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.
In her exquisitely written fantasy debut, Rachel Hartman creates a rich, complex, and utterly original world. Seraphina’s tortuous journey to self-acceptance is one readers will remember long after they’ve turned the final page. (Goodreads summary)
From the very first page of Seraphina, it’s evident that Rachel Hartman is a masterful storyteller. With narrative is that smart and as wickedly funny as it is gorgeously poetic, world building that feels both intricate yet effortless, a well-rounded and diverse cast of characters who could leap off the page human and whole (or reptilian and whole), and a plot that never leaves you wanting, Hartman has woven a gorgeous fantasy of dragons, castles, handsome princes, and the girl who doesn’t quite belong.
The world held me completely captivated. Though the characters stay in a small localized area for most of the book, the world of Seraphina feels vast and limitless. What I love most about Hartman’s world building is that it’s woven throughout the story – the explanation of this world, its history, customs and technicalities feels organic and natural. Just by cleverly working in insignificant mentions of places, peoples and things outside the confines of Goredd, she is constantly expanding the borders of her world in my imagination. It’s not just the grand scope of the world however, it’s also in smaller details, such as the organized religion of Goredd, the tenuous relationship between humans and dragons and the intolerance and hatred that thrives despite the treaty. I love the strange saints-based religion that permeates the book. It’s infused into how every human views their world and how they interact with it. The dragons on the other hand are believed soulless and have no use for mankind’s silly saints. Logic, reason, knowledge, information, these are the things the dragons value most highly. And perhaps this is the root of both groups’ inability to truly coexist harmoniously – that, as a whole, their foundational worldview is so fundamentally different. Perhaps it also has something to do with the fact that dragons used to eat humans for a mid-afternoon snack before the treaty. In any case, tensions between the humans and the dragons are always a hairsbreadth away from escalating into a devastating conflict. And when the very human Prince Rufus is discovered murdered and headless just before the renewal of the peace treaty, dragons are the first to be suspected.
And into the midst of this civil unrest comes Seraphina Dombegh.
Seraphina is one of those characters that inspires instant affinity. Half-human, half-dragon, Seraphina is a girl who’s been forced to hide who and what she is in order to protect both her father and herself. She is the embodiment of something thought impossible, something feared, something humans would find an abomination, something detested by both her species – the merging of dragon and humankind. If caught, she would surely be put to death, and her father alongside. So to avoid discovery, her father encourages her to remain isolated from her peers and insists that Seraphina’s prodigious musical talents be hidden away from the world. Until finally, Seraphina grabs hold of her destiny and decides that merely existing is not the same thing as truly living her life. She auditions for the position of assistant to the court composer, Viridius, a job for which she is chosen. Suddenly, she’s performing, making friends, creating quite the reputation for herself as an incredibly gifted musician, and keeping her closely guarded secret is becoming even more difficult than ever before.
While the idea of Seraphina’s existence may be referenced in the butt of many a crude joke or nasty slur among pious, dragon-hating humans, she’s also the personification of the best qualities in both her peoples. Seraphina, for all her isolation, is a strong personality, authoritative, a leader, naturally curious, conscientious, discerning, quick-witted, a music prodigy with an eye for detail. When presented with a problem or obstacle, she’s very practical, analytical and strategic in the way she handles it. However, despite the calculating, disengaged side of her that comes from her dragon heritage and education, she doesn’t ignore the value of emotion. Instead, she embraces her emotionality. She’s passionate. She feels deeply, and her music moves the very souls of those who hear it. Having grown up under the tutelage of her dragon instructor Orma, she’s well equipped to understand the worlds of both humans and dragons. Add to this her dry sense of humor partnered with her ability to see the irony in that which is around her, and I developed a very strong connection to this girl caught between worlds.
Also caught between worlds in a sense, is captain of the Guard, grandson of the queen, and fiance to Princess Glisselda, Prince Lucian Kiggs. A bastard by birthright, but a royal one, he has fought to prove himself worthy and gain his esteemed position among the Guard. He’s a part of the royal world, but also not — existing on the periphery and oft reminded of his illegitimate roots. His uncle just having passed under suspicious circumstances, Kiggs undertakes the task of sussing out the truth about his beloved uncle’s death. He proves himself to be determined, dogged, cunning, a skilled investigator, honorable, resourceful, kind – a man of conviction who values truth and honesty. And yet, despite the inherent strength of this young man, he has moments of pure vulnerability that allows Phina — and the reader — glimpses into the very heart of him.
