Serafina and the Twisted Staff (Serafina #2)

by Robert Beatty (Author)

Serafina and the Twisted Staff (Serafina #2)
Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
Series: Serafina

Beatty continues to build a fascinating magical world, the Blue Ridge Mountains and Biltmore Estate developing beyond mere settings into characters themselves. Each place reveals history and clues to Serafina's life and those of other gifted, mysterious beings. Serafina's defeat of the Man in the Black Cloak has brought her out of the shadows and into the daylight realm of her home, Biltmore Estate. Every night she visits her mother in the forest, eager to learn the ways of the catamount. But Serafina finds herself caught between her two worlds: she's too wild for Biltmore's beautifully dressed ladies and formal customs, and too human to fully join her kin.

When a mysterious series of attacks test Serafina's role as Biltmore's protector, she finds herself torn from the side of her best friend and only ally, Braeden Vanderbilt. Heartbroken, she flees. Deep in the forest, Serafina comes face-to-face with the evil infecting Biltmore-and discovers its reach is far greater than she'd ever imagined. For Serafina to defeat this new evil before it engulfs her beloved home, she must search deep inside herself and embrace the destiny that has always awaited her.

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Kirkus Reviews

Starred Review

Each place reveals history and clues to Serafina's life and those of other gifted, mysterious beings.Even better than its predecessor, a sequel that delivers nonstop thrills from beginning to end.

School Library Journal

Serafina's tale picks up just three weeks after the defeat of "the man in the black cloak." Serafina would like to settle into a comfortable existence at Biltmore House as Chief Rat Catcher, especially now that the Vanderbilts have accepted her role in their household. She wants to please her father and spend time with her best friend, Braeden. Her plans are thwarted when Lady Rowena Fox-Pemberton visits the estate. Serafina cannot stand Rowena's snooty ways but is pleasantly surprised when the Lady bravely helps out when mysterious events recur at Biltmore. Many new characters are introduced, such as Mr. Grathan, a guest of Mr. Vanderbilt claiming to be a detective, and Essie, a helpful maid. Serafina's backstory is fleshed out, and readers will relish learning more about her strange origins, including the identity of her father. As in the first novel, the narrative gracefully blends the majestic history of Biltmore House with the ethereal beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains along with the deep-rooted superstition of mountain lore. Serafina's relationship with her catamount mother plays a stronger role this time. The characterization is solid, and the powerful imagery that made the first installment such a success is more consistent here. Readers who enjoyed the first novel will not be disappointed in this continuation and will anxiously await the next exciting adventure. VERDICT Eerie gothic imagery, a ferociously scrappy heroine, and an elegant setting combine seamlessly to create a captivating mystery that will be well received by fans.—Julie Shatterly, W.A. Bess Elementary School, Gastonia, NC

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

ALA/Booklist

Serafina, brave and fierce, is a wild heroine who will continue to appeal to many middle-grade readers.

Review quotes



Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781484778067
Lexile Measure
870
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Disney-Hyperion
Publication date
July 20, 2017
Series
Serafina
BISAC categories
JUV001000 - Juvenile Fiction | Action & Adventure
JUV028000 - Juvenile Fiction | Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories
JUV002000 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | General
JUV016000 - Juvenile Fiction | Historical | General
JUV018000 - Juvenile Fiction | Horror
Library of Congress categories
Identity
JUVENILE FICTION / Action & Adventure / Gener
Supernatural
Paranormal fiction
Horror stories
Good and evil
Identity (Philosophical concept)
Shapeshifting
JUVENILE FICTION / Horror & Ghost Stories
JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / General
Biltmore Estate (Asheville, N.C.)

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