Serafina, a strange 12-year-old
girl, lives a secret life in the basement of Vanderbilt's Biltmore
Estate, only ever speaking to her father. Instead of attending lavish
parties like Biltmore's other residents, Serafina spends her time
hunting for rats. Curious and inquisitive, Serafina yearns to
understand why she must be hidden away from almost everybody. Her
life changes when she meets Braeden Vanderbilt, the Vanderbilts'
12-year-old son, and witnesses a very mystical catastrophe, revolving
around a man in a black cloak. Together, she and Braeden combine
their bravery and work to uncover the mystery. Serafina ventures
upwards, engaging with people for the first time, while keeping her
identity a secret. Although connecting with other people brings out
her humanity, there is some animalistic instinct in her that prevents
her from relating to the rest of Biltmore’s residents. She knows
she is different. As her search for identity intensifies, so does the
conflict she is in. She must discover the identity of the man in the
black cloak before he manages to discover hers. Throughout the story,
Serafina is met with magical forces that frighten her, but all
present a tinge of familiarity. When imminent danger approaches,
Serafina must unlock her bravery in order to save the people of
Biltmore, discovering much about herself and her potential along the
way.
Although not a book I would
recommend to my current peers—I am an 11th grader—I cherish the
middle school memories this series provided me with and would
absolutely recommend this book to a younger demographic. Filled with
twists and turns, this fast-paced novel is sure to keep you on your
toes. On top of the wildly interesting plot, the imagery in this book
is simply amazing. Robert Beatty absolutely immersed me into the
story for many years. Every now and then, I still like to pretend
that I am in Serafina’s world: going to opulent parties, prowling
the pitch-black forests at night, and fending off mysterious,
black-cloaked figures. Serafina is strong, likeable, and exactly who
I aspire to be. I really cannot stress the enjoyment this book
provided me with. In addition to entertainment, this book left me
with many things to think about. Everybody can relate to feeling out
of place within the world around them, constantly trying to figure
out their place in the world. The book is a study of what happens
when you find your social role shifting drastically, and how you can
maintain yourself throughout it. An overall amazing story—you
should read Serafina and the Black Cloak.
Reviewed by
Lydia W. 11th Grade
