What Lives In the Woods, By Lindsay Currie ~ 5.0 Stars

Tags

Middle School Fiction, Mystery, Supernatural Fiction, Suspense

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Young Readers for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: September 14th, 2021

320 Pages

Synopsis: Welcome to the decrepit Woodmoor Manor…where something in the woods is always watching. From the author of Scritch Scratch comes a chilling middle grade story about a creepy mansion and sinister creatures in the woods

All Ginny Anderson wants from her summer is to relax. But when Ginny’s father—a respected restoration expert in Chicago—surprises the family with a month-long trip to Michigan, everything changes. They aren’t staying in a hotel like most families would. No, they’re staying in a mansion. A twenty-six room, century-old building surrounded by dense forest. Woodmoor Manor.

Locals claim the surrounding woods are inhabited by mutated creatures that escaped a mad scientist over a hundred years ago. And some say campers routinely disappear never to be seen again.

When the creaky floors and shadowy corners of the mansion seem to take on a life of their own, Ginny uncovers the wildest mystery of all: there’s more than one legend roaming Saugatuck, Michigan, and they definitely aren’t after campers.

They’re after her. (Goodreads)

What Lives in the Woods may be a middle grade book, but it’s surprisingly scary, even without blood and gore. Twelve-year-old Ginny is a wonderful protagonist that readers will relate to. An Agatha Christie enthusiast, who’s determined to become a world renowned author herself, she’s smart, feisty, and while independent, isn’t afraid to ask for help. Thankfully she has her fourteen-year-old brother Leo, and Will, a fellow book enthusiast and summer resident of Saugatuck. The three of them make quite the investigative team who not only solve the mystery of what’s haunting Woodmoor Manor, but also come up with a creative and compassionate solution. I loved the relationship between Ginny and Leo. They may needle each other incessantly, but they’re also there for one another. The friendship with a slight blush of romance that grows between Ginny and Will is sweet and believable, and I enjoyed the trust they had in each other. The setting is very detailed and atmospheric with some delightfully spooky touches like the faceless mannequin in Ginny’s room, the creepy ballroom, and the mysterious ticking of and unseen clock that only Ginny can hear. The plot itself puts a creative spin on the haunted house trope, especially with the twist regarding who is behind the haunting and what their motives are. The conclusion wraps the current mystery up while leaving the door open for a sequel. Which brings me to my one and only criticism, not with the book, but with the title and premise. While there’s a legend of creepy creatures that live in the woods surrounding Woodmoor, that’s discussed, they’re not the focus of this story. I have a feeling they’ll be the focus of the the sequel, but they’re not here. Therefore I find the title, cover, and book description misleading. You may think I’m being fussy, but as a reader who takes these three things into consideration first, before deciding on a book, they matter. Obviously I’m not downgrading my rating because the story itself is perfection. It’s definitely one that if I weren’t retired, I’d be scooping up for my library’s collection. 

Dark Whispers (Brightstorm #2), By Vashti Hardy ~ 5.0 Stars

Tags

Adventure, Fantasy, Middle School Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Suspense

Thanks to NetGalley and Norton Young Readers for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: March 16th, 2021

416 Pages

Synopsis: The ragtag crew of Captain Harriet Culpepper, is off on another adventure! Ermitage Wrigglesworth, the notable explorer and author, has been reported missing in Stella Oceanus to the east. Twins Arthur and Maudie are eager to answer the call of adventure to find him, but their old nemesis and newly discovered aunt, Eudora Vane, is also on the hunt. As Lontown’s most famous explorer families set sail aboard their sky-ships, it soon becomes clear that Eudora’s not just after the missing explorer. There’s a secret she’s chasing, something Wrigglesworth had discovered before he vanished, something that definitely shouldn’t be in Eudora Vane’s hands. The Aurora’s crew will have to journey to uncover Wrigglesworth’s secret first, and will discover new lands and new friends along the way… (Goodreads)

Darkwhispers is the sequel to last year’s Brightstorm, and in my humble opinion, an equally brilliant middle school fantasy/science fiction novel, that’s perfect for fans of authors like Philip Pullman. It’s filled with exciting adventure just as the previous book was, with familiar characters and intriguing new ones.

