I have owned this book for a few years and never got around to reading it. Which is sad, because it was wonderful! I knew nothing about it, other than the odd photo on the front, so I was surprised when it started out not at all peculiar with just a regular kid’s story. That didn’t last long, however.
It seems like most YA books are written for a younger crowd, understandably, but this book felt different. Definitely still YA, but there was an element of maturity to it. Maybe it was the darker subject matter, the time period, or the vocabulary, but I didn’t roll my eyes at the cheesiness at all. I think it helps that the main character is a boy, and one with a serious mind and an important task in front of him. He’s flawed and needs help, but isn’t afraid to admit it.
Jacob gets caught up in a world he doesn’t understand, nor do the readers, and we are all lead down the path of understanding together. Revelations come slowly and naturally rather than all at once and indecipherable. I’m not sure if Ransom Riggs (what a fantastic name, btw) has written any other books, but I definitely look forward to the next two installments in this series.
Pleasant Nights 