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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I originally picked this book as palate cleanser after two more literary books I did not love and as part of this year’s Read Around the World in Books challenge, and I’m hooked! I will definitely read the second and third parts in the series. I had read one of V.E. Schwab’s adult gothic ghost novels, so I was familiar with her work. But I did not expect to like thi middle grade book as much as I did. Edinburgh, both in its past and present form, is a character in this book. And all the actual characters are super well developed and likable, without feeling flat. The experiences of the novel’s protagonist, Cassidy, finding her way as someone who is able to move between the human and the ghost worlds are gripping from the first page, and I loved the way the author wrote her relationships with Jacob, her ghostly best friend, her parents, and the other characters Cassidy meets along the way. Cassidy is definitely a teenage protagonist and the target audience is definitely middle grade (with a few explanations of concepts such as jet lag skillfully woven into the story), but as an adult reader I found a lot more depth in this book than I tend to find many literary works for adult audiences, and all of this while being super well entertained!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Child death
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I was first a little apprehensive about this book. Some part of me felt like it wasn't going to have that Schwab flare but damn was I wrong.
This book was the perfect collection of adorable and creepy. The characters are instantly loveable and the plot is constantly intriguing.
The story felt so unique and the history of Edinburgh was on point. Schwab really did her research on this one and It was amazing.
I'm constantly left with apprehension on the plot and the characters not knowing how they are going to turn and even held little twists.
I honestly absolutely adored this little book and I can't wait for more
This book was the perfect collection of adorable and creepy. The characters are instantly loveable and the plot is constantly intriguing.
The story felt so unique and the history of Edinburgh was on point. Schwab really did her research on this one and It was amazing.
I'm constantly left with apprehension on the plot and the characters not knowing how they are going to turn and even held little twists.
I honestly absolutely adored this little book and I can't wait for more
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A bit “childish” so probably aimed at a younger age group. I still really enjoyed the plot and the characters were likeable.
Normally I’m not really a big fan of scary things like horror movies and stuff like that. So I didn’t know how this book was going to be for me. It turned out to be a really good book! Because it is written for children the scary it managable for me. I can’t wait for the next book! And I will defenitely pick up other books from this author too!
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3/5 It’s not fall without V.E.Schwab! This was a super quick and fun YA read with ghosts, graveyards, a paranormal tv show, and Scottish folklore (which I am always a sucker for)! I’m pretty much always biased when it comes to Schwab, but she just always knows how to write a gothic story so well! I’ll def continue the series too (I’m very curious to see where Cass and her ghost bestie Jacob go (and also his lore))
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Honestly, I’m 42 and wish there was a version of this that was written for adults. A version that was darker, longer. This could easily be turned into a to a film for kids/teens at Halloween. Think Casper but 2025.
As an adult I didn’t find it scary. I’ve read VE Schwab before and this is just as good but for younger readers. If I had been 10-12 I’d have been obsessed.
As an adult I didn’t find it scary. I’ve read VE Schwab before and this is just as good but for younger readers. If I had been 10-12 I’d have been obsessed.