Paragraph Review: Tunnel of Bones (Victoria Schwab)

Title: Tunnel of Bones

Series: Cassidy Blake, Book 2

Author: Victoria Schwab
Publisher: Scholastic
US Release Date: September 3, 2019
Genre: Middle Grade Paranormal Thriller
Content Rating: Teen (scary and near-death situations, briefly disturbing ghosts)
Format Read: Paperback
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase: Indiebound | B&N | BookDepo | Azon
Summary:

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.

*          *          *

Series: This is the second book in the Cassidy Blake series. As of October 2020 there are two released books, with a third to release March 2021. You can read my review of Book 1, City of Ghosts, here.

Young ghost-hunter Cassidy Blake returns for another chilling adventure in Tunnel of Bones, the second installment in the Middle Grade paranormal thriller series. This time she, her ghostly best friend, her paranormal investigator parents, and their cat visit Paris, France, a city of light and life aboveground but tunneled with darkness and bones beneath. While taking us on a brief but engaging tour of the city's more ghostly locales, Cassidy accidentally attracts the attention of a young poltergeist and is forced to quickly seek out his long-lost story to send him on and save Paris from his menace and mayhem. Along the way she makes curious new acquaintances, finally learns about Jacob's deadly (and mysteriously intriguing) past, and catches a glimpse of the creepy future that no doubt awaits her in the next book. As with City of Ghosts it was overall a quick and engrossing read with a spooky setting and entertaining story that I thoroughly enjoyed, and I'm so eager for Book 3, Bridge of Souls, that I may just resign myself to reading the hardcover (a great compliment indeed).  

Scribble Rating: 

4.5 of 5 Scribbles

Other Reviews That Might Interest: 

City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab

The Archived by Victoria Schwab
Shutter by Courtney Alameda
The Mediator Series by Meg Cabot

Paragraph Review: City of Ghosts (Victoria Schwab)

Title: City of Ghosts
Series: Cassidy Blake, Book 1
Author: Victoria Schwab
Publisher: Scholastic
US Release Date: August 28, 2018
Genre: Middle Grade Paranormal Thriller
Content Rating: Middle Grade (frightening images and situations involving ghosts)
Format Read: Paperback
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase: Indiebound | B&N | BookDepo | Azon
Summary:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Schwab comes a sweeping, spooky, evocative adventure, perfect for fans of Stranger Things.

Ever since Cass almost drowned (okay, she did drown, but she doesn't like to think about it), she can pull back the Veil that separates the living from the dead . . . and enter the world of spirits. Her best friend is even a ghost.

So things are already pretty strange. But they're about to get much stranger.

When Cass's parents start hosting a TV show about the world's most haunted places, the family heads off to Edinburgh, Scotland. Here, graveyards, castles, and secret passageways teem with restless phantoms. And when Cass meets a girl who shares her "gift," she realizes how much she still has to learn about the Veil -- and herself.

And she'll have to learn fast. The city of ghosts is more dangerous than she ever imagined.

*          *          *

Series: This is the first book in the Cassidy Blake series. Two books are presently available, with a third currently scheduled to release March 2021.

City of Ghosts is a spirited middle-grade paranormal thriller with a brisk pace, atmospheric setting, and compelling story. The writing style is brief but engaging with light banter and simple description, the haunted Edinburgh toured succinctly with interesting historical tidbits. The ghostly aspects were pretty canon but for a few unique exceptions, and although there were many frightening moments the horror was quick and light-handed. Cassidy was a good balance of childish bravery and naivete, her actions both bold and foolish and therefore realistic for her age without crossing the line into frustrating stupidity. Sidekick Jacob was a favorite with his playfulness and voice of reason, and the mystery of his power and death are the driving force behind my eagerness to soon continue the series with the next book, Tunnel of Bones. If you enjoy fast-paced ghost-hunting stories set in historical locations then I highly recommend City of Ghosts for a thrilling and chilling read.

For Fans Of: ghost stories

Scribble Rating: 

4.5 of 5 Scribbles

Other Reviews That Might Interest: 

The Archived by Victoria Schwab
Shutter by Courtney Alameda
The Mediator Series by Meg Cabot