In this entry, the twins each begin to set forth on their own paths and you can just begin to glimpse the remarkable adults they’ll develop into. The mystery itself is a fun and twisty one, especially when the villainous Eudora Vane gets involved. I especially appreciated the additional insight provided, through the memories of her relationship with the twins mother. It made me somewhat sympathetic toward her, although that was temporary. A beloved character meets their demise, but even that was handled imaginatively.

I grew fearful near the end that perhaps this was going to finish as a duology, which had me deeply disappointed, because I’ve grown quite attached to Maudie, Arthur, Harriet, and the rest of the crew of the Aurora, but something occured in the last couple of pages that has me thinking there will be another book. I cannot recommend Brightstorm and Darkwhispers enough. They’re creative, unique, and although technically written for upper elementary through middle school readers, are bound to appeal to adult readers who enjoy these genres as well. They truly are a perfect escape that you will find yourself easily lost in!

The Fowl Twins (The Fowl Twins #1), by Eoin Colfer ~ 4.5 Stars

Tags

Adventure, Fantasy, Humor, Middle School Fiction, Science Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: November 5th, 2019

368 Pages

Synopsis: Criminal genius runs in the family…

Myles and Beckett are eleven-year-old twins, but the two boys are wildly different. Beckett is blonde, messy and sulks whenever he has to wear clothes. Myles is fanatically neat, he has an IQ of 170, and he wears a fresh suit every day, just like his older brother, Artemis Fowl. 

Perhaps you’ve heard of the Fowl family and their adventures?

This Fowl adventure is filled with the most unusual of individuals: an immortal duke, a miniature troll, a nunterrogator, and a Police Specialist that’s 42% elf. And of course, the Fowl twins—one a certified genius with a criminal leaning, and the other possessing an unusual talent that has not been fully explored…yet!

Here begins the second documented cycle of Fowl Adventures.

The first in a breath-taking new series from global superstar Eoin Colfer. Set in the multi-million bestselling world of ARTEMIS FOWL.

The Fowl Twins is a delightful beginning to this new spin-off series from the bestselling Artemis Fowl books. While there are several nods to the original series and characters, you needn’t have read them, although in my humble opinion you really should! Myles and Beckett prove themselves to be worthy of picking up the mantle from Artemis who’s off planet with the ever loyal protector and friend, Butler. This has all the sly humor of the original series and interesting new foes like Sister Geronima from the secret organization ACRONYM, and the horrid Lord Teddy Bleedham-Drye for the twins to go up against. Thankfully they have allies like a fierce miniature troll named Whistle Blower, and LEPrecon specialist Lazuli Heitz who is magic-less, or is she? The book is just non-stop action and madcap adventure that both tweens and adults will enjoy. Revisiting the Fowls seven years after The Last Guardian, had me a little anxious, but I needn’t have worried because Eoin Colfer is still in top form. Just like the original books, The Fowl Twins is a wonderful mashup of fantasy and science fiction, with enough over-the-top villains and high-tech gadgetry to make any James Bond fan sit up and take notice. While I do think this book is geared toward a slightly younger age group than the Artemis books, the humor will most likely go over the heads of children under the age of ten. There’s also a death scene (kind of), which makes me hesitant in recommending this to younger readers. Otherwise, I enthusiastically suggest this for tweens and adults who are looking for a unique and refreshing read filled with excitement and exhuberant joie de vivre!

