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Naomi Forrest (42 KP) rated City of Ghosts in Books
Dec 31, 2018 (Updated Dec 31, 2018)
I haven't read any Victoria Schwab before though I do have another of her books to read and I know that she is extremely popular, particularly for fans of the young adult genre. This book piqued my interest as a middle grade ghost story so when I found it at a gorgeous second hand book store in Alnwick, Northumberland (you trade your old books in for new ones, it is amazing!), I snapped it up.
Cass is a brilliant protagonist....she's weird, she knows she's weird and she embraces her weird. We live in a world of fashion rules and being told that being different is wrong, even now in 2018. To be the generic carbon copy makes you popular. As Cass says:
'I know you're supposed to want to be one of the popular kids....It just seems like it would be exhausting...Smile, but not too wide. Laugh, but not too loud.'
From this quote alone, you just know that Schwab understands pre-teens and teens. She has been there. Cass is a brilliant character to empower the intended audience and show them it's good to be different. The other big character in the book is Cass's best friend, Jacob, who often has amusing little retorts to Cass and adds humour throughout the book. Oh yes, and he's dead! Apart from this interesting fact and also that he saved Cass's life, the bond between the two is like any other friendship and I get the feeling we will see more of these characters. It is hinted at in the story that Jacob remaining in the world of the living may create problems so it raises a lot of questions about what is coming. I was constantly questioning throughout the book, where did Jacob come from? Did he die saving Cass? Why has he not crossed over? How can he come through the veil? The writing just flows so easily and is told through Cass's eyes. I'm not always the biggest fan of present tense writing in novel's but the use of first person really put me into Cass's world and I had to know about the veil! (I was also a big Ghost Whisperer fan).
This book also has one of my favourite things, a cute little map at the start. However, unlike the often fiction maps that enhance the story, this is Cassidy's map of Edinburgh, which is pretty awesome, especially as I know the places on it, living just an hour's train ride from the city. It shows the main places you would expect, as well as Blackwell's book shop (it is a good Blackwell's too, bigger than Newcastle!). I just love maps in books, I spend ages pouring over them and it really adds to the pictures in your mind.
Of course, being a ghost story, this novel is quite edgy for middle grade but absolutely age appropriate and Schwab is so skillful at pushing the tension right up before diffusing it at just the right point. I get scared even by some young adult ghost stories (no lie) and this one was borderline comfortable for me. The description perfectly set the scene and I truly felt like I was in a foggy graveyard in the dark, or underground in Mary King's Close. I love how Schwab drew on Scottish history and Scotland's love of ghost stories and seamlessly weaves them with the fiction of this ghost hunting American family. I think a lot of children who I come across and potentially across the country may have been to Edinburgh so it makes the story a little bit more accessible while the fantasy creates a boundary from it being too scary. Cass is also a big fan of Harry Potter and the frequent references throughout will really resonate with contemporary children who also love the series.
I loved this book and can't wait for what follows on. It is definitely an exciting addition to a class bookshelf for the ghost story lover but would be a gripping book to share with your class just for pleasure. Brimming with tension, spine tingling atmosphere and completely relevant to the modern day pre-teen, I recommend whole heartedly.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Spirit Legacy (The Gateway Trilogy #1) in Books
Dec 10, 2019
Contains spoilers, click to show
“The Gateway is open...”
These cryptic words wake college student Jess Ballard from a terrifying dream into an even more terrifying reality. Jess' life has never been what anyone would call easy; doing damage control in the wake of your nomadic, alcoholic mother doesn't exactly make for a storybook childhood. But now her world has fallen apart just when it should be coming together: her mother gone—dead under mysterious circumstances; her life uprooted to stay with estranged relatives she’s never met; and there’s something odd about some of the people she’s been meeting at school:
They’re dead.
Aided by Tia, her neurotic roommate, and Dr. David Pierce, a ghost-hunting professor, Jess must unravel the mystery behind her hauntings. But the closer she gets to the truth, the more danger shadows her every move. An ancient secret, long-buried, is about to claw its way to the surface, and nothing can prepare Jess for one terrifying truth...
...her encounters with the world of the dead are only just beginning.
Spirit Legacy is the first of three thrilling novels in The Gateway Trilogy by E.E. Holmes.
I really enjoyed this book! It popped up on Facebook recommend by a friend. I'm glad I went with it. A touch of ghost whispering mixed with college like. Jess not only loses her mum the has to live with an aunt she doesn't know while starting a new college but she also gets landed with spirits and a twin sister she knew nothing about! This could easily have turned into one of those whiney teen books but it was far from it and Jess being a character you can get along with.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
These cryptic words wake college student Jess Ballard from a terrifying dream into an even more terrifying reality. Jess' life has never been what anyone would call easy; doing damage control in the wake of your nomadic, alcoholic mother doesn't exactly make for a storybook childhood. But now her world has fallen apart just when it should be coming together: her mother gone—dead under mysterious circumstances; her life uprooted to stay with estranged relatives she’s never met; and there’s something odd about some of the people she’s been meeting at school:
They’re dead.
Aided by Tia, her neurotic roommate, and Dr. David Pierce, a ghost-hunting professor, Jess must unravel the mystery behind her hauntings. But the closer she gets to the truth, the more danger shadows her every move. An ancient secret, long-buried, is about to claw its way to the surface, and nothing can prepare Jess for one terrifying truth...
...her encounters with the world of the dead are only just beginning.
Spirit Legacy is the first of three thrilling novels in The Gateway Trilogy by E.E. Holmes.
I really enjoyed this book! It popped up on Facebook recommend by a friend. I'm glad I went with it. A touch of ghost whispering mixed with college like. Jess not only loses her mum the has to live with an aunt she doesn't know while starting a new college but she also gets landed with spirits and a twin sister she knew nothing about! This could easily have turned into one of those whiney teen books but it was far from it and Jess being a character you can get along with.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Disturbed Paranormal
Podcast
Listen Live every Tuesday at 9pm pacific and 12am eastern time.Disturbed Paranormal is a place to...
In The Dark World, Zak Bagans talks about his ghostly encounters, as the lead investigator for the documentary series Ghost Adventures! As one of the more seasoned and experienced professionals in the field, Zak has had some pretty crazy experiences! They cover the entire spectrum of ghost hunting phenomena, from seeing full body apparitions, to having his butt pinched by a spirit, LOL!
Zak begins by talking about the experiences he’s had with spirits prior to the series, and explaining why his own nature led him to this danger’s-edge career path. It’s not a biography however, and in some places is more like a manual for future ghost hunters.
There is an element of progression in the book, in that it starts by concentrating on innocent spirits, which he admits make up the majority; followed by confused spirits, who are sometimes unaware that they have died. This is succeeded by chapters on angry spirits, followed by downright evil spirits, which he refers to as demons.
The book starts with less dramatic phenomena such as words being heard through a white noise generator, emotional transference, and unexplained orbs of light on camera. But this is quickly followed up by tales of pebbles and shards being levitated vertically and flung horizontally by unseen hands, and physical scratch marks on Zak’s back! Zak also comes dangerously close to being possessed!
When Zak carries out an investigation, he starts by researching the history of the buildings and accompanying remaining personalities linked to the buildings. This makes for better story-telling, both on the screen, and certainly in his book.
I am a follower of the show when it’s available in the UK, and have always been intrigued by the equipment they use. I was expecting the book to be heavily edited, and, as such lacking in this kind of detail. However I was very pleasantly surprised - Zak even goes as far as explaining which pieces of equipment are better, and why. To an extent, the book can serve as a manual for would be ghost hunters.
Zak explains the difference between residual and intelligent hauntings, and chronicles instances where the lines between the two are blurred. He also documents moments when he’s had simultaneous significant readings on several devices, and argues that that in itself provides excellent evidence of the paranormal.
The nerd that I am looked forward to the section on the scientific theories for these paranormal experiences - and I wasn’t disappointed! Several theories were put forward and they form one of the most accessible guides to scientific theories that I’ve ever read! Zak discusses how each theory fits particular experiences of his, and compares and contrasts them for different phenomena.
The book is rounded off with Zak relating his ambitions for the field of paranormal investigation, where he puts a case forward for a central repository of data. In this section, we also hear from other prominent figures in the field, with their hopes for the field, including a striking passage from Marie D. Jones.
The book has high entertainment value, but a mere book, even one written as seriously as this, won’t make a believer out of a sceptic. Its content provides essential background for a would-be ghost hunter however. A recommended read for the open-minded and curious.
