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typographic_whimsy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
bluejaybooks's review against another edition
Fun as always, and just what I needed.
thehal's review against another edition
4.0
If this book was the conclusion of Cassidys story, I am sad on the one hand, because I would like to read alot more about Cass, Jacob and Lara, but on the other hand I am happy, because I got to read a fantastic story and this third book went right into my heart (and was a very good conclusion). I already felt very invested in the story and characters during the first two books, but even more now in this one.
The thematics about life and death always had some kind of pull to me. I thought about life, death, reincarnation, and such things since very early in my life because my mother was always really spiritually (sadly she driftet away into a sect after some time), and I loved the thought of reincarnation as one possibility of what happens after someone dies. Later in my life I loved to read and watch things where life and death were also a central theme. I must say, when I found out Cassidy was hunted by an emissary of death, I was kinda torn. On the one hand I was all in for saving Cass and tricking death, but on the other hand I understand the necessity of balance. Even though I'm not a spiritual person or even a believer, I understand the concept of such worlds, and the thought of what might happen in such circumstances kinda gives me the creeps. In some stories, the whole world/universe faces destruction when the balance gets disturbed. But in the end, also since this is a wholehearted story and for a younger audience, it made me really happy, the trio got to evade death and live on. (I have to say though, I expected Lara and Cass to kiss in the end. Until I remembered they were just kids and such things have time. Maybe in a few years. Also, friendship can be a very tight bond too, and if they are 'just' friends, it's totally okay too.)
All in all, I can say, I really enjoyed the stories of Cassidy Blake and wish I could read more about her and Jacob and Lara. I loved how easy but still wonderfully written these books are. I often face challenges in concentration and can't read much in one sitting, but these gold pieces, I could read very well. I am so thankful Lady Schwab wrote these books. I went through many emotions reading them, and I am so so happy I decided to pick up the first one last year, because I wouldn't want have to miss out on such a beautiful yet sometimes sad story.
Spoiler
The thematics about life and death always had some kind of pull to me. I thought about life, death, reincarnation, and such things since very early in my life because my mother was always really spiritually (sadly she driftet away into a sect after some time), and I loved the thought of reincarnation as one possibility of what happens after someone dies. Later in my life I loved to read and watch things where life and death were also a central theme. I must say, when I found out Cassidy was hunted by an emissary of death, I was kinda torn. On the one hand I was all in for saving Cass and tricking death, but on the other hand I understand the necessity of balance. Even though I'm not a spiritual person or even a believer, I understand the concept of such worlds, and the thought of what might happen in such circumstances kinda gives me the creeps. In some stories, the whole world/universe faces destruction when the balance gets disturbed. But in the end, also since this is a wholehearted story and for a younger audience, it made me really happy, the trio got to evade death and live on. (I have to say though, I expected Lara and Cass to kiss in the end. Until I remembered they were just kids and such things have time. Maybe in a few years. Also, friendship can be a very tight bond too, and if they are 'just' friends, it's totally okay too.)
All in all, I can say, I really enjoyed the stories of Cassidy Blake and wish I could read more about her and Jacob and Lara. I loved how easy but still wonderfully written these books are. I often face challenges in concentration and can't read much in one sitting, but these gold pieces, I could read very well. I am so thankful Lady Schwab wrote these books. I went through many emotions reading them, and I am so so happy I decided to pick up the first one last year, because I wouldn't want have to miss out on such a beautiful yet sometimes sad story.
thehappybookwyrm's review against another edition
I've really grown out of middle grade and YA novels, which lean to the younger side. Mainly read this just to finish a series I had started while still in my teens. Because i've grown out of this reading age, I could not find myself emotionally connecting with the characters. And the pacing was a little too rushed for me, but I do understand since it's a short middle grade book.
Despite all this I did really enjoy the novel for it's technical execution. Schwab can definitely write well, and she always writes such good atmospheric novels. Before I started Bridge of Souls I was wondering what direction Schwab would take to end this series, and the result left me pleasantly surprised. I really think she does such a good job with this series not only introducing supernatural genre to a middle grade audience, but also handling the subject of death/dying so well. The way Schwab writes about this subject balances the "fun" of ghost stories with also the seriousness of murder and questions/experiences of what comes after death. I also really loved that there is such a strong focus on friendship.
My only one real complaint is that we really need to move past referencing Harry Potter in books. it's not cute and that author doesn't deserve more press for a pretty mid series. I understand this book was written before that author kept growing more and more facetious and disgusting with their remarks online; And that referencing another well loved childrens' book in your middle grade novel helps hold the attention of your audience, but really. no more hp references please and thanks.
Despite all this I did really enjoy the novel for it's technical execution. Schwab can definitely write well, and she always writes such good atmospheric novels. Before I started Bridge of Souls I was wondering what direction Schwab would take to end this series, and the result left me pleasantly surprised. I really think she does such a good job with this series not only introducing supernatural genre to a middle grade audience, but also handling the subject of death/dying so well. The way Schwab writes about this subject balances the "fun" of ghost stories with also the seriousness of murder and questions/experiences of what comes after death. I also really loved that there is such a strong focus on friendship.
My only one real complaint is that we really need to move past referencing Harry Potter in books. it's not cute and that author doesn't deserve more press for a pretty mid series. I understand this book was written before that author kept growing more and more facetious and disgusting with their remarks online; And that referencing another well loved childrens' book in your middle grade novel helps hold the attention of your audience, but really. no more hp references please and thanks.
janagaton's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the 2nd installment better, but the humor stayed true in this one, and I loved the discussions about life and death towards the end. I love the friendships within this series as well as the unique settings in each book. In this one particularly, I appreciated the role tarot cards play into the story. I dont typically read nor enjoy middle grade but this series is an exception for sure!
astronautbee's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
Even though my first encounter with Schwab wasn't an instant click, I've been falling in love with literally all of her books ever since. And one of the series I fell in love with is this series about Cassidy Blake. Which is some sort of miracle. Because if there's one thing I'm terribly afraid of, it's ghosts. And this series is all about ghosts. And if we talk about ghosts, then there has to be a book taking place in the city of New Orleans.
Like so many people I only know New Orleans from The Originals, but the way Schwab describes it really gave me the same vibe. I could feel the history. I could see the layers of history on top of each other. A city broken down, build again, broken again and build again. I loved how Schwab used this for her own mythology. How the world beyond the veil, where the ghosts relive the last moments of their lives, also consist of layer upon layer upon layer.
On top of that Schwab managed to come up with another exciting and thrilling plot. It was quite different from the stories we read in the first two books, but maybe the scariest of all. We've seen our world, of course. We've seen the world beyond the veil. But we haven't seen where the dead are supposed to go. In this book Schwab is giving us a small glimpse of that world and how to get there. And I've never been so afraid to lose characters in a middle grade as in this story.
Because all those characters have a place in my heart. Cassidy, because she's an amazing little girl. Curious, afraid and yet not afraid to run into danger, always willing to help and a big heart. Lara, who's really clever and clearly an old soul trapped in the body of a teenager, but without whom our other two characters who have died three times already. And of course Jacob, a ghost, but maybe most of all the best friend a girl can wish for. I'm gonna miss them now the series is over. For now.
Like so many people I only know New Orleans from The Originals, but the way Schwab describes it really gave me the same vibe. I could feel the history. I could see the layers of history on top of each other. A city broken down, build again, broken again and build again. I loved how Schwab used this for her own mythology. How the world beyond the veil, where the ghosts relive the last moments of their lives, also consist of layer upon layer upon layer.
On top of that Schwab managed to come up with another exciting and thrilling plot. It was quite different from the stories we read in the first two books, but maybe the scariest of all. We've seen our world, of course. We've seen the world beyond the veil. But we haven't seen where the dead are supposed to go. In this book Schwab is giving us a small glimpse of that world and how to get there. And I've never been so afraid to lose characters in a middle grade as in this story.
Because all those characters have a place in my heart. Cassidy, because she's an amazing little girl. Curious, afraid and yet not afraid to run into danger, always willing to help and a big heart. Lara, who's really clever and clearly an old soul trapped in the body of a teenager, but without whom our other two characters who have died three times already. And of course Jacob, a ghost, but maybe most of all the best friend a girl can wish for. I'm gonna miss them now the series is over. For now.