book review: city of ghosts by victoria schwab

City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab
Scholastic Press, 272 pp.
Published August 28, 2018

DISCLAIMER: I received a free physical ARC of this title from the publisher for review consideration. This did not inform or influence my opinion in any way.

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.

The gleeful indulgence of the dark and macabre that serves Schwab so well in her YA and adult titles translates well into her new middle grade series, kicked off by City of Ghosts. Edinburgh makes for the perfect setting, by turns romantic and haunted, providing an inviting Gothic touch. Even older readers will appreciate how the explorations of Cassidy and her parents open a window into the city's long history. As they navigate some of the most haunted sites around town, readers learn a little about how disease, poverty, and the criminal justice system shaped the lives of some of the poorest residents.

Intriguing history lessons don't overwhelm the promise of thrilling ghost hunts, though! A long and sometimes troubled history means that the ancient Scottish city is brimming with ghosts, their pull towards the other side irresistible at times. Cassidy's ability to see the spirits of the dead by passing through a barrier she calls the Veil leads to several ironic moments while her "Inspecter" parents hunt for evidence. However, it also makes her vulnerable to entities that mean her harm, like the child-hunting Red Raven. As a villain she's both tragic and chilling, as well as far from the only threat lurking in the realm of ghosts.

Cassidy is a plucky, easy-going girl. She has a refreshingly healthy relationship with both of her parents, although that doesn't preclude a few secrets from staying hidden...like the talking to ghosts thing. This ability to hear and see what lies behind the Veil comes from a recent trauma that also brought her Jacob, and makes her feel isolated from other kids her age. While she and Jacob have an easy camaraderie, she really comes to life at the introduction of Lara, another girl her age with the same ability. Jacob's deliberate vagueness about the rules of Cassidy's interactions in the ghostly realm is replaced by someone more experienced and confident in her travels. Although Lara's convictions don't always match up with those of her new friend, she serves as an important stepping stone in her growth.

Together, the trio work to defeat the Red Raven in an quietly simmering conflict that bursts into feverish action in the book's final third. Exciting with just the right touch of darkness, events stay firmly in the realm of "spooky" without tipping over into the truly terrifying. Schwab balances the immediate needs of the story and laying the foundations for a larger series nicely; although she seemingly leaves Scotland and the Red Raven in the rear view mirror, Cassidy departs with more questions than she had before.

City of Ghosts is an enjoyable romp through a city that the author clearly cares about, scattered with trivia and bits of history that readers of all ages should find interesting. It boasts just the right amount of frights to thrill a younger audience without inspiring nightmares, and the interplay between our world and the shadowy Veil brims with imagination. The conceit of a globe-trotting, ghost-hunting television show leaves the door open for any number of new locations and myths for Cassidy to explore. Although this first entry features recognizable lore, I cannot help but feel excited over the the enormous world that awaits our brave heroine.

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