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184 reviews for:
Serafina Y El Bastón Maligno / Serafina and the Twisted Staff (Serafina, Book 2)
Robert Beatty
4.03 AVERAGE
184 reviews for:
Serafina Y El Bastón Maligno / Serafina and the Twisted Staff (Serafina, Book 2)
Robert Beatty
4.03 AVERAGE
adventurous
medium-paced
This book exceeded expectations! The first book set up the story well, but this 2nd book developed the story further and answered some questions that I couldn't wait to find the answers to! I loved the growing relationship between Serafina & Breaeden, but also how Serafina was able to understand more about herself too. Not only did I love the story throughout, but the ending was even more amazing! I didn't expect the twist about who was causing all the trouble at the Biltmore.
Overall the magic, history, and friendships furthered in this book and it developed into a story that was amazing - definitely a book that I would recommend for readers who love fantasy!
Overall the magic, history, and friendships furthered in this book and it developed into a story that was amazing - definitely a book that I would recommend for readers who love fantasy!
Beaton is excellent at writing cliff hanging chapters, and interweaving history, folklore, and a terrifying story that will suck the readers in.
Like its predecessor, [b:Serafina and the Black Cloak|23507745|Serafina and the Black Cloak (Serafina, #1)|Robert Beatty|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1420158894s/23507745.jpg|43111795], book #2 in the series brings back the sweet mystery surrounding both Serafina and the Biltmore Estate. Serafina remains a delightful and capable narrator for this middle-grade novel. The story is interesting and elevates the typical Middle-Grade Mystery from ho-hum and predictable, to intriguing and entertaining while mixing in an increasing amount of Fantasy for good measure.
I'll probably check out the next in the series, [b:Serafina and the Splintered Heart|32793046|Serafina and the Splintered Heart (Serafina #3)|Robert Beatty|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1494378874s/32793046.jpg|53387221], at some point—but this time...in print.
Audiobook, Cassandra Campbell version, [b:Serafina and the Twisted Staff|28119313|Serafina and the Twisted Staff (Serafina #2)|Robert Beatty|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1461186774s/28119313.jpg|47332722]: I had so, so much trouble with this book because of the narrator. Honestly, just leaving a review is tricky because I found it difficult to separate the story itself from the narration.
Ms. Campbell reads this as though it were children’s poetry—short and heavy it its attempt at profundity, not a middle grade novel—longer in length and with a definite storyline. While this is atmospherically written like a poem in parts, the fact that this is a novel requires a different cadence, style, and delivery. I’ve read Dr. Seuss and Easy Reader books with a more mature elocution.
All the words are over-pronounced and the whole book is slightly over-acted as though it were Shakespeare in the Park and her target audience is the one person in the back of the audience who is straining to hear, not the actual listener in whose ears you can literally whisper and still be heard. At first I thought this chosen delivery method was because of the target age level for middle-grade itself. But, I must say that after sampling some of her other performances for Adult and Young Adult Fiction, this just seems to be her voice or chosen style. And, you know, if this style is simpatico with your own—more power to you and I hope you enjoy. I will not, however, be listening to any other book with her as the narrator. We just don't mix.
Another problem I had is that, on the whole, the accents are fairly wonky and inconsistent. The various characters sound patchily Southern the way Dick Van Dyke’s Bert is properly English. Just as there isn’t one English/British accent, there isn’t one single Southern accent. There isn’t even one single North Carolinian accent. While some words are going to stand out no matter what, as far as the pronunciation, I try to overlook the majority of people trying to imitate someone from the general South. So, while I acknowledge the small issues with accent and dialect I can overlook, my main issue with the narrator’s interpretation relates more to her performance and choices for each character's voice.
For instance, Serafina’s mother sounds varying like an old fortune teller, ancient and wise, and a backwoods hill woman who is about 103 years old. Her dad also sounds like a wizened, old miner. Of course, I don't think the age for either is ever plainly stated, I don't quite feel like these vocal characterizations are true to the character or the setting for the book.
Also, this misfire for the characters' voices ties right back into her misfire for the delivery of the book's main plot narration. I ended up making the oddest faces while listening to Ms. Campbell delivering the strangest and most epic-sounding lines for each and every sentence. It stopped confusing me early on and instead just made me want to join in on the fun of narrating my life and over-acting even the most mundane of tasks, as though profoundness was in everything, and it was surprising.
I'll probably check out the next in the series, [b:Serafina and the Splintered Heart|32793046|Serafina and the Splintered Heart (Serafina #3)|Robert Beatty|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1494378874s/32793046.jpg|53387221], at some point—but this time...in print.
Audiobook, Cassandra Campbell version, [b:Serafina and the Twisted Staff|28119313|Serafina and the Twisted Staff (Serafina #2)|Robert Beatty|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1461186774s/28119313.jpg|47332722]: I had so, so much trouble with this book because of the narrator. Honestly, just leaving a review is tricky because I found it difficult to separate the story itself from the narration.
Ms. Campbell reads this as though it were children’s poetry—short and heavy it its attempt at profundity, not a middle grade novel—longer in length and with a definite storyline. While this is atmospherically written like a poem in parts, the fact that this is a novel requires a different cadence, style, and delivery. I’ve read Dr. Seuss and Easy Reader books with a more mature elocution.
