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, Jacob, 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.

I’ve read one of Victoria Schwab’s adult books, a young adult book, and now a middle grade book. I think her adult book was the best one so far, but this middle grade story was really good. She’s such a master writer that she can change her writing style and tone slightly depending on the age range that she is writing for. Pure talent! 

Her prose was lush and lyrical, not as much as the other two books I’ve read of hers, but still beautiful and descriptive. It felt very atmospheric and engaging. I definitely felt those eerie, creepy sensations while listening to this audiobook. It was also a quick story, around five hours or so. 

Anything dealing with ghosts, the supernatural, old myths and folklore, and haunted locations, I immediately gravitate toward, so once I read the description, I knew I had to check it out. This was a fun, immersive adventure that we went on with Cass and her friends. It was fast-paced and had a good amount of action in it. It’s also mysterious and suspenseful.

I loved learning about Scotland and all its rich history, especially the ghost stories and myths. I read that the information about the hauntings and ghosts in this book is real-life true stories, so I appreciate how the author sprinkled in those real facts. I also enjoyed the explanation of different words used for different things in Europe compared to America. For example, an elevator is called a lift in the U.K. And what we call potato chips are called crisps. 

Cass is a really likable character who is relatable, charming, and sweet. She has an “old soul” way to her that makes her a delight to be with in this story. I love how curious she is about her new gift after her near-death experience. It seems like seeing ghosts doesn’t really scare her, and she is brave and courageous as she unravels the mystery. I also enjoyed her ghost friend, Jacob. He brought some humor to the story. Being her best friend, you can see how close of a bond they have formed, and he has become supportive and protective of her, which was really sweet. I loved their dynamic together. Cass is also a huge fan of Harry Potter, so I enjoyed those references throughout the story as well. 

This is book one of a trilogy, and I will absolutely read or listen to the other two books. It’s also perfect for Halloween/Spooky Season.

Highly recommend!!