CITY OF GHOSTS

(Also reviewed on For The Love of Fictional Worlds)This is my first middle grade book from Victoria Schwab and I just added another reason why I have started to adore this wonderful author and her talent for sucking me right into her books.  City of Ghosts is the introduction to Cassidy Blake – a young girl, just like countless others with one little exception – after she died and came back to life, she can now see ghosts as well as crossover to the other side of the “Veil” – the one where the ghosts reside. She also became best friends with the ghost, Jacob, who saved her.  With her parents agreeing to host a TV show about haunted cities in her holidays – and the first stop is Edinburgh – not only is the city host to a brilliant history; it is also the history that makes it the residence to ghosts everywhere.  It is here, Cass meets Lara, another girl who can see ghosts; when she previously believed that she was the only one who could see and talk to ghosts. It is Lara who makes her understand why she has her powers; and it is in Edinburgh when she realizes that not all ghosts are safe like her best friend; that some can be very dangerous to her health.  City of Ghosts is fun, fast paced adventure with just the right amount creepy thrown in to keep your heart racing and hooked in right till the end. There are loose threads in the plot; that I really am hoping means that there will be a second book; because I am so frikkin keen to see how Cass and Jacob evolve into the awesome ghost fighters they are starting out to be!

Sorry but it didn’t work for me. I understand that the book targets middle grades but I have been reading a lot of middle grades lately and enjoying them. It went just flat with little or no plot twists. I wish Cassidy’s ability to see ghosts could have been put to use by her parents to hunt ghosts. Infact, there wasn’t even any ghost hunting happening here. Again, Cassidy’s parents’ ignorance that something was wrong with their daughter was what made my hackles rise. The idea of the veil also kinda didn’t sink in.The title is so intriguing that you feel like dropping everything and picking this up. I was expecting a lot of action packed ghostly things, paranormal events, and more of horror. But the book was more focused on developing the bond between Cassidy and Jacob. It was very sweet and lovable but that’s not why I picked up the book.Cassidy as a protagonist was rather dull. Yes, she is not like the normal kids of her age who were mostly concerned about their dresses, pimples and public praises. However, if I compare her with Lara who was of the same age as Cassidy, I find Lara more sassy and witty. I would have loved to see her as a protagonist. May be she could have brought more juice to the story then.

Anything ve schwab writes becomes my new favourite, it seems... a good short middle grade novel with enough thrill , twists and (cute) horror to keep you engaged... but the best part is the depiction of Scotland..

Amazing just read it and you won't regret it one of the best works of victoria schwabAbsolute mesmeric storyline and a book you won't resist to read

One of my favorites! This is not a very great book if you want goosebumps and chills, I think. But it is really good in terms of story. It perfectly blends the categories I like (humor and adventure) in a page-turner story. What I liked in this book was that though it wasn't scary all the times, I got chills while reading what the Raven in the Red had done. ( I will not spoil it for you). So, if you are looking for a book that you would want to read again and again when you go to your bookshelf, this book is a must.

If you like advantage.. crazy.. it's the book for you!!

Not boringFresh storyNew approachSimple but intriguing storylineNot scaryAfter reading you b wanting yourself a ghost

I totally loved the story and concept. The friendship between Cassidy and Jacob is my favorite part of the novel. Worth the time and read.

I love Schwab's books, her writing and imagine puts her in my top three author. Anything she write is an autobuy for me so while I don't read much middle grade I didn't hesitate to pick this up. Edinburgh is the perfect hauntingly atmospheric city to set this book in and I enjoyed being able to picture some of the places Cassidy and her family visited. With it being a middle grade it is chilling rather than scary but beautiful and fitting for the story being told. I found the villain interesting and well weaved into the story, she felt suitably dangerous for the age range this book is aimed at. There was enough loose strings and unanswered questions left at the end of the book to leave me eager for book two without being a cliffhanger. I look forward to finding out more about the ghosts, crossing over and just what Cassidy is capable of.

”Embrace your strange,dear daughter.Where’s the fun in being normal?”Cassidy Blake is reluctantly whisked off to Edinburgh,ghost best friend Jacob in tow as her parents prepare to film their new tv show ,’The Inspecters’. They are currently unaware of the fact that following a near death experience, she can see ghosts and can part the Veil to the other side. Warned by Jacob that the longer she spends there, the harder it is to get back, she carries her beloved camera everywhere just in case she can actually record the existence of ghosts.Once in Edinburgh, she becomes keenly aware of the dead around her at the sites of the filming and that there is both a girl, Lara, and a woman ghost, who sings to lure her beyond the Veil for nefarious purposes. Lara has been aware of the rules of the dead courtesy of her spectral uncle, and has to catch Cassidy up quickly to speed before this ancient ghost, the Raven In Red, causes untold harm to Cassidy.What I love about this book is how it introduces Cassidy at the start of her journeys, she has just gotten to grips with the existence of ghosts and now , outside of her narrow sphere of experience, she has to get up to speed and fast. The pull of the ghosts is thickening the Veil and it is harder each time to come back. Lara is a great foil to Cassidy and I love how Victoria Schwab writes about Cassidy experiencing another culture-my favourite part is Cassidy trying chips for the first time, it’s a glorious scene!Cassidy is fun, sparky and entirely her own person, trying to find out what the widerm world is like and what her place is in it. I absolutely loved it, the plot and the pace build towards a finale that leaves you breathless and it is shot through with great humour. SUPERB!!

I don’t normally read “middle-grade” books but as Victoria Schwab is an auto-buy author for me, I had to try this one.Of course it didn’t disappoint! I genuinely think Victoria could write a phone book and I’d love it!Her writing style is so fluid and atmospheric, perfect for a ghost story. As always the story is well thought out, the characters are fun and engaging and the world building is so descriptive you feel like you’re there.Is this the scariest book I’ve ever read? No but then I’m (considerably) older than the intended audience and I knew that going into this book so it didn’t bother me one little bit.Another fantastic read from Victoria Schwab and a perfect to read for October/Halloween.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I'm not a huge reader of middle grade novels but really like V.E. Schwab's writing style so thought I would try this. I'm pleased to say I really enjoyed it.Cassidy almost died and Jacob, a ghost, saved her life. Now he haunts her, and has become her best friend. She has a knack for finding other ghosts, whether she likes it or not, and can step through the Veil to see what happened to them and why they're stuck between life and death. When Cassidy's parents whisk her away to Edinburgh to film a TV show, Cassidy finds the tug of the Veil louder than ever. It becomes a problem, one she quickly can't control, and even Jacob has difficulty pulling her out of it. As Edinburgh's ghostly history takes an active interest in her, Cassidy must learn why exactly she can see ghosts--and better yet, how to get away from the ones that mean her harm.I really enjoyed this novel. It's creepy but readable and Schwab has a writing style that is so easy to dip into. If you've never read a middle grade or if you enjoy a creepy ghost story brought to expert life, pick this up. You won't be disappointed :)

I picked this up as it appeared on the Book Trust Book Buzz list and I wasn't disappointed. I think this is best suited to secondary school age pupils. It is a fantastically atmospheric ghost story set in Edinburgh. There is a good dose of humour intermingled with a really sinister unfolding story. A real twist on the ghost hunter story scenario since one of the key characters is himself a ghost. Looking forward to reading more.