Review: Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty

Serafina and the Black Cloak

by Robert Beatty

from the author's site: 

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 oppulent 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 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.

my thoughts:

From the first page Serafina and the Black Cloak had me intrigued. I wanted to know why Serafina's pa keeps her hidden from the world. I wanted to know why Serafina is so different and whether or not she is entirely human. Robert Beatty's story is full of action, adventure, mystery, and suspense. The ending provided many satisfactory answers to readers' questions, while still leaving room for the possibility of more. I do not know at this point if this is the start to a series, but I would love to see Serafina again. 

I highly recommend Serafina and the Black Cloak to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, mysteries, or paranormal fiction. If you haven't read this one yet, check it out today. If you have read it, what did you think? Feel free to comment below. 

how I acquired this book: 

I requested a digital ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.