City of Ghosts: 1

Product Information

The books are perfect for middle-grade readers and fans of Neil Gaiman and Laini Taylor - they are ghostly stories of friendship and adventure that are haunting and mysterious, without being too terrifying. I know i would when i was young but now that i am older it isnt a blow away book for me anymore , thats why i came at the 3. Without spoiling anything, there’s a conversation that occurs at the end of City of Ghosts that has me simultaneously eager and incredibly nervous to continue the series, because, well… let’s just say that it feels like some very uncomfortable foreshadowing, and I don’t think even the kiddos are safe in Victoria’s worlds.

Rai shows a multicultural society whose history is inextricably linked with the UK, and considers problems which are equally relevant today: relationships, racism, loyalty and duty. 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. While I do consider City of Ghosts spooky enough to be considered horror, I think it’s going to be important for readers to keep in mind that this book is middle grade horror—it’s written for children, not adults.Despite the bizarre nature of her everyday life, Cassidy is such a level-headed, calm child, and I loved that about her character. In the dialogue between characters, there is a hesitation and procrastination, and a sense that no-one can be trusted with relationships, both professional and personal formed with this lingering mistrust. I don’t read many historical fiction books because I find myself a bit lost in that time as I wasn’t a big fan of history in my school time but I was born and raised in an easter European country and the setting for this story is very close from home, and the description made me want to give it a try and read it. At Books2Door, we believe that reading is a fundamental skill that every child should have to help improve their vocabulary, grammar, and critical thinking skills. The dialogue and every interaction from the story are so reliable for those times, they all were so wary about everything and everyone as you couldn’t trust anyone, you didn’t know if a family member or friend was your ally or your enemies.

Militia officer, Revol Rossel, a violinist whose fingers were crippled by a wartime MGB interrogation, is a major part of a team investigating 5 bodies, with ID removed, found on a railway siding.

I know this is supposed to be darker, as far as content, but it still could have had more humorous banter, or something to keep me engaged. 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. I may have exaggerated a lot here but what I am trying to say is that this is a Middle Grade book and we should approach it as one.

That said, it is on the lighter end of the MG horror spectrum, so if you’re looking to hand a copy of this to a kid in your life, I’d say it’s suitable as long as they aren’t terribly easily frightened. Revol Rossel - once a virtuoso violinist with a glittering future - is now a humble state militia cop, forced to investigate desperate crimes in this desperate era. The absolute stand out feature of this novel is the sheer richness and wealth of historical and social detail, without it disrupting the natural flow of the plot itself, and with a real sense of keeping the reader engaged with this extra level of interest. Dont go intoo this expecting this too be as the queen her adult books , its middlegrade so its different and lighter.The serial killer element and its relation to the Leningrad philharmonic is clever enough, but as a whodunnit it barely passes muster. I’m seeing a lot of negative reviews from long-time Schwab readers who feel that it isn’t scary enough or is too predictable, and obviously everyone has the entire right to their own opinion, but to offer another perspective: as someone who is a long-time middle grade horror fan, I feel that this story absolutely excels at accomplishing its goals.

And I obviously know that authors have no control over their covers, but I wish the cat was replaced with Jacob. His hunt for the truth leads him to the dark heart of Leningrad's musical establishment, and ultimately to the highest levels of the Kremlin itself. It talks about friendship, trust and death in a child-friendly way without giving kids the feeling that you don't trust them they couldn't stomach such heavy topics.

Story wise, the idea was great -as usual- and the story got interesting more and more (it was really good from the ghost hunters part and after that). Don't be deterred by the wooden beginning, which for some could be a deal breaker in those first pages of deciding whether the story is worth sticking with, as you're unlikely to be grabbed instantly.