 

 

The Storm Runner (The Storm Runner #1), by J.C. Cervantes ~ 5.0 Stars

Tags

Diversity, Humor, Mayan Mythology, Middle School Fiction, Suspense

Thanks to NetGalley and Disney Book Group/Rick Riordan Presents for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: September 18th, 2018

448 Pages

Synopsis: Zane has always enjoyed exploring the dormant volcano near his home in New Mexico, even though hiking it is challenging. He’d much rather hang out there with his dog, Rosie, than go to middle school, where kids call him Sir Limps a Lot, McGimpster, or Uno—for his one good leg. What Zane doesn’t know is that the volcano is a gateway to another world and he is at the center of a powerful prophecy. A new girl at school, Brooks, informs him that he’s destined to release an evil god from the ancient Maya relic he’s imprisoned in—unless she can find and remove it first. Together they return to the volcano, where all kinds of crazy happens. Brooks turns into a hawk, a demon attacks them in a cave, and Rosie gives her all trying to protect Zane. When Zane decides to save his dog no matter the cost, he is thrust into an adventure full of surprising discoveries, dangerous secrets, and an all-out war between the gods. To survive, Zane will have to become the Storm Runner. But how can he run when he can’t even walk well without a cane?

Feisty heroes, tricky gods, murderous demons, and spirited giants are just some of the pleasures that await in this fresh and funny take on Maya mythology, as rich as a mug of authentic hot chocolate.

The Storm Runner is the second book in the new Rick Riordan Presents imprint of Disney Book Group, and I loved it so much you’ll have to forgive my gushing.  Before I begin though, I have to reveal a spoiler for animal lovers.

Right at the beginning of the book, Zane’s dog Rosie dies, but she comes back—sort of. You all know how much I love animals so you’re going to have to trust me when I say that her “death” is imperative to the Zane’s journey.

**********

Okay, spoiler over.

So, first there’s the cover. Isn’t it gorgeous? And it’s an illustration for a scene in the book. More importantly though, EVERYTHING in this book is brilliant! Zane is a Latino character who you can’t help but root for. He’s funny, loyal, determined, courageous, and doesn’t let his disability define him. He makes mistakes along his quest, but this just makes him even more relatable.  The secondary cast are just as interesting, and complex. The Mayan gods and other supernatural beings are fascinating and I can’t wait to learn even more about them in the second book.

The world building is so richly detailed that I felt as though I was there. The plot is fast paced and entertaining with a perfect combination of dark and humorous moments. Zane’s quest has plenty of twists and turns that will keep readers feverishly turning the pages. The author does a phenomenal job at introducing readers to Mayan mythology without slowing the pace down. The exciting ending neatly ties everything up while also setting the stage for the next book The Fire Keeper which is coming out next year.

The Storm Runner is a book that if I were still a children’s librarian, I’d be promoting heavily for upper elementary and middle school kids. It’s a wonderful introduction into a mythology that most probably won’t be familiar with. Heck, I didn’t know anything about Mayan gods and stories. For example, did you know there’s a goddess of chocolate? Yep, her name is Ixcacao, and while she only makes a brief appearance in this book, I’m hoping we see more of her in future books. I highly recommend this for fans Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and his Kane Chronicles series.

The Screaming Staircase (Lockwood & Co. #1), by Jonathan Stroud ~ 4.0 Stars

Tags

Middle School Fiction, Mystery, Supernatural Fiction, Suspense

Thanks to NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for providing an ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: Available Now

401 Pages

Synopsis: A sinister Problem has occurred in London: all nature of ghosts, haunts, spirits, and specters are appearing throughout the city, and they aren’t exactly friendly. Only young people have the psychic ability required to see—and eradicate—these supernatural foes. Many different Psychic Detection Agencies have cropped up to handle the dangerous work, and they are in fierce competition for business. In The Screaming Staircase, the plucky and talented Lucy Carlyle teams up with Anthony Lockwood, the charismatic leader of Lockwood & Co., a small agency that runs independent of any adult supervision. After an assignment leads to both a grisly discovery and a disastrous end, Lucy, Anthony, and their sarcastic colleague, George, are forced to take part in the perilous investigation of Combe Carey Hall, one of the most haunted houses in England. Will Lockwood & Co. survive the Hall’s legendary Screaming Staircase and Red Room to see another day? 

I’ve had this series on my tbr for what seems like forever, but somehow just never seemed to find the time to start it. So, when the first book, The Screaming Staircase, popped up on NetGalley as a Read Now offer, I immediately jumped, and now I’m left asking why I waited so long.

I have to be honest and say that Lucy, who’s the narrator is a little on the dull side. Her personality is well developed, but she’s very reserved, especially when compared to the gallant Anthony and amusing George. I liked her, but she seemed to be missing a certain spark. The relationship between the three is at the heart of this book and I liked that they weren’t copycat characters of others from series like Harry Potter. They’re engaging and work well together, and I was fully invested in seeing what happened with them 

I loved the world-building which is set around an alternate current day London, which has an almost Victorian age feel. There’s a bit of an info-dump which does slow the pace somewhat, but it still makes for a suspenseful and at times, humorous read. 

Despite the couple of issues I had, overall I thought The Screaming Staircase was an enjoyable beginning to the Lockwood & Co. series and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the books. I think middle-school age kids will gobble this creepy tale.

Dragon’s Green (Worldquake Sequence #1) by, Scarlett Thomas – 4.5 Stars

Tags

Alternative Fiction, Books, Fantasy, Middle School Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Release Date: Available Now

384 Pages

Synopsis: Effie Truelove believes in magic, as does her grandfather Griffin (although he refuses to do any magic, let alone teach Effie how to use it). After a mysterious incident leaves Griffin close to death, Effie is given an unusual silver ring and told she must look after her grandfather’s library of rare and powerful books. But then the books fall into the hands of shady scholar Leonard Levar, and Effie is propelled into the most dangerous adventure of her life.

Now, Effie and her friends–nerdy Maxmillian, rugby-mad Wolf, helpful Lexy, and eccentric Raven–must discover their true powers if they are to get the books back. And Effie alone will have to travel to the Otherworld, she will discover the true meaning of the strange old book called Dragon’s Green…

Dragon’s Green is Scarlett Thomas’s first book written for children, and what a marvelous beginning it is! Effie Truelove is a heroine in the same vein as Harry Potter. She’s courageous, loyal, and determined to do the right thing. But her true strength comes from the support of friends, who are just as well-developed as Effie. They’re an entertaining mix of kids who are always willing to come to each other’s aid. The dialogue between them is clever and funny, which further adds to the enjoyment of the story. The world-building is simply phenomenal. The story is set in an alternative London after a catastrophic earthquake has destroyed the majority of technology and seemingly, magic. You can probably guess from the cover and premise, that books play a central role here, which makes this even more appealing. The only reason why I haven’t given this a perfect 5 star rating, is because except for Effie’s grandfather and Maxmillian’s mother, who both seem to know more than they’re willing to share with our intrepid heroes, most of the adults are at best, uncaring, and at worst absolutely horrible. They’re very reminiscent of the way adults are depicted in Roald Dahl’s books. I was left wishing they were a little more original, but the rest of the story is so wonderful that this is a minor complaint. Dragon’s Green is a fantastic and creative beginning to this new middle grade series, and I highly recommend it to fans of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. I can’t wait for the next book!

Rebel Genius ~ By Michael Dante DiMartino – 4.0 Stars

Tags

Adventurw, Fantasy, Middle School Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and Roaring Brook Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: October 4th, 2016

384 Pages

Synopsis: In twelve-year-old Giacomo’s Renaissance-inspired world, art is powerful, dangerous, and outlawed. Every artist possesses a Genius, a birdlike creature that is the living embodiment of an artist’s creative spirit. Those caught with one face a punishment akin to death, so when Giacomo discovers he has a Genius, he knows he’s in serious trouble.

Luckily, he finds safety in a secret studio where young artists and their Geniuses train in sacred geometry to channel their energies as weapons. But when a murderous artist goes after the three sacred tools–objects that would allow him to destroy the world and everyone in his path–Giacomo and his friends must risk their lives to stop him.

For anyone who isn’t familiar with the name Michael Dante DiMartino, he’s the co-creator of the multiple award-winning animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender and the sequel The Legend of Korra. So being the geek that I am, I immediately jumped on this as soon as it popped up on NetGalley, especially when I read the premise. I love stories set in renaissance worlds, so I was prepared to be completely captivated, and for the most part I was. I have to be honest and say I thought that the first few chapters were a little slow. It seemed like a lot was thrown in regarding characters and world-building in a very rushed sort of fashion. By the time I had reached the fourth chapter though, things evened out. I was also dismayed that there was just as much an emphasis on geometry as there was art. Of course this was probably due to the fact that I flunked geometry not once but TWICE in high school! Thankfully there are these beautifully drawn sketches provided by the author that not only made this element easier to follow, but also really brought to life the characters and their world. Giacamo is an underdog that I think many kids will relate too. He goes from being an orphan who’s forced to live in the sewers, to realizing he’s an outlaw artist who now has a Genius of his own. Even with all this being thrown at him, he jumps right in and with his new friends, does everything he can to save the world. There is a large cast of characters and some aren’t quite as developed as others. I was especially frustrated with the fact that the villain of the story, the evil Empress barely makes an appearance, and that’s only during the epic battle near the end. I also thought some of the dialogue was sloppily written and came across stilted at times. I was initially going to rate this 3-3 1/2 stars, but what saved this book for me was the uniqueness and gorgeousness of the world-building. Well, that and I REALLY want my own Genius! It’s also extremely fast-paced and filled with swashbuckling fight scenes, which even though it was almost 400 pages, made it a quick read for me. Despite it’s flaws, Rebel Genius is an exciting middle grade adventure that kids will love and will also appeal to creative types and math lovers alike. No, it’s nothing like Avatar, but that’s not a bad thing. I’m quite looking forward to the next book!

The Mighty Odds (Mighty Odds #1) ~ By Amy Ignatow – 4.5 Stars

Tags

Bullying, Death, Fantasy, Humor, Middle School Fiction, Racism, Superheroes

Thanks to NetGalley and Abrams/Amulet for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: September 13th, 2016

240 Pages

Synopsis: When a sweet nerd, an artsy cartoonist, a social outcast, and the most popular girl in school are involved in a mysterious bus accident, this seemingly random group of kids starts to notice from very strange abilities they did not have before. Artsy Martina can change her eye color. Nerdy Nick can teleport…four inches to the left. Outcast Farshad develops super strength, but only in his thumbs. And Cookie, the It Girl of school’s most popular clique, has suddenly developed the ability to read minds…when those minds are thinking about directions. They are oddly mighty–especially together.

This group–who would never hang out under normal circumstances–must now combine all their strengths to figure out what happened during the bus accident. With alternating narratives from each of the heroes, including illustrated pieces from Martina.

The start to a new series by Amy Ignatow, author of The Popularity Papers, The Mighty Odds is off to a rollicking good start. Ignatow has taken the theme of misfit kids, attaining superpowers, banding together to save the world, turned it on it’s head and throws in bullying, racism, and middle school politics for good measure. And unbelievably this works! Each character is richly drawn. For example Cookie, the only black kid in school has carved out a place for herself as the leader of the popular clique. She actually has more in common then she thinks with Farshad who at the beginning of the book she derisively refers to as “The Arab Kid” or even worse “Terror Boy”. But she’s not the only one guilty of using stereotypes to label her schoolmates. One of my favorite characters, Jay, whose somewhat ADD and always looks at the positive side to life is enamored with Cookie and calls her his “gorgeous Nubian queen” and says that someday they’ll “make coffee-colored babies”. He comes from a small town and Cookie is the only black person he’s ever met. Coming from a smallish town myself which is definitely not ethically diverse, I can understand this somewhat, but it still made me cringe. Also addressed is Farshad being the victim of anti-Muslim sentiment, and Nick’s dealing with his dying father. There are so many heavy issues brought up, but balancing those are some truly funny moments. Also adding to the appeal are Martina’s illustrations. Martina actually reminded me a little of Luna Lovegood from the Harry Potter series. She has a kind of quirky, zany view of the world, but once you really pay attention to what she’s saying/drawing, somehow it all makes sense. The ending leaves things open for the next book as the mystery of who exactly the villains are and what are they up to isn’t really answered. This first book mainly serves as an introduction to this band of misfits while successfully working in societal issues along the way. It’s funny and poignant at the same time, and I believe it’s one of the more clever and appealing books for tweens that I’ve read this year. 

