[amazon_image id=”0375866566″ link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”large” ]Seraphina[/amazon_image]
[amazon_link id=”0375866566″ target=”_blank” ]Seraphina[/amazon_link] by Rachel Hartman
July 10, 2012 | Random House Children’s Books | 467 pages
Summary (Goodreads)
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
Quick Review
This book was very interesting. Full of exquisite details. In a very good way.
This was my first dragon book and I was fully engrossed; probably because of the historical elements and the back story we get introduced to. Seraphina is a strong female lead character and her journey through this book is fulfilling and will leave you wanting to know more about her and her species.
A strong debut fantasy author and a promising new series. I await book 2!
Book #2, Dracomachia, will probably be published next year.