I loved the first book in the series so I was hoping the sequel would live up to it. I should not have worried. The second installment was just as good. The twists and turns were so well written. Serwa learns more about herself and it isn’t what she thought she would learn. I appreciated the use of mythology from Ghana mixed within the tale. I look forward to the conclusion of the story.

I wondered how Brown would deal with the revelation that came at the end of the first book. I could not have imagined what she managed to come up with which proved quite a pleasant surprise. In this book, Brown continues to expand the world and also muddy the waters as to which side is "right." Serwa, as a character, has so much depth, way more than I would expect from this sort of book. I really enjoyed the direction that Brown took this story.

I really struggle with this series. It's well-written, exciting, and I still want to know how Serwa's story unwinds. Will she be able to right the wrongs that she unwittingly caused? But I struggle with a basic premise of the story: the idea that black magic is ever good, as Serwa suggests when she embraces her vampire bloodline. While I do appreciate what Brown brings to light regarding the awful way those labeled as witches are treated, I also believe in real evil and that is never something I want to celebrate. At the same time, I also appreciate many of the values of friendship and acceptance that Brown portrays. She does call out the real evil done by one character. In the end, this is not a book I can wholeheartedly recommend, but if the story appeals to you, read it with a questioning mind that d0es wrestle with good and evil.

Book two in a series. I am not sure how long the series is supposed to be, but this one definitely ends on a cliffhanger!! There is a nice exploration of the other side of Serwa's identity. The end shows her beginning to put the pieces together herself instead of relying on one indoctrination or the other. I hope the generational relationships among her female line are further explored as this wraps up!!

The power emanating from this story will grab readers and keep their attention until the very last page. A magical world awaits readers who are a fan of fantasy.

I missed the amount of friend dynamics in book two, but I understand why there’s separation. I did really enjoy the additional complexities for Serwa and the series with Aunt Effi and Declan being more important in book two. I appreciate how the author makes Aunt Effi multi-faceted and complex and raises questions about who is good and how far is too far for the “good” side to go. The author does a great job of blending Serwa’s dilemmas and family complications, with humor, philosophical questions, friendship, crushes, and fighting action. I will definitely keep reading and keep recommending this series!

What a thrilling sequel! I love the way Roseanne A. Brown deepened and expanded on the world and showed us more about the obayifo side of things. I loved the fact that who's right and who's wrong is murky. I loved the characters! Can't wait for book 3!

Serwa Boateng’s Guide to Witchcraft and Mayhem by Roseanne A. Brown.
Rating: 4.5
Genre: Fantasy

Synopsis:
Serwa Boateng is back for another adventure, and this time, she fights on the opposite side of the slayer-vampire war. Having fully come into her obayifo powers, Serwa stays with her aunt Boahinmaa and learns to harness black magic, struggling with the fact that she is half-vampire, her mother didn’t tell her, and her parents abandoned her to figure this out all on her own. Now, Boahinmaa and the adze are searching for the Midnight Drum, the prison holding her grandmother, and Serwa must fight against the slayers she always wanted to join. Talk about a complete life upheaval.

When the vampires learn that the Midnight Drum is being kept at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art in Washington D.C., Serwa, Boahinmaa, and their allies stage a heist to steal the artifact. But to do so, Serwa must pretend to partner with her long-time rival Slayer, Declan Amankwah, to learn the hidden code. This proves difficult as Serwa cannot stand Declan’s competitive and smug nature, but also, hanging out with him unearths some complicated feelings that Serwa is not willing to confront. To top it off, her old friends - Roxy, Eunju, Mateo, and Gavin - make a sudden appearance, and asking them for help after erasing their memories seems impossible. With the Slayers making moves for a big attack, Serwa must balance her new life - both with her out-of-control vampire magic and nearly disappeared slayer magic - in order to save her new family from her old one. But is freeing her powerful grandmother the right step for her new life? Or will she create more danger for her family than ever before?

What did you like about the book?
Serwa Boateng’s Guide to Witchcraft and Mayhem is the adventurous, funny, and heart-pounding sequel in the Serwa Boateng series. We pick up right where the first book ends and immediately jump into action, with Serwa fighting for the adze and obayifo. The story is full of rich Ghanaian mythology with a colorful cast of gods, beasts, and magic. It is interesting to see Serwa learn the “dark” side of magic and that it’s not as sinister as she thought. The plot is non-stop and hectic, with twists and turns that leave readers flipping pages for more. Declan and Serwa’s old friends provide a diverse and balanced cast of characters who support and confront our protagonist, making her realize her true feelings and flaws. The latter, especially with Roxy being level-headed, takes a different path than most fantasy-side characters do, leaving Serwa in unprecedented situations. In fact, the best part about the series is how it subverts expectations. I can’t give examples without spoilers, but the story does not follow the common tropes that many mythology-adventure books have. Overall, this sequel lives up to its fantastic predecessor, and the third volume can’t come soon enough.

Anything you didn’t like about it?
The cover is a spoiler for the latter third of the book. Also, I know Serwa is twelve so she doesn’t know any better, but [SPOILER] falling in love with your actual enemy is such an easy way to be betrayed.

To whom would you recommend this book?
Kids who love mythology adventures, but also vampires and African mythology. If you have read any of the Rick Riordan presents series, who should read Serwa Boateng’s Guide to Vampire Hunting and this sequel. Other read-alikes are Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms by Jamar J. Perry (African mythology), The Vanquishers by Kalynn Bayron (vampires), and Tessa Miyata is No Hero by Julie Abe (Japanese mythology).

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Laila Carter, Cheltenham Township Library System, Glenside, PA

Date of review: October 16, 2023

This fast-paced sequel jumps right in where the first left off. As with the first I found myself having a hard time putting it down.

I was excited to read this sequel to Serwa Boateng's Guide to Vampire Hunting. While you could enjoy this book without having read the first, I wouldn't recommend it! You would be really lost without knowing the background.

Serwa has left her parents and friends to live with her Auntie Effi in her vampire lair. Serwa just found out she is half vampire, half slayer, which is a really bizarre combination. Her parents and the organization they're a part of, the Obomofuo, put a Seal on her at birth to lock up her black magic, but now her aunt has freed her from the seal. She doesn't trust her, but she has nowhere to go.

Serwa and Effi are working together to find the Midnight Drum, which will free Effi's mother (and Serwa's grandmother), who was banished to the drum by the Obomofuo years ago. Effi is certain she was wrongly accused, even though she wasn't a great mom or person. Upon hearing her grandmother's story, Serwa agrees to help because she has seen how high-handed and officious the Obomofuo can be.

They find some clues to where the Midnight Drum might be, but the area of the Smithsonian Museum of African Art where it might be is guarded by a two-headed alligator, and has a password that only two people know. And one of them is her nemesis, Declan Amankwah. Hanging out with Declan will bring up some hard-buried truths in her life, and cause her to question things she has always believed.

This is the middle book of the series, which means it ends on a cliffhanger. I know some people don't like to read a series until it is completed. I know I will be eagerly waiting for book 3! I love how this series demonstrates that secrets within families can lead to major chaos (even if you aren't vampire slayers), and friends are worth their weight in gold. Serwa doesn't trust her friends nearly enough, and lives to regret it.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book!

The second in the Serwa Boateng series (this novel suggests a trilogy, but who knows). Familiarity with the first book is needed, but those who have it will enjoy this second exciting novel. Personally I could do without the pre teen romance elements, but even with it the story is action packed, has plenty of surprises, and keeps readers guessing about the motivations of multiple characters. I’m looking forward to the third book!

Serwa Boateng’s Guide to Vampire Hunting was one of my favorite Rick Riordan Presents books of last year, and so it was with bated breath that I waited for the sequel to hit shelves. With a title like Serwa Boateng’s Guide to Witchcraft and Mayhem, plus the image of a two-headed crocodile on the cover, I knew this one was going to be just as fun and magical as the last.

Not only did this sequel continue Serwa’s story with the same humor and wit as the first book, it also exponentially raised the stakes. More than anything, Serwa grows up a lot in this book. Guide to Vampire Hunting laid the groundwork, introducing us to this world and a cast of memorable characters. Guide to Witchcraft and Mayhem, on the other hand, digs deeper into what makes Serwa tick as a person, a Slayer, and an obayifo. Her entire world came crashing down around her at the end of the last book, and for the first time in her life, her parents aren’t there to help set her back on her feet. She must do that on her own.

It’s a difficult and lonely journey, to be sure, but my favorite part about this book is that we can see Serwa becoming her own person. Now that she knows the Slayers have fed her lies her whole life, she must analyze the data herself and come to her own conclusions. Who determines what is good and bad? Who gets to decide whether a creature will live or die, when their only crime is being born different? How far is Serwa willing to go to fight for her own freedom and the freedom of other people like her? And will anyone listen to what she has to say?

Not all sequels live up to the magic of the first book in a series, but this one certainly does. Not only did it build on what came before, but it dug deeper into the titular character in a way that was equal parts heart-wrenching and satisfying. Given how this book ends, I simply cannot wait to see what happens in the final installment, Serwa Boateng’s Guide to Saving the World.

This fast-paced novel was an excellent follow-up to the first book, and it focuses on Serwa coming to grips to the fact that she is part obosom and part obayifo, which means she needs to reconcile that she has spent her life learning to fight half of who she is. While the first story took place in Rocky Gorge, Maryland, this story takes place in DC, much of it in the Smithsonian. While the story incorporates some Ghanaian mythology and culture, there are many elements that the author made up, but she does an excellent job of worldbuilding. At one point, one of Serwa's friends refer to the organization of Ghanaian monster hunters as the Ghanaian Illuminati, which made me laugh.

But made up or no, what I love most is that the author uses this story to highlight the history of those in powers using the excuse of witchcraft as a way to wield violence and oppression on marginalized people, especially women. If you read the author's note, she recommends some books that discuss the shameful practice of witch prisoner camps in Ghana. Even as we read about Serwa coming to grips with who she is, we start questioning who the real monsters are.

Unfortunately, this story ends on a cliffhanger, but fortunately, this means there will be another book (but darn it, now I have to wait for the next one!). However, there are enough clues that you generally have a good idea what the next episode will be about.

I highly recommend this series, but if you're someone who hates waiting to find out the ending, you might want to wait for the third book before starting. Personally, I don't like waiting, but this just means that when the third book comes out, I will get to reread the first two books before reading the third. Win-win, right?

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publishers. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Serwa is back again in this sequel! Picking up where the last book left off, Serwa is now with her Aunt Effi after realizing she is half vampire. Effi tells her about her grandma who is trapped in the midnight drum. Serwa decides to help free her while she tries to figure out who she is.

The cliffhanger from book one does get resolved here but pretty late in the book! I missed all the characters we came to love from Book 1 for most of the book when they weren’t there. It leaves on another big cliffhanger. I didn’t love this one as much as Book 1, but I still was drawn in! Brown’s writing is really engaging and her incorporation of Ghanaian folklore is great.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

serwa returns for another adventure! things have gotten complicated for her - discovering her whole life is a lie, erasing her friends' memories, running away to live with her aunt, etc. her as a character is what makes these books so special, and her inner turmoil and outer chaoticness are great writing by brown. not as good as the first (in my opinion), but still very strong!

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Publishing for this DRC.
Serwa is back and in deeper trouble than ever. She is trying to learn to with the distinct duality of who she is half vampire and half Slayer. Things are constantly blowing up around her, including her relationships, as she has to realize that everyone is just not one thing.
I enjoyed her relationship with Declan, her nemesis – who had no idea he was her nemesis! The book flung me from one exciting moment to the next with great pauses to build relationships. Can’t wait for book 3.

#RickRiordanPresentsSerwaBoatengsGuidetoWitchcraftandMayhem #NetGalley

Serwa wakes up after her blackout in a hotel where her Aunt Effi has created a refuge for black magic creatures. She attempts to learn how to use her black magic, but fails repeatedly. Her divine wisdom also doesn't work correctly. Aunt Effi wants to release her mother from the Midnight Drum, and sources have told her that it is going to be at a secret exhibit at a nearby museum. She enlists Serwa to get the password for the secret room the exhibit will be held in from her nemesis Declan, who may not be as bad as she thought. Unfortunately, things go wrong, betrayed friends return, and Serwa tries to find a way to forgive her parents for lying to her. Will the Midnight Drum be found, and will the most powerful black magic user be released? How will Serwa fix this mess? I guess we'll find out in the next book.

I LOVE SERWA BOATENG. This series is so, SO good and this one was even better than the first! And I loved all of not only the pop culture references, BUT the nods to Percy Jackson. So fun! I really enjoyed this and am SO excited to see where this goes from here! I mean, her friends can’t bail now!

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 4/5 stars.

I LOVED the first one in this series, so I was excited to read the sequel. The cliff hanger was...a LOT though, so I'm already waiting for the next one. I love Serwa's journey as she grows up, and I love how this one had so much of her learning about herself and her family, especially after the shocking revelations in the first novel. I also loved all the references to other Riordan books (like the pen sword LOL) and the pop culture references. The Rick Riordan present novels echo the humor of PJO, but there are still lines in it that make it seem like they know the OG PJO kids are reading these for nostalgia (and because they're good).

There were some parts I didn't like, especially with parts of the plot and the whole Declan situation (like...do we have to have a romance?) and some of the pacing seemed off at the end...but it was still an absolute delight to read.

This is the sequel to Serwa Boateng's Guide to Vampire Hunting, and it is just as good as the first book. This volume picks up where the first volume left off, with Serwa having discovered the full extent and sources of her magic, and struggling to learn how to control both types of magic. Because she was so upset with her parents over the information about her magic that they kept from her, she is living with her Auntie Boahinmaa, an obayifo whose powers come from dark magic - and who wants to rescue her own mother, Nana Bekoe, who was imprisoned in the Midnight Drum for her actions.

In the beginning of the novel, Serwa is alone with her aunt, in the compound she maintains for herself and other obayifo and adze (vampires). Eventually, Serwa leaves the compound to follow her aunt - okay, to spy on her - and finds herself in the company of Declan Amankwah, the second-younger person ever to complete Slayer training, a goal Serwa had set for herself before discovering her other side. Declan is setting up security to ensure that no one at the upcoming gala to celebrate the new Ghanaian art exhibit can access the Midnight Drum - the very item that Serwa's aunt wants desperately to find, so she cand free Nana Bekoe. Caught in a web of conflicting loyalties, to the family and culture than raised her, and the aunt to is teaching her about her dark magic, Serwa is lost, confused, and alone, without her family or her friends. When they appear as well, her loyalties are called to the test.

As with the first novel, this is a complete novel in itself, but one that leaves an opening for a third book in the series - one I hope will be quick in coming. Recommended for ages middle school to adult.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.