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A review by rubeusbeaky
Tunnel of Bones by V.E. Schwab
3.0
I was disappointed in this sequel :/. The reliance on Harry Potter references is still prevalent, and I /again/ wish that V.E. Schwab had invented her own, in-universe, faux-Potter for Cassidy and the rest to obsess (and bond) over. The emotional core of the first book - Cassidy and Jacob's strong but tested friendship - took a backseat until the penultimate chapter of this sequel, and I feel like that was a mistake. Cassidy's concern for Jacob's growing strength, and Jacob's determination to NOT turn into a violent spirit (despite his growing resentment for Cassidy's waning trust) could have been played up more. Instead, Cassidy's concerns mostly manifest in nightmares, and she doesn't have a proper conversation with Jacob until the end of the book.
I feel like the basic plot of this book suffered too, when compared to the first one. The Red Raven, as an antagonist, had clear motives. But Thomas's increasingly violent pranks don't reflect on him being a kid, or how he died, or developing a grudge against Cassidy. They're just random acts of violence. And Cassidy receives very good advice from everyone - including herself - and yet she jumps down that rabbit hole into The Veil, time and time again; which is an unnecessary handicap for her in this book, because Thomas isn't limited by The Veil the way that regular ghosts are. Half the plot wouldn't have happened if Cassidy hadn't jumped into danger at every opportunity, sans plan.
Finally, the ambiance didn't really click this go around, not in the way that cold and misty Scotland did. Sure, Cassidy feels a chill when a ghost is near. But largely, Paris is described as glowing, golden, romantic and beautiful, sweet-scented with gardens and carnivals and chocolatiers... It's not scary, so much as it is a tourism pamphlet for Paris.
Long story short: Too little character development, random and inconsequential plot, felt like I was whizzing through a geography textbook, until the cliffhanger ending which was arguably the best part. Sticking with the series, but man was this installment "meh" :/.
I feel like the basic plot of this book suffered too, when compared to the first one. The Red Raven, as an antagonist, had clear motives. But Thomas's increasingly violent pranks don't reflect on him being a kid, or how he died, or developing a grudge against Cassidy. They're just random acts of violence. And Cassidy receives very good advice from everyone - including herself - and yet she jumps down that rabbit hole into The Veil, time and time again; which is an unnecessary handicap for her in this book, because Thomas isn't limited by The Veil the way that regular ghosts are. Half the plot wouldn't have happened if Cassidy hadn't jumped into danger at every opportunity, sans plan.
Finally, the ambiance didn't really click this go around, not in the way that cold and misty Scotland did. Sure, Cassidy feels a chill when a ghost is near. But largely, Paris is described as glowing, golden, romantic and beautiful, sweet-scented with gardens and carnivals and chocolatiers... It's not scary, so much as it is a tourism pamphlet for Paris.
Long story short: Too little character development, random and inconsequential plot, felt like I was whizzing through a geography textbook, until the cliffhanger ending which was arguably the best part. Sticking with the series, but man was this installment "meh" :/.