{"id":2479,"date":"2025-04-06T04:24:59","date_gmt":"2025-04-06T04:24:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=2479"},"modified":"2025-04-06T04:24:59","modified_gmt":"2025-04-06T04:24:59","slug":"tunnel-of-bones-by-victoria-e-schwab","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=2479","title":{"rendered":"Tunnel of Bones by Victoria E. Schwab"},"content":{"rendered":"

Victoria Schwab\u2019s \u201cTunnel of Bones,\u201d the second installment in her Cassidy Blake middle-grade paranormal series, plunges readers into the haunted underbelly of Paris with a perfect blend of supernatural chills and historical exploration. Following the events of \u201cCity of Ghosts<\/a>,\u201d which introduced us to Cassidy\u2019s ghost-hunting abilities in Edinburgh, this sequel takes our young protagonist into the infamous Catacombs, where she awakens a particularly troublesome spirit. With her trademark atmospheric prose and clever world-building, Schwab creates another compelling ghost story that will appeal to readers of all ages, despite a few minor pacing issues.<\/p>\n

The Story: A Dangerous Game of Ghostly Hide and Seek<\/h2>\n

When Cassidy Blake\u2019s ghost-hunter parents bring their television show \u201cThe Inspecters\u201d to Paris, Cass should be enjoying croissants and tourist attractions. Instead, she finds herself dealing with Thomas Alain Laurent, a young poltergeist she accidentally awakens during a filming session in the Catacombs. Unlike other ghosts Cassidy has encountered, Thomas doesn\u2019t remember who he is, making him immune to Cassidy\u2019s usual ghost-banishing methods.<\/p>\n

As Thomas\u2019s power grows from mischief to menace to outright mayhem, Cassidy and her ghostly best friend Jacob must race against time to uncover Thomas\u2019s story before the poltergeist causes irreparable harm to the City of Light. Their investigation leads them to the Laurent family, where they learn about a tragic game of hide-and-seek played in the Catacombs between Thomas and his older brother Richard in 1912.<\/p>\n

The narrative culminates in a tension-filled confrontation beneath Paris, where Cassidy and Jacob must help Thomas remember his past to finally set his spirit free. Along the way, Jacob also reveals his own tragic history, deepening the emotional core of the story.<\/p>\n

Atmospheric Setting: Paris Above and Below<\/h2>\n

Schwab demonstrates her skill for creating richly textured settings as she contrasts the bright, elegant Paris of tourist postcards with the macabre Empire of the Dead that lies beneath:<\/p>\n

\u201cWe came from Edinburgh, Scotland, a nest of heavy stones and narrow roads, the kind of place that always feels cast in shadow. But Paris? Paris is sprawling and elegant and bright.\u201d<\/h4>\n

The author excels at using sensory details to bring both versions of Paris alive. Readers can almost taste the buttery croissants and smell the damp, musty air of the Catacombs with their walls of skulls and femurs. The contrast between these worlds creates a compelling dynamic that echoes Cassidy\u2019s own position straddling the world of the living and the Veil where ghosts reside.<\/p>\n

Particularly effective is Schwab\u2019s description of the Catacombs, which transforms from a tourist attraction to a genuinely unsettling labyrinth as the story progresses:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe bones are everywhere. They line the dirt walls, a sea of skeletons rising almost to the ceiling. They form patterns, rippling designs\u2014a wave of skulls set on a backdrop of femurs, the morbid decorations stacked as high as I can see. Empty eye sockets stare out, and jaws hang open.\u201d<\/h4>\n

Character Development: Friendship Beyond Death<\/h2>\n

While the ghostly adventure drives the plot, the heart of \u201cTunnel of Bones\u201d lies in the evolving relationship between Cassidy and Jacob. Their friendship transcends the boundary between life and death, providing both emotional resonance<\/a> and comic relief throughout the story. Their banter feels natural and true to their ages, making them relatable protagonists for the target audience.<\/p>\n

The introduction of Adele Laurent, a curious and brave French girl who becomes temporarily involved in Cassidy\u2019s ghost hunting, adds another interesting dynamic to the story. However, the most significant character development comes through Jacob\u2019s revelation about his past life:<\/p>\n

\u201cI tell her about ghosts and poltergeists, about the fact that I somehow woke one poltergeist up and now it\u2019s following me, causing all kinds of trouble.\u201d<\/h4>\n

This vulnerability creates deeper emotional stakes for both Cassidy and the reader, as we realize that Jacob could potentially become like Thomas if he ever forgets who he was in life.<\/p>\n

