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Serwa Boateng #3
Serwa Boateng's Guide to Saving the World
Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents the thrilling conclusion to Roseanne A. Brown's middle grade trilogy about a pre-teen girl who, as half-Slayer and half-vampire, is caught between two worlds.
Serwa Boateng has gone head-to-head with vampires, witches, and even a death god. But now, with the fate of the magical world at stake, she'll have to face her toughest foe yet: her own grandmother.
Finally free after decades of being trapped inside the Midnight Drum, the dreaded obayifo Nana Bekoe seeks the destruction of the Abomofuo. Even worse, she has Serwa's father under her thrall. Now, the hunters have become the hunted, as the Slayers' defenses are powerless in the face of an enemy who has access to all their secrets.
Serwa's only chance of saving her father might just lie with the Keepers, an organization whose powers exist outside the normal rules of magic. But the Keepers are even more secretive than the Abomofuo, and finding them will require Serwa to trek across the United States. At least she has her friends by her side for the journey . . . friends who currently hate her guts. The survival of everything and everyone Serwa has ever loved hinges on her completing this final hunt without losing herself in the process.
Serwa Boateng has been a Slayer. She's been a vampire. But now, it's time for her to become something else entirely: a hero.
Endorsed by Rick Riordan, author of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, now a hit series on Disney+.
Serwa Boateng has gone head-to-head with vampires, witches, and even a death god. But now, with the fate of the magical world at stake, she'll have to face her toughest foe yet: her own grandmother.
Finally free after decades of being trapped inside the Midnight Drum, the dreaded obayifo Nana Bekoe seeks the destruction of the Abomofuo. Even worse, she has Serwa's father under her thrall. Now, the hunters have become the hunted, as the Slayers' defenses are powerless in the face of an enemy who has access to all their secrets.
Serwa's only chance of saving her father might just lie with the Keepers, an organization whose powers exist outside the normal rules of magic. But the Keepers are even more secretive than the Abomofuo, and finding them will require Serwa to trek across the United States. At least she has her friends by her side for the journey . . . friends who currently hate her guts. The survival of everything and everyone Serwa has ever loved hinges on her completing this final hunt without losing herself in the process.
Serwa Boateng has been a Slayer. She's been a vampire. But now, it's time for her to become something else entirely: a hero.
Endorsed by Rick Riordan, author of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, now a hit series on Disney+.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published May 6, 2025
4 people are currently reading
362 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 2, 2025
This book was not as good as the books before it. I honestly wish she would write more books about Serwa and her adventures with her friends. I want to see her grow up and finally admit some feelings that are obvious. After what happened in the town, I believe that she should have mentioned more hunger after due to losing all the stolen blood in a ship wreck, then weeks passed, and nothing of her needing to feed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2025
Not as good as the previous one, but decent ending.
May 31, 2025
you'll learn to hate serwa's stupid decisions.. I'm just wondering what happened to Declan.
July 14, 2025
Actual Star Rating: 4.5 stars
Date: 7/11/25 – 7/13/25
Note: This is the third and final book in the Serwa Boating series so this will not be an in-depth review.
When I did my yearly check for new releases, I realized that the final book in the Serwa Boating series was coming out, and since Brown is one of the authors that I am following, I added her to my new release shelf on Goodreads to request the book form my local library when it came out. This book wraps up the story of Serwa Boating, a young Ghanian American girl who has lived a life of high stakes fighting the Ghanian version of vampires, adze, with her parents, but when her parents are given an extremely dangerous mission, they decide that they are going to leave Serwa with a family friend and her daughter, Roxy, as they are afraid for her safety. This leads to Serwa going to regular school for the first time where she gets into a lot of trouble while making a few friends. However, when her unconventional life comes roaring into this small Maryland town, she’s going to discover some hidden family secrets as well as some hidden Ghanian history and her budding new friendships are going to be tested, leading to her going on a series of journeys of self-discovery, culminating in an epic battle that will change her world and beliefs for good.
