V.E. Schwab

#1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Schwab invites readers to New Orleans in this installment of her thrillingly spooky City of Ghosts series! Where there are ghosts, Cassidy Blake follows... Unless it's the other way around? Cass thinks she might have this ghost-hunting thing down. After all, she and her ghost best friend, Jacob, have survived two haunted cities while traveling for her parents' TV show. But nothing can prepare Cass for New Orleans, which wears all of its hauntings on its sleeve. In a city of ghost tours and tombs, raucous music and all kinds of magic, Cass could get lost in all the colorful, grisly local legends. And the city's biggest surprise is a foe Cass never expected to face: a servant of Death itself. Cass takes on her most dangerous challenge yet in the latest book in this New York Times bestselling series.

Bridge of Souls (City of Ghosts #3)

Victoria ("V. E.") Schwab, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, invites readers to haunted New Orleans in this third installment of her thrillingly spooky City of Ghosts series! Where there are ghosts, Cassidy Blake follows . . .Unless it's the other way around?Cass thinks she might have this ghost-hunting thing down. After all, she and her ghost best friend, Jacob, have survived two haunted cities while traveling for her parents' TV show.But nothing can prepare Cass for New Orleans, which wears all of its hauntings on its sleeve. In a city of ghost tours and tombs, raucous music and all kinds of magic, Cass could get lost in all the colorful, grisly local legends. And the city's biggest surprise is a foe Cass never expected to face: a servant of Death itself.

There's just something so charming about reading a middle grade fiction that has a good story, is well written and is endearing and simple. 

nuha ✨️

Kelsey Munson

Never thought I'd tear up over a middle grade paranormal adventure book, yet here I am. 

Loved all of these books. Very binge-able, immersive writing with wholesome friendships and the perfect amount of ~spooky~ for a middle grade series. I totally recommend checking out the Cassidy Blake trilogy if you haven't already.

** spoiler alert **
           Not my type of read. Too "wattpad" for me to enjoy (describing it as wattpad shouldn't be a bad thing, there are many stories on it that are good, but with my luck, majority of I've read through didn't make me like or finish it). Girl is unlikeable to the point of no redeem, but I can see her being enjoyed by younger readers.

Stopped at 9%.

Patricia Nelson

I enjoyed this end to the trilogy. I saw an interview with the author and she was clear that this was the last installment for these characters, and I felt like she did them justice. I picked up the first two books in this series after a recommendation by Modern Mrs Darcy and read them around Halloween a few years ago. The characters were likeable and the story drew me in for a quick read. This one did not disappoint. The author is very good at giving the reader a sense of place while highlighting the spooky/spectral aspects of that location, and New Orleans was the perfect place for this last book. Of course, now I'm craving a good Cafe du Monde beignet.

Nessa Luna

I flew through this book, I just really wanted to know what was going to happen. Victoria's writing always just gets me hooked and I really hope there'll be more books in this series in the future!

Cass thinks she might have this ghost-hunting thing down. After all, she and her ghost best friend, Jacob, have survived two haunted cities while travelling for her parents' TV show. But nothing can prepare Cass for New Orleans, which wears all of its hauntings on its sleeve, as she takes on her most dangerous challenge yet.

Bridge of Souls

As seems to be the trend with these books I keep reading them all in one sitting! I really loved this as always!

I love how so much action is packed into 300 pages, Cass and Jacob are still amazing and I lovedddd the plot of this one! Praying for a 4th book Cos I can’t let go of these character just yet I want moreeee *crosses fingers*

brianna

Ryan LaFerney

Bridge of Souls by Victoria Schwab aka V.E. Schwab is a delightful middle-grade ghost story and the third book in the City of Ghosts Series. It's perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book.

Bridge of Souls takes place a short time after the events in Tunnel of Bones. Our main protagonist, twelve year old Cassidy Blake's parents host a TV show about the world's most haunted places. This time the Blake family heads to New Orleans to film the latest episode of their show. Like the first two books, the world-building in Bridge of Souls is very detailed and authentic. We get to visit several locations throughout New Orleans and learn the history (sordid and otherwise) of each. We also get to go on a culinary adventure as Cassidy tries all kinds of delicious food. I was immediately immersed in this world and could imagine myself walking through Jackson Square. We also get more character development (especially learning more about Laura).

