Spellbound

Black Panther the Young Prince #2

by Ronald L. Smith

I'm T'Challa. The Prince of Wakanda. Son of T'Chaka. And one day, I will wear the mantle.
Thirteen-year-old T'Challa can't wait to go back to America to visit his friends Sheila and Zeke, who are staying with Sheila's grandmother in Beaumont, a small Alabama town, over their summer break. He's thrilled to be on vacation away from his duties as the Prince of Wakanda for a few weeks, and he's taking full advantage of his access to the amazing food and the South's rich history.

But as T'Challa continues to explore the town, he finds that a man who goes by the ordinary name of Bob happens to be everywhere he is—and T'Challa begins to think it's no coincidence.

When residents of the town begin flocking to Bob's strange message, and a prominent citizen disappears, the Young Prince has no choice but to intervene.

T'Challa and his friends start to do their own sleuthing, and before long, the three teens find themselves caught in a plot involving a rare ancient book and a man who's not as he seems.

Swept up in a fight against an unexpected and evil villain, T'Challa, Sheila, and Zeke must band together to save the people of Beaumont . . . before it's too late.

Genres: Marvel, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Fiction, Superheroes, Young Adult, Adventure

272 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2022

About the author

I grew up on Air Force bases and have lived in Japan, Maine, Alabama, Michigan, South Carolina, Delaware, Washington, DC, Illinois and a bunch of other places I don’t remember. After reading Ray Bradbury’s R is for Rocket and Eleanor Cameron’s Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet I fell in love with books.

I haven’t stopped reading since.

HOODOO is my debut middle-grade novel. My second novel, THE MESMERIST, is available February, 2017.

My work is represented by Adriann Ranta of Foundry Literary + Media.

My publisher is Clarion, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for providing me with this advance listener copy.

Description from NetGalley:
The second book in the hit Young Prince series from Ronald L. Smith, recipient of the 2016 Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award.
I'm T'Challa. The Prince of Wakanda. Son of T'Chaka. And one day, I will wear the mantle.
Thirteen-year-old T'Challa can't wait to go back to America to visit his friends Sheila and Zeke, who are staying with Sheila's grandmother in Beaumont, a small Alabama town, over their summer break. He's thrilled to be on vacation away from his duties as the Prince of Wakanda for a few weeks, and he's taking full advantage of his access to the amazing food and the South's rich history.
But as T'Challa continues to explore the town, he finds that a man who goes by the ordinary name of Bob happens to be everywhere he is—and T'Challa begins to think it's no coincidence.
When residents of the town begin flocking to Bob's strange message, and a prominent citizen disappears, the Young Prince has no choice but to intervene.
T'Challa and his friends start to do their own sleuthing, and before long, the three teens find themselves caught in a plot involving a rare ancient book and a man who's not as he seems.
Swept up in a fight against an unexpected and evil villain, T'Challa, Sheila, and Zeke must band together to save the people of Beaumont . . . before it's too late.
I read the first book in the series as an ebook, so it was an interesting contrast to listen to Spellbound. The narrator, Dion Graham, does a great job with all the different voices. Both this and the first one are pretty good middle grade adaptations of Marvel’s Black Panther. Both books take their time to set up the main plot allowing the readers to see T’Challa’s reactions to different places in the US and also making sure that the readers know his knowledge. It’s also very interesting to have T’Challa be a middle school kid.

Overall, the story is fun. There’s danger and mystery but also the big question of can they keep T’Challa’s real identity and home a secret. That last bit seems a bit harder this time around than in The Young Prince since Sheila and Zeke join him for summer vacation in Alabama. When things start to go down, I’m very happy that the Wakanda tech, while definitely used, didn’t just solve everything for the kids. Plus I love hearing T’Challa be a kid with other kids.

I honestly can’t wait to see if they’re doing another. 4/5

[Danielle Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book made me feel like my own super hero! Wakanda Forever!

[Richetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Special thanks to the publisher for providing a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

📖Review: 📖
Black Panther: Spellbound was a great adventure story about three friends battling evil. If you are into the Marvel universe and Black Panther story, this is a perfect read. The characters have been made middle school age, so everything doesn’t align perfectly with the Marvel Universe of the movies. But you will see references to other characters in the universe.

This is the second book in the series. Book one is Black Panther: The Young Prince. That one is set in Chicago. I haven’t read that one, but I plan too now.

This story is set in Beaumont, Alabama during the trio’s summer break. They are staying with Sheila’s grandmother for what is supposed to be a 3-week vacation with friends, family and food. When the trio attend a rally protesting a confederate statue, they encounter a mysterious man named Bob, who has a way with words…

If you have a late elementary or middle-school aged boy who you are trying to get to read more or are looking for books for them to read, check this series out.

Fave Moments 💕
I loved the friendship between T’Challa, Sheila and Zeke. They were really a team as well as friends. They stuck together and it was nice to seem them work together to solve the mystery.
Zeke had me chuckling. I think that boy ate his way through an entire southern cuisine menu! Everytime his name is mentioned, it felt like it was being paired with shrimp and grits or bbq or southern chili. He had me hungry! While T’Challa is wondering what grits are, I’m over here salivating and thinking about cooking them for breakfast!

Movie Please
This book could easily be translated into an animated movie for kids. I would be all over that! I hate to be corny, but I just kept thinking about Scooby Doo and the gang trying to find out the mystery and he villain who is trying to get them all. Mystery cartoons are my fave!

Audiobook Review🎧
I listened to the audiobook, as well as read the physical book. Thank you to NetGalley for providing a gifted copy. The audiobook is a treat! I love that the narrator Dion Graham, incorporated the Wakandan accent. It made it so much fun to listen to and made the characterization of the voices distinct. I have Mr. Graham on my list of audiobook narrators to be on the lookout for now. If you have a student or child who you are trying to get to read, I think the audiobook would be a nice hook for them.

Head to my blog, Cocoa With Books, www.cocoawithbooks.com to read the full review.

[Wilma Sachiyo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Salve a deusa Bast!

Eu li o primeiro volume dessa perfeição em dezembro e esse mes ja me taquei no segundo volume porque como disse, perfeição. Eu AMO pantera negra e tudo que ele representa. Eu amei a escrita do autor que é uma delícia de ser lida, é a coisa mais delicada do mundo.

Nesse livro o jovem príncipe vai para o sul dos EUA passar as férias com os amigos de Chicago, além dos personagens antigos temos a adição da Suri na história, tem a retirada abrupta do Hunter da trama, acho que foi uma tentativa de ficar mais próximo ao MCU, já que lá o hunter não existe, mas não foi realmente nada demais dá até para simular que ele já foi para a vida do crime. Quanto ao Mbaku achei bem podre não terem dado uma continuação ao arco do personagem a gente sabe que quando adultos ele e o T’challa são best friends e eu queria ver eles fazerem as pazes ou pelo menos ele arrependido pelo que fez e se explicar, porque não fez nenhum sentido ele ter traído o país dele por ser amigo de um bully de Chicago.

O que eram para ser umas férias tranquilas se torna em uma nova investigação para o grupo de três amigos, sequestros e magia são só uma das partes do grande problema que envolveu até luta de deuses. Eu amei que nesse segundo volume o lado da magia foi mais explorado e muito bem aprofundado.

Quanto aos personagens eu achei ridículo a caricatura que o Zack se tornou nesse livro, ele foi de nerd leitor de hq que tinha umas ideia nada haver mas se mostravam certeiras para alguem que não sabe manter um segredo, que come 24\24h e não tem personalidade nenhuma além de dizer coisas muito burras e óbvias e ser corrigido pelos amigos, ele de longe não eram meu personagem preferido mas achei muita falta de respeito para com ele.

Amei que o T’Challa aprendeu que a vida não é um bolinho mas, ainda assim se atirava para a morte eminente a cada dois capítulos. Aquele rolo lá com a francesa ache forçação de barra mas, ok paixões de verão e etc.

> O Livro dos Malditos está chamando, Jovem Pantera. Você é digno? — Leviatã da Meia-Noite.

[Adriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very fun adventure for the young prince of Wakanda and the two American friends he made in a previous book (The Young Prince) as they meet up in Alabama over their summer break to experience everything the South has to offer when it comes to food and entertainment. The fun has barely begun when the trio discovers that people are going missing and that the performer they keep seeing everywhere might be up to no good.
It's an entertaining story with lots of fun notes mixed in amongst the action. It's a bit of a summer mystery plot with magic mixed in and a lot of great elements about friendship. I enjoyed the lightness of it and I'm sure younger readers will get pulled into the story.
I do want to note that you can jump right in and enjoy everything about the book even though it's the second book in the series. I never really felt like I was missing much from having missed the previous book, although I did walk away interested in seeing how the trio met.
The only thing I can find to complain about this book is that I have many questions about how the young prince of Wakanda is sent by himself to the US when he has already proven to get into trouble on his own in a previous volume and he's always surrounded by bodyguards as an adult Black Panther, but I guess that's just me not being in the right target audience and asking questions a younger reader probably wouldn't think of.
Dion Graham does a great job of narrating the book and suffusing each scene with emotion, be it the fun of three friends enjoying summer vacation together or the danger of facing off against an evil opponent.

Happy thanks to NetGalley, Disney Audiobooks, and Marvel Press for the early listen!

[Vicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

My biggest complaint with this follow-up to The Young Prince is that there were many dropped threads from the first book, and sudden mentions that probably should have been in the first book. What was M’Baku’s consequence for what happened in Chicago? What happened to Hunter? Why were T’Challa’s step-mother and half-sister never mentioned in the first book.

Putting that aside though, it is nice to see that T’Challa is able to continue his friendship with Sheila and Zeke. Once again, though, it appears that T’Challa has accidentally stumbled into some rather mysterious circumstances. And, once again, the quick thinking of T’Challa and his friends means that the day will be saved. After all, he’s a superhero-in-training.

One big quibble: There are some scenes that take place in a cave. The writer mentions the stalactites…melting? Stalactites are generally made of the minerals that are left behind as water drips from the ceiling. They don’t just melt in a fire. (I always knew those tours of Timpanogos Cave would pay off!

Possible Objectionable Material:
This middle grade novel is rather dark. Townspeople are hypnotized. A few people are killed. Once again, the antagonist is meddling in the supernatural. T’Challa worships the animal gods of his culture. Some violence. No swearing or romance.

Who Might Like This Book:
Anyone who enjoys friendship stories, coming-of-age, and the MCU.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. This book also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2...

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Those people who expect to see the Black Panther leaping all over the place will be disappointed. It’s a good mystery and a decent story about friendship. But, if you’re craving a more traditional superhero story, you should look elsewhere since the prince doesn’t even don his costume for the majority of the novel.

Dealing with the young T’Challa, this mystery abounds with a certain amount of goofiness alongside the central mystery. Sheila is obviously the brain of the group while beanpole Zeke seems defined by a bottomless appetite and a keen wish to see the Black Panther in action. There is a strain of Scooby-Doo around this story, as Zeke gets himself in trouble and Sheila comes off as being a bit too much of a brainiac at times.

Sheila and Zeke play pivotal roles in this story of a strange man who seems to be exerting a fell influence on the good people of Alabama. Achebe is more than he seems and has an unknown connection to T’Challa’s father. Sheila and Zeke are unwitting pawns in his plans and yet the two aid T’Challa in Achebe’s downfall.

While T’Challa takes his role as future leader of Wakanda seriously, he realizes that he must expand his horizons. Sheila and Zeke’s association with T’Challa and his constant immersion in American culture lead him to ask himself questions about Wakanda and its place in the world. We see the seeds being planted about the future of this mythical nation and King T’Challa’s decision to part from the ways of his ancestors.

