“We are all lonely, I think, but we can all find a way to make that less true.”
— Jacob's internal reflection on the nature of loneliness and connection.
Archivist's Choice
Hollow City
Ransom Riggs (2013)
Genre
Fantasy / Young Adult
Reading Time
450 min
Key Themes
See below
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With their beloved headmistress trapped as a bird, Jacob and his peculiar companions must journey through war-torn 1940s London, encountering wondrous new oddities and perilous threats, all while clutching a precious menagerie of vintage photographs.
Synopsis
Jacob Portman and his peculiar friends, with an injured Miss Peregrine in bird form, escape their bombed-out island. They must find another Ymbryne to restore Miss Peregrine to human form. They brave treacherous seas and a dangerous train ride, meeting peculiar animals and their keeper, Addison, who helps them reach the mainland. Their destination is London, the peculiar capital, now a dangerous war zone. They navigate the devastated city, evading Wights and Hollowgast, and seek other Ymbrynes, especially Miss Wren. Their search leads them to a peculiar library and, eventually, to Miss Wren's hidden loop. There, they discover a horrifying truth: the Ymbryne Council has been captured, and Dr. Golan, Jacob's former psychiatrist and a Wight, is orchestrating a sinister plot. Jacob and the children must use their abilities to confront Golan, rescue the captive Ymbrynes, and escape the Wights' lair, all while protecting Miss Peregrine and securing their uncertain future.
Reading time
450 min
Difficulty
Medium
Pacing
Fast
Mood
Suspenseful, Adventurous, Dark, Mysterious
✓ Read this if...
You loved the first book and want to continue Jacob's adventure with more peculiar children and vintage photographs.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer standalone novels or don't enjoy a darker, more urgent tone than the first book.
Plot Summary
A Desperate Escape and a Dire Diagnosis
Immediately after the events of 'Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children,' Jacob Portman and the peculiar children, including Emma Bloom, Bronwyn Bruntley, Enoch O'Connor, Olive Abroholos Elephanta, Hugh Apiston, Horace Somnusson, Millard Nullings, and Fiona Frauenfeld, find themselves adrift in a small boat after escaping Cairnholm Island. They carry Miss Peregrine, who is trapped in her bird form and gravely injured. She cannot revert to human form. Their immediate goal is to find another ymbryne who can help restore Miss Peregrine, as her condition is quickly worsening. They believe London, a known center for peculiars, is their best hope, despite the dangers of wartime and the constant threat of wights and hollows.
A Stormy Journey to the Mainland
The children's journey across the stormy Irish Sea is dangerous. A violent storm batters their small boat, threatening to capsize them. Jacob's ability to see hollows is essential, as he spots a lurking hollowgast in the churning waters, which they manage to avoid. Upon reaching the mainland, they find themselves in a war-torn fishing village. They quickly realize they are in a different time loop, a temporary safe haven, but not a permanent solution. Here, they encounter a menagerie of peculiar animals, all with their own unique traits, cared for by a peculiar named Addison MacHenry, who is a talking dog. Addison gives them temporary shelter and important information about the peculiar world.
Encountering Addison and the Peculiar Animals
Addison MacHenry, a sophisticated talking dog, greets Jacob and the children. He explains that he is an old friend of Miss Peregrine. He runs a temporary peculiar shelter for animals whose ymbrynes have been captured or killed. Addison provides the children with food, warmth, and much-needed rest. He also gives them a map and directions to London, specifically to a peculiar safe house run by his contacts. He warns them about the increased danger of wights and hollows, especially in urban areas, and the importance of staying hidden. Addison's wisdom and gentle manner offer a brief break and renewed hope for the children, despite Miss Peregrine's worsening health.
The Train Journey and a Close Call
Following Addison's directions, the children board a train bound for London, disguised as ordinary refugees. The journey is tense, as they must maintain their cover while ensuring Miss Peregrine, still a bird, remains safe. Jacob's ability to sense hollows is their main defense. During a stop, they are almost discovered by a wight disguised as a human. Jacob's quick thinking and the combined efforts of the peculiar children allow them to escape detection. This highlights the constant threat they face. The experience reinforces the urgent need to reach a safe haven and find help for Miss Peregrine before she succumbs to her bird form permanently.
