By Robert Beatty
It is not too often that I say that a sequel is way better than the original, but I loved this book! This book was highly entertaining and a pleasure to read. The tale of the Twisted Staff begins shortly after the black cloak ends. Serafina is in the forest and sees something she does not understand, the animals seem to be leaving the area, she is attacked by some large wolfhounds and she is saved by a mysterious boy, her mother and another mountain lion. Her mother, a catamount, encourages her to return to the Biltmore Estate, she claims for her safety, but Serafina is sure that something is threatening her life, the estate and her loved ones. As Christmas approaches the estate is filling with new guests and animals are going missing. A detective enters the story, he is interested in what happened to Mr. Thornton. He specifically asks to speak to Serafina and Braeden and is very curious about their actions on the night that Mr. Thornton went missing.
As more animals leave the Blue Ridge Mountains, Serafina looks to her Mother for more information. Her mother is not to be found but the boy and her half siblings are around. She hears that they plan on leaving the area with the other animals, in fear of the encroaching evil. She finally talks to Braeden and they devise a plan on figuring out what is threatening their existence.
The animals that are still around are acting differently, they are going where they have never been before and they are attacking Serafina. After a harrowing escape from the rafters above the ballroom, Serafina knows she has to do something drastic. She goes out into the forest looking for answers finds, animals that have been caged, meets a man in a long cloak, and he magically takes away her breath and body. After she is roused she returns home. How is she going to overcome this new magic, how can she protect her loved ones and the Biltmore Estate? Who is threatening the Blue Ridge Mountains?
This book is full of adventure, twist and turns and a flowing plot. You hear more of the back story, surrounding the Biltmore Estate and discover who/what Serafina is intended to be. I loved the story and the writing was phenomenal! I could not put this book down, a real page turner. Therefore, I am giving this book a 4.5 out of five stars and encourage all students grades 4 and up to check out it out.
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