A Map of Days by Ransom Riggs

 

"We're Miss Peregrine's peculiar children," said Bronwyn.

"You know what," said Enoch. "That doesn't sound quite right anymore."

You've got that right, Enoch.

When I reviewed Library of Souls, I opened with the words, "The final installment of Miss Peregrine's, was a surplus of ebb and flow..." I felt like book 3 was comparatively lacking the magic and intrigue of the first two books, and neither book 3 or 2 had the charm of the first novel. It was the final installment and a part of me was relieved to have an ending... Quite obviously, Ransom Riggs wasn't ready to let go because the story continues on. (I know, I know, no one is making me read it.) Book 4 came as a surprise to me, not just because it exists when it shouldn't, but because I almost wish the book had been marketed as a new series for the same characters.

Jacob and the Peculiars' original story arc is complete and this is something new. Long at last, the children are growing up. After decades of living in a time loop, Jacob's friends are finally becoming part of the world around them and they're making very adult decisions. Their desire for independence has actually placed the ymbrynes, including Miss Peregrine, in the awkward position of no longer looking familiar and reassuring... Now they're looking kind of creepy.

"...deciding between choices that suck is precisely why being a leader can suck. Which is precisely the reason we don't, and will never, involve children in high-level leadership decisions."

I feel like shouting in outrage, "They wouldn't be children if you hadn't kept them that way! Reliving the same day over and over for a hundred years!" Please. Maybe it's time the eighty seven year old children take responsibility for their own destinies. This story line feels more grown-up as children start to question the only authority they've ever known.

Jacob wants to live up to his grandfather's name and help Peculiars all across America. The ymbrynes are busy with politics and their wards are ready to rebel. It starts with a secret mission to save a girl displaying a spectacular ability. It's a secret, so naturally everybody knows about it. You think they'd have learned by now, a rescue mission wouldn't be needed if someone wasn't prepared to stop them from doing the rescuing.

I would also point out that the writing could have actually stood on its own merits without the photographs which seem to be getting fewer in each novel, feeling more staged and more forced and more unnecessary. Starting a new Peculiar Adventure could have been a good excuse to start fresh with a new concept.

In comparison to the first book, it lacks the innocence of first adventure. BUT. In comparison to the "final installment" lol, the storytelling is actually much sharper. The characters didn't need introductions at this point, we know who they are. All we want to know now, is where are they going next? A Map of Days introduces the bold question: who will they be when they get there?

I'm kind of glad Book 5 appears to be on its way out. I want to see how these Peculiars grow.

Originally posted on Goodreads 12/13/2019. 4 STARS