City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab Published by Scholastic on August 28, 2018
Genres: Middle Grade
Pages: 272
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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Cassidy Blake's parents are The Inspectres, a (somewhat inept) ghost-hunting team. But Cass herself can REALLY see ghosts. In fact, her best friend, Jacob, just happens to be one.
When The Inspectres head to ultra-haunted Edinburgh, Scotland, for their new TV show, Cass—and Jacob—come along. In Scotland, Cass is surrounded by ghosts, not all of them friendly. Then she meets Lara, a girl who can also see the dead. But Lara tells Cassidy that as an In-betweener, their job is to send ghosts permanently beyond the Veil. Cass isn't sure about her new mission, but she does know the sinister Red Raven haunting the city doesn't belong in her world. Cassidy's powers will draw her into an epic fight that stretches through the worlds of the living and the dead, in order to save herself.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Victoria Schwab does it again! I mean, is this woman even capable of writing a bad (or even subpar) book?
Though I’m not normally a middle grade reader, I will read anything with Schwab’s name on it. I am so glad I picked up City of Ghosts, because this is exactly the kind of middle grade story I’ve been missing.
City of Ghosts follows our protagonist, Cassidy Blake, after her parents move their family to Edinburgh, Scotland for the summer to film a TV show all about ghosts and the paranormal. The only problem? After a drowning accident the previous year, Cassidy can see ghosts. And also happens to have a best friend who’s a ghost. Not exactly a welcome trait in one of the world’s most haunted cities.
Cassidy herself was a character I loved reading about. I saw a lot of my preteen self in her. Her interactions with her ghost best friend, Jacob, were my favorite. Her reluctance to use her gift and the anxiety it causes her felt totally plausible to me. I especially loved seeing Edinburgh through her eyes, since I was around her age when I first visited that city. She gets to experience all the magical, historical, and awe-inspiring parts of the city, along with the paranormal and upsetting ones.
Speaking of, the setting itself felt incredibly atmospheric. The city of Edinburgh felt almost like a character in and of itself, and Schwab did a wonderful job of making the city jump off the page. We, as readers, get to visit all the cool, famous sights along with Cassidy and her family.
City of Ghosts was sufficiently spooky, without being too scary for a middle grade audience. I definitely got goosebumps a few times while reading this– I mean, no matter how old you are, malicious ghosts are always gonna be a little unsettling. We also got a bit of an adventure plot, as in most middle grade novels, but the book as a whole felt a bit more introspective than other similar MG titles.
Overall, I think City of Ghosts is a must-read if you’re a fan of Schwab’s previous work, and/or you’re a devoted reader of middle grade. I can’t wait to read future books in this series!
Have you read City of Ghosts? What’s your favorite middle grade book?
Madalyn
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This was a fantastic review! I preordered my copy even though I’m not a middle grade reader. I just love V.E.Scwab that much. Sounds like I won’t be disappointed. Thank you for your thoughts.
Thank you! I was the exact same way– not a middle grade reader, but excited because Schwab– and I was not disappointed in the slightest. I hope you enjoy this one, too!
I preordered City of Ghosts this morning! I’m not usually a middle grade reader but I love all of Schwabs books and I can’t wait to read this one! Great review
Yay! I was the exact same way. City of Ghosts definitely still has Schwab’s beautiful writing, complex characters, and clever plot! I do not think you’ll be disappointed. Thank you; I hope you enjoy!
Great review! My request on Edelweiss was denied but I preordered a copy (book ban be damned) because this sounds so good.
Thank you! A new Schwab book is ABSOLUTELY an acceptable reason to break a book buying ban. 😉
I somehow missed that this was a middle grade book. I’ve only read one other book by this author, but really enjoyed it and I do like a good middle grade book every now and then. I’ll have to check it out!
Yep! I looooove Schwab’s writing, and this was no exception. It was the perfect middle grade for me.
I just read Vicious and I’m now in love with her writing. While I rarely read middle grade for fear that it just won’t work for me unless it’s fantasy, this one appeals to me. And I want to keep reading her books, regardless of the genre. Great review. Glad you liked this book!
Vicious is my favorite Schwab book! Her writing is just wonderful. If you like MG with fantastical elements, you’ll definitely like this one! Lots of ghosts and paranormal happenings afoot in this story. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Thank you! I hope you enjoy this one if you pick it up!
I’m not really an MG reader but I have to say seeing Schwab’s name on a book is enough to convince anybody, right? I know I’ve seen a couple of folks grumble about how young the MC felt but that had me rolling my eyes because its MG, what do they expect? It sounds like an interesting read and I’m dithering over reading, I might give it a shot because I can’t see anything she writes being bad, also the cover is so pretty I want that on my shelf.
EXACTLY. I am the same way– I really never pick up middle grade, but hello, NEW SCHWAB BOOK. I think it’s worth a shot! And yes, the cover is STUNNING, especially the UK edition. I might just have to order a finished copy for my shelves.