When it becomes clear to Kiggs that Seraphina could be a valuable resource to his investigation, they begin to work together to find the truth. But once they begin unraveling the threads that lead up to Prince Rufus’ death, they discover that perhaps the answers they seek may threaten everything they’ve fought to uphold. Tensions begin to rise as the time nears to renew the treaty between man and dragon, and it becomes increasingly hard for Phina to keep her true nature hidden from the shrewd prince she’s come to care for. She knows firsthand what kind of mark secrecy and deception leave on a relationship, but she fears the consequences of outing the truth, for both her heart and her life. What will she choose when it’s all on the line?
Well I’m certainly not going to tell you. You must read the book for yourself.
Overall, Rachel Hartman’s Seraphina is simply magnificent in every way.
Author: Rachel Hartman Title: Seraphina Series: Seraphina (Book #1) Published: July 10th 2012 by Random House Children’s Books Format: Hardcover, 480 pages; Kindle; Nook Website: www.rachelhartmanbooks.com Source: Purchased My rating: 
The Giveaway
Random House has generously provided ONE (1) gorgeous finished hardcover of Seraphina for ONE (1) lucky follower! (US/CAN ONLY)
Please fill out the Rafflecopter form to enter. This is mandatory. Comments alone will not be counted as your mandatory entry. Rules and conditions are listed below the Rafflecopter form.
Happy Reading!
This book looks amazing. Sounds like nothing that’s coming out in the genre today.
This sounds like a fantastic book. I don’t read a lot of fantasy, but this one sounds like one I would really enjoy. Great review!!
I love Rachel’s comic, Amy unbounded, also set in the same fantasy world. It sounds like Seraphina is a wonderful debut novel and I’d love to read the hardcover. Thanks for the giveaway.
This book certainly sounds interesting, and I have to admit, I was first drawn to it by that gorgeous cover!
Great review! Very thorough, this book sounds like a fabulous read! I also love the cover.
Thanks for sharing!
I love love love Angel Books! I truly do and somehow I missed this one – mainly because the cover truly isn’t that appealing … but, I have to get it back in my reading pile!
This book sounds amazing. I’ve asked our library to buy a copy (or two…or three).
This book sounds different from my usual read and the world seems so cool. I would like to visit that fantasy world.
I’ve been so eager to read Seraphina since I heard about it earlier this year. Dragons are one fantasy creature that needs to be more present in books, and reading your review makes me want to read it even more. I’m hoping to add it to my library’s collection.
I wanna read this book so bad!!
I definitely going to get my hands on it by next week, hopefully!!
I love dragons
Amazing Review!
Thank you for sharing!!!
Magen Corrie
~Corrie the book,crazed girl
Awesome review! Looks really good.
I looove dragon books and this one just sounds incredible. I hope I win!
Honestly, I thought this book didn’t look good. But it was just the cover I was turned off at. Black and white. Eh. But it sounds good. 😀
This one sounds really interesting. Can’t wait to read it!
I haven’t yet had the chance to read this book, but by your review it seems like an excellent read. I look forward at a chance at winning it or picking it up myself. Thanks for sharing.
I have not read it. I’m not usually a huge dragon/kings kind of person, but it looks really good!
I’ve only read a few good dragon books, and this one looks like a not-to-miss!!
This one definitely sounds promising. I’ve heard nothing but great things about it and I’m excited to go and read it. Thank you for the review and giveaway!
This is one my absolute wishlist!
I’ve heard amazing things about this, and it’s great you loved it so much! I love fantasy where the worlds, plot and characters are equally good, and that the writing is perfect as well.
Thanks so much:)
This book sounds like a great read I have not yet read it but would love to. Thanks for the giveaway
The book sounds awesome!!! I have not read it yet but I would love to.
This book sounds amazing! I wish I’d paid more attention to it when I saw it up on Netgalley!
Thanks for the giveaway!
This book does sound really good! Thanks for the giveaway!
This is one of the books I’m really looking forward to read!
WOW! This is an amazing review! A+ I’m looking forward to this book even more than I was before now. Great giveaway.
This is the first time I have seen the trailer and I am even more excited than I was before. Your review also helped peak my interest a lot! It sounds awesome!
