Scan barcode
A review by thebookberrie
City of Ghosts by V.E. Schwab
3.0
This book was fun for a middle grade, not sure how to rate it though.
City of Ghosts is about a girl named Cassidy and her ghost-hunting parents. Cassidy can actually see the ghosts, and her best friend happens to be one. When her parents get the opportunity to film a tv show in Edinburgh, Scotland, Cassidy finds herself surrounded by more ghosts than ever before. There she meets another girl with the same ability and Cassidy learns there is more to her gift than just peeking into the other side. She isn't sure of her new mission but she knows she has to stop a mysterious ghost called the Red Raven that is haunting the city and taking lives.
I'm sorry to say but I'm not a big fan of middle grade; the age range and the less mature writing just doesn't work for me. But Victoria Schwab is an author I've read and loved before so I knew I had to try this one out and for what it is? I liked it. I just... didn't understand why this story had to be toned down and made for a younger crowd. I couldn't help thinking the entire time that the pitch was really good and that this story could have been so much more. I know Victoria wanted to try all different age ranges and now she has, but it just wasn't necessary in my opinion.
The setting was my favorite part in this story- it was so spooky and historic! I also loved the world of the ghosts and the veil (even though it wasn't exactly a new concept). I liked Cassidy well enough too but most of what I got out of this story was that it wasn't meant for me. That ridiculous final battle scene just drove that home. Also, you know you're getting old when you think the main character's parents are 100% more interesting. They were so cool! Where is the book just following them?
Overall it was fun, cute, and super easy to get through but I don't think I'll be reading middle grade again anytime soon.
City of Ghosts is about a girl named Cassidy and her ghost-hunting parents. Cassidy can actually see the ghosts, and her best friend happens to be one. When her parents get the opportunity to film a tv show in Edinburgh, Scotland, Cassidy finds herself surrounded by more ghosts than ever before. There she meets another girl with the same ability and Cassidy learns there is more to her gift than just peeking into the other side. She isn't sure of her new mission but she knows she has to stop a mysterious ghost called the Red Raven that is haunting the city and taking lives.
I'm sorry to say but I'm not a big fan of middle grade; the age range and the less mature writing just doesn't work for me. But Victoria Schwab is an author I've read and loved before so I knew I had to try this one out and for what it is? I liked it. I just... didn't understand why this story had to be toned down and made for a younger crowd. I couldn't help thinking the entire time that the pitch was really good and that this story could have been so much more. I know Victoria wanted to try all different age ranges and now she has, but it just wasn't necessary in my opinion.
The setting was my favorite part in this story- it was so spooky and historic! I also loved the world of the ghosts and the veil (even though it wasn't exactly a new concept). I liked Cassidy well enough too but most of what I got out of this story was that it wasn't meant for me. That ridiculous final battle scene just drove that home. Also, you know you're getting old when you think the main character's parents are 100% more interesting. They were so cool! Where is the book just following them?
Overall it was fun, cute, and super easy to get through but I don't think I'll be reading middle grade again anytime soon.