Livia’s Library Vim ‘Me Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children =| What does Ransom Riggs have to offer in his debut novel? OUAME NNN By Livia Turnbull en Grandpa Portman was a boy, he lived in a very strange place. There, on a remote island near Wales, was a home for peculiar children. These children could turn invisible, lift boulders above their heads, and even. levitate. These tales are not tall, either; Grandpa Portman has pictures to prove it. But as young Jacob points out, a photograph can easily be faked. In a twist of fate, Jacob is mortified to one day find his grandfather murdered at the hands of what appears to be a monster; although with so many characters, it gets a little hard to tell which child is which at times. The characterization of Jacob is odd on its own regards as well. Jacob is supposed to 16-years-old, but he acts more like a child at some points of the story. This is especially prominent when he’s trying to convince his parents that Grandpa’s stories are real. Overall, Jacob’s personality is not very well thought out; as a result, he is unfortunately one of the story’s weaker characters. Riggs also cannot seem to make up his mind on which direction he wants the story to go. There are instances when it is a mystery, and instances when it feels like an action/adventure. And for those who are actually “Ransom Riggs’ debut novel has some weak points, but overall it’s an °*Pcting Jacob decides entertaining story, and a fairly strong start for the up-and-coming author.” 22 authentic to make his way to the island. As he wanders the halls of the long since abandoned home, Jacob soon discovers that the peculiar children may somehow still be working their magic. Is this where Grandpa Portman’s assailant resides? Will Jacob at least be able to find some answers; if not, more questions? Miss Peregrine’s is not only a work of prose; it also contains photographs —all of which have not been altered in any way. Author Ransom Riggs’ attempt to tell a story and create characters out of - the old photographs featured is a remarkable one. Each peculiar child has their own unique personality; horror story, you’re not going to find it here. Despite what the back of the book insists, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is more of a mystery with some fantasy elements thrown in. As far as stories go though, Miss Peregrine’s is not all that bad, and the use of photographs is actually pretty creative. Ransom Riggs’ debut novel has some weak points, but overall it’s an entertaining story, and a fairly strong start for the up-and-coming author. With a sequel already rumored to be in the works, I have to wonder if it has the potential to be even more creative and entertaining than its prequel. The adventure of my life! A premature verdict based on twelve hours of ‘Skyrim’ By Angela Espinoza, Arts Editor | J nless you’ ve been living under a rock on the freaking moon for the last year, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim came out last Friday. There I was, helmet and all, in the blistering cold of the night, awaiting the hour of reckoning. As my comrades and I charged forward... we were halted by the mall cop, so we chose to sit quietly and nerd out instead— but it was still totally hardcore. While I can’t offer a review of the game just yet (who, or more likely what is even halfway done by now?), I can offer my initial impressions of some lessons quickly learned in the game thus far (WARNING: There will be spoilers). OH MY GOD THAT OPENING! An epic of epic proportions, Skyrim takes what feels like an eternity (about five minutes) to establish what’s going on: in a good way. Like the avatar’s real life counterpart, you find yourself on a bandwagon of sorts, supposedly riding to your wrongly accused doom. You’re brought up to speed by your fellow prisoners— whose mouths are wonderfully in sync (yes, I will make a big deal of that)—as you take in the scenery around you. You’re basically in for one hell of a cinematic ride the whole way through, especially when things start cooking. Obviously it was to be expected, but it’s just a great feeling to see all the detail put into the world of Skyrim as (hopefully) intended. OKAY... now what? Despite the ever-present story in Skyrim, it’s yet to feel like much of a priority, even when it’s apparently urgent. Almost everyone I talk to has a side quest for me so far, and whether my intention is to get X their amulet or keep it for myself, it’s incredibly easy to get sidetracked from that quest for another. And of course, there’s the beautiful world you’re thrown into that doesn’t take a freaking century to load oh my god—so forget side quests, just look at the... everything! Basically what I’m trying to say is that it’s done its job of ruining my life as an open world game, which is all anyone ever really wanted. Killing is fulfilling, I guess. Maybe I’m used to having everything handed to me, but I’m not crazy about the combat system. “But bro,” I hear, “what game are you playing? Those kills are sweet!” Yes, the kills are indeed ‘sweet, but I usually find myself dead or dying beforehand due to the inability to turn just in time, or to even aim for my soon-to-be victim. Magic, which is usually my-preferred method of fighting, is also something I’ve yet to grasp at all; again, I don’t know if it’s the game’s fault or my own, but I’ve never had this much trouble figuring out magic before. During the would-be tutorial stage (which was actually pretty awesome), magi wasn’t a particular focus at any poin I’m terrified of everything. I was ready to take on a mammoth until I saw it crush two wolves; less« learned, Wooly. Dragons and wolves out of [expletive] nowhere aren’t rez doing anything to help me sleep eith I can’t help shaking when I play nov although to be fair, I’m not sure if it because I’m exhausted or because I know something’s hiding and waitin to try and kill me. Forged in God’s very flames. Really, Skyrim is fantastic; there are still a lot of bugs to work out of cow but at the end of the day I know whe I’m headed. Skyrim is something I haven’t had for a while: a game that legitimately takes over my life. Why yes, that is a horrible thing come to think of it, but so much has been put into this game to keep me coming back; if nothing else, that’s what makes it a success.