Hollow City (Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children, #2) Summary & Key Insights

Ransom Riggs's Hollow City, the second installment in the Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children series, follows Jacob Portman and the peculiar children as they flee their destroyed island home after a devastating attack by the wights. Their journey takes them to London, a city shrouded in mystery and teeming with both danger and unexpected allies.

The main plot centers on the children's desperate search for Miss Peregrine, who has been captured by the formidable Caul, a powerful and ruthless wight determined to harness the peculiars' unique abilities for his sinister purposes. Their quest leads them through a labyrinthine and perilous underworld, encountering both helpful and hostile figures along the way.

The key characters remain largely the same as in the first book, with Jacob continuing his role as the central protagonist, navigating his newfound powers and his feelings for Emma. The peculiar children, each with their distinctive abilities, contribute their talents to the group's survival and mission. Emma's time-looping powers become increasingly crucial, as does Millard's invisibility and Bronwyn's superhuman strength. The antagonist, Caul, is fleshed out as a more complex and terrifying villain, driven by his own twisted sense of purpose and ambition. New characters, including the enigmatic Horace Somnusson and the capable and resourceful Fiona Frauenfeld, offer invaluable support and insight.

The overarching themes explored in Hollow City revolve around the struggles of belonging and acceptance. Jacob's journey focuses on his increasing acceptance of his peculiarity and his place within the peculiar community. The children, forced to flee their home and live on the run, grapple with loss, fear, and the uncertain future. Trust and loyalty are tested as the group faces escalating threats. The constant danger underscores the fragility of their lives and the importance of their unity in the face of adversity.

Furthermore, the book delves deeper into the history and mythology of peculiars and wights, providing more context to the ongoing conflict. The search for Miss Peregrine unravels more secrets about the peculiar world, its origins, and the ongoing war between the two factions. The children are forced to confront not only physical threats but also the emotional burdens of loss and the challenges of maintaining hope in the midst of despair. The journey to Hollow City itself is a metaphor for their internal journey of self-discovery and resilience. The novel concludes with a cliffhanger, leaving the readers eager for the next installment and the continuation of the children's fight for survival.