My favorite thing about this book/series is the conversations that Brown is having with the readers. For instance, Ghanian and African history in general is complex and multi-layered and Brown has conversations with the readers about how a young girl would see that history and its layers and how she could learn to come to terms with it and her identity within it, especially when some facets of it may be at odds with each other. She also delves into the quintessential middle grade themes of changing friendships, growing up, and moving to and fitting into a new place. Finally, we explore the concept of “chosen one” and how it can have lasting effects on those that encounter it, through the lens of one desperate to be “chosen,” one in the process of the “choosing,” and one who is dealing with the aftereffects of being the “chosen.” All these conversations combine to create a story that is engaging as well as creating learning opportunities and discussions topics for the growing young minds of her target audience.
Although I was mostly satisfied with this conclusion to the series, I did feel it was a little rushed, particularly when it came to Serwa’s character arc. Her turning point character moment was a little lackluster to me and it needed some refinement. Earlier in the book, we are introduced to a couple new characters, and we see Brown start to use them as foils to Serwa’s character, which is great, but Brown didn’t utilize them as well as she could have, which lead to Serwa’s turning point moment not having the impact it could have. If she had used them as foils not only in an external way, showcasing to her audience the complexities of being “chosen; but also in an internal way, using them to start the process of Serwa’s turning point, encouraging her to question herself and her actions; then Serwa’s moment of realization would have a lot more impact. In addition, I know Serwa is going through a lot and is used to handling things on her own, but her coming to terms with and accepting she can no longer do that; that she needs help, dragged on for too much of the book, and again, when the two new characters were introduced would have been a good place to start Serwa’s self-realization journey, which again, would have made the ending a little more cohesive and fleshed out.
Overall, I liked the way that Serwa’s story wrapped up, and I am looking forward to reading more of Brown’s books in the future. 4.5 stars and a solid conclusion!!!!!!
Date: 7/11/25 – 7/13/25
Note: This is the third and final book in the Serwa Boating series so this will not be an in-depth review.
When I did my yearly check for new releases, I realized that the final book in the Serwa Boating series was coming out, and since Brown is one of the authors that I am following, I added her to my new release shelf on Goodreads to request the book form my local library when it came out. This book wraps up the story of Serwa Boating, a young Ghanian American girl who has lived a life of high stakes fighting the Ghanian version of vampires, adze, with her parents, but when her parents are given an extremely dangerous mission, they decide that they are going to leave Serwa with a family friend and her daughter, Roxy, as they are afraid for her safety. This leads to Serwa going to regular school for the first time where she gets into a lot of trouble while making a few friends. However, when her unconventional life comes roaring into this small Maryland town, she’s going to discover some hidden family secrets as well as some hidden Ghanian history and her budding new friendships are going to be tested, leading to her going on a series of journeys of self-discovery, culminating in an epic battle that will change her world and beliefs for good.
My favorite thing about this book/series is the conversations that Brown is having with the readers. For instance, Ghanian and African history in general is complex and multi-layered and Brown has conversations with the readers about how a young girl would see that history and its layers and how she could learn to come to terms with it and her identity within it, especially when some facets of it may be at odds with each other. She also delves into the quintessential middle grade themes of changing friendships, growing up, and moving to and fitting into a new place. Finally, we explore the concept of “chosen one” and how it can have lasting effects on those that encounter it, through the lens of one desperate to be “chosen,” one in the process of the “choosing,” and one who is dealing with the aftereffects of being the “chosen.” All these conversations combine to create a story that is engaging as well as creating learning opportunities and discussions topics for the growing young minds of her target audience.
Although I was mostly satisfied with this conclusion to the series, I did feel it was a little rushed, particularly when it came to Serwa’s character arc. Her turning point character moment was a little lackluster to me and it needed some refinement. Earlier in the book, we are introduced to a couple new characters, and we see Brown start to use them as foils to Serwa’s character, which is great, but Brown didn’t utilize them as well as she could have, which lead to Serwa’s turning point moment not having the impact it could have. If she had used them as foils not only in an external way, showcasing to her audience the complexities of being “chosen; but also in an internal way, using them to start the process of Serwa’s turning point, encouraging her to question herself and her actions; then Serwa’s moment of realization would have a lot more impact. In addition, I know Serwa is going through a lot and is used to handling things on her own, but her coming to terms with and accepting she can no longer do that; that she needs help, dragged on for too much of the book, and again, when the two new characters were introduced would have been a good place to start Serwa’s self-realization journey, which again, would have made the ending a little more cohesive and fleshed out.