Once Upon a Zombie (Book One: The Color of Fear) ~ By Billy Phillips and Jenny Nissenson – 4.5 Stars

Tags

Adventure, Fairytales, Fantasy, Horror Fiction, Middle School Fiction, Mystery, Relationships, Siblings

 I received this book from NetGalley and The Toon Studio Press in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: Unexplainablenews.com is reporting strange phenomena in cemeteries in Scotland, Germany, Italy, and America. Only one individual knows what’s happening–and why! This person also knows the one girl who can prevent an unspeakable and imminent catastrophe from taking place. But will she? When Caitlin Fletcher’s mom disappeared (or left?) Four years ago, Caitlin began suffering from breathless bouts of anxiety. Her new move to London, with her Dad and brainiac sister, threatens to lead to more situations that will trigger panic. Now she’s having anxiety over the possibility of having anxiety! Caitlin’s life takes a turn for the bizarre when she’s tricked into climbing down a “rabbit hole”, landing in a wondrous fairy tale universe–except it’s crawling with savage, starving, blood-eyed zombies. But what’s scarier – a blood thirsty zombie, a panic attack…or the painful truth? 

When I first saw Once Upon a Zombie offered on NetGalley, I thought I had died and gone to heaven! I mean what could be better than some of the most beloved fairytale characters being turned into zombies? Well, as it turns out, not much. Billy Phillips has created a positively perfect mash-up of horror and fantasy, while at the same time, sending an important message which should resonate with it’s readers.

With all these Zombie Princesses like Rapunzel, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White around, it would have been easy for the character of fourteen-year-old Caitlin to get lost amidst all those strong personalities. While she’s always been anxious, since her mother’s disappearance four years ago, her anxiety has increased exponentially. When we first meet her she’s literally hyperventilating over the idea of attending a school dance. This beginning is the weakest part of the story as it deals with your typical high school drama, without adding anything new. However, once Caitlin and her younger sister Natalie slide down the rabbit hole, well, that’s when the incredible world-building begins, and the adventure takes off. 

Caitlin and the precocious Natalie are the perfect team. Where Caitlin is timid and overthinks things, Natalie is impulsive and adventurous. Their personalities perfectly balance each other. The Zombie Princesses led by the strong and determined Rapunzel, are a wonderful and funny supporting cast. Sleeping Beauty keeps having to take naps, although these wind up being quite useful as she has visions during them. Snow White is the one with the truly kind and generous heart, even when it comes to saving a zombie Big Bad Wolf. And finally Cinderella who interjects some of the funniest lines due to her voracious appetite. In smaller roles are such iconic figures as Belle, The Little Mermaid and of course Alice, and I’m hoping we’ll see more of them in subsequent books. 

There’s a nice little romance between Caitlin and one of her classmates, Jack. While he immediately jumps into danger to help Caitlin, he also appreciates her strengths, sometimes more than she does herself. He’s a sweet, supportive and caring guy with a secret of his own, and will have many tween girls sighing over him.

While all these elements plus a thoroughly entertaining plot make for a truly enjoyable read, what I loved the most about this book was how it addresses the concept of fear. You see, this is the core of the story. The different types of fear and which are beneficial, and which wind up crippling us. It’s brilliantly written as the central theme without taking away from the story itself.

While I first received the ebook from NetGalley, I also wound up with the print version from the publisher. I was originally planning on donating it to my library, but I wound up loving it so much I don’t know if I can part with it.

