Hello from the other side of finals. Almost. I still have a final project for my governing virtual worlds class to finish up, but the exams are done, and they’re always the roughest.
Last week, I read City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab. I read her Shades of Magic series two summers ago, and I loved it, so when I found out she’s working on a middle grade series I was so excited, and I was not disappointed.
Cassidy Blake’s parents co-write books that are half history, half ghost story, and now they’re taking Cassidy on a whirlwind summer of the world’s most haunted cities for a TV show. Cassidy’s parents don’t really believe in ghosts, but Cassidy does. Because a year ago, she was in an accident where she nearly drowngh, and a ghost saved her. That ghost is name Jacob, and he’s now Cass’s best friend. So Cass, her parents, her ghost friend, and their cranky cat are off to Edinburgh Scotland for some good old-fashioned haunted city fun times. Cass explores the city, getting to see the birthplace of Harry Potter (I’m jealous), and all the creepy graveyards and catacombs (less jealous because they are sooo creepy). But she gets more than that. She meets a new friend who tells her what she is now that she can see ghosts and what she’s supposed to do with that power. And there’s an evil child-kidnapping ghost after her. Cassidy has to confront the ghost with her new powers or her own life might be in danger. Again.
This was a great read. It was fast and fun, and just my right level of creepy. I really loved Cass and Jacob and all the new friends they make in their adventures. The villain was just so deeply creepy and powerful, and I loved watching Cass learn how to use her power and get stronger and more confident with it. The dynamic between Cass and Jacob is also amazing, but Jacob doesn’t want Cass to learn to use her powers. He’s worried that learning what she is and what she can do will cause her to send him on so he can’t “haunt” her anymore. Also, everything was described so well that I felt like I was really there experiencing it all with Cass.
It was a short book too, which was nice as a mid-finals read. But a lot is packed into that short book, so it didn’t feel short at all, and it moves at a great clip.
I have one complaint, and it is so nitpicky and says a lot more about me than the book. There’s a point in the beginning when Cass describes something as that time in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix when they’re in the square in Grimauld Place and someone taps the wall with their wand and the headquarters of the Order appears and so other houses slide out of the way. AND THAT IS NOT HOW IT HAPPENS!
Sorry. I’m good.
But really there is no wand tapping in Grimauld Place. That’s Diagon Alley. In Grimauld Place they show Harry the note from Dumbledore telling him where the headquarters is and it just appears.
Okay so yeah this irked me. But I’m good now I swear.
But other than the fact that I get way too upset about incorrect Harry Potter references, City of Ghosts was a really great book. Also the next book in the series is coming out in September, and I can’t wait. If you’re looking for a fast, fun, only slightly creepy read, this is the book for you. If you’ve already read this book, what did you think? Let’s chat in the comments.