Overall, I liked the way that Serwa’s story wrapped up, and I am looking forward to reading more of Brown’s books in the future. 4.5 stars and a solid conclusion!!!!!!
December 11, 2025
Really liked this one except Serwa walked on that broken leg FAR too much. All that running and charging was hard to believe.
June 18, 2025
Serwa Boateng's Guide to Saving the World, by Roseanne A. Brown has been on my To-Read Shelf since July 2024. That's almost a whole year by this point. The reason is that the book's release date was changed several times before it eventually came out last month. I'd read both of the 2 previous books in the series, Serwa Boateng's Guide to Vampire Slaying and Serwa Boateng's Guide to Witchcraft and Mayhem in October of the years they were published. Part of this is because I'd gotten them for my birthdays those years, which is in September. And it was right around Halloween, which is fitting, as the books features vampires and witches. (Albeit, the Ghanaian kind.)
I read this third, final book in the series now, in June, because I'd waited so long to read it, and when I had the opportunity to buy it, I took it. Right now actually ended up being a good time for me to read this book. Because one of the new characters introduced is a kid named River Sinclair, who is Nonbinary, making this book perfect to read during Pride Month. I'd say Serwa Boateng's Guide to Saving the Word was well worth the wait. It was an excellent ending to an excellent series!
I read this third, final book in the series now, in June, because I'd waited so long to read it, and when I had the opportunity to buy it, I took it. Right now actually ended up being a good time for me to read this book. Because one of the new characters introduced is a kid named River Sinclair, who is Nonbinary, making this book perfect to read during Pride Month. I'd say Serwa Boateng's Guide to Saving the Word was well worth the wait. It was an excellent ending to an excellent series!
May 9, 2025
This was a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy! Serwa held true to her standards even with all her friends bent out of shape over her taking liberties with their memories and lives. She is a consistent character in that she does things in the “ends justify the means” method. This moral ambiguity is part of what knocks off the fifth star for me. I do wish I had reread the second book since I couldn’t remember all the references to it in the third book. I wasn’t happy with the death in this one but this is war, and it is a middle grade book. It isn’t surprising there was death. This is a fast exciting read. But you really need to read this in order because the mythology is pretty involved and important! Definitely recommended.
October 19, 2025
I enjoyed the plot of this, but on the whole, it was my least favorite of the series. It felt like there were several pieces that didn't quite make sense, and there were things referenced as though they were common knowledge from the prior books that if they were mentioned there, must only have been mentioned once in passing, because I read the 3 books one after the other and I don't remember them. Also, I found Roxy and Serwa both quite annoying for a good portion of the book. I'm just not a fan of when characters are so self-focused that they're consistently grouchy and mean, and Roxy and Serwa had a lot of moments where they were self-absorbed and so focused on their own angst that they were pretty rude. Overall, I'd give this 3.5 stars.
September 5, 2025
A nice conclusion to the Serwa trilogy! The stakes are high, the frustration with Serwa is real, and the final battle is what one would expect from a mythology-inspired middle grade series.
I've become a bit more nuanced in my recommendations for kids, and I feel like the Serwa trilogy is really difficult for today's fourth and fifth graders. They are long, the constant referencing to the glossary is a skill most kids haven't built, and the action can get really confusing. But if adults take the time to learn the pronunciations, I can see this series being a very fun book to read with kids!
I've become a bit more nuanced in my recommendations for kids, and I feel like the Serwa trilogy is really difficult for today's fourth and fifth graders. They are long, the constant referencing to the glossary is a skill most kids haven't built, and the action can get really confusing. But if adults take the time to learn the pronunciations, I can see this series being a very fun book to read with kids!
