane and supernatural. This fantasy adventure through a historical setting creates a unique and gripping tension.
Character Arcs and the Weight of Leadership
Jacob Portman's transformation is at the heart of Hollow City. No longer the skeptical outsider from Florida, he is now fully integrated into the peculiar world and burdened with the responsibility of protecting his new family. His struggle is internal and external: he grapples with his growing feelings for Emma while doubting his own worth and peculiar ability. The novel effectively explores the theme of found family and the sacrifices required to protect it.
The supporting cast of peculiars also gets moments to shine. We learn more about their histories and fears, moving them beyond their defining abilities. However, the frantic pace of the plot sometimes limits deeper exploration of each character. The introduction of new peculiars and ymbrynes in London adds fresh dynamics and raises the stakes, suggesting that the world of peculiardom is far larger and more complex than what was seen in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. For fans of character-driven young adult fantasy, this sequel delivers crucial growth, particularly for Jacob.
World-Building: Expanding the Peculiar Universe
Where Hollow City truly excels is in its expansion of Ransom Riggs' unique universe. The rules of peculiardom are fleshed out. We learn about different types of loops, the hierarchy and history of the ymbrynes, and the grim fate of "hollows." The setting of Blitz-era London is masterfully used, blending the very real horrors of World War II with the supernatural threat of the hollows and wights. This historical backdrop isn't just scenery; it actively shapes the plot and the characters' options, creating a richer, more grounded fantasy world.
The integration of the photographs remains seamless and inventive. While the first book's photos often established mood and character, Hollow City uses them more directly as plot devices and clues that the characters must decipher. This interactive element makes the reader feel like part of the peculiar team, piecing together the mystery alongside Jacob and Emma. It's a testament to Riggs' skill as a Ransom Riggs storyteller that he can maintain this distinctive gimmick without it feeling stale.
Themes of War, Identity, and Sacrifice
Beneath the surface of its adventure plot, Hollow City engages with weightier themes. The parallel between the wights' hunt for peculiars and the Nazi persecution during WWII is a potent, if occasionally heavy-handed, metaphor. Jacob's journey is fundamentally one of identity: accepting his peculiarity, his role as a protector, and his place in a world that is not his own. The theme of sacrifice permeates the novel, from the peculiars risking everything for Miss Peregrine to the ultimate price some characters pay.
These themes elevate the book beyond a simple fantasy chase sequence. They provide emotional heft and give readers, especially young adults, concepts to grapple with regarding belonging, courage in the face of overwhelming odds, and the definition of home. The sequel proves that the Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children series has substantive depth to match its inventive style.
Pacing, Payoff, and the Infamous Cliffhanger
The pacing of Hollow City is its most double-edged quality. The non-stop action ensures the book is a page-turner, but it can come at the expense of the eerie, lingering atmosphere that made the first novel so memorable. Some readers might miss the slower, more mysterious build-up of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.
However, the payoff is significant. The final act in London is thrilling, packed with revelations about the peculiar world and Jacob's own heritage. The climax is emotionally resonant and sets the stage for the rest of the series. Then comes the cliffhanger. Without spoiling it, the final pages deliver a twist that is both shocking and brilliantly sets up the central conflict for the third book. It's a masterstroke that will leave readers immediately desperate for the next volume, solidifying Hollow City as an essential, if transitional, middle chapter.
Hollow City as an Audiobook Experience
For those who prefer to listen, the audiobook version of Hollow City, narrated by Kirby Heyborne, is an excellent alternative. Heyborne's performance captures the urgency of the chase and distinctively voices the large cast of characters, from Jacob's American accent to the varied British dialects of the peculiars. The fast pace of the novel translates well to audio, making it a compelling companion for long journeys. However, experiencing the book in print or digitally allows for full appreciation of the integrated vintage photographs, which are a cornerstone of the series' charm.
Final Verdict: A Worthy and Thrilling Successor
Hollow City: The Second Novel of Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children does not merely replicate the formula of its predecessor. Instead, it successfully evolves the story, pushing the characters out of their sanctuary and into a wider, more dangerous world. While it exchanges some atmospheric mystery for relentless action, it gains deeper world-building, significant character development for Jacob, and a more complex exploration of its central themes.
It is a sequel novel that fulfills its primary duties: advancing the overarching plot, raising the stakes, and leaving the reader utterly invested in what comes next. It may not have the standalone, perfectly-formed eerie beauty of the first book, but as the crucial bridge in a larger saga, it is entirely successful. For fans who finished Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and wondered, "What happens next?" Hollow City provides a thrilling, emotional, and essential answer. Its status as a bestseller is well-earned, cementing Ransom Riggs' series as a modern classic in the young adult fantasy genre.
If you're ready to continue the adventure and discover the fate of Jacob and his peculiar family, dive into Hollow City. Just be prepared—you'll need the third book on hand immediately after turning the final page.