This book sounds really interesting and I’ve been hearing great things about it. I’m glad that you loved it! It’s moving up my TBR list now.
That the protagonist is a musician is intriguing, not to mention dragons. I look forward to reading this.
I havent but i really really want to!
This book didn’t hit my radar until this week. And wow, I really want to read it now! The review was good-makes me want to read it even more. Thanks!
This one has been on my TBR pile because the cover looks gorgeous and the story sounds really engrossing. But reading your review, knowing you loved it, and watching the trailer….it’s a DEFINITE TBR for me now. Thanks!
The book sounds great. Not usually a “fantasy” reader but the review has me wanting to read this one. Have added to my TBR list.
I would love to read this so I can recommend it to my husband. He loves dragons and this sounds like an incredible read. I don’t see a lot of dragons in books lately.
I haven’t read it but all the reviews I read tells me I need to.
I haven’t read it yet, but I’ve been wanting to read it forever! I’ve read so many awesome reviews, including yours, and it sounds like such a great read! It is on my tbr list and I can’t wait to finally read it : )
I haven’t read this yet but it looks fantastic! I did read the prequel – about the audition – which was great! Thanks for this amazing giveaway – I would love to win!
I have read soooo many reviews of this book! Yours is wonderful! I want to read this one so badly!
I need to read this soon! just read your review and watched the trailer yikeees definitely reading this even if I don’t win! Awesome review! thanks for the giveaway! *cross fingers*
Love this review! I cannot wait to read this book >.<
Awesome review!!!! I would love to read this book.
Love the review!!! Awesome giveaway!!
This review has me dying to read the book now! Thank you for the giveaway
I’m so excited!!!!
I have not read it yet, but I think I am going to cry if I don’t get to soon. Seriously. The book sounds amazing, and all of the reviews that I am reading talk about how wonderful it is. The cover is gorgeous. The blurb is even more gorgeous. Thanks so much for the chance to win this gem of a book. Good luck to everybody. (Me, too!) Thanks Dani!
I really enjoy the cover. I have not read it but I am interested for sure. Thanks for the giveaway.
The review just makes me even more excited about the book!
Can’t wait to read this book!! It sounds awesome !
I’ve been considering reading this book for a few weeks, but have been in the middle of a bunch of other books and never took the time to grab it. Your review makes me think it’s my kind of book and I will be putting it on reserve at my library tomorrow. =D
I just bought this and cannot WAIT to read it!!!!
YAY! I hope you love it! You should definitely fit this one into your schedule ASAP. 😉
LOVED Seraphina!! I loved Seraphina herself, and the medieval setting and all the dragon lore:) I think it was so perfectly done, and you really got sucked into it as you read. Gorgeous trailer too:)
Seraphina is a truly fantastic character, and yes, the world is just… so well done! I loved her garden of horrors as well. Individually all the elements of this book (plot, world, character development, character interactions, back story) are wonderful. And combining them, well as you say, it makes for a story that sucks you right in
I saw this in the store and thought it sounded awesome so put it on my wish list. I’m glad you thought it is pretty good too.
Nice helpful review!
Thank you… and yes, it is awesome!
I hope you’re able to get to it soon!
How could I miss this giveaway! I can’t wait to read Seraphina, seems like fantastic book! But the problem is the HC is expensive and I don’t like PB cover.
But still I’ll read it one day! I’m happy to see that you also love it!
It is a fantastic book! You could always see if your library has it… and I dunno about your library, but ours has a digital section where you can borrow Kindle/ePub books.
This would make a great christmas gift for my neice!
Maybe for you too? 😉 lol It’s a fantastic read.
This book is highest on my want list~ So many qualities I love sound like they would definitely be found in this book! When I saw it in the bookstore and read the first few pages I texted a picture of the cover to my friend and told her we were absolutely reading it. But I try to wait to do my book shopping until a coupon is out at one bookstore or another, lol. Your review only makes me that much more excited to get my hands on Seraphina.
Yay! It is fabulous. Maybe try your library to see if you can get it that way? Because it is a must read 😉
I wanna read this book!
It’s pretty awesome. 😉
Wow. Hearing it from you, this book sounds really fantastic! Great review! I can’t wait to read Seraphina. I’m absolutely positive I’m going to love it!