City of Ghosts by V.E. Schwab, published in 2018, is the first installment in a chilling and enchanting middle-grade paranormal series. Set against the haunted backdrops of real-world cities, the book introduces readers to Cassidy Blake, a girl with a foot in both the world of the living and the dead. As her ghost-hunting parents begin filming a TV show across haunted cities, Cassidy’s own secret – that she can see and cross into the realm of ghosts – draws her into an eerie and suspenseful journey that begins in the haunted heart of Edinburgh, Scotland.

Plot Summary

In the quiet town of upstate New York, Cassidy Blake should have been enjoying the beginning of summer, preparing for lazy days at the beach. Instead, she found herself chasing shadows, tugged along by the tap-tap-tap of something otherworldly that only she could feel. She wasn’t a normal girl anymore – not since she fell into the icy river and nearly didn’t come back. Not since a ghost boy named Jacob pulled her from the water, tethering his fate to hers and awakening her strange ability to cross through the Veil – a shimmering barrier between the world of the living and the dead.

Jacob stayed close after that, inseparable and invisible to everyone else. He was sarcastic, funny, and sometimes frustrating, but his presence was a constant reminder of what Cassidy had become. Where she went, he followed, a specter and a friend bound by secrets neither of them fully understood.

Cassidy’s parents, authors of the bestselling paranormal book series The Inspecters, were thrilled when their research landed them a TV show about haunted cities around the world. Cassidy, less so. She had been hoping for ghost-free beach days, not a trip to one of the most haunted places in the world. But her parents’ excitement was contagious, and soon they were off to Edinburgh, Scotland, a city draped in history and mist, where cobblestone streets whispered stories to those willing to listen.

As they arrived at the Lane’s End, an old stone lodging tucked away in a narrow alley, the city’s ancient heart revealed itself. Gnarled architecture leaned into the fog, and every step echoed with a presence just out of sight. Cassidy felt it the moment they crossed the threshold – the Veil thinned here, the ghosts more restless. And in the upstairs mirror of their rented flat, Jacob saw something that shook even him – a reflection of himself, soaked and hollow-eyed, a ghost of a ghost. He turned away, but something about Edinburgh had begun to unravel the seams that held him together.

Down below, the landlady, Mrs. Weathershire, offered tea and biscuits while casually mentioning her long-dead husband’s footsteps still pacing the upstairs hall. Cassidy tried to keep her promise not to seek out hauntings where she had to sleep, but the Veil called to her more insistently than before, like a breath on the back of her neck, urging her to see what was hidden.

Soon, Cassidy encountered Lara, a self-assured girl about her age, dressed in a school uniform and carrying the kind of knowing gaze that came from crossing the Veil too many times. Lara could see ghosts too – not just see them, but send them on. She called them the in-betweeners, people like Cassidy who weren’t fully part of either world. She explained the rules Cassidy had never known existed, the purpose she hadn’t realized she held: to help lost spirits move on and to protect the living from those who refused to let go.

But Edinburgh wasn’t just any haunted city. It held something darker. Something ancient. The Raven in Red.

Cassidy first felt her presence like a chill in her bones. She saw her from the corner of her eye – a woman cloaked in scarlet, gliding just beyond the edge of reality. In the passages below the city, where plague victims had once hidden, Cassidy stepped into the Veil and was swept into a time long past. There, she watched the Raven’s memory unfold – a tale of pain, loss, and vengeance. She had been a grieving mother once, twisted by sorrow into something monstrous. Her voice called out to children through mirrors and whispers, pulling them closer with promises of warmth before stealing their breath away.

The Raven had marked Cassidy.

With each encounter, the woman grew stronger. Cassidy felt her grip tighten – her shadow creeping in the reflection of glass, her voice slipping into Cassidy’s dreams. The camera that Cassidy carried, a battered thing with a cracked viewfinder, sometimes captured what others could not – faint impressions of the world beyond. But even it could not hold back the Raven’s power.

Jacob, too, was affected. He grew quieter, his form flickering with uncertainty. The strength he’d held in the Veil seemed to drain, and Cassidy feared what it meant. She didn’t want to lose him – not the friend who had saved her, who stood between her and the dark when she crossed over.

Guided by Lara and pushed by growing urgency, Cassidy learned what it took to face a ghost like the Raven – not just courage, but clarity. She had to understand the ghost’s story, the pain that had shaped her, and the place where her spirit had cleaved from life. So she returned to the Raven’s past, walked through the echo of her final moments, and saw the boy who had once been taken, the lives that had been claimed.

In the final confrontation, it was not strength that won, but understanding. Cassidy faced the Raven not with rage, but with resolve, speaking the truth of what had been and what could no longer be. She shattered the grip the Raven held over the Veil, released the children who had been caught between worlds, and watched as the red-cloaked ghost faded into mist.