And let me tell you, the cover is absolutely exquisite and seeing it on your computer or e-reader doesn’t do it justice. It has equally beautiful artwork on the inside flap and the back cover. In fact, if you’re going to buy it I’d recommend purchasing the hardcover. While I’d say it’s written primarily for a tween audience, Once Upon a Zombie will appeal to all audiences with it’s exciting plot and unforgettable characters. It’s the first book in what will be a trilogy and I’m excited to see what happens in the next book.

Serafina and the Black Cloak ~ by Robert Beatty – 4.5 Stars

Tags

Adventure, Folklore, Historical Fiction, Middle School Fiction, Mysteries, North Carolina

 I received this e-Arc from NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: July 14, 2015

Synopsis ~ “Never go into the deep parts of the forest, for there are many dangers there and they will ensnare your soul.”

Serafina has never had a reason to disobey her pa and venture beyond the grounds of Biltmore Estate. There’s plenty to explore in the shadowed corridors of her vast home, but she must take care to never be seen. None of the rich folk upstairs know that Serafina exists; she and her pa, the estate’ s maintenance man, have secretly lived in the basement as long as Serafina can remember. 

But when children at the estate start disappearing, only Serafina knows who the culprit is: a terrifying man in a black cloak who stalks Biltmore’s corridors at night. Following her own harrowing escape, Serafina risks everything by joining forces with Braeden Vanderbilt, the young nephew of Biltmore’s owners. Braeden and Serafina must uncover the Man in the Black Cloak’s true identity before all the children vanish one by one.

Serafina’s hunt leads her into the very forest she’s been taught to fear. There she discovers a forgotten legacy of magic that is bound to her own identity. In order to save the children of Biltmore, Serafina must seek the answers that will unlock the puzzle of her past.

Book Trailer: http://bit.ly/1JVlMOq

I don’t read a lot of Middle School age fiction, but there was something about the cover of this book that caught my eye. When I watched the book trailer I was completely hooked.

Serafina and the Black Cloak takes place in the late 1800s and is set in Ashville, North Carolina. What makes this beautiful and remote setting even more interesting is that it actually exists. You can explore Biltmore House and it’s history by visiting: http://www.biltmore.com

Being extremely poor, Serafina and her “Pa” have no choice but to live in the basement of Biltmore, unbeknownst to the residents of this vast estate. Serafina is definitely not your average child. Not being able to interact with the other children who visit and live on the estate has turned her into a bit of a wild child. She amuses herself by roaming the hallways at night and catching rats. It’s during one of these nocturnal adventures that she stumbles across the Man in the Black Cloak as he corners a terrified child and makes her disappear. Swift-footed Serafina is able to escape his clutches, but she’s determined to find out who this villain is. Much to her surprise, she finally uncovers the mystery of her origins, which her protective father has always kept hidden from her.

Serafina is the type of fictional character I wish I had known when I was twelve. Despite her lack of formal education, Serafina is smart and fearless. She also will do anything to rescue the missing children, even if it puts her own life in danger. She’s funny and astute, and her observations on her surroundings and the other residents of Biltmore are perfect. The story is told from her perspective and being told in her charming dialect makes it that much more entertaining.

Braeden is the perfect partner for Serafina. An orphan, he’s had to grow up rather quickly and at times seems wise beyond his years. He’s as courageous as Serafina, yet his wisdom helps temper her impulsiveness. I had the sense while I was reading that these were two lost souls destined to find one another. 

The identity of the villain isn’t a huge surprise, but nevertheless the build-up to his unmasking is still exciting. Even while suspecting him I found myself fervently hoping I was wrong, because I actually liked him.

Except for a slightly slow start, Seraphina and the Black Cloak is exciting and full of twists and turns. It’s an imaginative and spooky tale that should have wide appeal for tweens and those of us who haven’t let go of their inner child. While the ending pretty much wraps everything up I have a feeling there will be more books detailing further adventures of young Serafina and Braeden. And, since this is being published by Disney, I also wouldn’t be surprised or disappointed if this wound up being turned into a movie.