Amy 
young adult, fantasy
Serafina lives in the basement of the Biltmore Estate with her father, one of the repairmen in the mansion. Her entire life, she's been told to always remain hidden and to never leave the grounds. When children from the estate begin to disappear at the hands of a mysterious man in a black cape, however, Serafina must break all the rules and join forces with the Vanderbilt's young nephew, Braeden, to uncover the truth and save the estate's children.
Amy's Review
Serafina and the Black Cloak was a charming, magical tale geared for middle schoolers. I do not normally enjoy novels for kids younger than high school. But this novel had received such rave reviews and it takes place at Biltmore, which I love. So, I decided to listen to the audiobook. (The narrator was perfect for this story! She was a joy to hear--so expressive and great with different voices and accents!) The mystery was engaging and the characters were interesting. The pacing was good. The story itself was creative and fun. I don't know that I'll read any more of the series, but am happy to be able to agree with all the praise Serafina has received.
Lynnie's Review
This a cute story that's squarely aimed at the middle reader. Robert Beatty has written an engaging little mystery that takes place in and around the Biltmore Mansion in North Carolina which is a wonderful setting. There are some definite slow parts of the story, but for the most part the story moves along at a decent pace with a fun set of characters. I can't say I'd recommend it for my grown up friends, but I'd certainly recommend it for their kids.
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