All the words are over-pronounced and the whole book is slightly over-acted as though it were Shakespeare in the Park and her target audience is the one person in the back of the audience who is straining to hear, not the actual listener in whose ears you can literally whisper and still be heard. At first I thought this chosen delivery method was because of the target age level for middle-grade itself. But, I must say that after sampling some of her other performances for Adult and Young Adult Fiction, this just seems to be her voice or chosen style. And, you know, if this style is simpatico with your own—more power to you and I hope you enjoy. I will not, however, be listening to any other book with her as the narrator. We just don't mix.
Another problem I had is that, on the whole, the accents are fairly wonky and inconsistent. The various characters sound patchily Southern the way Dick Van Dyke’s Bert is properly English. Just as there isn’t one English/British accent, there isn’t one single Southern accent. There isn’t even one single North Carolinian accent. While some words are going to stand out no matter what, as far as the pronunciation, I try to overlook the majority of people trying to imitate someone from the general South. So, while I acknowledge the small issues with accent and dialect I can overlook, my main issue with the narrator’s interpretation relates more to her performance and choices for each character's voice.
For instance, Serafina’s mother sounds varying like an old fortune teller, ancient and wise, and a backwoods hill woman who is about 103 years old. Her dad also sounds like a wizened, old miner. Of course, I don't think the age for either is ever plainly stated, I don't quite feel like these vocal characterizations are true to the character or the setting for the book.
Also, this misfire for the characters' voices ties right back into her misfire for the delivery of the book's main plot narration. I ended up making the oddest faces while listening to Ms. Campbell delivering the strangest and most epic-sounding lines for each and every sentence. It stopped confusing me early on and instead just made me want to join in on the fun of narrating my life and over-acting even the most mundane of tasks, as though profoundness was in everything, and it was surprising.
adventurous
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Rating: 6 out of 10
Just as good as the first one, but it just doesn't hit the same the second time around. Really enjoyed the few final chapters, though!
Just as good as the first one, but it just doesn't hit the same the second time around. Really enjoyed the few final chapters, though!
I love Serafina, as a parent I am always looking for books with strong female characters and this series delivers perfectly.
Contrary to other stories where the hero (due reasons of fate) is a male who is clearly less talented than a female who is relegated to a support character, for example Harry Potter or The Magicians. Serafina gets help from other characters, but she has talents, intelligence and courage all by herself to carry the story forward.
As a second part it is not as magical as the first book and it loses from my perspective a little of its simplicity when introduces an element of Serafina's past that in a way marks her destiny or role in the forest.
Regardless it is an entertaining book and as mentioned, a good character.
Contrary to other stories where the hero (due reasons of fate) is a male who is clearly less talented than a female who is relegated to a support character, for example Harry Potter or The Magicians. Serafina gets help from other characters, but she has talents, intelligence and courage all by herself to carry the story forward.
As a second part it is not as magical as the first book and it loses from my perspective a little of its simplicity when introduces an element of Serafina's past that in a way marks her destiny or role in the forest.
Regardless it is an entertaining book and as mentioned, a good character.
I am a big fan of Serafina and the Black Cloak. In fact, I reached out to the author and requested a Skype session with him after arranging a book club for my fourth grade students last October. I couldn't put it down, and knew that my kids would feel the same. They did. In fact, one of my students emailed him to tell him just how much his book had changed her as a reader and he promised (and delivered an ARC) before the end of school for her. She was a rock star that day in her class.
That's why I was so excited to read the second one in the planned trilogy before it hit the shelves, thanks to NetGalley. Unfortunately, the first quarter of the book dragged by slowly for me. Perhaps it was because Beatty was adding the many layers of the story that he would later peel back. That's one downfall of books that are in a series, in my opinion. In any case, once the story had been set it did take off. However, I was not caught up in the story like I was the first time. I didn't see it play as a movie as it did with Serafina #1. That's not to say that my students won't devour it-they most certainly will. I also believe that Serafina would make a fine cinematic experience. Robert Beatty is one smart man in that way.
I did like how he continued the rich history of the Biltmore Estate and its varied occupants, as well as the lesson to kids tucked ever so slyly in that we are the Earth's stewards. Once again, Beatty's book trailer will grab its readers by the collar. And the twists and turns of characters and their motives will once again surprise you.
As an educator, I would absolutely recommend Serafina and the Twisted Staff to my students. As a more seasoned adult reader, I felt let down. Considering that I'm not the target audience for this book, though, I should really rate it a five star read.
That's why I was so excited to read the second one in the planned trilogy before it hit the shelves, thanks to NetGalley. Unfortunately, the first quarter of the book dragged by slowly for me. Perhaps it was because Beatty was adding the many layers of the story that he would later peel back. That's one downfall of books that are in a series, in my opinion. In any case, once the story had been set it did take off. However, I was not caught up in the story like I was the first time. I didn't see it play as a movie as it did with Serafina #1. That's not to say that my students won't devour it-they most certainly will. I also believe that Serafina would make a fine cinematic experience. Robert Beatty is one smart man in that way.
I did like how he continued the rich history of the Biltmore Estate and its varied occupants, as well as the lesson to kids tucked ever so slyly in that we are the Earth's stewards. Once again, Beatty's book trailer will grab its readers by the collar. And the twists and turns of characters and their motives will once again surprise you.
As an educator, I would absolutely recommend Serafina and the Twisted Staff to my students. As a more seasoned adult reader, I felt let down. Considering that I'm not the target audience for this book, though, I should really rate it a five star read.
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced