{"id":2474,"date":"2025-04-05T05:45:09","date_gmt":"2025-04-05T05:45:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=2474"},"modified":"2025-04-05T05:45:09","modified_gmt":"2025-04-05T05:45:09","slug":"city-of-ghosts-by-victoria-e-schwab","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=2474","title":{"rendered":"City of Ghosts by Victoria E. Schwab"},"content":{"rendered":"

In Victoria Schwab\u2019s middle-grade debut, \u201cCity of Ghosts,\u201d we\u2019re introduced to a world where the boundaries between the living and the dead are as thin as a curtain waiting to be pulled aside. Following Cassidy Blake, a young girl who can cross into what she calls \u201cthe Veil\u201d after a near-death experience, Schwab crafts a story that is equal parts ghost story, coming-of-age tale, and adventure. While maintaining the accessibility needed for younger readers, Schwab doesn\u2019t shy away from deeper themes of mortality, purpose, and friendship<\/a> that resonate with readers of all ages.<\/p>\n

The first installment in the Cassidy Blake series (which continues with \u201cTunnel of Bones\u201d and \u201cBridge of Souls\u201d), \u201cCity of Ghosts\u201d takes place in Edinburgh, Scotland\u2014a city as steeped in ghost stories as it is in history. Edinburgh becomes more than just a setting; it transforms into a character itself, with its cobblestone streets, ancient graveyards, and haunted closes serving as the perfect backdrop for Cassidy\u2019s supernatural adventures.<\/p>\n

A Unique Protagonist with a Ghostly Best Friend<\/h2>\n

What immediately stands out about \u201cCity of Ghosts\u201d is its central relationship. Cassidy, or Cass as she prefers, isn\u2019t your typical protagonist. After drowning in a frozen river, she\u2019s rescued by Jacob, a ghost boy who becomes her best friend and constant companion. Their dynamic is both charming and complicated:<\/p>\n

Jacob can read Cass\u2019s mind, creating an intimacy few friendships can claim
\nTheir relationship breaks the traditional boundary between the living and dead
\nTheir friendship rules and inside jokes create an authentic bond
\nThe power balance shifts as Cass discovers her purpose<\/p>\n

Schwab excels at developing this unconventional friendship. The banter between Cass and Jacob flows naturally, punctuated with their numbered \u201crules of friendship\u201d that add both humor and depth. When Jacob disappears after an argument, we feel Cass\u2019s isolation acutely. Their relationship anchors the story, raising questions about the nature of friendship and what we owe those we care about.<\/p>\n

The Captivating World of the Veil<\/h2>\n

One of Schwab\u2019s greatest strengths lies in world-building, and \u201cCity of Ghosts\u201d is no exception. The Veil\u2014the realm between the living and the dead\u2014is masterfully constructed. Unlike other fictional ghost worlds that can feel arbitrary, the Veil operates with consistent internal logic:<\/p>\n

It\u2019s accessible only to those who have had near-death experiences
\nIt\u2019s unique to each ghost, reflecting their memories or moment of death
\nIt carries physical sensations (cold for Cassidy, reflecting her drowning)
\nIt has rules that govern how long a living person can stay
\nMirrors show ghosts their true nature, trapping them in self-recognition<\/p>\n

The Veil isn\u2019t just spooky window dressing; it\u2019s intricate and thoughtfully designed. Schwab reveals its complexities gradually through Cassidy\u2019s experiences, avoiding clunky exposition. The concept of the Veil also serves as a perfect metaphor for the liminal space between childhood and adolescence that Cassidy occupies.<\/p>\n

Narrative Strengths and Weaknesses<\/h2>\n

Schwab\u2019s prose is accessible without being simplistic, striking a balance that makes \u201cCity of Ghosts\u201d appealing across age groups. Her descriptions of Edinburgh are particularly evocative, painting vivid pictures of the city\u2019s haunted locations. The book\u2019s pacing accelerates as it progresses, building to a climactic confrontation with the Raven in Red that delivers both thrills and emotional resonance.<\/p>\n

However, the novel isn\u2019t without flaws. The introduction of Lara Chowdhury\u2014another character who can cross the Veil\u2014happens somewhat abruptly, and her role as ghost hunter and reluctant mentor feels slightly underdeveloped. Though she provides necessary exposition and adds complexity to the ghost-hunting mythos, her character sometimes serves more as a plot device than a fully realized individual.<\/p>\n

Additionally, while Cassidy\u2019s parents (authors of paranormal books who ironically can\u2019t see ghosts) provide an interesting dynamic, they fade into the background as the plot intensifies. The story might have benefited from more exploration of how Cassidy navigates keeping her abilities secret from them, especially given their profession.<\/p>\n

