Just Finished Reading...The Peculiar

The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann

Don't get yourself noticed and you won't get yourself hanged.

In the faery slums of Bath, Bartholomew Kettle and his sister Hettie live by these words. Bartholomew and Hettie are changelings--Peculiars--and neither faeries nor humans want anything to do with them.

One day a mysterious lady in a plum-colored dress comes gliding down Old Crow Alley. Bartholomew watches her through his window. Who is she? What does she want? And when Bartholomew witnesses the lady whisking away, in a whirling ring of feathers, the boy who lives across the alley--Bartholomew forgets the rules and gets himself noticed.

First he's noticed by the lady in plum herself, then by something darkly magical and mysterious, by Jack Box and the Raggedy Man, by the powerful Mr. Lickerish . . . and by Arthur Jelliby, a young man trying to slip through the world unnoticed, too, and who, against all odds, offers Bartholomew friendship and a way to belong.

Part murder mystery, part gothic fantasy, part steampunk adventure, The Peculiar is Stefan Bachmann's riveting, inventive, and unforgettable debut novel.

My thoughts~ I would like to start of by sharing an interesting fact about the author. Stefan Bachmann penned this creative masterpiece at the young age of sixteen. SIXTEEN! It makes me happy this person was able to showcase his talent at such an early part of his life. He writes as if he is a seasoned pro.

The Peculiar is one of the most imaginative and unique stories I have read in long while. The creative world the author introduces  us to is one of a kind and a joy to visit. This middle grade novel is packed with well developed and interesting characters. I do have to say, I thought it took off rather slow, but in that time we were introduced to the world and setting and in the end it all balanced out.

Over all I can recommend the read. If you do not like cliff hangers I may wait till we are a little closer to book two's release.