"Serafina and the Twisted Staff" is book #2 of the Serafina series. In the first book, we learn about Serafina and her cat-like powers, and how she confronted a mysterious man with a mysterious cloak. She does this while secretly living in the basement of the Biltmore House in Asheville, NC.
In this, the second book, the story continues, building on the first. This time, the Biltmore household already know Serafina and have welcomed her into their home. With all the world building mostly out of the way, the author, Robert Beatty, delivers a story even better than the first.
Serafina and her new friend, Braeden Vanderbilt, go on an adventure to discover the source of evil occurrences. Any of the recent visitors are suspect. Can Serafina figure out what's going on in time to save the Vanderbilts and their staff?
Along the way, the unseen enemy successfully turns the household against Serafina, making it much more difficult for her to accomplish her tasks.
Again, the writing is top notch. The plot is enjoyable. We also get to see more parts of the Biltmore House as the story progresses. And we also learn more about what really happened in parts of the first book. Be warned, though ... anyone can die.
As before, I'm surprised that this book series isn't as well known as it is now. Perhaps I'm biased because I've been to the House at least five different times, and I'm a NC resident? Yet, I think the books work well even without having to know what the House looks like. Beatty does a good job describing everything.
The series is now up to four books, already going past the original trilogy idea, and I suspect any month now it will become much more known, as "Harry Potter" didn't take off exponentially until after the fourth book came out.
Two books in, I still love this series, and you should check it out, too.
