Genre: Fantasy Age Range: MG Star Rating: 5 stars Series: Yes - book 2 of Cassidy Blake series
*SPOILER ALERT: contains SPOILERS for CITY OF GHOSTS*
Synopsis:
Trouble is haunting Cassidy Blake . . . even more than usual.
She (plus her ghost best friend, Jacob, of course) are in Paris, where Cass’s parents are filming their TV show about the world’s most haunted cities. Sure, it’s fun eating croissants and seeing the Eiffel Tower, but there’s true ghostly danger lurking beneath Paris, in the creepy underground Catacombs.
When Cass accidentally awakens a frighteningly strong spirit, she must rely on her still-growing skills as a ghosthunter — and turn to friends both old and new to help her unravel a mystery. But time is running out, and the spirit is only growing stronger.
And if Cass fails, the force she’s unleashed could haunt the city forever.
Synopsis taken from Goodreads. Add to your shelves here.
Thoughts:
I picked this book up from the bookshop, and read about half on the bus home. It hooked me from page one as it kicks of straight away in Paris. Being a sequel, the premise set up needed in book one isn’t needed here.
It’s a creepier read than the first one, particularly as the unfriendly ghost – a poltergeist – can affect the world around it. That prickling feeling of what next? was superb as the danger went from mischief to mayhem. Between this and the locations (particularly the catacombs and Veil-cemetery), it’s a haunting read.
Jacob and Cass’ relationship has shifted, still full of banter (most of the giggles were because of Jacob being Jacob!) but with an undercurrent of uncertainty because Cass’ role is to send ghosts on. I loved watching them strive for balance, despite Lara’s constant pressure to banish Jacob.
Lara returns, and I liked the way she was kept central to the story even though she isn’t physically present. At the same time, a new friend is introduced, helping build the cast.
The attention to detail in the world is wonderful. The geek in me loves that you can get a Paris map out, with all the metro stops, and plot exactly where they’re going. But it’s not a laundry list of movement – that’s a tiny fraction of the texture and authenticity brought to the city. It felt like I was back there in the summer, eating all the food along with Cass (and yes, you will get hungry).
There’s a VICIOUS/VENGEFUL reference in the book, and I loved it – squealing when I came across it.
I’m already excited for the third book, BRIDGE OF SOULS, even though that’s a year away.
Read my reviews of other books by Victoria/V.E. Schwab:
Middle Grade:
Cassidy Blake (this series):
- CITY OF GHOSTS (#1)
- BRIDGE OF SOULS (#3)
Everyday Angel:
- NEW BEGINNINGS (#1)
- SECOND CHANCES (#2)
- LAST WISHES (#3)
Young Adult:
The Archived:
- THE ARCHIVED (#1)
- THE UNBOUND (#2)
Standalones:
Adult:
Villains:
Shades of Magic:
- A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC (#1)
- A GATHERING OF SHADOWS (#2)
- A CONJURING OF LIGHT (#3)
- THE SHADES OF MAGIC COMICS
Standalones:
Sifa Elizabeth Reads 