Review: City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab

 

Author: Victoria Schwab

Genre: MG Horror/ghost stories

published by: Scholastic

publication date: 06/09/18

Pages: 272

My rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

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.

The story follows Cassidy, after a near death accident she has been able to see and talk to ghosts. After the incident Cass befriended Jacob, the ghost who saved her. This also means Cass has been able to step through the veil, witnessing each ghost’s afterlife and how they died. When her parents (known as The Inspectres) book is made into a documentary series, they fly out to Edinburgh to shoot at various landmarks famous for their hauntings. Not long after her arrival in Edinburgh Cass notices the pull of the veil is stronger than its ever been, and not all ghosts are harmless.

Oh my god, I’m in awe. I’ve yet to read any of Schwab’s books that are currently sitting on my massive TBR, I can already see what the hype is all about though. city of Ghosts is incredible! Honestly, Victoria’s writing sent chills down my spine. Chills that had nothing to do with the ghosts of eerie vibe. The setting is gorgeous with familiar faces from history woven into the story, which adds to creepy atmosphere. My favourite by far is The Raven in red, who lures children away from their homes in winter, their bodies later found frozen in front of her house. I love the bond between Cass and Jacob, How they don’t let boundaries or the fact he’s a ghost get in the way.

Schwab doesn’t shy away from the eerie and creepy, it definitely pays off. As someone who has always had a huge fascination with ghosts and the paranormal, this is the book I wish I had growing up. I can’t wait to find out what happens next and would definitely recommend giving it a read. I will definitely be bumping her other books on my TBR higher up.

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