Serafina and the Black Cloak (MMGM)

 

 

Title: Serafina and the Black Cloak

Author: Robert Beatty

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Publication date: 2015

Page count: 293 (Hardback)

“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 the Biltmore estate. There’s plenty to explore in her grand home, although 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 for 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 the Biltmore’s owners. Braeden and Serafina must uncover the Man in the Black Cloak’s true identity . . . before all of the children vanish one by one.

Serafina’s hunt leads her into the very forest that she has been taught to fear. There she discovers a forgotten legacy of magic, one 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. ~ Goodreads

Before I start, I would just like to announce . . . I did a MOVIE REVIEW OF ZOOTOPIA!!! You can view that here. Ok, THE REVIEW YOU CAME FOR! I’ve been dying to share this amazing book with you guys! It is a really original idea and the writing is amazing! Look at the cover! Isn’t it pretty?  And it is spooky, though I have to admit I’m easy to scare…

“I’m not going to hurt you, child . . .” came the hideous rasping voice again, as if the man wasn’t of his own mind but possessed by a demented, ravenous demon.”

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“The Man in the Black Cloak reached deep inside the den, his bloody hand searching in the darkness.”

Spooky right! Or is that just me?

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My complaints: There were a few loose ends. But I’m guessing that it will be explained in the NEXT BOOK! Yup, there’s MORE!

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Age recommendation: 11

Fabulous quotes!

“She marveled at how this one room contained the thoughts and voices of thousands of writers, people who had lived in different countries and different times, people who had told stories of the heart and of the mind, people who had studied ancient civilizations, the species of plants, and the flow of rivers.”

…

“Did evil creatures think of themselves as evil? Or did they think they were doing what was right? Was evil something that was in your heart or was it how people viewed you?”

…

“Our character isn’t defined by the battles we win or lose, but by the battles we dare to fight.”

What Does the Cat Think?

Maybe if I pretend I’m sleeping they won’t realize I didn’t read the book…

 

I give this book 4.5 stars out of 5!

If you’d like to return to Shannon Messenger’s fabulous blog click here