City of Ghosts
by Victoria Schwab
♦publisher: Scholastic Press
♦release date: August 28th, 2018
♦hardcover, 285 pages
♦intended audience: Middle Grade
♦series, Cassidy Blake, book 1
♦source: arc from publisher for review consideration
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.
{Becky's Thoughts & a virtual tour of City of Ghost sites!}
City of Ghosts, Victoria Schwab's dive back into middle grade fiction, was such a fun adventurous tale. Perfect for young fans of the paranormal. Also, this book was a veritable love letter to Harry Potter and the city of Edinburgh---fair warning, my review may be slightly biased as someone who's just recently left my heart in this gorgeous city! ;P
Cass's 12-year-old life is definitely not an ordinary one. Since being brought back to life after a drowning accident, she sees ghosts everywhere. One of them, Jacob---the ghost who saved her in the accident---is now her best friend. On top of that, her parents are experts on opposing sides of paranormal theories, which lands them a TV show gig traveling the world chasing ghost stories, and of course, taking Cass along for the ride!
First stop is Edinburgh, Scotland---a city absolutely teaming with ghostly legends. There she meets Lara Jayne, a girl with a similar gift, and the first person who may actually be able to help her understand her own powers. These three characters were such a fun group together. Cass is snarky, clever, and definitely has an adventurous streak, Jacob is cautious and a little bit chicken (especially for someone who is, himself, a ghost LOL), and Lara is a bit snooty and bossy, but she has a soft side, too. I loved how it's told as Cass sort of telling the audience the story---it really pulls the reader right in. Their banter and her inner dialogue were really well done and kept what was a fairly dark premise on the lighter side.
The only negative thing I would say about this is that the story did seems a little rushed at times, a little short, and...over-simplified? It's hard to judge that since, obviously as a middle grade book, this is not written for adult readers. But with so much complex and strong storytelling in middle grade out there, this just seemed a little too light at times. Still, it was absolutely enjoyable and fun, witty characters, beautiful setting and a few good spine-chilling moments. I can't wait to see what city Cass and Jacob take on next!
The story truly used the sites and sounds of Edinburgh to it's full advantage.
One of the scariest parts of Cass & Jacob's adventure takes place when they go into the Edinburgh castle. Here's the gateway they would have taken to get in!
Cass also has creepy times at Mary King's Close and Grassmarket (which I had no idea how I don't have good pics of since we literally walked this area every day LOL)
When Cass and her family first step off the bus, she's steps out onto Waverley Bridge---same as we did!
This is the old town skyline, probably the first view Cass would have had after stepping off the bus and the side of the city where she and her family stayed (there is a New Town and Old Town). Gorgeous, isn't it??
Cass mentions seeing the Edinburgh castle and a huge garden by the bridge. That would be Princes Street Gardens, pictured here, with the beautiful castle looming far above.
One of the scariest parts of Cass & Jacob's adventure takes place when they go into the Edinburgh castle. Here's the gateway they would have taken to get in!
Cass is a die-hard Harry Potter fan (my kind of girl!), so one of the places she is most excited to come across is the Elephant House cafe. Known as the "birthplace of Harry Potter" because JK Rowling wrote a good portion of the first book sitting right at one of their tables.
Cass visits the eerie but absolutely beautiful grounds of the ancient cemetery, Greyfriar Kirkyard a few times in the course of the story. The exciting climax actually takes place here and you can almost picture the villainous Raven in Red haunting these dramatic ornate graves.
Cass also has creepy times at Mary King's Close and Grassmarket (which I had no idea how I don't have good pics of since we literally walked this area every day LOL)
I hope you enjoyed this little tour of some of City Of Ghosts settings! I hope you enjoy reading City of Ghosts!
{ABOUT THE AUTHOR}
Victoria is the product of a British mother, a Beverly Hills father, and a southern upbringing. Because of this, she has been known to say "tom-ah-toes," "like," and "y'all."
She also tells stories.
She loves fairy tales, and folklore, and stories that make her wonder if the world is really as it seems.
She also tells stories.
She loves fairy tales, and folklore, and stories that make her wonder if the world is really as it seems.
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