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A review by rubeusbeaky
City of Ghosts by V.E. Schwab
4.0
A beautifully written book, sometimes cute and sometimes melancholy, not unlike how friendships can go, and at the heart of this story IS a tale of friendship. Putting me in mind of Coraline, Coco, and Casper, I feel for Cassidy (who apparently is joining a club of C-named spooky protagonists XD) as she grows into herself, almost loses herself, and tests her friendship with Jacob.
HOWEVER, I had to remove an ENTIRE STAR for how often this book references Harry Potter. (I am honestly shocked that JKR didn't sue over how many times this book mentions her own, she's usually so snippy about stuff like that.) Listen, I'm a huge Harry Potter fan (Go Slytherin!), but I am not a fan of She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and all the drama she has stirred up in real life in recent years, definitely since this book was published. The references didn't age well. Every single one jars me out of City of Ghosts, and back into reality where REAL PEOPLE, my friends, are suffering no thanks to Twitter-Knows-Who. Also, the references were used like a crutch. A character is described as...like a character in Harry Potter. A place is described as...like a place in Harry Potter. A girl's personality is summarized in her sweater color, her Hogwarts house colors, instead of in her /actions/ in /this book/. And frankly...V.E.S. is too good for that. V.E. Schwab's writing shines all on its own, there is no reason to hide in JKR's shadow. I don't know if it was insecurity, or a genuine love of Harry Potter that seeped in, maybe a little of Column A, little Column B... But cut out all the Harry Potter references, and you're left with V.E. Schwab's brilliant, atmospheric, detailed yet succinct, writing. You wear your own crown, V.E.S! Never forget it!
HOWEVER, I had to remove an ENTIRE STAR for how often this book references Harry Potter. (I am honestly shocked that JKR didn't sue over how many times this book mentions her own, she's usually so snippy about stuff like that.) Listen, I'm a huge Harry Potter fan (Go Slytherin!), but I am not a fan of She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and all the drama she has stirred up in real life in recent years, definitely since this book was published. The references didn't age well. Every single one jars me out of City of Ghosts, and back into reality where REAL PEOPLE, my friends, are suffering no thanks to Twitter-Knows-Who. Also, the references were used like a crutch. A character is described as...like a character in Harry Potter. A place is described as...like a place in Harry Potter. A girl's personality is summarized in her sweater color, her Hogwarts house colors, instead of in her /actions/ in /this book/. And frankly...V.E.S. is too good for that. V.E. Schwab's writing shines all on its own, there is no reason to hide in JKR's shadow. I don't know if it was insecurity, or a genuine love of Harry Potter that seeped in, maybe a little of Column A, little Column B... But cut out all the Harry Potter references, and you're left with V.E. Schwab's brilliant, atmospheric, detailed yet succinct, writing. You wear your own crown, V.E.S! Never forget it!