The Heart of the Story: Identity and Purpose<\/h2>\n

At its core, \u201cCity of Ghosts\u201d explores profound questions about identity and purpose. After her near-death experience, Cassidy exists in a unique state\u2014not fully alive in the traditional sense, but certainly not dead. This in-between status mirrors the universal adolescent experience<\/a> of trying to figure out who you are and where you belong.<\/p>\n

When Lara tells Cassidy that their ability to cross the Veil comes with responsibility\u2014specifically, to help ghosts \u201cmove on\u201d\u2014it introduces a complex moral dimension to the story. Cassidy must grapple with:<\/p>\n

The ethics of deciding which ghosts deserve to stay or move on
\nReconciling her role as ghost hunter with her friendship with Jacob
\nUnderstanding the price of her second chance at life
\nAccepting that with extraordinary abilities comes responsibility<\/p>\n

These themes elevate \u201cCity of Ghosts\u201d beyond a simple ghost story into something more thought-provoking. Schwab doesn\u2019t provide easy answers, instead allowing readers to contemplate these questions alongside Cassidy.<\/p>\n

Setting the Stage for a Series<\/h2>\n

As the first book in a trilogy, \u201cCity of Ghosts\u201d effectively establishes the foundation for future adventures. The conclusion resolves the immediate threat of the Raven in Red while leaving several threads open:<\/p>\n

Cassidy\u2019s developing abilities and understanding of the Veil
\nThe implications of her torn and mended life thread
\nThe true nature and history of Jacob
\nThe potential relationship with Lara and the wider community of \u201cin-betweeners\u201d<\/p>\n

These elements create natural avenues for exploration in the subsequent books, \u201cTunnel of Bones\u201d (set in Paris) and \u201cBridge of Souls\u201d (set in New Orleans). Schwab balances closure with curiosity, satisfying readers while making them eager for more.<\/p>\n

Comparisons and Context<\/h2>\n

Readers familiar with Schwab\u2019s adult and young adult works (such as the \u201cShades of Magic\u201d series or \u201cVicious<\/a>\u201c) will recognize her trademark blend of the ordinary and the supernatural, though \u201cCity of Ghosts\u201d is naturally tailored for a younger audience. The book sits comfortably alongside middle-grade classics like Neil Gaiman\u2019s \u201cCoraline\u201d or Jonathan Stroud\u2019s \u201cLockwood & Co.\u201d series, offering genuine scares that respect rather than talk down to young readers.<\/p>\n

Fans of Stranger Things will appreciate the friendship dynamics and supernatural elements, while readers who enjoyed \u201cMiss Peregrine\u2019s Home for Peculiar Children\u201d will find similarities in the blend of history and the paranormal. However, Schwab brings her own distinctive voice to this crowded genre.<\/p>\n

Final Thoughts: A Compelling Start to a Ghost-Hunting Trilogy<\/h2>\n

\u201cCity of Ghosts\u201d successfully launches the Cassidy Blake series with a story that balances supernatural elements with genuine emotion. While some character relationships could be more fully developed and certain worldbuilding aspects feel rushed, these are minor issues in an otherwise captivating tale.<\/p>\n

The book\u2019s strengths lie in:<\/p>\n

The authentic friendship between Cassidy and Jacob
\nThe atmospheric portrayal of Edinburgh
\nThe well-crafted rules of the supernatural world
\nThe deeper themes that resonate beyond the ghost story framework<\/p>\n

As Cassidy and Jacob prepare to accompany her parents to Paris in \u201cTunnel of Bones\u201d and later to New Orleans in \u201cBridge of Souls,\u201d readers will eagerly follow, curious to see how Cassidy\u2019s understanding of her abilities and purpose evolves in these equally haunted locations.<\/p>\n

Victoria Schwab has created a ghostly adventure that lingers in the mind long after the final page, much like the spirits that populate her story. \u201cCity of Ghosts\u201d proves that middle-grade fiction can be both accessible and profound, offering readers of all ages a thoughtful exploration of what it means to be caught between worlds\u2014both literally and figuratively.<\/p>\n

For those seeking a ghost story with heart, \u201cCity of Ghosts\u201d delivers a reading experience that is, to borrow from Jacob\u2019s terminology, \u201ccorporeally challenging\u201d but spiritually rewarding.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In Victoria Schwab\u2019s middle-grade debut, \u201cCity of Ghosts,\u201d we\u2019re introduced to a world where the boundaries between the living and the dead are as thin as a curtain waiting to be pulled aside. Following Cassidy Blake, a young girl who can cross into what she calls \u201cthe Veil\u201d after a near-death experience, Schwab crafts a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2474","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bookreviews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2474"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2474"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2474\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2474"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2474"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2474"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}