A Map of Days – Ransom Riggs (2018)

A Map of Days by Ransom Riggs, published in 2018, is the fourth installment in the bestselling Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children series. The novel continues the adventures of Jacob Portman and his friends as they navigate the peculiar world, this time venturing into the American landscape of loops and mysteries, blending fantasy, time travel, and coming-of-age challenges.

Plot Summary

Jacob Portman’s quiet life in Florida is upended the night a group of peculiar children and their formidable protector, Miss Peregrine, arrive unannounced at his home. What should have been a return to normalcy after the tumult of recent months quickly turns into a chaotic reunion, as Emma Bloom, Enoch, Olive, Bronwyn, Millard, Hugh, and the others tumble into Jacob’s world, unsettling the delicate balance he had tried to restore. The peculiar children, no longer bound by the time loops that had once preserved their youth, step cautiously but eagerly into the present, determined to explore this new and unpredictable world.

Their arrival sparks a tender but uneasy joy in Jacob, especially as his relationship with Emma flickers to life once again, though both carry the heavy shadows of past losses. Among these shadows lingers Fiona’s absence, a wound that gnaws at Hugh’s heart. Yet even amid laughter, pizza deliveries, and late-night confessions, a sense of foreboding lingers in the air. Miss Peregrine, sharp-eyed and commanding, reminds them all that danger never truly disappears.

Jacob learns from Miss Peregrine that not all enemies were defeated in the recent battle – some wights and hollowgast have fled, scattering across America. The task of finding them now falls unexpectedly to Jacob. When Jacob’s grandfather, Abe, died, he left behind more than secrets – he left a map of connections and hidden contacts among the peculiar world of America. That inheritance now passes to Jacob, and with it, the responsibility to carry on Abe’s work.

The children, eager and restless, rally around Jacob as they set out on their mission. Guided by Abe’s old notes, photographs, and cryptic messages, they cross into the peculiar underworld of America – a shadowy landscape of abandoned loops, half-forgotten enclaves, and dangerous foes. Along the way, Jacob finds himself torn between the lure of adventure and the ache of leaving his parents and former life behind. But there is little time for hesitation.

Their first journey leads them to a deserted gas station, where Jacob meets H, an old associate of Abe’s, who introduces them to the existence of peculiar outlaws – peculiars who live outside the protection of the ymbrynes and have carved out lives in the margins of the normal world. Jacob realizes that America’s peculiar landscape is wilder and more fractured than anything he imagined. It is not just about finding old allies or chasing scattered enemies – it is about discovering a new order in the ruins of the old.

The group’s travels become a series of breathtaking encounters. They slip through a loop embedded in the heart of New York City, narrowly escape a hollowgast attack in a desolate motel, and uncover a secret peculiar stronghold hidden beneath an amusement park. Along the way, their bonds tighten, yet tensions simmer beneath the surface. Enoch’s biting sarcasm tests Bronwyn’s patience, and Hugh’s grief grows heavier with each passing day, pulling him further into himself. Jacob, too, wrestles with his emerging abilities – the power to command hollowgast – a gift that both terrifies and isolates him.

Emma stands beside Jacob through these trials, though her heart remains tied in quiet knots over the past. Their moments together carry the sweetness of newfound love but are shadowed by the weight of their past lives and the uncertain path ahead. As they travel deeper into America’s peculiar underbelly, Jacob finds that being a leader is not about strength alone but about carrying the hopes and fears of those who follow.

Their journey takes a darker turn when they arrive at an isolated loop on a swampy Southern island. There they meet Noor, a fierce and secretive girl whose peculiar ability draws unwanted attention. Noor’s power becomes the key to understanding the larger puzzle that unfolds around them – a puzzle that hints at an ancient prophecy, the rise of a new order among peculiars, and a looming war that none of them are prepared for.

As Jacob and the others bring Noor into their fold, they confront both external threats and internal divides. The group’s unity begins to fray, especially as the weight of their mission presses heavier on Jacob’s shoulders. Miss Peregrine struggles to balance the safety of her wards with the urgency of the new threats, while Jacob’s growing connection with Noor stirs uneasy feelings in Emma.

In their search for answers, the group confronts the Remnants – a faction of rogue wights and hollowgast bent on chaos and destruction. Battles erupt in the shadows of abandoned towns and fractured loops, each encounter bringing the children closer to the heart of a conspiracy that stretches beyond anything they had imagined. As Jacob learns more about his grandfather’s true role and uncovers secrets buried deep in Abe’s past, he begins to see himself not just as a boy caught between worlds but as a bridge between generations.

