
A parent would reach for this book when their child is navigating a major life transition, such as moving to a new city, or when they feel like an outsider looking in on a world they do not quite understand. It is an ideal choice for the middle-grade reader who craves a bit of edge and atmosphere without venturing into truly graphic horror. The story follows Cassidy Blake, a girl who can see ghosts, as she travels to Edinburgh, Scotland, with her paranormal-investigator parents and her ghostly best friend, Jacob. At its heart, this is a story about the weight of secrets and the fierce loyalty required to maintain a friendship across different worlds. It balances spooky encounters with the comforting presence of a loving, albeit eccentric, family. The book explores themes of bravery, the ethics of interference, and the loneliness of being unique. It is perfectly suited for ages 8 to 12, offering a sophisticated but accessible mystery that values historical setting and atmospheric tension over cheap jumpscares.
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Sign in to write a reviewThe protagonist is in physical danger from ghosts and nearly drowns in a flashback.
Themes of loneliness and the sadness of spirits trapped in time.
Atmospheric hauntings, creepy skeletal figures, and a malevolent spirit that steals life force.
The book deals directly with the concept of death and the afterlife, though it remains secular and focused on folklore and 'rules' of the supernatural world. The peril is real and the tone is eerie, but the resolution is hopeful and reinforces the power of human connection.
A 10-year-old who loves a good ghost story but also appreciates a deep, complicated friendship. This reader might feel like they have a 'secret self' they can't show the world.
Read the 'Raven in Red' scenes (chapters 16-20) if your child is particularly sensitive to 'creepy' imagery, as the descriptions of the ghost lure are quite vivid. A child expressing that they feel invisible at school or expressing an intense, almost obsessive interest in 'scary' things as a way to process anxiety.
Younger readers (8-9) will focus on the thrill of the ghost hunt and the 'coolness' of having a ghost friend. Older readers (11-12) will pick up on the nuance of Cassidy and Jacob's codependency and the ethical dilemma of her role as a 'ghost hunter.'
Unlike many ghost stories that focus on the haunting of a house, Schwab focuses on the haunting of a history. The integration of real Edinburgh landmarks and lore makes the setting a character itself.
Cassidy Blake nearly drowned a year ago. Now she can pull back the 'Veil' to see the ghosts that haunt our world, accompanied by Jacob, the ghost who saved her. When her parents get a job filming a TV show about the world's most haunted places, the family moves to Edinburgh. There, Cassidy meets another 'in-betweener' and learns she has a purpose: she must send restless spirits beyond the Veil. However, a malevolent spirit known as the Raven in Red targets Cassidy, leading to a high-stakes supernatural confrontation.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.