I love recommending the Rick Riordan presents books to kids that can't get enough mythology stories. These books provide diversity and fun and fascinating stories to kids who will enjoy them and learn something new!

This is another of Rick Riodan's diverse author offerings, which includes diverse characters and cultures.

Great characters, humor, and some mythology make this a perfect addition to collections in which Rick Riodan books are already popular.

This is a gem of a novel. The intro by Riordan is almost as entertaining as the rest of the novel. If you are ever looking for a middle grade mythology or vampire story, this is it. I love that there is a middle grade novel with vampires for my kiddos to read that is 100% appropriate. I also love that this is steeped in Ghanaian folklore. It makes for a great starting point to talk about the novel. Serwa is authentically a 7th grader navigating hormones and slaying vampires along the way. She's my new favorite heroine.

The adze are shapeshifting vampires: they can go from fireflies to horrific, insect-like vampires instantly. When they attack Serwa's safe house, she is sent to live with her cousin while her parents investigate.

What is worse than middle school? Did you say Middle school with vampires? You'd be right. Things are never what they seem. Trust no one. Question everything,

12-year-old, Serwa has trained her whole life to be a slayer of Abomofuo order. As a Ghanian warrior, she is blessed by the gods to be able to fight against dark creatures like adze, shapeshifting fireflies who change into vampires. When their safe house is compromised, Serwa’s parents are summoned by the gods and tasked with stopping a witch and her dark forces of magic. Forced to go live with her aunt in a non-magical town while her parents are gone, Serwa finds herself surrounded by supernatural secrets. There are adze masquerading as humans within the town and they have ties to her parents. With the help of five other twelve year olds and a gnow, the powerful team must plan an underworld heist, deal with bad jokes and sleepovers, dodge school bullies and more. Can they stop the adze in time?

Narrator, Soneela Nankani uses her vast experience with narration to bring to life Ghanian folklore. Her distinct intonations match pace well with the author’s writing style. Characters are richly developed, easy to relate to, and likable. Listeners who like Rick Riordan, mythology, folklore, and adventure will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections.

Please Note: A copy of this audiobook was given in exchanage for an honest review. All opinions expresses are our own. No other compensation was received.

Serwa Boateng's Guide to Vampire Hunting is a middle grade novel by Roseanne A. Brown. The audiobook is narrated by Soneela Nankani. For most kids, catching fireflies is a fun summer activity. For twelve-year-old Serwa Boateng, it's a matter of life and death. That's because Serwa knows that some fireflies are really adze, shapeshifting vampires from the forests of Southeastern Ghana. Adze prey on the blood of innocents, possessing their minds and turning them into hulking monsters, and for generations, slayers like Serwa and her parents have protected an unknowing public from their threats. Serwa is the best adze slayer her age, and she knew how to use a crossbow before she could even ride a bike. But when an obayifo (witch) destroys her childhood home while searching for a drum, do Serwa's parents take her with them on their quest to defeat her? No. Instead, they dump Serwa with her hippie aunt and cryptic-obsessed cousin in the middle of Nowheresville, Maryland "for her own safety." Now, instead of crossbows and battle armor, she's dealing with mean girls and algebra, and for the first time in her life she doesn't have to carry a staff everywhere she goes, which is . . . kind of nice, actually. Just as Serwa starts to get the hang of this whole normal girl who doesn't punch vampires every day thing, an adze infiltrates her school. It's up to her to whip some of her classmates into monster-fighting shape before all of them become firefly food. And when she uncovers a secret that upends everything she thought she knew about her family's role in the slayer vs. adze war, Serwa will have to decide which side of herself--normal girl or slayer--is the right one. After all, seventh grade is hard enough without adding vampires to the mix.

Serwa Boateng's Guide to Vampire Hunting is a wonderful middle grade adventure with a solid foundation in Ghanaian folklore. I was very happy to learn more about legends I only knew a bear minimum of, and was very glad that I listened to the audiobook version so that I had the correct pronunciations rather than looking them up and still getting them wrong. I thought the balance between magic and the realities of trying to fit into a new environment and dealing this prejudice and preconized notions was very well done, and I felt for Serwa through out the book and was wholly engaged in the story the entire time. I thought the twists and turns of the story were well handled, and while some I suspected long before they were revealed, I think they might take younger readers by surprise, as intended. I will say that I felt a bit like this installment of the series could have ended at an earlier point, and the last few chapters been the start of the next book, but since I do not know the full plan for Serwa and her future adventures there is likely a very good reason for moving forward the way it was. I enjoyed the read, and look forward to what will come next in the series.

Serwa Boateng's Guide to Vampire Hunting is a great start to a new series that will appeal to a wide range of readers.

Wow--the world of vampires and vampire hunters are revealed in this entertaining book. The cast of characters were so engaging and the story so compelling. Middle schoolers will devour this book just like I did.

Serwa Boateng has spent her whole life training to be a vampire slayer. Serwa is the best slayer in her generation, which makes it even more frustrating that her parents won't let her take the test to join the society entrusted to fight the supernatural threat. Serwa thinks her parents will let her try when their home is attacked, but instead, her parents send her to live with friends in town that do not know about the vampire threat. Can Serwa be happy in a normal middle school, or will what her parents are trying to protect her follow her?

I appreciate this book more than I enjoyed it. This book wasn't for me, but fans of middle-grade books based on mythology will enjoy Serwa and her journey.

Talk about a cliffhanger! That ending was certainly something. I need the sequel already. I really do love learning about different kinds of folklore, and this book did that for me. It was a really fun read full of adventure, magic, and friendship.

Thank you Disney Audiobooks and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this wonderful book. Wow! What an awesome beginning of the new series! I expected nothing less from a Rick Riordan Presents imprint and it didn’t disappoint. This book is a great introduction to the Ghanaian (West African) folklore and I can’t wait for the next volume! I must know what happens next after such a cliffhanger ending. Looking forward to sharing this book with my upper elementary students!

ABSOLUTELY loved this! I learned so much! And I loved how she realized she needed people and found family is important too! And I LOVED how it taught readers about micro aggressions. I can't wait to put this in our library!

I love the Rick Riordan Presents publications. Serwa Boateng's story brings us mythology from Ghana. I haven't heard many stories from that area of the world so I was enthralled with learning new mythology. The book was fantastic. I loved the setting up of the new group of friends. The story will work really well for a small group novel study in the classroom. I like bringing in characters that my students can relate to. I look forward to seeing how the next book in the series continues the storyline. The audiobook narrator was a fantastic choice for this story.

Another winner from both Roseanne A. Brown (A SONG OF WRAITHS AND RUIN) and Rick Riordan Presents. Rich lore with a great cast of middle schoolers. Wonderful narrator.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sending me and early copy of the audiobook for review.

This is going to be nothing but a chaotic rave review because wow - I absolutely loved this book! Anyone who knows me knows that I love two things: vampire stories, and superbly written middle grade that I can recommend for reader's advisory. Serwa Boateng's Guide is full of adventure, heart, and rich Ghanaian folklore that will keep reader's completely immersed.

I can't wait for book two! [ What is "the big feeling" Serwa describes?" What is the Adinkra birthmark that Serwa discovers she has?? And oh my god, her mother having a sister reveal?? I haven't loved a middle grade novel like this in a very long time. I hope this book sparks an interest in readers to learn about folklore that isn't their own and to ask questions about colonization and why they haven't heard these stories before now.

**4.5-stars rounded up**

Serwa Boateng's Guide to Vampire Hunting is the latest release from the fabulous Rick Riordan Presents imprint. It follows, you guessed it, a family of vampire hunters, or as they are commonly known, slayers. More specifically, Serwa's parents are the experienced slayers and Serwa is essentially a slayer-in-training. More importantly though, Serwa is just a 12-year old girl trying to make her way through Middle School. That sounds scarier, doesn't it?

Serwa and her parents are originally from Ghana, although Serwa has lived in the United States since she was very, very young. They've sort of bounced around, going wherever her parents skills are needed. One day, seemingly out of nowhere an obayifo, or witch, from their past shows up at their house and attacks, allegedly searching for a magical artifact that Serwa has never heard of.

Whatever it is, it must be serious business because their home is destroyed and before Serwa can even wrap her head around what is happening, her parents are ditching her in a remote town in Maryland with an Aunt and a cousin she barely knows. Serwa is shocked. Her parents have always included her in their adventures. She doesn't understand why they would abandon her now. She needs them.

Making matter worse, Serwa must even attend school. After being home-schooled her whole life, this is bound to be a big adjustment. She's the new girl and doesn't quite fit in. Luckily, she has her cousin and is able to make a couple of new friends. When mysterious things begin happening at the school, though, Serwa is afraid there is a adze, or shape-shifting vampire, in their midst. Could this be related to the attack at their old house?

When she tries to tell her parents about it over the phone, they don't believe her and then cut themselves off from her completely. Wow, that's harsh. Serwa can't tackle this very serious issue alone. Thus, she is forced to confide in her new friends. She'll just have to train them to be slayers as well. She can always wipe their memories after...

What ensues is a wildly-magical romp following Serwa and friends as they try to solve the mystery, protect a magical artifact and save their school from evil forces. I absolutely adored my time reading this. I listened to the audiobook and definitely recommend it. The narrator did a phenomenal job breathing life into these characters. Oh my goodness, was it fun!!

I loved the influence of Ghanaian culture and folklore felt throughout this story. I liked reading about how her family and culture impacted Serwa. That's really the beauty of this imprint. I've always learned from these books and find the different legends and folklore from around the world captivating to read about. This was certainly no exception. The fact that it incorporates vampire lore makes it that much more fun!

I really enjoyed Serwa as a character. Her personality actually reminded me a bit of Aru Shah. I think that may have been because even though Serwa didn't quite fit in, it didn't stop her from being true to herself; a fun-loving, curious, determined young person.

Not everyone can be the super popular kid, nor should they want, or need to be. I loved how Serwa's character was able to overcome being alienated from a lot of her peers. Once she found her friends, they became so close and really grew stronger together. It's quality over quantity, y'all.

I also loved the mystery to this and the high stakes. Brown did an incredible job building the intensity as the story progressed. There wasn't a dull moment to be found. I did get super frustrated with Serwa's parents though. Oh my word, I wanted to reach through the pages and shake them at times. We can't expect adults to get everything right though, can we?

There was a truly jaw-dropping revelation towards the end of this. It basically flipped what I thought I knew on its head. I loved that! It took me completely by surprise. Even though I found some scenes towards the end a tad confusing, I definitely think this concluded in a great spot to keep Readers drooling in anticipation of the sequel. I cannot believe I have to wait a year to see where this story is going to go from here. You got me, Roseanne A. Brown. You got me good!

Thank you so much to the publisher, Disney Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. Another stellar addition to the Rick Riordan Presents imprint!!

I think I say this with all the books that come out from the Rick Riordan Presents publishing, but I think this series is my favorite lol This was so much freaking fun! And no one is more surprised than me to hear me say that lol I am not a fan of vampires anymore, but when they’re connected to Ghanaian folklore, I can give it a pass. And I definitely did.

First things first…. Mythology has me in a CHOKEHOLD. I will always break my neck running to any book that has mythology in it. And this one was even better because it was something that I had never read/seen before. Not only were there gods that were introduced and talked about, but there were also paranormal things in it. There is something in it for everyone. And no they aren’t the nice, sparkly vampires. (even though they are shape-shifters that shift from fireflies to the vampires!) In this book they are very blood-thirsty and very, very tricky. They like to play games over your school’s loud speaker…..

The characters were super cute! This reminded me of like The Breakfast Club for tweens. They are a rag-tag bunch of kids, all different with different interests. The ring-leader is Serwa, who has known about all of this her whole life, but figures out that she needs the others to help out because she knows she can’t do all the things they need to by herself. Because what they need to do to save the school and the town is….. ALOT. But the way Serwa and those kids kick ass, man, you will get so into it.

The plot was hella basic, but with mythology books, they always follow the same formula. Though this one is a bit different, there’s still a kid that doesn’t have their parents around, and they still have to go through different trials and listen to different prophecies etc. From just that, it may seem like it’s trope heavy, but even still, it was ok with me. I still enjoyed it.

But that ending?! Um Ms. Brown, come to the front please! Like what in the world would make you want to do the children (and me for that matter lol) like that. I need to know! Were they being tricked? Are they going to throw the whole world into chaos? What is going to happen to the rest of the group? I’m going to need the rest of these questions before I can move on!!!!