[Bruja Ha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is intended for Jr. High age folks. It was given to me by the Hindi Foundation to add to my Little Free Library where it can make its way into their hands, but I couldn't resist reading it myself first. It's based on Marvel comics, y'know? I found it engaging, especially the African sorcery parts and the descriptions of Southern meals. That said, even though this #2 book can stand alone, I think it would be better to read the first Black Panther volume first since it often alludes to events that took place in that one, leaving me feeling a bit cheated. The characters could also be more filled out (e.g., one person is all about food, over and over). What I most enjoyed about it is how not only the superhero but every important character in The Young Prince is Black, and the only person who looked remotely like me (a white antiquarian bookseller) was the one who had to get rescued. I like gaining the new and important perspective this gave me: realizing this might be the kind of experience that BIPOC folx have when reading many of my favorite books. So well done, Mr. Smith. I placed this book into another LFL in a town where it's more likely to get into the hands of Black and Brown children. We all benefit from stories about a superhero who looks like them.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Black Panther: Spellbound, by Ronald L. Smith is the sequel to Black Panther: The Young Prince. It was released in 2022, 4 years after the previous book. IIRC, the movie Black Panther: Wakanda Forever had yet to come out. However, by then, 2 years had already passed since the shocking tragic and untimely death of the actor who brought T'Challa to life, Chadwick Boseman.

In the context of the book, Spellbound takes place a year after The Young Prince. Because T'Challa was 12-years-old in the 1st book, but 13 in the 2nd. It sees him returning to America. This time, he joins Zeke and Shelia, the kids he befriended in Chicago during the events of the previous book, at Sheila's grandmother's house in Alabama for Summer Vacation. I rated Spellbound 5 stars, whereas I only gave 4 stars to The Young Prince. While the 1st book was very good, I thought the 2nd was even more incredible!

When I was adding these books on Goodreads, I discovered that there's a 3rd book in this series. I never even knew that. It's called Black Panther: Uprising, which came out in 2022, the same year as Black Panther: Spellbound. I wasn't able to find it at Ollie's when I found the other 2 books. But I marked it as To-Read, anyway. Because I am interested in reading it. And maybe I will eventually.

[Caity · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cool series it is interesting to see this part of the Black Panther origin story as well as seeing T'Challa in the American South. I enjoyed seeing Sheila and Zeke showing him more American things, primarily new foods, and their discussion of American history. The mystery was well written and I appreciated the slow build, it worked well for building the creepy ambiance in the story. The characters are still well done I really enjoyed seeing that T'Challa, Sheila, and Zeke maintained their friendship and how the dynamic has shifted a bit as T'Challa is able to share more with them about Wakanda's history and culture in this book. The new characters were also well written and the new bad guy wonderfully creepy. All around I really enjoyed this book. I do wish a few aspects of what's going on in regards to how this connects or at times clearly doesn't connect to the larger MCU were known but looking at just this series without worrying about that, it is really solidly written and fun to read.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second installment of young T’Challa’s story will be a hit with middle grade superhero fans. This book features T’Challa and friends Sheila and Zeke, who are spending the summer with Sheila’s grandmother in Alabama. Their summer vacation becomes an adventure after several seemingly random encounters with a man who calls himself “The Amazing Bob” make the trio realize that there is something more to Bob than it appears on the surface. They turn their attention to uncovering what Bob is up to, how it might connect to T’Challa’s homeland, and how to save the townspeople from the threat Bob is posing. The friendship between the trio is authentic and all three characters are well developed. References to historical events are integrated alongside the elements of the Wakandan world that T’Challa brings with him. Even with my limited knowledge of the Marvel universe, I was able to follow the storyline and was drawn into the mystery, so I know that this book has the potential to really engage my school’s superhero fans and encourage them to read.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was received as an ARC from Marvel Press in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I loved this version/story of black panther. This story was absolutely enticing and adventurous and it definitely will leave you speechless when finished. At first I was a little hesitant that I would not be able to pronounce some of the names and places in Wakanda but, I was fortunate that the only unique name in the case of characters was obviously T'Challa which we later know as Black Panther. I know fans of the Marvel series will appreciate Spellbound and of course it warmed my heart and brought me to tears that this was such an ode to Chadwick Boseman.

We will consider adding this title to our JFiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Black panther the young prince: spellbound
By Ronald L Smith
Looking at the popularity of Black panther it has become a essential to add more stories to the comic. This brings a younger version of the story to connect to children. The voice in reading the story will make text to listening centers more exciting. Creating more interest and higher text to context connections. This would be a great book for whole group discussions too. Talking about persuasion, persecutions, and responsibility. It also brings into focus the idea that children should ask for help. If the young T'Challa, had asked his father for help things may have been much easier on him and his friends. The book also make a connection between Wakanda and American culture and the responsibility to the world each nation has.

[rather_b_reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Disney Publishing and NetGalley for this Advanced Reader Copy.
When I read Black Panther: Spellbound I had not read the previous book, but I now plan to. (Also, the book does a good job filling the reader in on the previous book so a kid could pick up either book first and still be able to enjoy it.) This book is intended for a Middle-Grade audience, but I do believe some of my high school students would enjoy the story as well. This book is filled with adventure, humor, and also seamlessly deals with issues such as racism. A young T'Challa is visiting his friends Sheila and Zeke in Alabama when a series of strange events occur. T'Challa must decide whether or not to get involved, and it turns out that these events are tied back to Wakanda. Well written and engaging. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Black Panther Spellbound is the second installment from Ronald Smith’s series, Black Panther the Young Prince. I thought it was a great read for young readers. I enjoyed reading T'Challa and his friends’ adventures. I am not the targeted audience for this book but it still had my attention throughout from start to finish. I loved it.
I am giving Black Panther Spellbound a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading superhero books and are between the ages of eight and twelve years of age. Even superhero fans will want to pick this one, as well. I am hoping there will be more releasing from the Black Panther the Young Prince series in the future.
I received a copy of Black Panther Spellbound from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

[Laura Mauro · Rating 4 out of 5]

* I got this book for review*

I also really loved this read. I felt like this book had a nice balance of the black panther myth but also was a story that could have happened to black panther in his younger years. I also liked this book was set in alabama and loved how that tied into all the stuff happening currently like black lives matter and other modern day elements. I also loved the trio of characters as the main focus. It was super quick read and just made me smile at the end. I def want to read more by this series in the future. It is a part of series, but you can read them out of order, i felt like this book did a good job of recapping the previous book!

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a huge Marvel fan, I love getting to read about young T’Challa and the adventures he has with his friends. I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but book two absolutely exceeded my expectations. The story was fun but also a bit scary at times. It was really well paced and made it hard to stop reading. And I loved that we got to see the Dark Hold, which of course has been on people’s minds lately with Wandavision and Multiverse of Madness.

I feel like kids would really love this book too. It’s got some good moral lessons in the story, along with a diverse cast of characters, and so much good friendship. I really hope we continue to get more books in this series because I think it’s a great way to also engage with Marvel fans that might want to learn more about the characters we all love so much.

The audiobook narrator did a great job creating distinct characters, and I think he handled so many different accents really well. I didn’t even need to speed down my time to better understand him since all his voices were so clear.

Thank you Disney Audiobooks, Marvel Press, and NetGalley for the ARC audiobook.

[Shakera · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who is familiar with the movies and the comics, I was super excited to read this. In typical fashion for me, I didn’t know this was a sequel, but I loved it! Seeing T’Challa in America was fantastic. T’Challa’s sense of what is right is his guiding force, and I loved that. Seeing him with Zeke and Sheila was nice. I enjoyed their interactions. I also enjoyed the villains. I don’t mean I like them because they were right, but they were well written. I must read the first book! This is perfect for any middle-grader!

Rating: 4.5

[Tara Aldredge · Rating 3 out of 5]

T’Challa returns to the U.S. to visit his friends Sheila and Zeke, staying at Sheila’s grandmother’s in Alabama. As the three explore Beaumont, they find some strange things happening, including disappearances, and a man called Bob who seems to always be around. The three try to discover who Bob is and what is really happening. The first third of the book reads a bit like a series of history lessons, but it's relevant. The mystery and adventure are fun, and the characters are enjoyable. It’s fun to see young T’Challa and Shuri.

[Denise Morse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Black Panther: Spellbound is the second young T'Challa book and a part of a series of middle grade and young adult ventures from Marvel. This is a wonderful, fun and fast paced introduction to T'Challa and the backstory of the Black Panther and the views of Wakanda in the world. I love the easter eggs placed in the story tracing back to other Marvel comics and cinematic universe story, particularly this strange book that keeps reappearing. A great story for older readers as well as younger readers interested in Marvel and Black Panther.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

#2 in series
T'Challa has convinced his dad to let him leave Wakanda to spend time with his friends Zeke and Sheila this summer. They will be in a small town in Alabama with Shiela's grandmother. While there, they are excited to do lots of touristy things and eat delicious food - but plans go awry when a strange man who just goes by Bob seems to be following them. Then Bob starts holding town meetings and things get even weirder. It is up to T'Challa and his friends to figure out what is going on and save the people of this small town from evil.
CW: demons, violence

[Frankie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was based in Alabama, and oh my the mention of all the southern food had me 🤤.

T'Challa has been granted permission by his Dad King T'Chaka to leave Wakanda and go to visit his American friends Sheila and Zeke, but this time to Sheila's Grammas in Alabama for 3 weeks.
The trio hope that this trip will be relaxed, full of sun, good food and memories, but when the same guy keeps turning up where T'Challa is, along with some strange dreams that he's having, throw in some missing people and hypnosis and the son of the Black Panther is on the case.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

don't love that Black Panther gets all the mystical adventures but I'm also not going to be complain about more Black Panther

Rating system:
⭐ I need people to know how bad I thought this was.
⭐⭐ It was definitely not for me but it might be for you! (If so, I will be judging you.)
⭐⭐⭐ It was good! Worth the read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Phenomenal, right up my alley, scratched a particular itch.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This book changed my life, I either wanted to live there forever or will be holding other books in this genre to a new standard.

[Desiree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: This is for the audiobook version that I received from Disney Audiobooks and Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Spellbound was an exciting middle-grade novel focusing on a middle-school aged T'Challa. The narrator, Dion Graham, has a pleasing voice with a wide range of accents and the story flowed smoothly as a read-aloud. (I enjoyed the narrator so much that I looked up more of his audiobooks from the public library.)

[Crystal W · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advanced, audio copy of this book through #NetGalley.

This was a pretty good story overall. I enjoyed the narrator, as did the children that listened with me. They tend to get distracted easily, but he was able to keep them interested at most times.

I would be interested in getting this in a hard copy format. I’d like to see the illustrations that go along with the story.

Thank you to: #BlackPantherSpellbound #RonaldLSmith
#DionGraham #NetGalley #BeunaVistaBooksInc

[Crystal W · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recorded an advanced, audio copy of this book through #NetGalley.

This was a pretty good story overall. I enjoyed the narrator, as did the children that listened with me. They tend to get distracted easily, but he was able to keep them interested at most times.

I would be interested in getting a hard copy format. I’d like to see the illustrations that go along with the story.

Thank you to: #BlackPantherSpellbound #RonaldLSmith
#DionGraham #NetGalley #BeunaVistaBooksInc

[Kali Burks-Mosier · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great sequel and middle grade read! The series is shaping up to be almost episodic, with different adventures for young T'Challa for each novel. His friends are fleshed out more, and the new characters were dynamic.
The climax fight left a little to be desired; Bast appears, but we don't really see much of the fight. The climax also reveals a slightly convoluted story behind the big bad, although I liked the inclusion of the dark hold.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the Hindi Foundation to add to my Little Free Library.
I opted to read this book first, before sharing it with my community.

They say it is a stand alone book, which is good, since I hadn't read Book #1, and this is #2. I think I would have enjoyed this book better, had I read the first one.

The book is well written, but slow to build a story. Kids that love super hero fans and Marvel will enjoy this book.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really enjoying the first half of this one, especially with all of the Southern foods and sites that were featured, but it kind of ran out of steam for me during the final climatic showdown. Something about all the mysticism lost me, and I feel like I don’t quite understand how the story concluded. Perhaps I was distracted while listening to the audiobook, but that shouldn’t happen if it’s good. It’s still an interesting read, but the Shuri series is definitely coming out on top so far.

[Engel Dreizehn · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Copy...Does have Smith's known flair for the supernatural-occult combined with the established Marvel Lore taking on Chthon! yet narrative handles the sup[er high-tech Wakandan elements quite well. It was interesting to young T'Challa fitting into the role of future King and seeing the early of the aspects he will exhibit as Black Panther in the future.