Seraphina
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4.4 • 150 Ratings
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- $8.99
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
Lyrical, imaginative, and wholly original, this New York Times bestseller with 8 starred reviews is not to be missed. Rachel Hartman’s award-winning debut will have you looking at dragons as you’ve never imagined them before…
In the kingdom of Goredd, dragons and humans live and work side by side – while below the surface, tensions and hostility simmer.
The newest member of the royal court, a uniquely gifted musician named Seraphina, holds a deep secret of her own. One that she guards with all of her being.
When a member of the royal family is brutally murdered, Seraphina is drawn into the investigation alongside the dangerously perceptive—and dashing—Prince Lucien. But as the two uncover a sinister plot to destroy the wavering peace of the kingdom, Seraphina’s struggle to protect her secret becomes increasingly difficult… while its discovery could mean her very life.
"Will appeal to both fans of Christopher Paolini’s Eragon series and Robin McKinley’s The Hero and the Crown." —Entertainment Weekly
“[A] lush, intricately plotted fantasy.” —The Washington Post
"Beautifully written. Some of the most interesting dragons I've read."
—Christopher Paolini, New York Times bestselling author of Eragon
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this complex, intrigue-laden fantasy, which establishes Hartman as an exciting new talent, readers are introduced to a world in which dragons and humans coexist in an uneasy truce, with dragons taking human form, dwelling among their former enemies, and abiding by a strict set of protocols. Sixteen-year-old Seraphina, assistant to the court composer, hides a secret that could have her ostracized or even killed: she's half-dragon, against all rules and social codes. Along with the distinctive scales she keeps hidden, she has a mind filled with misshapen personalities whose nature she doesn't quite grasp. As Seraphina navigates the complicated politics of a court where human-dragon relations are growing ever more fragile following a royal murder, she has to come to terms with her true nature and powers, the long-dormant memories her mother hid within her, and her growing affection for charming prince Lucian. There's a lot to enjoy in Hartman's debut, from the admirably resourceful heroine and intriguing spin on dragons to the intricately described medievalesque setting and emphasis on music and family. Ages 12 up.
Customer Reviews
An over-analysed review
Seraphina’s a pretty solid book. Its title character, our main heroine, is a fairly solid example of a secretive character. We get her and her family’s stories through flashback in a usually well placed manner. The pacing is slow but escalates greatly, as all the book takes place over less than two weeks.
Quick notes about things to expect: pretty much autistic dragons (who aren’t all savants, but are generally all what you’d call “high functioning”), a weird religion that you learn is weirder and weird upon every new detail, comedy, and tragedy.
All in all, I like this book. It’s shortcomings are the rarely problematic writing style, the slightly less adequate sequel, and how some flashbacks felt forced.
Great read
Interesting story line and building, can't wait for the next one!
I was forced to read it
I'm sorry but it's just terrible I had to read it for a book project and it was the most boring weekend of my life. Who writes a book that long that's basically the same thing over and over again?