The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
vanessamariebooks's review against another edition
5.0
This was a super fun read. I love the characters in here and can't wait to see more of them. This was also my first Victoria Schwab book, but I'm looking forward to reading her others, especially the YA and adult books.
booksandlemonsquash's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this middle grade cuteness. It’s short and sweet, super easy to read, and got a decent flavour of mystery with its ghostly goodness. It’s not really a mystery but it’s still got that hint to it.
The ghosts and how it worked was good fun, and I really liked Cassidy’s approach to it, as well as her friendship with Jacob. I liked how their connection worked.
I found her parents a little meh, but they’re not in it enough for me to care properly. I was also surprised not to have Grim the cat more prominent given he’s on the cover. Also surprised they took him to Scotland!
I like how the premise works and how it looks like it will play out for future books.
It is young feeling, but not too much I don’t feel, and definitely keeps some of the “scary” elements of ghosts to keep it suspenseful and sort of still feeling like Schwab :)
Looking forward to the next one!
The ghosts and how it worked was good fun, and I really liked Cassidy’s approach to it, as well as her friendship with Jacob. I liked how their connection worked.
I found her parents a little meh, but they’re not in it enough for me to care properly. I was also surprised not to have Grim the cat more prominent given he’s on the cover. Also surprised they took him to Scotland!
I like how the premise works and how it looks like it will play out for future books.
It is young feeling, but not too much I don’t feel, and definitely keeps some of the “scary” elements of ghosts to keep it suspenseful and sort of still feeling like Schwab :)
Looking forward to the next one!
tibbarasden's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
I had a really good time with this one. Loved the spooky vibes combined with the historical aspects. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline. I didn't like the Harry Potter references (I like the books and movies but just not a fan of the use of pop culture in books) or the friendship rules (do kids really do this because I never did when I was young). Overall, it was exactly what I expected, and I really enjoyed it.
pandaaaaa14's review against another edition
2.0
Schwab must think we're fools if she's writing about this family only eating fish and chips the entire trip in Scotland like yeah sureeeeeeee
Honestly it's written like someone who didn't do her research and is using stereotypes just to get the job done because the book was full of British stereotypes
And the "I'm not like other girls" vibe carried to the end. Like the way this girl was describing chips (in American fries) as if it's some alien dish that was left behind a UFO, like please why acting so weird it's just fried potato, have you never had McDonald's or what 😭
The story had potential if only the writing wasn't so bad.
P.s. there's mention of JKR and HP at least 3x in this book, definitely unnecessary mentions but yeah, warnings for that.
Honestly it's written like someone who didn't do her research and is using stereotypes just to get the job done because the book was full of British stereotypes
And the "I'm not like other girls" vibe carried to the end. Like the way this girl was describing chips (in American fries) as if it's some alien dish that was left behind a UFO, like please why acting so weird it's just fried potato, have you never had McDonald's or what 😭
The story had potential if only the writing wasn't so bad.
P.s. there's mention of JKR and HP at least 3x in this book, definitely unnecessary mentions but yeah, warnings for that.
n00bfairy's review against another edition
4.0
I really loved this! Is it the most amazing thing I've ever read? Probably not. However, it had some stuff I love. It had ghosts and a group of misfits solving a problem, which is a great combo! It was a simple plot that was fun and easy to follow, also super quick to read. I didn't realize it was MG before reading, but I don't mind it. Definitely want to continue!
finja_pauline's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
theobscureboleyngirl's review against another edition
5.0
“Embrace your strange, dear daughter. Where’s the fun in being normal?”
Funny thing about me, I routinely accidentally read books from a series in the wrong order. I listened to Tunnel of Bones on audio last year on a whim after the cover caught my eye on my library app. I got about a quarter of the way through before I realized that it wasn’t a standalone and it wasn’t the first book in the series. Did I stop and go back? No. Did I finish and immediately go back and read the fist one? Also no. But here we are, a whole year later and I finally finished City of Ghosts and it was well worth the wait!
Cassidy, Jacob, her parents and her cat, Grim, are off to Edinburgh to film the first in a series of ghost-hunting specials featuring some of the worlds most haunted cities. The characters are fun and relatable, the ‘spooky factor’ is just right for the target audience (middle grade) & the descriptions of Edinburgh are enough to inspire wanderlust in readers of any age. I love how the author illustrates the friendship between Cassidy & Jacob and makes it such a core part of the story. It would be a great read to enjoy with the kiddos this spooky season!
I really enjoyed Tunnel of Bones, but given my love for Edinburgh, I think City of Ghosts takes the top spot. I can definitely say I won’t be waiting a year to read the third in the series, Bridge of Souls. I can’t wait to read what New Orleans has in story for my favourite ghost hunters!
Funny thing about me, I routinely accidentally read books from a series in the wrong order. I listened to Tunnel of Bones on audio last year on a whim after the cover caught my eye on my library app. I got about a quarter of the way through before I realized that it wasn’t a standalone and it wasn’t the first book in the series. Did I stop and go back? No. Did I finish and immediately go back and read the fist one? Also no. But here we are, a whole year later and I finally finished City of Ghosts and it was well worth the wait!
Cassidy, Jacob, her parents and her cat, Grim, are off to Edinburgh to film the first in a series of ghost-hunting specials featuring some of the worlds most haunted cities. The characters are fun and relatable, the ‘spooky factor’ is just right for the target audience (middle grade) & the descriptions of Edinburgh are enough to inspire wanderlust in readers of any age. I love how the author illustrates the friendship between Cassidy & Jacob and makes it such a core part of the story. It would be a great read to enjoy with the kiddos this spooky season!
I really enjoyed Tunnel of Bones, but given my love for Edinburgh, I think City of Ghosts takes the top spot. I can definitely say I won’t be waiting a year to read the third in the series, Bridge of Souls. I can’t wait to read what New Orleans has in story for my favourite ghost hunters!
jscarpa14's review against another edition
4.0
I've been in a reading slump for almost a year now, but Cass's voice was compelling and engaging and I'm definitely glad I bought this. I like her youthful naivety, the way everything is a surprise and the way she's not afraid to say when she thinks something is stupid when an older protagonist wouldn't because of manners. It's refreshing. I loved the way so many terms were broken down to the young protagonist and in such were taught to the targeted young readers all while maintaining a solid and entertaining story. Schwab did an excellent job of teaching about the world without stopping to teach if that makes sense. I always have a lot of respect for writers who can successfully do this. It takes talent which everyone one knows Schwab has in spades.
Definitely would recommend this short and spooky read for adult and kids alike.
Definitely would recommend this short and spooky read for adult and kids alike.
progamer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
5.0
thecontrarybookworm's review against another edition
1.0
This book had so much potential, but it honestly felt like it was written by a middle schooler. It reminded me a lot of Valkyrie. The characters were bland, and the plot was monotonous. The main conflict occurred 3/4 of the way through, and only for 20 pages. The rest was the main character stumbling around the city with her pet ghost, Jacob (our Archie of the story) for no reason. The characters had no development because the book just skimmed too quickly through everything! I truly do not understand how anybody enjoyed this book. Simply put, it was bad.