What's the story about? Cassidy's parents are busy touring New Orleans in order to film the third episode of their paranormal investigation TV series, dragging Cassidy along. However, it’s not long before Cassidy, an in-betweener who has escaped death and as a result, can interact with the dead, catches the unwanted attention of an Emissary. This terrifying creature is unlike any spook Cassidy has ever dealt with; its job is to bring those who have defied death to the other side—those like 12-year-old Cassidy. In order to defeat the Emissary, Cassidy will lose something—or someone—no matter the path she chooses. Not knowing which road to follow is frightening, but the scariest thing of all is not knowing how this ends. Armed with her spirit-guiding pendant and accompanied by ghost Jacob Hale (whose foothold in the living world seems to be strengthening) and Scottish friend and fellow in-betweener Lara Chowdhury, Cassidy charges ahead.

This is another strong entry in a series offering thrills and chills. It's also a very charming series that expands the world of the series - giving readers more details about how the in-between/veil works. 

Fans of the works of Neil Gaiman or the Harry Potter series will love this book. Make sure to read the first two first:

Book One: City of Ghosts 

Book Two: Tunnel of Ghosts

Marloes

I had really high hopes for the third and final book in the Cassidy Blake series and if V.E. Schwab would have left out the over abundance of HP references, it would have come out as a 5 star read. Putting that in the book severely impacted my enjoyment.

Nicole Dykeman

The Cassidy and Jacob friendship just really does it for me 🥺

Chelsea van Rer

i really like these books. they're easy to read and are a good time.
the only complaint i have is that, in this book, cassidy wonders what lara feels when she crosses the veil, except we already know? i think we find out in the first book. i'm not sure why it annoyed me as much as it did, but it did.
*read for the may museum challenge

Livia

i just think that the hp reference is getting too much. way too much for me to not get annoyed. and i get that this is a middle-grade series but i can't help wishing that the ending would follow through what cassidy was told by the fortune-teller. ah well, we can't all have nice things

Helen Borham

The third instalment of the City of Bones series follows Cassidy and her parents to New Orleans and I really enjoyed exploring this location with her. I was sceptical going into this story after being underwhelmed by book two but I really enjoyed this one. The setting was great and I loved the introduction of the Society and the different roles within this group 

Sarahi Flores

Another adventure with Cassidy Blake! Who knew learning tons of haunted places can be entertaining. I’ve listened to the other two books of the series and of course I had to just keep listening to it with this third installment and it was good! It’s the same narrator so I grew comfortable and easy to get into the story. I’n picky with narrators but Reba Buhr does an amazing job in capturing Cassidy’s personality.

What I enjoy about this book and the series is that you actually hear the places that exist and a mini overview of the haunted place they are visiting. The story is also entertaining with the mystery and adventure.

This is a quick pace story that will get you out of a reading slump. I give it 4 stars out of 5. Can’t wait for the fourth installment of this fun series.

Flavia Louise

This was a fun easy to read book. I really enjoyed it.

Alexa Auerbach 

Must this series really be over? 
I loved this so much.

Florencia Sime

** spoiler alert **
           “No matter what happens,” Jacob whispers in my ear, “you’ll never lose me.”
Ok but HOW DARE JACOB BE SO CUTE?
I love him. I love a 13 years old dead boy who is whiling to sacrifice himself for his friends.
The friendship between Cass, Jacob and Lara was so pure and this trio has become one of my favorites of all times.
Also, was i imagine things? Or was cassy gay asf??? Idk, i ship her with Lara and i hope they get merried and adopt jacob, thanks.

Lisa van der Heijden 

Title: Bridge of Souls
Author: Victoria Schwab
Pages: 300
Published: March 2021
Rating: 4.8/5.0 

Bridge of Souls is the third instalment in the Cassidy Blake series. In this story, Cassidy and her parents are visiting New Orleans for their paranormal TV show. Can I just say that I love New Orleans as a setting in books? It never disappoints. I love the atmospheric, the music, and the history of the story. Victoria Schwab makes me want to visit the city. I loved how she included the culture and history of the city into the worldbuilding. It expanded the world a lot. 

I sometimes forget that middle-grade books can have powerful messages for their young readers. Bridge of Souls is such a book. Throughout this action-packed, paranormal ghost hunting story, fear in general but specifically fear of death is discussed. I loved how Victoria Schwab handled this topic and how she made the main character experience, face, and partly overcome her fears. I think it might be a comfort for children experiencing similar fears. 

