Horn Book Review
Siblings Anna and Max join their father on his research trip to Transylvania, Romania. When a vampire kidnaps Max, Anna and her new friend Isabella take the mysterious knife Anna's found and venture into the remains of a castle to save her younger brother. The straightforward plot is only mildly scary, but this new series may appeal to young readers drawn to the supernatural. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
In this thrilling series starter, Henseleit introduces readers to Anna and Max in the midst of a horrible rainstorm as they travel to a creepy inn. Their father, the Professor, has brought them along on his travels, researching folklore in rural parts of the world. In Transylvania, they come face to face with something dark and sinister: a demon who nabs Max after Max pours out the soup, heavily seasoned with garlic, that might have protected him. Armed with a magical knife that seems to have chosen her to be its bearer, Anna sets off to find her brother, determined to defeat the demon who took him. With each turn of the page, readers are swept away on a dangerous and mysterious journey. Andrews' black-ink illustrations add an additional creepiness to the dark, sometimes gruesome scenes. An exciting, eerie read for middle-schoolers who enjoy a good quest with a side of scares.--Rosie Camargo Copyright 2018 Booklist