Arrival in London and a New Threat
Upon arriving in London, the children see devastation. The city is scarred by nightly bombings and the constant danger of wights. They locate the peculiar safe house Addison mentioned, only to find it in ruins, its inhabitants either gone or captured. This discovery plunges them into despair, as their primary lead has vanished. As they navigate the dangerous streets, a group of wights ambushes them. A fierce battle follows, showing the children's growing resourcefulness and teamwork. They manage to fight off their attackers, but the encounter leaves them shaken and acutely aware of their dangerous situation.
Meeting Miss Wren and the Pigeon Loop
Desperate, the children follow a new lead to another ymbryne, Miss Wren, who runs a peculiar menagerie in a hidden London loop. They find Miss Wren's loop, a sanctuary filled with peculiar birds and animals, where she works to restore ymbrynes who have been trapped in animal form. Miss Wren, a kind but eccentric ymbryne, agrees to help Miss Peregrine but explains that the process is delicate and requires specific conditions. She places Miss Peregrine in a special incubator, giving the children a glimmer of hope. However, Miss Wren also reveals that the wights are becoming more organized and powerful, making their mission even more dangerous.
The Search for the Ymbryne Council
While waiting for Miss Peregrine to recover, the children learn from Miss Wren about the Ymbryne Council, a governing body of ymbrynes, and their last known meeting point. They believe that if they can reach the Council, they might find a more permanent solution to the wight threat and a way to protect all peculiars. Miss Wren provides them with a cryptic map and instructions, warning them of the dangers of venturing outside her protected loop. Jacob, Emma, and the others volunteer to undertake this dangerous journey, leaving the younger children and a recovering Miss Peregrine in Miss Wren's care. This shows their increasing courage and determination.
A Perilous Journey Through Bombed London
Jacob, Emma, Horace, Millard, and Bronwyn embark on the dangerous trek through bombed-out London, following Miss Wren's clues. They navigate the ruins, avoiding both human dangers and the lurking wights. Their journey takes them through a series of abandoned and collapsing buildings, each step risky. Jacob's ability to see hollows again proves invaluable, as they encounter several close calls with the invisible monsters. The constant threat of air raids and collapsing structures adds another layer of tension to their mission, forcing them to rely on their peculiar abilities and each other for survival.
The Abandoned Peculiar Library
Their search leads them to an abandoned peculiar library, a place once filled with peculiar knowledge and history. The library is in disarray, but among the rubble, they find clues leading them closer to the Ymbryne Council. Millard's peculiar ability to become invisible allows him to scout ahead and uncover hidden passages and messages. They discover a hidden compartment containing an old peculiar book with a coded message, which they believe holds the key to the Council's whereabouts. The discovery reinvigorates their hope, but also reinforces the sense of urgency, as the wights are clearly hunting for similar information.
Betrayal and Capture
Just as they believe they are close to finding the Ymbryne Council, Jacob and the others are ambushed. A peculiar they had encountered earlier betrays them; this peculiar is a wight in disguise. During the ensuing struggle, several children are captured, including Emma and Bronwyn. Jacob narrowly escapes but is horrified to see his friends taken. He realizes the wights have infiltrated the peculiar world far more deeply than anticipated. The wight leading the capture is revealed to be Dr. Golan, Jacob's former psychiatrist from the first book, now in a terrifying new form, confirming Jacob's worst fears.
Jacob's Desperate Plan and a Rescue Attempt
Devastated but determined, Jacob returns to Miss Wren's loop to rally the remaining children and plan a rescue mission. He explains the betrayal and the identity of Dr. Golan, emphasizing the dire situation. Despite Miss Wren's warnings about the overwhelming danger, Jacob refuses to abandon his friends. He devises a daring plan to infiltrate the wights' stronghold, relying on his ability to see hollows and the combined peculiarities of the remaining children. The rescue mission is a desperate gamble, but Jacob feels a great responsibility to protect his peculiar family.
The Wights' Lair and a Horrifying Discovery
Jacob, along with Hugh, Olive, and Horace, infiltrates the wights' lair, which is in a bombed-out church. Inside, they discover a horrifying scene: a gruesome laboratory where wights are experimenting on captured peculiars, attempting to extract their peculiarities. They find Emma and Bronwyn, along with other captured ymbrynes and peculiars, including Miss Peregrine, who has been forcibly removed from Miss Wren's care. The wights are trying to force the ymbrynes to create a stable time loop for them, allowing them to gain more power and become fully human again.