Again, I loved Cass friendship with Jacob. Their dynamic is entertaining, and their friendship feels realistic. I loved Jacob’s sassy personality and that he is the rational, thoughtful one while is the ghost in the friendship. Furthermore, I enjoyed Lara’s physical presence in this story and seeing her friendship with Cassidy become more solid. 

Victoria Schwab’s writing is, as always, excellent. I loved the descriptiveness and the floweriness of her writing. She always creates a unique atmosphere for her settings and this one was no exception. New Orleans came alive through her writing. 

In summary, Bridge of Souls is an excellent third instalment in the series. I love that the books have an overarching plotline as well as their own arc. 

Rating breakdown: 
- plot (5/5)
- characters (4.5/5)
- writing (5/5)
- worldbuilding (5/5)
- overall enjoyment (4.5/5)

Trigger warnings: Ghosts, death (of loved ones).

Title: Bridge of Souls
Author: Victoria Schwab
Pages: 300
Published: March 2021
Rating: 4.8/5.0 

Bridge of Souls is the third instalment in the Cassidy Blake series. In this story, Cassidy and her parents are visiting New Orleans for their paranormal TV show. Can I just say that I love New Orleans as a setting in books? It never disappoints. I love the atmospheric, the music, and the history of the story. Victoria Schwab makes me want to visit the city. I loved how she included the culture and history of the city into the worldbuilding. It expanded the world a lot. 

I sometimes forget that middle-grade books can have powerful messages for their young readers. Bridge of Souls is such a book. Throughout this action-packed, paranormal ghost hunting story, fear in general but specifically fear of death is discussed. I loved how Victoria Schwab handled this topic and how she made the main character experience, face, and partly overcome her fears. I think it might be a comfort for children experiencing similar fears. 

Again, I loved Cass friendship with Jacob. Their dynamic is entertaining, and their friendship feels realistic. I loved Jacob’s sassy personality and that he is the rational, thoughtful one while is the ghost in the friendship. Furthermore, I enjoyed Lara’s physical presence in this story and seeing her friendship with Cassidy become more solid. 

Victoria Schwab’s writing is, as always, excellent. I loved the descriptiveness and the floweriness of her writing. She always creates a unique atmosphere for her settings and this one was no exception. New Orleans came alive through her writing. 

In summary, Bridge of Souls is an excellent third instalment in the series. I love that the books have an overarching plotline as well as their own arc. 

Rating breakdown: plot (5/5), characters (4.5/5), writing (5/5), worldbuilding (5/5), overall enjoyment (4.5/5)

Trigger warnings: Ghosts, death (of loved ones). 


Elizabeth Garza

I get Cassidy is like, 12. But when her BFF is, Laura, a very pragmatic and logical though still very kind 12 year old... it's hard for me to not get annoyed with her. But the ghost-y bits are just as good as the previous two books. If you've been reading this series I would say keep on with it! :)

Kaitee Tredway

Cassidy’s New Orleans is my favorite of the cities she visits. The setting is vivid and seeing the living and the dead layered atop each other was so wonderful. 

I loved the return of Lara and having her on the ground with Jacob and Cassidy as they face their most formidable foe yet. The paranormal and personal stakes rise with every book, and this one kept my heart pounding as I raced to the end to know the fate of my favorite in-betweeners.

ghost girl in satin

A little disappointed with this one. The stakes weren't as high as in the first two books, and it wasn't as atmospheric as I wanted it to be. Nevertheless, I enjoyed Bridge of Souls. Lara, Cassidy and Jacob are nice, smart and funny, and their banter is a delight to read. 
It was a nice, quick read, I recommend.

Tânia Borges

This book is at least 4 stars technically speaking, but I can't, in good conscience, give it that when there are so many Harry Potter references thrown around just because. They are written voluntarily, with no purpose whatsoever other than a little bit of comic relief. The writing is otherwise impeccable, so it really is unfortunate that Victoria Schwab felt the need to include them after everything the author of those books has done to harm the transgender community. I've loved all Cassidy Black books before this one, and while they also have a few Harry Potter references, I'd hoped they'd been written and edited before the whole mess started; I can no longer say the same for this one. If you're triggered by these references and mentions of the Harry Potter fandom, please be aware that they do exist in this book and others in this series.

Story Eater

Pronunciation Guide (which was conveniently absent from this book but not for the one set in Edinburgh):

Metairie = Met-a-ree
Ponchartrain = poncha-train
Lafayette = la-feet
beignet = ben-yay

Bridge of Souls (City of Ghosts #3)

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