The final confrontation comes not in a blaze of glory but in a moment of quiet defiance. Jacob, standing between the Remnants and the peculiar world he has sworn to protect, chooses not the path of vengeance, but one of leadership and sacrifice. His friends rally around him, each finding the strength to face their fears, their losses, and their futures. Noor, once a stranger, becomes a beacon of hope, her presence signaling the dawn of a new era for peculiars.

When Jacob returns home, the house is quieter but forever changed. His parents stir from their memory-wiped slumber, and the fragile balance between Jacob’s two worlds shifts again. The peculiar children, now seasoned travelers in the present, gather in laughter and companionship, the hard-won fruits of their journey glimmering in every glance and every embrace. And as night falls over the Florida coast, Jacob stands with Emma by his side, the stars above a reminder that the world, both ordinary and extraordinary, stretches vast and waiting before them.

There is no neat division between the peculiar and the normal, no simple answer to the questions Jacob carries in his heart. But there is love, there is friendship, and there is the fierce, unyielding promise of more to come – a map of days still unfolding, one footstep at a time.

Main Characters

• Jacob Portman: Jacob is a brave but conflicted sixteen-year-old protagonist grappling with the weight of his peculiar heritage. He evolves from an uncertain teenager into a young leader, driven by a desire to connect his normal and peculiar identities while honoring his grandfather’s legacy.

• Emma Bloom: Emma is fierce, resourceful, and loyal, with the ability to control fire. Her relationship with Jacob deepens, offering both romantic tension and emotional grounding. She balances pragmatism with vulnerability, carrying the ache of past losses.

• Miss Alma LeFay Peregrine: The strict but compassionate headmistress and ymbryne, Miss Peregrine transforms into a bird and leads the group with calculated care. She embodies wisdom, control, and a maternal presence, guiding the children through danger while demanding discipline.

• Enoch O’Connor: Cynical and sharp-tongued, Enoch animates the dead and often uses his dark humor to mask his underlying loyalty to the group. His skepticism challenges Jacob’s optimism, adding tension and balance.

• Bronwyn Bruntley: Gentle yet incredibly strong, Bronwyn acts as the group’s protector. Her physical power contrasts with her emotional softness, and she serves as a dependable and nurturing figure among the peculiars.

• Olive Abroholos Elephanta: The buoyant, air-light girl must wear lead shoes to stay grounded. Olive’s innocence, curiosity, and occasional naivety bring a sense of wonder to the group, and her playful nature helps offset the darker themes.

• Millard Nullings: An invisible boy with encyclopedic knowledge, Millard is a scholar and observer. His intellect and meticulous documentation often help the group navigate historical and peculiar mysteries.

• Hugh Apiston: Hugh harbors a colony of bees in his stomach and is deeply mourning Fiona, adding an emotional dimension to his character. His loyalty and sensitivity make him an empathetic member of the team.

Theme

• Identity and Belonging: Jacob’s struggle to bridge his life in the normal world with his peculiar destiny highlights the universal search for self-acceptance and belonging. The novel explores the difficulty of living between two worlds and the longing to reconcile them.

• Legacy and Responsibility: The influence of Abe, Jacob’s grandfather, looms large, urging Jacob to step into the role of protector. The tension between honoring the past and forging a new path underscores the burden and privilege of inheritance.

• Friendship and Loyalty: The peculiar children’s unwavering support for one another showcases the importance of chosen family. Through trials and loss, their unity becomes a sanctuary, emphasizing the strength of collective resilience.

• Freedom vs. Authority: The tension between Miss Peregrine’s protective control and the children’s growing desire for independence reflects a classic coming-of-age theme, probing questions of autonomy, trust, and the risks of freedom.

• Transformation and Change: Shape-shifting ymbrynes, time loops, and characters navigating loss all symbolize the inevitability of change. The story suggests that survival depends on adaptability and that growth often comes through hardship.

Writing Style and Tone

Ransom Riggs’ writing style combines lyrical prose with eerie, evocative imagery, amplified by the use of vintage photographs woven throughout the narrative. His descriptive language draws readers into a richly atmospheric world, balancing lush detail with brisk pacing. Riggs seamlessly blends fantastical elements with grounded emotional struggles, creating a narrative that feels both whimsical and deeply human.

The tone of A Map of Days is an elegant mix of wonder, suspense, and melancholy. While the novel is steeped in magic and adventure, there’s a persistent undercurrent of nostalgia and loss, especially in Jacob’s reflections on his grandfather and the peculiar children’s longing for a safe home. Moments of humor and lightness, particularly through the dialogue, prevent the darker themes from overwhelming the narrative, maintaining an engaging, bittersweet balance.