The second in the young T’Challa Black Panther series, this one sends the middle grade prince to Alabama to enjoy food, fun and friendship with Sheila and Zeke who are characters first introduced when he got himself into some trouble in Chicago during the series opener. Book 2 spend a fair amount of time establishing Zeke as a true foodie, at least where classic Southern fare is concerned and Sheila as the brains of the trio, sometimes to the point of being a bit annoying. Eventually, Achebe enters the picture during a protest at the site of a controversial Confederate statue and soon, begins to show signs of being up to no good. As in Chicago, there seems to be no choice but for the budding super hero to step in with his friends to save the day.

Tech from Wakanda aid the trio but routing the “bad guy” takes youthful ingenuity as well but little to no real super action. There are links to the Black Panther of the future as T’Challa begins to wonder about his homeland’s place in the greater world and Achebe clearly has a connection to the current King of Wakanda. There are even mentions of other Marvel heroes, but the book could be enjoyed by those who have no real interest in superheroes and just want a solid action book with teens as the victors against evil.

Text is free of profanity and sexual content but there is violence and even a few deaths but blood and gore are not graphically present. There are elements of the supernatural and references to T’Challa’s worship of animals in his culture. Target age: grades 4-7

Note: Book 1 does not have to be read in order to enjoy this one.

My super hero loving son really enjoyed this book and I liked reading it with him! Two thumbs up, he says!

I read Smith's first Black Panther and enjoyed it's take on T'Challa's youth in America. The second book here follows much the same script. And while it may help the reader relate to the character, it seemed too repetitive of the first book.

The second installment of young T’Challa’s story will be a hit with middle grade superhero fans. This book features T’Challa and friends Sheila and Zeke, who are spending the summer with Sheila’s grandmother in Alabama. Their summer vacation becomes an adventure after several seemingly random encounters with a man who calls himself “The Amazing Bob” make the trio realize that there is something more to Bob than it appears on the surface. They turn their attention to uncovering what Bob is up to, how it might connect to T’Challa’s homeland, and how to save the townspeople from the threat Bob is posing. The friendship between the trio is authentic and all three characters are well developed. References to historical events are integrated alongside the elements of the Wakandan world that T’Challa brings with him. Even with my limited knowledge of the Marvel universe, I was able to follow the storyline and was drawn into the mystery, so I know that this book has the potential to really engage my school’s superhero fans and encourage them to read.

The second novel in this series is as good as the first, and our juvenile readers are eating this series up. I ended up with this book due to winning a contest, so I'm glad I got the chance to read it since I wasn't even aware of this series before then, despite being an avid comic book reader. This series gives the Black Panther new life, and allows some reluctant readers to make that jump from the comics they love and enjoy, to books parents may be more approving of (though I will say that graphic novels and comics have incredible literary merit and should not be looked down upon!!). Having not read the first book, this is one that can be read on its own, as long as the reader has some base level knowledge of the character.

Black Panther: Spellbound is the second young T'Challa book and a part of a series of middle grade and young adult ventures from Marvel. This is a wonderful, fun and fast paced introduction to T'Challa and the backstory of the Black Panther and the views of Wakanda in the world. I love the easter eggs placed in the story tracing back to other Marvel comics and cinematic universe story, particularly this strange book that keeps reappearing. A great story for older readers as well as younger readers interested in Marvel and Black Panther.

This is the second Marvel Black Panther novel by this writer. I haven't read the first one, but this holds up on its own. There are references to the events of the first book, and it is just enough to fill in someone like me, who missed the first book. The action centers around three friends, including the title character, staying with family in Alabama. The hopes of a nice quiet vacation with friends, ends for T'Challa when a series of events occur that appear random at first, but the three friends realize are not a coincidence. Instead, T'Challa, Shelia and Zeke realize that their lives are at risk, and so are many others in this small town where Shelia's grandma lives. It will require all of their brains, teamwork, and the unique abilities of T'Challa to thwart a performer who uses dark magic and ancient forces to try to control the local townspeople. Highly entertaining with great characters. 4.5 stars.

I had a great time reading this book. T’Challa is a teenager and they are looking forward to spending a quiet summer with friends. When they bump into a mysterious man more than once it is clear this person has something nefarious planned. Working together these friends will have to figure out what before it is too late. As this book came to a close life for this young prince was never going to be the same.

Special thanks to the publisher for providing a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

📖Review: 📖
Black Panther: Spellbound was a great adventure story about three friends battling evil. If you are into the Marvel universe and Black Panther story, this is a perfect read. The characters have been made middle school age, so everything doesn’t align perfectly with the Marvel Universe of the movies. But you will see references to other characters in the universe.

This is the second book in the series. Book one is Black Panther: The Young Prince. That one is set in Chicago. I haven’t read that one, but I plan too now.

