I absolutely loved this book. It had my interest from the very beginning, with things happening almost immediately. This book was full of heart, humor, action, suspense, and important conversations. I really enjoyed learning about the Ghanaian folklore.

Serwa was such a lovable character. I enjoyed seeing her grow throughout the story. I loved the unlikely friendships that she formed with some of her classmates, each of them bringing something different to the group.

There were twists that I didn't see coming and I wasn't expecting that ending at all. I am so looking forward to the next book.

I've been trying to catch up with the Rick Riordan Presents books. I love mythology and have been wanting to read more mythology written by authors of color and the mythology they grew up with. I loved this book. Serwa is such a fun character and the friendships have been incredible. I'm excited to see where this series goes. This story incorporates Ghanian mythology which I haven't read before.

Serwa Boateng is not your average kid. She has been training her whole life to fight adze, a Ghanian version of vampires, so when she has to face the woes of regular middle school, she isn’t sure she can handle it. The book brings Ghanian folklore to life, with gods, monsters, and a fascinating magic system based on adinkra symbols that can still be found in Ghanian art today. I knew nothing of any of this folklore, and I really enjoyed diving into it! Another highlight is the uneasy friendship between the kids who unwittingly end up being part of Serwa’s vampire hunting team. These kids don’t get along at all at first (I mean, they’re stuck together because of a detention that they blame Serwa for), but they begrudgingly learn to love and respect each other. This book tackles important topics like racism, micro-aggressions, immigration, and even slavery, but it never feels like an issue book. Instead, it stays focused on the adventure at hand while showing us the extra everyday obstacles that are thrown in black and brown kids’ paths. And then it also addresses the age-old question of where the line between good and evil truly lies, exploring all the shades of gray that lie in between. Kids will love this book for the fast-paced action and uniquely strange monsters, but they’ll learn a thing or two about the world while they’re at it. Highly recommend!

***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via Rockstar Book Tours so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***

i'm trying to pick a quote to start this review, but i'm scrolling through my kindle highlights and getting distracted by how good they all are. every time i think i've found the best one, another one catches my eye and i'm back to debating. okay, i'm just gonna pick one and get going.

"I wonder if Ghanian grocery stores, like diners, are liminal spaces, too, because they all feel the same no matter where you are in the world — a little too small, a little too crowded, and a whole lot like home."

i think i've just read my new favorite rick riordan presents novel. this is not something i take lightly, trust me. but how could i read this hilarious adventure full of heart and friendship and not love it? serwa crashed into my life, and i'll be reeling from the impact for a while now (or at least until i can get the next installment in her chaotic story — she's worth the wait). she's brave, bold, awkward, loyal, smart, maybe a little rash, and one of the most brilliant characters i've had the pleasure of reading this year. the colors of roseanne brown's writing don't jump off the page, they FLY. this story was so easy to dive into, i feel like i did some sort of flip on the way down that i'm definitely not capable of in real life. the mythology is rich and fascinating; serwa's friends (mateo, roxy, eunju and gavin) are one of the best rag-tag group of heroes in children's literature; the connection to family, culture and home will make you feel a bit heartsore. i could go on forever about this book, but in the interest of time and word count, let me finish with this: serwa boateng's guide to vampire hunting is an unforgettable start to a remarkable adventure.

"Where's your sense of camaraderie? Swashbuckling adventure?"
"Yeah Eunju, come swash your buckles with us!"

Serwa Boateng wants nothing more than to take the Initiation test and become an official Slayer like her parents. Sadly, they don't think she's ready, despite having accompanied them on ALL their hunts for her ENTIRE life.. When their home is invaded by an obayifo (witch), Serwa's parents decide, for the first time, that the hunt isn't safe and leave Serwa with an aunt and cousin that she barely knows. Now Serwa must navigate public school, new relatives, and keeping the supernatural world secret all at the same time. Oh, add in some microaggression and a little racism at her new school and life is just bliss, right? Without her parents to turn to, Serwa finally begins to get comfortable in the middle of nowhere Maryland, just in time to discover an adze (vampire) in her school - a school that's supposed to be supernatural-free! With the help of a few fellow classmates, Serwa must figure out who the adze is possessing and how to stop it, while still functioning in a normal way at school.

The plot pacing is perfect and the characters are likeable. The racism makes the reader angry, but it totally believable. As the author says in the afterword, Ghana is made up of multiple ethnic and cultural groups with varying mythology, so the book is a mishmash of different traditions. But, it's totally easy to follow and entertaining the whole way through. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mythology, other books from the Rick Riordan imprint, middle grade adventure and fantasy, or is just looking for a fresh take on vampires. (The vampires in this book don't conform with any of the typical literary vampire tropes or traditions).

4 solid stars!

Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I do not have the capacity to review this book accurately and fully as I am no where near the storyteller Roseanne A Brown is. This series will be incredibly popular, even with the length, given the relatable and fast paced plot. It's silly and fun with just enough tension and threat, and not bogged down with lots of worldbuilding. It's the perfect mix for middle school readers to lose themselves in a fantasy without being bogged down with details and preaching. AND not so childish that a 9th grader would be put off. How did Brown do it? I cannot wait for the entire series. I loved reading it and I know so many young people will too.

Roseanne A. Brown has delivered a spectacular black girl magic middle grade book. How I wish this was available when I was younger. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. The story flowed perfectly and didn't feel like information overload.
There were perfect moments of preteen/teenager angst, humor, adventure, betrayal, and just wow. The twists, only one I sort of predicted, but the other, not a chance. I can't wait to grab a final copy for my kids and I to read.

Serwa Boateng's life is adze, vampires. Her parents are Slayers and the best at that. However, there are some secrets that are close to being unearthed. After a close encounter with a particular black magic individual, Serwa's parents drop her off with a relative. Serwa's most dangerous mission yet, normal middle school life.
How can she survive whilst also protecting those around her? Even worse when no one believes her until a food fight happens. Haha

Serwa Boateng and her parents are Slayers who kill Ghanaian vampires and other evil things. The witch who killed her paternal grandmother finds Serwa's family's safehouse and attacks them looking for the Midnight Drum. Her family barely escapes, and then Serwa's parents are assigned to find and destroy the witch. Instead of going with them like she usually does, Serwa's parents leave her with a relative in a "safe" town. Unfortunately, it turns out this town isn't as safe as they thought. Serwa and her new friends must save the town from a vampire. That ending was crazy! I cannot wait for the next book!

I have several Ghanaian friends who live here in England and my love them is huge!!!! I love their food, and I love how kind and loving and welcoming they are.

Never in my years of knowing these wonderful people have I had the opportunity to learn a little about some of their mythology and culture.

That's what this book gave me through a modern fictional lense. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about their gods and creatures and their stories. The twists and intrigue in this story absolutely fascinated me, and the shocks and story of these characters was truly endearing. Along with its look into the truth and history and reality of the people throughout this book was amazing.

The middle section slowed the story a little bit for me but I saw how it was necessary to let the characters grow. And the build towards the finale and cliffhanger had me in eager anticipation the entire time.

A great twist on the Percy Jackson-esk fantasy culture and mythology and I truly can't wait for the sequel!!!!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC and thank you Roseanna Brown for the wonderful look into the culture of my friends that I love dearly.

This is an upcoming Rick Riordan presents book that I accessed through NetGalley, it comes out on September 6. This book delves into the gray areas of "good" and "evil" as young Serwa deals with being left while her vampire hunting parents go after a witch that could threaten to reignite a war that threatens the whole world. What her parents don't know is that there are other threats closeby Serwa and her cousin in the middle school she is attending. Serwa has to mobilize her new frenemies to battle the monsters and prove to her family that she is capable of dealing with the forces of evil, but Serwa discovers that not everything is so black and white, and that is one of the more compelling parts of this story, although it has the mix of action and humour that will keep readers going until the end.

Wow, talk about an ending spiraling out of control! That was quite a ride!

For anyone who enjoys stories that incorporate the mythology and culture of a culture other than Greek/Roman/Norse, you have to check out this story. This story felt a little bit like a cross between Tristan Strong and Aru Shah, but it was definitely a story of its own. The book incorporates Ghanaian culture, history, and mythology, but it also addresses how dark bodies are treated in this country. As the author explains at the end, she draws from the folklore of many regions, and with her imagination has done a remix of old and new stories to create something unique and honestly, lots of fun. The majority of the story takes place in Rocky Gorge, Maryland, which isn't too far from where I live. Serwa Boateng is the only daughter of Ghanaian immigrants who came to this country when she was 5 (if I remember correctly). They have always homeschooled her as they travel from place to place because they are Vampire Hunters. When they are attacked by someone from her mother's past, her parents are sent to bring the attacker to justice, but for the first time, they decide to leave her behind to keep her safe. They end up leaving her with her "auntie and cousin" (in Ghana, everyone is an auntie, cousin, uncle, etc.) in the town of Rocky Gorge. This story ends up being about her navigating both the magical world and middle school. As she basically says at the beginning, she would much rather face vampires than middle school! I really liked Serwa and I enjoyed her interactions with grumpy Boulder, as well as with her friends. I loved Mr. Riley and hope to see more of him in future books.

I think one of the things I really appreciated about this book, other than teaching me about West African folklore, is that the book directly addressed what it's like to be a dark body in this country. And while it acknowledges and absolutely does not dismiss what other non-whites have to deal with (Latinos and Asians, for example), it does make valid points about the extra injustice that people who look like Serwa have to deal with.

As I implied, the ending was a wild ride and I was totally shouting in my mind what she should do. It definitely leaves you hanging so if you don't want to start a series that ends on a cliffhanger that has not yet been completed, you might want to wait a bit. I used to be that way, but I have no regrets. I loved this book and I will not mind rereading it when the second book comes out.

This book and series is a wonderful addition to the Riordan Presents imprint and I can't wait to read more!

I received an advance review copy from NetGalley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The book will be published on September 6.

Serwa Boateng's parents are Ghanaian vampire slayers, members of the Abomofuo (ah-boh-noh-FWO) order.. As a slayer in training, Serwa usually goes on their missions with them.. It has always been the three of them against the adze (ah-DJEH), shapeshifting vampires who can possess a human and grow into giant monsters. But, after an obayifo (witch) brutally attacks their home, her parents are sent on a mission alone, and Serwa is left with her auntie and cousin (practically strangers) in Rocky Gorge, Maryland. Serwa is not happy when she finds out she has to attend the local middle school instead of being homeschooled. On her very first day she encounters a racist teacher, a "mean girl" , accidentally starts a food fight and gets detention. Oh - and in the town that is supposed to have no magic, she sees an adze.
Now she must figure out how to find and defeat the adze before it wreaks havoc on this small town with only Boulder (a "smelly forest spirit"), Roxy (her cousin), Eunju, Gavin and Mateo (new friends?)
This is a story of friendship and finding yourself. It is based in Ghanaian Folklore and mythology. There is a glossary in the back to help with the Ghanaian terms and pronunciations.

I really enjoyed this book and an looking forward to the sequel.

I really think middle school students will enjoy this book!
Thank you for the opportunity to read and review!

This book is a fun adventure with great characters. Brown is fantastic! Readers will love Serwa and her story.

A great new addition to the Rick Riordan Presents imprint! Serwa Boateng's Guide to Vampire Hunting was just so FUN. I learned so much about Ghanian folklore and am hungry for more. Plus, there wasn't a single member of the GCC that I didn't like, and Serwa's character development was great to read (and made me so excited for the release of the next book). The little references to Tristan Strong were also really cute and made me feel like I was in some sort of RRP club.

This last thing is something I am *incredibly* picky about, but I cringed every time the school librarians were referred to as the "media center ladies." Just call us librarians!

This book was so much fun that I read it even while I was at Lollapalooza. Admittedly, I know little about Ghanaian folklore, but this book made me want to dive headfirst into research. As a teacher, I'm surprised that I had the same reaction that many of my students have when reading one of the Riordan Presents books. Teachers should definitely get a few copies of this text for classroom libraries; I know I will.

Growing up as the only child of two of the greatest Slayers in history comes with its fair share of both charm and challenge. Serwa Boateng is twelve years old, and she has been traveling with her parents for her entire life, learning the ways of the Slayers and how to protect the world from dreaded zombie-like creatures called adze. Though the concept of a physical home has been somewhat elusive due to their family obligations, Serwa has always felt comfortable and safe in the presence of her parents. But when her parents are called away on a critical and top secret mission and must leave Serwa with an aunt and cousin she hardly remembers, Serwa begins to better understand the rest of the world in a way she never expected.

This action-packed story is excellent for fans of Harry Potter and other books in the Rick Riordan canon that mix magic with reality in a way that celebrates humanity. Serwa is of Ghanaian heritage, but even though she speaks Twi with her family and her magic follows Ghanaian culture, she left the country at five years old and has never truly felt either Ghanaian or American. When she is thrust from a somewhat sheltered space with her parents to the unforgiving landscape of middle school, she discovers that not everyone is accepting of her, particularly because of the way she looks. As the story progresses, Serwa begins to recognize her own biases and shortcomings as well, and these realizations help both Serwa and middle grade readers move through their own challenges in a positive way.

The pacing of this story is driving, keeping readers engaged even though the chapters and the book itself are closer in length to those found in young adult novels. Action, emotion, and the dynamics of both family and friendship guide the narrative, and even though the primary focus is on protecting humanity from the adze, the universal human experiences forming the foundation of the story help connect readers from all backgrounds. Ghanaian folklore, culture, and language are interwoven into this story, which is presented particularly for readers generally unfamiliar with this part of the world. This, coupled with conversations about human bias, slavery, and inequality give the narrative an honest flavor that will invite difficult conversations and the opportunity to work through them. This is a captivating introduction to its series and is an excellent addition to library collections for advanced middle grade readers.

Serwa Boateng moves in with her aunt, after having spent her whole life fighting vampires with her parents and being homeschooled. Now she has to face an even scarier challenge, middle school. But what will she do when the vampires show up at school and her parents are not available to help? Will she have to defend everyone by herself? Or, will she be able to recruit new friends to help her out?

This book is exciting and touching at the same time. I will definitely be reading all of the books in this series as they come out.

My jaw is still on the floor and I’m stuck so I can’t collect it.

This was WOW!
It was so fun! I know it’s a Rick Riordan Presents book so this might go without saying but Percy Jackson fans (especially Black fans) you’re gonna eat this UP!

This book is steeped in Ghanaian folklore and thanks to Serwa’s amazing, strong voice and Roseanne’s beautiful writing style, we learn a lot in an easily digestible manner. The lore is absolutely fantastic and I can tell there’s so much more we don’t know (yes! Book 2 is coming)

This book is funny!!! but still filled with thought-provoking moments that many immigrants will relate to.

At the core of this story is Serwa finding herself but along the way you meet a rag-tag group of 12 year olds that’ll make your heart bleed and will have you tearing up and rooting for them.

I CANT wait for everyone to read and become as obsessed with my little darlings like I am.
OUT SEPT 6th!!

"Serwa Boateng's Guide to Vampire Hunting is an excellent fantasy novel for teens and middle grade readers. The mythology is interesting and engaging, the characters well developed, and the relationships between the characters is rewarding and complex.