A review by theo_thefrog
A Peculiar Peril by Jeff VanderMeer

adventurous funny lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

Surprisingly boring, and I have a deep fondness for almost anything involving sorting through and cataloging weird mysterious potentially magical trinkets. Could have done with a lot more world building, which is what VanderMeer usually does well from other books of his I've read. I admit I'm biased against the whole "young British student trio" vibe, it's very tired even in 2020 when this was published. There's not a lot of urgency. Way too much whimsy with even the villains like a cartoony puppetshow. It all feels inconsequential, and the characters feel very flat for it.