Confrontation with Dr. Golan
Jacob confronts Dr. Golan, who reveals the wights' ultimate plan: to use the captured ymbrynes to create a permanent, stable time loop that will grant them unlimited power and allow them to consume the souls of peculiars without the risk of turning into hollows. Dr. Golan taunts Jacob, revealing his long-standing manipulation and the extent of the wights' reach. A fierce battle ensues, with Jacob using his ability to see hollows to his advantage, guiding his friends in the fight against the wights. The stakes are incredibly high, as the fate of all peculiars hangs in the balance.
A Narrow Escape and a New Hope
Through their peculiar abilities, Jacob's leadership, and a timely distraction created by the peculiar animals from Miss Wren's loop, the children manage to free the captured ymbrynes and peculiars. They escape the wights' lair, but not without significant losses and injuries. Miss Peregrine, though rescued, remains trapped in her bird form, as the wights' experiments have made her condition more complex. The children realize their fight is far from over, but they have saved many and gained valuable information. They now have a clearer understanding of the wights' capabilities and the urgent need to find a cure for the trapped ymbrynes.
Onward to the Next Adventure
Having escaped London with the rescued ymbrynes and peculiars, Jacob and his friends are battered but not broken. They know their journey is far from over, and the threat of the wights is still very real. With Miss Peregrine still in bird form and the other ymbrynes in a similar predicament, their next mission is clear: to find a way to restore them. They gather their peculiar allies and set off once more, heading towards a new destination hinted at by the rescued ymbrynes. They are determined to find a permanent solution and protect their kind. The book ends with them on the cusp of another dangerous adventure, united in their purpose.
Principal Figures
Jacob Portman
The Protagonist
Jacob transforms from a hesitant follower into a brave and resourceful leader, embracing his peculiar ability and his role in protecting his friends.
Emma Bloom
The Supporting
Emma solidifies her role as a vital protector and ally, her courage and determination growing alongside her bond with Jacob.
Miss Peregrine (in bird form)
The Supporting
Miss Peregrine remains physically incapacitated but serves as a powerful emotional anchor and motivation for the children's quest.
Addison MacHenry
The Supporting
Addison acts as a wise, benevolent guide, offering essential assistance and context to the children's mission.
Miss Wren
The Supporting
Miss Wren provides a crucial sanctuary and expertise, becoming a temporary guardian and a key figure in the effort to save ymbrynes.
Dr. Golan (Wight)
The Antagonist
Dr. Golan's true identity and sinister intentions are fully revealed, establishing him as a central and personal antagonist for Jacob.
Bronwyn Bruntley
The Supporting
Bronwyn demonstrates unwavering loyalty and strength, becoming a steadfast protector and a vital member of the team.
Enoch O'Connor
The Supporting
Enoch's loyalty and unique ability become increasingly valuable, despite his continued grumpy demeanor.
Millard Nullings
The Supporting
Millard's knowledge and unique ability prove indispensable for navigation and information gathering.
Olive Abroholos Elephanta
The Supporting
Olive's unique ability, while seemingly delicate, finds practical applications in their perilous journey.
Themes & Insights
The Burden of Leadership and Responsibility
Jacob Portman, initially an unwilling participant, takes on a leadership role due to his ability to see hollows and his connection to the peculiar world. He grapples with the great responsibility of protecting his friends, making life-or-death decisions, and navigating a dangerous, unknown world. This theme is clear when he takes charge after Miss Peregrine is incapacitated, planning their escape from Cairnholm and later their rescue mission for the captured peculiars. His internal struggles and growing confidence show the weight of his new position.
““I was no ymbryne, no seasoned adventurer, no natural leader. But I was all they had.””
The Search for Belonging and Family
The peculiar children, having lost their original home and caretaker, desperately seek a new safe haven and a sense of belonging. Their journey to London is driven by the need to find another ymbryne who can restore Miss Peregrine, thus preserving their 'family' unit. They cling to each other, forming strong bonds of loyalty and mutual support in the face of adversity. This is particularly poignant when they find the peculiar menagerie and later Miss Wren's loop, each offering a temporary sense of home and community before being uprooted again.
““We were a family, after a fashion, and the only family any of us had left.””
The Pervasiveness of Evil and Deception
The wights, the main antagonists, are more cunning and widespread than previously imagined. Their ability to blend in with ordinary humans and infiltrate peculiar communities highlights the theme of deception. The shocking return of Dr. Golan as a wight shows how evil can hide in plain sight and manipulate trust. This theme creates an atmosphere of constant paranoia and danger, as the children can never be entirely sure who to trust, making their journey even more perilous.
““The enemy was everywhere, disguised as everyone.””
Loss and Resilience in Wartime
The backdrop of World War II London, with its bombed-out buildings and constant air raids, mirrors the children's own struggle and resilience. They experience significant loss—their home, Miss Peregrine's incapacitation, and the capture of friends—yet they continue to fight and adapt. London's devastated landscape is a metaphor for the broken peculiar world they inhabit. It also shows their unwavering spirit to survive and rebuild, finding strength in their unity and peculiar abilities.
““The world was broken, but we were still in it.””
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
The Time Loop
A localized temporal anomaly that repeats a day, protecting peculiars.
Time loops are isolated temporal bubbles created and maintained by ymbrynes, allowing peculiars to live safely, shielded from the outside world and aging. In 'Hollow City,' the concept of the time loop is expanded upon, revealing that they can be temporary or permanent, and that their stability is crucial for peculiar survival. The children's search for a functioning loop and their efforts to protect the ymbrynes who maintain them drive much of the plot, as the destruction or manipulation of loops by wights poses a direct threat to all peculiars.
Jacob's Peculiarity (Seeing Hollows)
The unique ability to perceive invisible monsters, essential for survival.
Jacob's ability to see hollowgasts, invisible monsters that feed on peculiars, is not just a personal trait but a crucial plot device. It serves as the group's primary defense and early warning system against immediate threats. Without this ability, the children would be blind to their most dangerous enemies, making their journey through war-torn Europe virtually impossible. This peculiarity elevates Jacob from an ordinary boy to an indispensable leader, directly impacting their survival and strategic decisions.
The Peculiar Menagerie
A collection of peculiar animals, often cared for by ymbrynes or other peculiars.
Peculiar menageries, first introduced with Addison MacHenry and later Miss Wren, serve multiple purposes. They are temporary safe havens, sources of information, and examples of the broader peculiar world. These animals, each with their own unique peculiarity, add a layer of whimsy and wonder while also demonstrating the diversity of the peculiar population. They also occasionally play a direct role in the plot, such as when the animals from Miss Wren's loop aid in the rescue mission, highlighting the interconnectedness of the peculiar community.
Vintage Photographs
Actual antique photographs integrated into the narrative, providing visual context and clues.
The vintage photographs are integral to the storytelling, serving as more than mere illustrations. They are presented as 'evidence' of the peculiar world, often depicting the characters and their peculiarities as described in the text. These photographs enhance the sense of authenticity and mystery, offering visual clues, reinforcing descriptions, and sometimes even foreshadowing events. They blur the line between fiction and reality, drawing the reader deeper into the peculiar universe and enriching the immersive experience of the book.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“Just because you don't understand something doesn't mean it's not true.”
— Emma responding to Jacob's skepticism about peculiar abilities.
“The world was a book, and those who did not travel read only one page.”
— A general sentiment about the importance of experiencing the world, reflecting the children's journey.
“Sometimes the only way to stay sane is to go a little crazy.”
— A character's observation about coping with extreme circumstances.
“Fear makes people do terrible things, but it also makes them do brave things.”
— A discussion about the dual nature of fear and its impact on actions.
“It's not about being perfect. It's about being peculiar.”
— Emphasizing the value of their unique abilities over conventional perfection.
“The past is never dead. It's not even past.”
— Reflecting on how historical events and their consequences continue to influence the present.
“Hope is a fragile thing, but it's all we have sometimes.”
— A character acknowledging the importance of hope in dire situations.
“There are worse things than being alone. There are worse things than being afraid.”
— Jacob's realization about the true dangers they face, beyond personal discomforts.
“Every secret has a cost.”
— A warning about the consequences of keeping or uncovering secrets.
“To be peculiar is to be different, and to be different is to be strong.”
— A statement reinforcing the strength found in their unique peculiarities.
“Sometimes the greatest adventures are the ones you never intended.”
— Reflecting on their unplanned journey and the unexpected challenges they faced.
“We don't need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already.”
— A broader philosophical statement about inherent human capability, relevant to their reliance on peculiar powers.
“Even in the darkest times, there is always a glimmer of light.”
— A message of perseverance and optimism despite their perilous circumstances.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
The book opens immediately after the events of 'Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children', with Jacob and the peculiar children adrift at sea off the coast of Cairnholm. Their immediate goal is to find a way to help Miss Peregrine, who is trapped in her bird form, and they decide to travel to London, hoping to find another ymbryne who can reverse the transformation.
About the author
Biography coming soon.