This story is set in Beaumont, Alabama during the trio’s summer break. They are staying with Sheila’s grandmother for what is supposed to be a 3-week vacation with friends, family and food. When the trio attend a rally protesting a confederate statue, they encounter a mysterious man named Bob, who has a way with words…

If you have a late elementary or middle-school aged boy who you are trying to get to read more or are looking for books for them to read, check this series out.

Fave Moments 💕
I loved the friendship between T’Challa, Sheila and Zeke. They were really a team as well as friends. They stuck together and it was nice to seem them work together to solve the mystery.
Zeke had me chuckling. I think that boy ate his way through an entire southern cuisine menu! Everytime his name is mentioned, it felt like it was being paired with shrimp and grits or bbq or southern chili. He had me hungry! While T’Challa is wondering what grits are, I’m over here salivating and thinking about cooking them for breakfast!

Movie Please
This book could easily be translated into an animated movie for kids. I would be all over that! I hate to be corny, but I just kept thinking about Scooby Doo and the gang trying to find out the mystery and he villain who is trying to get them all. Mystery cartoons are my fave!

Audiobook Review🎧
I listened to the audiobook, as well as read the physical book. Thank you to NetGalley for providing a gifted copy. The audiobook is a treat! I love that the narrator Dion Graham, incorporated the Wakandan accent. It made it so much fun to listen to and made the characterization of the voices distinct. I have Mr. Graham on my list of audiobook narrators to be on the lookout for now. If you have a student or child who you are trying to get to read, I think the audiobook would be a nice hook for them.

Head to my blog, Cocoa With Books, www.cocoawithbooks.com to read the full review.

A fun, adventurous story which I think could rope in even some of the most unwilling readers. The story is fast paced and drops you right in, but provides some context for readers who have not read the material that comes before. I would definitely recommend this in a library or school library to recommend to those reluctant readers or those readers who gravitate towards comics and graphic novels and are looking to explore a novel, or need one for a school assignment. This is definitely a book that I will consider for future purpose at my school's library, as the characters are vibrant and relatable, and highlight diversity so well without it being "about" their diversity. In all, this was a solid middle grade read!

This is a cool series it is interesting to see this part of the Black Panther origin story as well as seeing T'Challa in the American South. I enjoyed seeing Sheila and Zeke showing him more American things, primarily new foods, and their discussion of American history. The mystery was well written and I appreciated the slow build, it worked well for building the creepy ambiance in the story. The characters are still well done I really enjoyed seeing that T'Challa, Sheila, and Zeke maintained their friendship and how the dynamic has shifted a bit as T'Challa is able to share more with them about Wakanda's history and culture in this book. The new characters were also well written and the new bad guy wonderfully creepy. All around I really enjoyed this book. I do wish a few aspects of what's going on in regards to how this connects or at times clearly doesn't connect to the larger MCU were known but looking at just this series without worrying about that, it is really solidly written and fun to read.

My biggest complaint with this follow-up to The Young Prince is that there were many dropped threads from the first book, and sudden mentions that probably should have been in the first book. What was M’Baku’s consequence for what happened in Chicago? What happened to Hunter? Why were T’Challa’s step-mother and half-sister never mentioned in the first book.

Putting that aside though, it is nice to see that T’Challa is able to continue his friendship with Sheila and Zeke. Once again, though, it appears that T’Challa has accidentally stumbled into some rather mysterious circumstances. And, once again, the quick thinking of T’Challa and his friends means that the day will be saved. After all, he’s a superhero-in-training.

One big quibble: There are some scenes that take place in a cave. The writer mentions the stalactites…melting? Stalactites are generally made of the minerals that are left behind as water drips from the ceiling. They don’t just melt in a fire. (I always knew those tours of Timpanogos Cave would pay off!

Possible Objectionable Material:
This middle grade novel is rather dark. Townspeople are hypnotized. A few people are killed. Once again, the antagonist is meddling in the supernatural. T’Challa worships the animal gods of his culture. Some violence. No swearing or romance.

Who Might Like This Book:
Anyone who enjoys friendship stories, coming-of-age, and the MCU.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. This book also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2022/01/february-1-releases-part-1.html

I really enjoyed this sequel and how they fought a new "bad guy"! Seeing T'Challa back with his friends a year later was so nice to see how they stayed connected and matured in their friendship. I also loved Ms.Rose and laughed a lot at the banter that took place with her and amongst the friends! I also REALLY loved that Shuri was apart of this through communications and can only hope to see more of her if there is a 3rd book! We will be reading this for my Magical Black Kids Book Club for sure!

Thank you to Disney Publishing and NetGalley for this Advanced Reader Copy.
When I read Black Panther: Spellbound I had not read the previous book, but I now plan to. (Also, the book does a good job filling the reader in on the previous book so a kid could pick up either book first and still be able to enjoy it.) This book is intended for a Middle-Grade audience, but I do believe some of my high school students would enjoy the story as well. This book is filled with adventure, humor, and also seamlessly deals with issues such as racism. A young T'Challa is visiting his friends Sheila and Zeke in Alabama when a series of strange events occur. T'Challa must decide whether or not to get involved, and it turns out that these events are tied back to Wakanda. Well written and engaging. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thank you NetGalley and Disney Publishing for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

Wow! This story does nothing disappoint. The characters you know and olive but with new adventures. Much attention has been given to the details of the story and fans will enjoy everything about it. I hope there are more to come!

The sequel is as AMAZING as the first in this series! I love the premise of this series. This is Black Panther BEFORE he's black panther; in fact, he's in ,middle school. And middle school is scarier than anything the Avengers will ever face.
T'Challa is back in the United States for summer break from Wakanda. He's excited to see his friends Sheila and Zeke and spend some time being a tourist in Alabama. And of course, he's ready to grub on some tasty southern food. Of course, T-Challa can't avoid the evil in the world, not even in a small town.
Things start to get weird when they visit the Iron Man (not the Ironman, but a statue called Iron Man) and a guy named Bob jumps off it: scattering pamphlets on his descent. Things fall apart when an politician name Achebe starts to brainwash citizens of the town. And of course, there's complications with possessions, hypnosis, and nightmares. Sheila, Zeke and T'Challa take on the darkness on their own without Wakanda's help and intervention.
If you read the first one, you won't be disappointed in the sequel. If you love the mythology and lore of Wakanda, you'll love this one! If you haven't read the first one, there's a few allusions to the first one, but you won't be completely lost reading it first.

Comic books often reinvent characters in new circumstances to tell new stories. Now Marvel is extending that same practice to the world of novels for readers of all ages, challenging preconceived ideas, and taking beloved characters down whole new paths.

Black Panther: Spellbound picks up shortly after the events of the first book, with T’Challa on his way to Birmingham, Alabama to visit his American friends Zeke and Sheila for the summer. But what starts out as a relaxing vacation filled with fun, friends and food (seriously, don’t read this book hungry) soon takes a much more sinister twist.

A mysterious man known only as “Bob the Acrobat” has been spotted around Birmingham, just as trouble begins to arise. People are disappearing, and T’Challa is having strange, vivid dreams. Much like during their earlier adventure in Chicago, T’Challa, Zeke and Sheila can’t help but get involved, despite King T’Chaka imploring his son to stay out of trouble while on his trip.

As with the first book in the series, author Ronald L. Smith takes his time building out the mystery that T’Challa and his friends are racing against the clock to solve. As it’s slowly revealed, it proved to be equal parts thrilling and chilling, and is sure to grip the young MCU fans looking for a new adventure with the soon-to-be Black Panther.

Though the sleuthing is aided by T’Challa’s dream-worthy Wakandan tech, that doesn’t mean the story is so fantastical as to be disconnected from reality. Once again, Smith ties the mysteries the kids are solving to the tragedies and hardships faced by the Black community in the United States. I am not by any means an authority on this, but the thoughtfulness this provokes in T’Challa has me hopeful for this Black Panther continuity. The question in the Black Panther movie of what Wakanda should or shouldn’t do for the Black diaspora was a good one, and the way this is going, Smith’s T’Challa is well-poised to reach conclusions all his own.

Unlike Gamora and Nebula: Sisters-in-Arms, however, Spellbound doesn’t appear to take place within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, at least to my eye. The kids are middle school aged, and make occasional references to Iron Man and Thor as existing superheroes the world is aware of. Not to say that it’s completely devoid of the parts of the Marvel films that fans have come to enjoy. A very young Princess Shuri makes several appearances, and I can’t help but wish that she joins her big brother on his next adventure stateside.

ARC Copy...Does have Smith's known flair for the supernatural-occult combined with the established Marvel Lore yet narrative handles the super high-tech Wakandan elements quite well. It was interesting to young T'Challa fitting into the role of future King and seeing the early of the aspects he will exhibit as Black Panther in the future.

My 10 year old would love this book. It's going on his Christmas list.

T'Challa is visiting his friends Sheila and Zeke, this time in Alabama at Miss Rose's, Sheila's grandmother, home.

In the small town of Beaumont, amidst trying all the southern fried food he can, T'Challa watches the performance of an acrobat called Bob, who strikes him as strange. Then Bob starts turning up everywhere they are.

When people start doing strange things and going missing, the trio are determined to get the bottom of it. Which of course they do!

The friendships are great and the behaviors of the characters are mostly realistic to their peers. I liked how T'Challa was learning about US history, particularly the Civil Rights Movement, and questioning what his country had or hadn't done to help.

Overall a great middle grade read.

My 10 year old and I both agreed this was a wonderful story. We both think that kids and parents and really anyone who loves Marvel, Black Panther, and T’Challa will enjoy this book.