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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
fast-paced
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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:
Complicated
First half of the book: 4 stars
Second half of the book: 2 stars
Second half of the book: 2 stars
Though I’m not normally one to read YA books, this one was charming!
The one reason it gets 3 stars for me is the characters were a bit lackluster, and needed some further development in my opinion. Otherwise, a lovely little story that sets up well for a sequel.
The one reason it gets 3 stars for me is the characters were a bit lackluster, and needed some further development in my opinion. Otherwise, a lovely little story that sets up well for a sequel.
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
medium-paced
I find it funny that V.E. Schwab’s adult books never really grab me but this one, City of Ghosts, is one of my favorite ghost stories. I read it years ago and just recently picked up a physical copy because I wanted to get it off my TBR shelf. I’m glad I did.
It’s YA so it’s a little spooky but not too spooky. Just enough to be eerie but still sweet and easy to read. Sometimes a YA book like this is exactly what I need to clear my head. Cassidy and Jacob’s friendship is really nice and her parents are fun in their own way. I liked Grim the cat but honestly I wish he was more important to the story instead of just hanging around.
One thing I didn’t love was how much Cassidy, as an American visiting Scotland, kept arguing over words like insisting chips mean potato chips and not what the Scots call chips which are actually fries. It got a bit annoying after a while.
Also heads up there are a bunch of Harry Potter or she who shall not be named references in here. Since this came out in 2018 that was before she who shall not be named started showing her true colors. I’m just mentioning it because I know some people don’t want to be blindsided by that stuff.
When I first read this I didn’t realize it was part of a series. Now I know there are two more books and I’m definitely going to read them.
I started reading this in a waiting room on a whim, and it’s a great middle-grade book. It’s snappy, flows well and has a fun premise and setting with the paranormal, ghosts, colorful characters and just the right amount of spooky. I would’ve eaten this up as a kid, and I certainly appreciate it now. It sets itself up well for a series and leaves several questions ripe for answering later on.