Strengths and Weaknesses<\/h2>\n

What Works Well:<\/h3>\n

Accessible Ghost Mythology<\/strong>: Schwab creates clear rules for her supernatural world that are easy to follow without overwhelming exposition.
\nHistoric Integration<\/strong>: The way Schwab weaves real Parisian history and locations into her fictional ghost story educates while entertaining.
\nCharacter Dynamics<\/strong>: The friendship between Cassidy and Jacob feels authentic and provides an emotional anchor for the supernatural elements.
\nBalanced Tone<\/strong>: Despite dealing with death and danger, the book maintains an appropriate balance of humor and heart for its middle-grade audience.
\nVisual Storytelling<\/strong>: Cassidy\u2019s vintage camera that captures traces of the spectral world is a clever narrative device that reinforces the theme of seeing what others cannot.<\/p>\n

Where It Falls Short:<\/h3>\n

Pacing Issues<\/strong>: The middle section of the book occasionally drags, with some repetitive scenes as Cassidy searches for Thomas.
\nPredictable Resolution<\/strong>: Although emotionally satisfying, the method of resolving Thomas\u2019s haunting becomes somewhat obvious before the climax.
\nSecondary Character Development<\/strong>: While Cassidy and Jacob are well-rounded, other characters like Cassidy\u2019s parents and Lara (Cassidy\u2019s ghosthunting mentor who appears primarily via phone) remain somewhat flat.
\nLimited Stakes<\/strong>: Despite the threat posed by Thomas, there\u2019s never a genuine sense that Cassidy might fail, reducing some tension in the climax.<\/p>\n

The Cassidy Blake Series: Spectral Adventures Across Famous Cities<\/h2>\n

\u201cTunnel of Bones\u201d is the second book in Victoria Schwab\u2019s Cassidy Blake trilogy, which follows young ghost hunter Cassidy Blake as she travels to haunted cities around the world with her paranormal investigator parents:<\/p>\n

City of Ghosts<\/strong><\/a> (2018): Set in Edinburgh, Scotland, this first installment introduces Cassidy\u2019s abilities and her friendship with Jacob following her near-death experience.
\nTunnel of Bones<\/strong> (2019): Takes Cassidy to Paris, France, where she confronts a dangerous poltergeist in the Catacombs.
\nBridge of Souls<\/strong> (2021): The trilogy conclusion brings Cassidy to New Orleans, where she faces her most dangerous supernatural threat yet.<\/p>\n

Each book functions as a ghost story and a travelogue, with Schwab expertly weaving local history and folklore into her fictional hauntings. The consistently fast-paced narratives and age-appropriate frights make these books perfect for readers transitioning from children\u2019s to young adult literature.<\/p>\n

For Fans Of\u2026<\/h2>\n

If you enjoy \u201cTunnel of Bones,\u201d you might also like:<\/p>\n

Lockwood & Co.<\/strong> series by Jonathan Stroud, featuring young ghost hunters in an alternate London
\nSmall Spaces<\/strong> series by Katherine Arden, which masterfully blends horror with coming-of-age themes
\nNevermoor<\/strong> series by Jessica Townsend, for its imaginative worldbuilding and spirited protagonist
\nThe Graveyard Book<\/strong> by Neil Gaiman, another story featuring a human child with connections to the world of the dead<\/p>\n

Final Verdict: A Haunting Journey Worth Taking<\/h2>\n

\u201cTunnel of Bones\u201d continues Victoria Schwab\u2019s deft handling of ghost stories for younger readers, blending just enough fright with genuine heart. While the overall arc may feel somewhat familiar to seasoned readers of paranormal fiction, Schwab\u2019s atmospheric writing and the emotional depth she brings to Cassidy and Jacob\u2019s relationship elevate this above typical middle-grade fare.<\/p>\n

The book serves as both an engaging standalone adventure and a solid bridge in the Cassidy Blake trilogy, deepening the mythology established in \u201cCity of Ghosts<\/a>\u201d while setting up interesting possibilities for \u201cBridge of Souls.\u201d Though it occasionally loses momentum in its middle section, the climactic confrontation in the Catacombs delivers a satisfying emotional payoff that resonates beyond the final page.<\/p>\n

For readers who enjoy supernatural stories with historical elements and authentic friendships at their core, \u201cTunnel of Bones\u201d offers a compelling adventure beneath the streets of Paris that skillfully balances ghostly chills with genuine emotional depth. It\u2019s a journey worth taking for readers of all ages who aren\u2019t afraid to look beyond the Veil.<\/p>\n

Victoria Schwab (who also writes adult fiction as V.E. Schwab) continues to prove herself adept at crafting engaging fantasy across age categories, making \u201cTunnel of Bones\u201d a worthy addition to her impressive bibliography that includes the adult Shades of Magic series and Villains duology.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Victoria Schwab\u2019s \u201cTunnel of Bones,\u201d the second installment in her Cassidy Blake middle-grade paranormal series, plunges readers into the haunted underbelly of Paris with a perfect blend of supernatural chills and historical exploration. Following the events of \u201cCity of Ghosts,\u201d which introduced us to Cassidy\u2019s ghost-hunting abilities in Edinburgh, this sequel takes our young protagonist […]<\/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-2479","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bookreviews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2479"}],"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=2479"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2479\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2479"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2479"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2479"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}