SERAPHINA

by Rachel Hartman 

ISBN-13: 978-0375866562 

Published: Random House BYR, 464 pages.

Source: Audible

Rating:  ♥♥♥♥

Four decades of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. Folding themselves into human shape, dragons attend court as ambassadors, and lend their rational, mathematical minds to universities as scholars and teachers. As the treaty's anniversary draws near, however, tensions are high.

Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered—in suspiciously draconian fashion. Seraphina is drawn into the investigation, partnering with the captain of the Queen's Guard, the dangerously perceptive Prince Lucian Kiggs. While they begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot to destroy the peace, Seraphina struggles to protect her own secret, the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life.

My Thoughts:  

SERAPHINA by Rachel Hartman is one of the major reasons that the fantasy genre is making a big impression on the Young Adult reading scene. This novel not only hosts a mesmerizing storyline focalized on dragons but it is also beautifully written with a lyrical quality that will surely enrapture and delight you.


As I began reading SERAPHINA I was instantly taken in by Rachel Harman's elegant writing style and the cleverly unique world hosting hidden dragons, courtly deceptions and a girl that wants to change it all. That girl is Seraphina, and her spirit and musical talent make her a favorite of the royal family but if they knew of her secret everything would change. Seraphina finds living in court a challenge especially when others share her secret, and then she learns of a plot to induce war against the dragons and the fragile peace treaty that is in existence will diminish and so will Seraphina. She has only one choice but doing so would forever change her place in everyone's eyes. While she be able to do it? Just remembering what happens makes me want to read it all over again.


Besides being so lyrically beautiful to read SERPHINA also hosts one of the most unique dragon story lines I have ever had the pleasure to read. It is truly unique and really well detailed. I had no issue and visualizing this new world and understanding it's inner workings and how it all came together. I also appreciated the rich texture of all the differently memorable characters. Courage, strength and honesty have never come off as beautifully as with Seraphina's actions to find the truth. I found her character strong yet vulnerable and I was drawn to her and wanted her to find love and acceptance that she so craved for. 


I have adored many different genres of reading and SERAPHINA kicked off a great week of reading for me and now I cannot wait for all the wonderful fantasy reads that are debuting this year.  Rachel Hartman has done a splendid job with her debut, SERAPHINA and now I am an instant fan girl eagerly awaiting my next cookie.