December 3, 2025
"Adults always act like they have a monopoly on goin through messed-up stuff. Like we kids don't live in the same violent, scary, heartbreaking world they do."
Sometimes middle grade books capture the trials of living better than adult books do. This was an epic conclusion to the trilogy filled with drama, heart, and adventure. As I was reading it, I thought I'd rate it four stars, but there was a moment in the last third that shifted it to five stars. The author did a great job of mixing mythology with the real world. I mentioned this in my review of the first book, but I still love how all of the supporting characters were people of color.
Sometimes middle grade books capture the trials of living better than adult books do. This was an epic conclusion to the trilogy filled with drama, heart, and adventure. As I was reading it, I thought I'd rate it four stars, but there was a moment in the last third that shifted it to five stars. The author did a great job of mixing mythology with the real world. I mentioned this in my review of the first book, but I still love how all of the supporting characters were people of color.
July 9, 2025
I think the magic system and conflict in this series are both well-developed. The intentionality of representation within the entire scope of the characters is obvious and appreciated. Unfortunately, I do not enjoy Serwa as a main character (which feels weird to say as an adult). She has very little growth across all the three books despite open conversations with many characters and self-awareness of her flaws. I realize she is a young MC, but I don’t think that excuses the regular ignorance of better judgement in the face of those she cares for.
August 20, 2025
I reached the ending.
Yeah, I'm still disappointed that it wasn't as strong as the first in the series...but it was better than the second in the series.
If there were more of this, I wouldn't read it.
Yeah, I'm still disappointed that it wasn't as strong as the first in the series...but it was better than the second in the series.
If there were more of this, I wouldn't read it.
May 23, 2025
it was alright
June 14, 2025
This is possibly my favorite Rick Riordan Presents series.
June 15, 2025
Serwa and friends must defeat Nana Bekoe before she tears the veil between life and death.
June 29, 2025
3.75
October 26, 2025
A satisfying end to this trilogy. Nice twists, engaging conflicts, and some resolutions.
November 12, 2025
A satisfying conclusion to this trilogy!! I’m going to try to be as spoiler free in this summary—
Serwa has to take on her grandmother in this epic showdown, but along the way she has to really fight off some of her worst habits. The book starts off immediately after book two ends, and the group dynamics are * off *. Serwa and Co have work to do, and they’re going to do it together…. Begrudgingly.
There’s so much packed into this great MG series out through the Rick Riordan presents… line via Hyperion. Roseanne A Brown brings Ghana to Maryland in all of these books, and these firefly vampires, or adze, are no joke! Serwa’s family is all separated and whoa is that impacting her anxiety about getting the job done…. Oh and also a promise she made to a god. NO BIG DEAL!?
The new characters in this book were great, but I especially want to shout out River. They were great and I hope they know how proud I am of them!
Anyway this trilogy is great, particularly for people of the intended age group, but it was also great for nearly 40 year old me!
Shout out to the NYPL for keeping me stocked with great middle grade reads. Also Roseanne just is batting 1000, haven’t met a book of hers I didn’t love! 💗
Serwa has to take on her grandmother in this epic showdown, but along the way she has to really fight off some of her worst habits. The book starts off immediately after book two ends, and the group dynamics are * off *. Serwa and Co have work to do, and they’re going to do it together…. Begrudgingly.
There’s so much packed into this great MG series out through the Rick Riordan presents… line via Hyperion. Roseanne A Brown brings Ghana to Maryland in all of these books, and these firefly vampires, or adze, are no joke! Serwa’s family is all separated and whoa is that impacting her anxiety about getting the job done…. Oh and also a promise she made to a god. NO BIG DEAL!?
The new characters in this book were great, but I especially want to shout out River. They were great and I hope they know how proud I am of them!
Anyway this trilogy is great, particularly for people of the intended age group, but it was also great for nearly 40 year old me!
Shout out to the NYPL for keeping me stocked with great middle grade reads. Also Roseanne just is batting 1000, haven’t met a book of hers I didn’t love! 💗
October 8, 2025
uhhhh is it only me who think they needed to put more details in some things .
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews