Serafina e a Capa Preta

I first saw this book on Facebook and thought the cover looked pretty. I was also really was excited that it took place in NC because growing up I never found interesting books that took place there. Plus the Biltmore Estate is a great historical NC landmark to set it. Later I saw the trailer and thought it looked really cool. A lot of people were talking how great it was. I recently got around to reading when I took a weekend vacation to Asheville NC. So, did it live up to all the hype? YES!
(By the way, if you were wondering the trailer give little to nothing away so go watch it)

Serafina secretly lives in the basement of Biltmore Estate in 1899 as a rat catcher. Her pa tells her to stay out of the way, but that all changes when Serafina sees a man in a black cloak capture a child through supernatural means. Bearly able escape with her own life she breaks her pa's rule by joining forces with Braeden Vanderbilt, the young nephew of the Biltmore owners, to uncover the Man in the Black Cloak before all the children vanish.

First off what a great mystery with supernatural elements. Until the very end, you are never sure how much power the Man in the Black Cloak has so it leaves on edge. There is always a list of possible suspects and why they are suspects. Even Mr. Vanderbilt is suspected, so no one is off limits. Oh, boy, Robert Beatty knows how to write a great cliff hanger! Plus I'm always impressed when authors can write in Southern accents in a way people can read. Serafina is charming and I love how she was written. What makes me really happy is there is finally a book in NC that is fun! Beatty incorporates not only history of the Biltmore, but of NC history and lore also the area and town near in and the landscape.

There is one nitpick I have with the book. Other then Serafina and Braeden, the other kids are not developed. There basically red shirts and I could forgive most that except for one part. Braeden and Serafina are riding in a carriage through the woods when they have to stop and the carriage driver has to figure out how to get passed an obstacle. Then suddenly Beatty is like “Oh, by the way, there was also another kid with them that I forgot to mention.” At first, I was confused until the Man in the Black Cloak showed up and I knew that kid was dead. Give the other redshirt kids credit at least you got to know something about them. But this kid gets nothing and if he was just mentioned that he was with them before the attack I wouldn't have much of problem with it.

Honestly, I was so much fun reading this book and I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel.