A review by olivialandryxo
Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs

5.0

Review also on Heir of Glitter.
Trilogy overview video.

I finished this book, and that means I'm truly done with this trilogy. I don't know how to feel about this; it was absolutely amazing and easily a new favorite, but the end was so bittersweet.

The story took so many turns I almost keep up, despite a bit of a lull early on. Regardless, I loved it, and that the haunting beauty of the writing remained. It was definitely a fast-paced read, and the thrill of the new details added to the plot allowed me to read this in a day. Abilities were explored, boundaries were pushed. Everything that shouldn't have happened did happen, but luckily it all worked out in the end. I was honestly worried there would be loose ends, or that our beloved characters wouldn't get what they deserved, but there was no need. The trilogy was wrapped up like a present with a bow on top. ;)

Jacob was definitely at his best in this book. His doubt was present but lessening, and his abilities took unexpected but amazing turns. I loved seeing him grow even more as a lead and learn how to control his powers, especially in the climactic end battle and what followed. And, as weird as it will sound, I liked that he struggled. One of my biggest pet peeves when reading about leads coming to terms with unknown powers is when they can harness them instantaneously; in this book, this trilogy, that doesn't happen with Jacob. I also loved how he stepped up to be a leader when he was expected to be, even with no clue what he was doing. He's easily on my list of top ten favorite male leads. :D (Not counting fae/Shadowhunters/warlocks/other non-humans haha.)

Emma was at her best as well. She didn't go through as much growth as Jacob did; she was still the stubborn, hotheaded girl she always has been. But she seemed to become more human, if that makes sense. In the last two books she acted like this unbreakable, tough leader, and I admired that, but here she showed more emotion and felt even more real. She was on my list of favorite female leads from the beginning, but her actions and personality definitely bumped her up a few spots. <3

The majority of this book remained in London, where the second left off. But beyond that, readers are transported between the past and the present, and so many other locations (albeit briefly) through many other loops. I admired Ransom's ability to weave such a complex world out of our real one, and make me love it so much. Especially with the reveal in the end; after that, I would love to have a peculiarity and live in the peculiar world. :D

Ever since the beginning, I've loved the family dynamic between Miss Peregrine and her peculiars, and just the ymbrynes and children in general. Even though they were absent for much of the story, they reappeared in the end and my feelings on them didn't change. :)

I'm not really sure how to summarize Jacob and Emma's relationship. By the end of the second book I shipped them and was excited to see how their romance developed in this one. It's hard to explain without spoiling, but I guess I could say it dwindled? With everything that was going on I can understand that, but I was worried as the end got closer that it would stay that way. I won't give away any more details, but I will say this: if you ship them, it's okay! ;)

I'm sorry if you're tired of hearing this, but this book was a genuine rollercoaster. The first 50 pages were great, but then there was a slight lull until around page 100 (??) before everything went down. After that, there was never a dull moment. It messed with me and had me hooked, and I loved it. :D

All in all, this book was a spectacular end to a favorite trilogy. I swear, each book is better than the last, and this one topped the other two by a lot. I thought the second would be my favorite, but this one is, without a doubt. If there were more books, I would read them, but since there's not, I'll just love what I have. ;)