By Victoria Schwab
Scholastic Press, 2018. Fiction.
Cassidy Blake is pretty much used to the paranormal - that's what happens when your parents are famous authors who write about the history of ghosts stories. It also doesn't help that she's technically haunted. Ever since her best friend Jacob, a ghost, saved her from drowning Cass has been able to pass through the "Veil" that separates the living from the dead. That's not to say that Cass likes seeing ghosts, in fact, she was really looking forward to her ghost-free summer at the beach. Then her parents announce that they're turning their books into a TV show of the most haunted cities in Europe, starting with Edinburgh, Scotland -- the home of an especially dangerous ghost called the Raven in Red.
CITY OF GHOSTS is a delightfully atmospheric read for readers who want a more sophisticated ghost story. This fast-paced book is matched by sensory details of the Edinburgh of the living (and dead) that serve to bring the city to life. Shout-outs to the real Edinburgh definitely help add context (mentions of the Elephant House cafe where Harry Potter was written and "Greyfriars Bobby" stand out) and anyone interested in the haunted history of Edinburgh will will find this a good jumping off point. Cass's first person narration - with interjections by Jacob who can read her thoughts - lighten up the spooky story with humor and character. Some readers who spook easily might be wise to steer clear of this suspenseful supernatural adventure, but the brave will be kept very, very entertained.
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