Zak begins by talking about the experiences he’s had with spirits prior to the series, and explaining why his own nature led him to this danger’s-edge career path. It’s not a biography however, and in some places is more like a manual for future ghost hunters.
There is an element of progression in the book, in that it starts by concentrating on innocent spirits, which he admits make up the majority; followed by confused spirits, who are sometimes unaware that they have died. This is succeeded by chapters on angry spirits, followed by downright evil spirits, which he refers to as demons.
The book starts with less dramatic phenomena such as words being heard through a white noise generator, emotional transference, and unexplained orbs of light on camera. But this is quickly followed up by tales of pebbles and shards being levitated vertically and flung horizontally by unseen hands, and physical scratch marks on Zak’s back! Zak also comes dangerously close to being possessed!
When Zak carries out an investigation, he starts by researching the history of the buildings and accompanying remaining personalities linked to the buildings. This makes for better story-telling, both on the screen, and certainly in his book.
I am a follower of the show when it’s available in the UK, and have always been intrigued by the equipment they use. I was expecting the book to be heavily edited, and, as such lacking in this kind of detail. However I was very pleasantly surprised - Zak even goes as far as explaining which pieces of equipment are better, and why. To an extent, the book can serve as a manual for would be ghost hunters.
Zak explains the difference between residual and intelligent hauntings, and chronicles instances where the lines between the two are blurred. He also documents moments when he’s had simultaneous significant readings on several devices, and argues that that in itself provides excellent evidence of the paranormal.
The nerd that I am looked forward to the section on the scientific theories for these paranormal experiences - and I wasn’t disappointed! Several theories were put forward and they form one of the most accessible guides to scientific theories that I’ve ever read! Zak discusses how each theory fits particular experiences of his, and compares and contrasts them for different phenomena.
The book is rounded off with Zak relating his ambitions for the field of paranormal investigation, where he puts a case forward for a central repository of data. In this section, we also hear from other prominent figures in the field, with their hopes for the field, including a striking passage from Marie D. Jones.
The book has high entertainment value, but a mere book, even one written as seriously as this, won’t make a believer out of a sceptic. Its content provides essential background for a would-be ghost hunter however. A recommended read for the open-minded and curious.
Ghost Hunter M2
Entertainment
App
*The #1 Paranormal Investigation Toolkit* *Featured on "The Tonight Show" with Selena Gomez and...
Ringmaster (Seven Sins Carnival #1)
10.0
Rate It
Book
Twenty years ago, I burned my faith to ash and dragged six brothers out with me. Now I run the show...
Dark Contemporary Romance Stalker/Obsessive
Debbiereadsbook (1702 KP) rated Ghost of a Chance (Bucket List Buddies #2) in Books
Nov 8, 2025
these books are a lot of fun!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 2 in the Bucket List Buddies series, and I do think you should read book one, Perilous Cuite before this one. Morty and Hector play a part here, and Lionel is Hector's friend.
Lionel doesn't want to go ghost hunting, but his friend gave him tickets, and the other friend let him down. He'll just sneak in and out when no one is looking. But something happens, Lionel is shaken and Brad spots the gorgeous lion sneaking out and where the heck did he disappear to?? Friends come good, and Lionel and Brad officially meet and mate. But not everyone is happy, and a past comes back with a bang.
I thoroughly enjoyed book 1, and I thoroughly enjoyed this one too! I read it after a particularly . . . . difficult . . . read, and it really lifted my spirits as much as the ghosts they were hunting!
It's steamy, as fated mates books are. I found the drama a little heavier than book 1, but only because Brad made a stand for his mate, and that past did not like it!
In book 1, Hector's mother was best described as a witch. She was horrid to Hector and Morty. But Lionel's mum?? Oh she flew clear across the world to come meet Brad and congratulate them on their mating. She arrived just in time to give that past a right dressing down!
Loved that we caught up with Morty and Hector and their news. I loved the snippet at the end, hinting about Sven and Remy. No idea when or if they will get a book, but the epilogues are great and I'm rooting for them!
These books are a lot of fun, something silly in a messed up time. Thank you for writing them, please keep em coming!
4 wonderful stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 2 in the Bucket List Buddies series, and I do think you should read book one, Perilous Cuite before this one. Morty and Hector play a part here, and Lionel is Hector's friend.
Lionel doesn't want to go ghost hunting, but his friend gave him tickets, and the other friend let him down. He'll just sneak in and out when no one is looking. But something happens, Lionel is shaken and Brad spots the gorgeous lion sneaking out and where the heck did he disappear to?? Friends come good, and Lionel and Brad officially meet and mate. But not everyone is happy, and a past comes back with a bang.
I thoroughly enjoyed book 1, and I thoroughly enjoyed this one too! I read it after a particularly . . . . difficult . . . read, and it really lifted my spirits as much as the ghosts they were hunting!
It's steamy, as fated mates books are. I found the drama a little heavier than book 1, but only because Brad made a stand for his mate, and that past did not like it!
In book 1, Hector's mother was best described as a witch. She was horrid to Hector and Morty. But Lionel's mum?? Oh she flew clear across the world to come meet Brad and congratulate them on their mating. She arrived just in time to give that past a right dressing down!
Loved that we caught up with Morty and Hector and their news. I loved the snippet at the end, hinting about Sven and Remy. No idea when or if they will get a book, but the epilogues are great and I'm rooting for them!
These books are a lot of fun, something silly in a messed up time. Thank you for writing them, please keep em coming!
4 wonderful stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Treasure and Tarot (Echoes of Secret Springs #1)
8.0
Rate It
Book
It's been five years since Colton Maxwell left Sebastian behind to go on a quick adventure. He was a...
MM Romance Mpreg Supernatural
Merissa (13911 KP) rated Ghost of a Chance (Bucket List Buddies #2) in Books
Dec 4, 2025
GHOST OF A CHANCE is the second book in the Bucket List Buddies series, and I am seriously shipping Sven and Remy!!! Not to get ahead of myself, though, first let me tell you about Lionel and Brad.
Lionel is an alpha lion shifter with a (reasonable!) fear of the dark and things that slither and crawl, scamper and root. So going on a ghost hunting tour isn't really his thing, but he goes anyway, because he doesn't want to let down his friends. Brad is an omega teacup poodle shifter who has fought his way in a construction world. When he smells something, or rather, someone delicious, but with an undertone of fear, he wants to help. He is too late, but that doesn't stop him from trying. He will do what he can to help the one he thinks might be his mate.
Man, this was so good! I loved how Brad was all tongue-tied when they first met, even shifting when his poodle took over. I loved how Lionel was a-okay with having a mate who wasn't a lioness. I loved how Brad's family and friends, and Lionel's friends, all rallied round to celebrate their mating. And the thing I loved most of all? Was that Lionel and Brad tossed the standard alpha/omega dynamic on its head and OWNED it! They did what worked for them and stuff everyone else.
There is some angst in here from Lionel's old pack, but he was standing up to them when his mum arrived like an avenging angel! I'll be honest, I had my doubts about her when I was reading, but she more than made up for it at the end. Now, I'm hoping we get her story and she finally finds her own fated mate.
A brilliant combination of steamy, funny, and emotional, this was a fantastic read that I highly recommend.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 4, 2025
Lionel is an alpha lion shifter with a (reasonable!) fear of the dark and things that slither and crawl, scamper and root. So going on a ghost hunting tour isn't really his thing, but he goes anyway, because he doesn't want to let down his friends. Brad is an omega teacup poodle shifter who has fought his way in a construction world. When he smells something, or rather, someone delicious, but with an undertone of fear, he wants to help. He is too late, but that doesn't stop him from trying. He will do what he can to help the one he thinks might be his mate.
Man, this was so good! I loved how Brad was all tongue-tied when they first met, even shifting when his poodle took over. I loved how Lionel was a-okay with having a mate who wasn't a lioness. I loved how Brad's family and friends, and Lionel's friends, all rallied round to celebrate their mating. And the thing I loved most of all? Was that Lionel and Brad tossed the standard alpha/omega dynamic on its head and OWNED it! They did what worked for them and stuff everyone else.
There is some angst in here from Lionel's old pack, but he was standing up to them when his mum arrived like an avenging angel! I'll be honest, I had my doubts about her when I was reading, but she more than made up for it at the end. Now, I'm hoping we get her story and she finally finds her own fated mate.
A brilliant combination of steamy, funny, and emotional, this was a fantastic read that I highly recommend.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 4, 2025