“Never go into 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 Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt’s vast and opulent 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 … she and her pa, the estate’s maintenance man, have lived in the basement for as long as Serafina can remember. She has learned to prowl through the darkened corridors at night, to sneak and hide, using the mansion’s hidden doors and secret passageways.
But when children at the estate start disappearing, only Serafina knows the clues to follow. A terrifying man in a black cloak 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 of the children vanish one by one.
Serafina’s hunt leads her into the very forest that she has been taught to fear, where she discovers a forgotten legacy of magic. In order to save the children of Biltmore, Serafina must not only face her darkest enemy, but delve into the strange mystery of her own identity.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the setting – especially since I grew up in that area of North Carolina and knew the Biltmore well – and I really appreciated how Beatty incorporate local folklore into the story while also maintaining the air of wealth and privilege given the specific setting of the Vanderbilts’s home.
The story itself was gripping – both for the specific mystery and magic of this tale – but also for the reveal of Serafina’s story and her own character development.
In a very few places, I felt like the writing was a bit overwrought, but that was a minor concern. I’ll definitely be reading more in the series.
This is the first of a really excellent series. I think it is written for children but you certainly don’t need to be a child to enjoy it. It takes place at Biltmore and it full of magic and interesting twists and turns.
Review of Serafina and the Black Cloak by Amanda (age 11):
There’s a girl hiding in the basement of the Biltmore Estate with her father. She has good hunting skills and pretty eyes. Others may not find her because she could get harmed.
There’s a mysterious guy who is always seen wearing a black cloak. Every day a child goes missing even if their rooms are locked. One day, Serafina sees a man in a black cloak dragging a child away.
Only one other person knows about Serafina. His name is Braeden and he tries to help her find out who the man in the black cloak is.
This is an extremely scary mystery. It’s also fun and interesting. It has a proper ending and does not leave you hanging. This book is best suited for ages 12 and up.
I completely fell in love with the characters in this book, including Biltmore. It is a wonderful children’s thriller about a young girl who bravely faces the challenges in her life to finally come out in the open. It’s a great read for both children and adults. Enjoy!
I really enjoyed Serafina and the Black Cloak. I listened to this book with my daughter during commutes to and from school. My daughter is 8 and said it was a little scary but she did not want to stop listening. This book is what made our long commute easier for sure. There was a lot of mystery and great character development and description. I really felt like I was in Serafina’s world. My daughter and I have toured the Biltmore a couple of times. It was great being in a world that we had visited first hand. I am eager to listen to more Serafina and other books by Robert Beatty.
I LOVED IT it is such a good book
It’s a good book for children who like scary, adventurous stories and mystery lurking around.
Read this book to my daughter, and it is wonderful. Serafina is an excellent character with a great heritage. The bad guy is outright scary, and the times she fights him owe more to classic horror movies than to action/adventure. This was a twisty, scary mystery story, and I can’t wait to read the second one with my daughter.
It is so interesting
It is really scary- if recommending it to children- make sure they can handle it. Great description.
This book is filled to the brim with unique characters and a wonderful world full of adventure and magic.
I enjoyed Serafina’s adventures. Very nice middle-grade book. I especially enjoyed the setting in the behind-the-scenes Biltmore. Definite adventures with tight situations without being too scary.
A great read it made you want to go to the next book and then the next . The growth in the characters is crazy
This book is incredible. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from it, and I was stuck reading it until I finished (not complaining, though). Serafina is such a brave character and inspires me too because of what she did. Serafina is awesome!
Love it. I love the whole series. Easily one of my favorite book series.
I ready these with my daughter, and I could not put Serafina down. I love this author!!
……….SPOILERS……….
Serafina and the Black Cloak is the first book in the Serafina trilogy. Serafina is determined to rescue the children taken by the man in a black cloak.
Plot 5/5: A good mystery that kept me guessing.
Characters 5/5: Interesting characters who I grew to love, and others I disliked quite a bit.
World building 5/5: This story is set in the Biltmore Estate and the surrounding areas. I had never heard of this place, but after reading this story, I would love to visit.
Pacing 5/5: The pacing was fairly quick, with slower parts here and there.
Writing 5/5: The author’s writing is very good, and the story telling kept me entertained.
Overall 5/5: I really loved this story. It’s a mystery, but also a story of acceptance and finding out who you are, where you’re from, and where you fit in.
Favorite Quote:
“Our character isn’t defined by the battles we win or lose, but by the battles we dare to fight.” – a grave marker in a cemetery.
Favorite characters: Serafina, Braeden, Gidean, and Waysa.
AMAZING
I loved this book set in the Biltmore House and the mountains of western NC.
Can’t wait to read the next book!