City of Ghosts

Author: Victoria Schwab
272 pages
Genre: Middle-Grade Paranormal
First Published: August 2018
Book Description (from Good Reads): Cassidy Blake's parents are The Inspectres, a (somewhat inept) ghost-hunting team. But Cass herself can REALLY see ghosts. In fact, her best friend, Jacob, just happens to be one.
When The Inspectres head to ultra-haunted Edinburgh, Scotland, for their new TV show, Cass—and Jacob—come along. In Scotland, Cass is surrounded by ghosts, not all of them friendly. Then she meets Lara, a girl who can also see the dead. But Lara tells Cassidy that as an In-betweener, their job is to send ghosts permanently beyond the Veil. Cass isn't sure about her new mission, but she does know the sinister Red Raven haunting the city doesn't belong in her world. Cassidy's powers will draw her into an epic fight that stretches through the worlds of the living and the dead, in order to save herself.

Points to Consider

1. Plot: 8.5
1. It has the paranormal (this case ghosts) and it gives a logical explanation for the fact only some people have the ability to see ghosts. In the beginning, Cassidy does not know why she has the ability and it scares her a bit but she's learning to live with it even if she does not understand what is supposed to be done with it. 
2. The world is introduced more in dept when the Blakes get to Scotland when Cassidy meets another girl who has the same power. 
3. As usual, the girls manage to save themselves from the big evil bad lady just barely and the parents can't know a thing. 
2. Characters: 9.0
1. Cassidy Blake is a nice quiet girl who is able to see ghosts. She doesn't know what to do so she simply looks at the ghost and then ignores them.
2. Jacob is Cassidy's best friend, even if he's a ghost.
3. The Blake couple (Cassidy's parents) are very interesting parents, make a living based on ghosts even without knowing anything about their daughter. 
4. There are other characters we get to meet, living and the ghosts of the nice city Blake lives or the places she visits. Lovely really. :) 
3. Logic: 8.0
1. One issue with the relation between Jacob being a ghost who can come and go from the Veil which is the world of the ghosts. It is not explained why he can be in the side of the living or how he was able to interact with Cassidy that fateful first time in the cold water. 
2. The fact that you need to have been close to dying in order to be able to see ghosts is actually a good explanation I like it. 
3. The Blakes firm belief on ghosts and yet Cassidy does not let her parents know about her abilities, I wonder why and then well it would be very difficult to convince them I guess. But they seem like a good family, maybe later they will find out.
4. Writing Style: 9.0
1. The story is easy to read and the description of the city is very rich, the places, the history, and the local legends; I am not sure if they are based on the real local history of Edinburgh but they are presented very well. 
5. Intention: 10.0
1. It is shown the power of friendship is big. Trust your friends even when you don't know what the purpose of your life is. 
2. The parents have a nice relationship, admirable marriage they make a good team. Even if they do not share the same belief they have a mutual respect for the other's opinion, a good example of a healthy relationship.
   
    
6. Intrigue: 8.0
1. The story is not scary or full of suspense but it is very entertaining. The elements of ghosts make it a perfect Fall-Halloween read yet are not scary in case you don't really like horror or real haunting stories.
2. Perfect for the faint of heart. It is after all a children's book.
7. Enjoyment: 9.5

Total Score: 62.0

Average: 8.8

Star Rating: 4.0

Accomplished challenges:

• Boo To You Readathon
• Madame Leota's Library-Read a book that you think belongs in the library at the Haunted House.
• Spookathon
• Read a book with a spooky word in the title.