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theespressoedition's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This book came as a surprise to me because I think I expected it to be incredibly mild, since it's middle-grade, but instead it was actually quite intense! Considering the fact that it is geared towards a younger audience, it kind of shocked me that there were such frightening elements throughout.
However, it was kind of perfect for me because I'm easily spooked so I can't read YA or adult horror. This was catered to my weenie butt. It had some "scary" parts for sure, but it wasn't over-the-top for the most part. Mostly, it was just an adventurous story and I really enjoyed that.
Obviously, it is tailored to MG, so I didn't "connect" with the characters (but I didn't expect to). I plan to read the remaining books in the series, but it's not like I'm going to sit here and shout from the rooftops how phenomenal it is. It was good!
However, it was kind of perfect for me because I'm easily spooked so I can't read YA or adult horror. This was catered to my weenie butt. It had some "scary" parts for sure, but it wasn't over-the-top for the most part. Mostly, it was just an adventurous story and I really enjoyed that.
Obviously, it is tailored to MG, so I didn't "connect" with the characters (but I didn't expect to). I plan to read the remaining books in the series, but it's not like I'm going to sit here and shout from the rooftops how phenomenal it is. It was good!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Death
Moderate: Torture
avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Grief
Minor: Murder
bizzarley's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I thought this was a YA when I picked it up and was a bit dissapointed when I saw it was a middle grade story but its written SO well! Its so very charming with a strong atmosphere and I really really enjoyed it! A good start to spooky month!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Child death
hollybollybingbong's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I was hooked by this book, I finished it the day I bought it. I feel it falls on the younger side of middle-grade, but I still would recommend it to anybody looking for a quick, easy read. I would've liked to see more character development, especially for Lara, but overall a very good book, which I immediately bought the rest of the series!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Animal death, Child death, and Death of parent
ashleycmms's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Death
jo_lzr's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
shaybrawner's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
"So this is Scotland, I think. How haunted can it be?"
This book is for you if... you want an easy to read ghost story.
City of Ghosts was definitely enjoyable, but felt rather slow to me. I think the first half of the book just had me waiting for actual content but then the second half was packed full and almost felt like it wasn't giving enough.
I will say 100% young readers will adore this, if you're looking for a ghost book for a sibling, a child, ect... this is such a good one. Victoria Schwab does an outstanding job at making this book for the age it was intended for(I am not part of this age range), and I could see this being in many teachers classrooms. I think for me personally the second book will be better as I tend to prefer the second books of series’s, because we've gotten though the world building and the explaining of things so we get so much more action.
I don't really have any complaints except the pacing and just that I found all the explanations of things boring. Jacob was a shinning star of this book, and I honestly could've hated everything else about this book but would want keep reading the series for him, and I have no idea why. He's just great!
CAWPILE Rating: 6.14/10
Stars: 3/5 Stars
I'm intrigued for the next book.
This book is for you if... you want an easy to read ghost story.
City of Ghosts was definitely enjoyable, but felt rather slow to me. I think the first half of the book just had me waiting for actual content but then the second half was packed full and almost felt like it wasn't giving enough.
I will say 100% young readers will adore this, if you're looking for a ghost book for a sibling, a child, ect... this is such a good one. Victoria Schwab does an outstanding job at making this book for the age it was intended for(I am not part of this age range), and I could see this being in many teachers classrooms. I think for me personally the second book will be better as I tend to prefer the second books of series’s, because we've gotten though the world building and the explaining of things so we get so much more action.
I don't really have any complaints except the pacing and just that I found all the explanations of things boring. Jacob was a shinning star of this book, and I honestly could've hated everything else about this book but would want keep reading the series for him, and I have no idea why. He's just great!
CAWPILE Rating: 6.14/10
Stars: 3/5 Stars
I'm intrigued for the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Grief
Minor: Murder
ziggypop's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death
angel_kiiss's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Considering V. E. Schwab’s authorial assurance that Lila Bard from Shades of Magic is gender-fluid, it’s pretty awkward that this book is almost a love letter to Harry Potter.
I’m completely enchanted by the idea of a girl who sees ghosts and photographs them. This is a cute YA novel, but I wish we could have this same character but with a more… Francesca Lia Block style writing.
I’m completely enchanted by the idea of a girl who sees ghosts and photographs them. This is a cute YA novel, but I wish we could have this same character but with a more… Francesca Lia Block style writing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
angelicathebookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Death