But all power has a cost.

Jacob, who had stood beside her through every haunting, now flickered more than ever. Cassidy feared that helping others cross might one day take him, too. She wondered if he was meant to stay, or if her tie to him was delaying something inevitable. He said nothing, but his eyes carried the weight of all the unspoken.

As the family packed to leave Edinburgh and head to the next haunted city, Cassidy looked out at the castle on the hill. Her parents, still oblivious to the truth of what she could do, chatted excitedly about their next filming location. Jacob stood beside her, silent and smiling, the wind passing through his unruffled hair.

Outside the Lane’s End, the fog hung low over the city, wrapping its cold arms around the stones like a farewell. Cassidy didn’t know what the next city would hold. But the Veil would be there, waiting.

And so would she.

Main Characters

• Cassidy Blake – The protagonist and narrator, Cassidy is a curious, brave, and introspective twelve-year-old girl who can cross the Veil between the living and the dead. After a near-death experience, she gains the ability to see ghosts and becomes tethered to one. Her deep compassion and sharp intuition drive her to uncover and confront restless spirits, even when she’s unsure of her own place in both worlds.

• Jacob – Cassidy’s best friend and loyal companion, Jacob is a ghost who saved her from drowning and now remains bound to her. Witty and loyal, he often provides comic relief but carries a mysterious past he is hesitant to reveal. His presence is both comforting and haunting, especially as Cassidy begins to suspect he knows more about the Veil than he admits.

• Cassidy’s Parents (The Inspecters) – Charismatic and eccentric, Cassidy’s mom is a believer in the supernatural, while her dad is a skeptical historian. Together, they write paranormal books and are the stars of a ghost-hunting documentary. Their dynamic personalities provide a grounding counterpoint to Cassidy’s secret life beyond the Veil.

• Lara – A poised and enigmatic girl Cassidy meets in Edinburgh who can also interact with the Veil. Confident and experienced, Lara becomes a foil to Cassidy, revealing that their abilities are rare and come with responsibilities that Cassidy hasn’t yet fully grasped.

• The Raven in Red – The story’s main antagonist, this is a powerful and malevolent ghost in Edinburgh who feeds on the lives of children. Her tragic origin is deeply tied to the city’s dark history, and she poses a deadly challenge that forces Cassidy to confront her fears and understand the true weight of her gift.

Theme

• Life and Death Intertwined – The central theme explores the liminal space between the living and the dead. Cassidy’s existence between these two worlds embodies the tension of mortality and the mysteries beyond, compelling young readers to consider the permanence and fluidity of life and memory.

• Friendship and Loyalty – Cassidy and Jacob’s relationship is the emotional heart of the story. Their bond, forged in a life-or-death moment, is tested by secrets and the fear of losing each other. It exemplifies the strength of loyalty and the complexities of maintaining trust between different realms of existence.

• Courage in the Face of Fear – From eerie haunted settings to chilling confrontations with malevolent spirits, the narrative consistently highlights Cassidy’s bravery. Her decisions to act, despite being afraid, underscore the importance of facing fears to protect others and understand oneself.

• The Weight of Secrets – Many characters, especially Jacob and Cassidy, carry secrets about their pasts and powers. These hidden truths reflect the broader theme of uncovering buried histories – both personal and supernatural – and the consequences of keeping or revealing them.

• The Power of Stories – The entire premise hinges on the blending of historical ghost stories with present-day experiences. Cassidy’s parents’ work and the ghosts’ unfinished narratives demonstrate how stories preserve the past, warn the living, and sometimes hold the key to liberation.

Writing Style and Tone

V.E. Schwab’s writing in City of Ghosts is vivid, immersive, and laced with a lyrical quality that makes even the scariest moments feel beautifully eerie. She employs a first-person narrative that grounds readers in Cassidy’s personal voice – observant, introspective, and slightly sardonic. This perspective not only helps build intimacy with the protagonist but also captures the delicate interplay between the ordinary and the supernatural in her life. Schwab’s language balances the poetic with the accessible, making the novel appealing to both younger readers and adults who enjoy atmospheric storytelling.

The tone of the novel is a masterful blend of whimsical curiosity and creeping dread. Schwab evokes a classic ghost story mood, with misty cobblestone streets, ancient castles, and shivery historical legends. Yet, she tempers the haunting with warmth, humor, and heart, especially in the banter between Cassidy and Jacob. The pacing is quick, yet deliberate, ensuring that suspense builds naturally while allowing moments of introspection and connection to shine. Her use of setting is particularly effective, making Edinburgh feel like a character in itself – rich with history, shadows, and secrets waiting to be revealed.