Madison Reads Books

Serafina and the Twisted Staff by Robert Beatty My rating: 5 of 5 stars I was lucky enough to get an Advanced Reader Copy of Serafina and the Twisted staff. I picked up the first book Serafina and the Black Cloak at an author signing event and was anxiously waiting for the Sequel. Twisted Staff picks up a little after the events in Black Cloak and follows Serafina and Brayden as they face a new threat to Biltmore. Overall, this book was as well written as I expected and left me waiting for the third book in the series. Serafina is one of the best middle grade series I have read in a long time. I would definitely suggest picking this up on its release in July. View all my reviews

Loop by Karen Akins My rating: 4 of 5 stars I got Loop in a book subscription box I subscribe too. Going in knowing nothing about the book I was pleasantly surprised. Loop is both well written and interesting. It makes a great start to a young adult dystopian series and I can't wait to check out the next book in the series. View all my reviews

The Masque of the Black Tulip by Lauren Willig My rating: 0 of 5 stars The Masque of the Black Tulip is the 4th book in Lauren Willig's Pink Carnation series. As a huge fan of Baroness Orczy's The Scarlet Pimpernel, from which Willig took her inspiration, I have found this series to be very enjoyable. Black Tulip follows two new characters, Geoffrey Lord Pinchingdale and Letty Allsworthy, as well as some familiar faces as they try to put down an Irish Revolution as well as unmask the deadly French spy The Black Tulip. I thoroughly enjoyed the Romance as well, both in the pas and present segments of the book. I am currently reading the next book in this series and can't wait to move on to the rest. View all my reviews

The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman My rating: 5 of 5 stars The Dark Days Club is some of the best Regency fantasy I have read in a long time. As a fan of classic literature as well as other Regency fantasy I felt right at home with this book. The plot was well written, well researched, and entertaining. The story follows Lady Helen as she copes with her coming out into society as well as the discovery that she has inherited supernatural powers from her deceased mother. Alison Goodman has managed to combine both regency romance and a tale of demons who walk among society seamlessly. I can't wait for further books in this series and to see more from the author. View all my reviews

Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty My rating: 5 of 5 stars Serafina and the Black Cloak is a wonderful middle grade novel that combines fantasy, mystery and historical fiction. The story follows a young girl, Serafina, who lives in the basement of the famous Biltmore Manor as she discovers a secret about herself and unravels a mystery surrounding missing children from the estate. I was lucky enough to attend a book signing for this book at a local Barnes and Noble and hear the author speak as well as see the cover for the next book. Overall I would highly recommend Serafina and the Black cloak for children and children at heart, and I can't wait for the next book in the series and to see more from author Robert Beatty. View all my reviews