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!"