Seraphina (Seraphina, #1)

by Rachel Hartman

In her "New York Times" bestselling and Morris Award-winning debut, Rachel Hartman introduces mathematical dragons in an alternative-medieval world to fantasy and science-fiction readers of all ages. "Eragon"-author Christopher Paolini calls them, "Some of the most interesting dragons I've read in fantasy."

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.

• ISBN10: 1299071082
• ISBN13: 9781299071087
• Publish Date: 10 July 2012
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 19 May 2015
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Random House Books for Young Readers
• Format: eBook
• Pages: 213
• Language: English

Reviews

[layawaydragon]

TW: Self-harm, Suicide, Homophobic Society. Halflings and hatred, calling them "it".

Seraphina is an interesting and unique but slow and methodical fantasy. Spock dragons that can transform to humans, quids that are mechanically brilliant chameleon types, and royal drama that isn't about manners and one upping each other. All the Saint talk in the beginning did nothing to win me over at first but another unique aspect and religion is often ignored in fantasy. Once she's in the castle dealing with the funeral things pick up. Especially with the royal cousins.

Seraphina and Kiggs are ADORABLE. Selda doesn't make a good showing at first but I liked her more as it went on, especially with Millie. The Queen is distant but amazing in her few scenes. I had to warm up to Ulma and her father. It was a shock to find out about the human family situation so late in the novel.

There is this painful scene where Seraphine hears a disgusting "joking" conversation between two men about women dragons and halflings. I'm sure most women, most POC, and people of other marginalized communities will understand this bullshit on a visceral level. I wanted to smack them and hug Seraphina so badly.

It seems like a good indication if you'll be able to get into Seraphina is her mind's garden. She meditates, speaks ritual words, and visits grotesques as a way to stop headaches and visions occuring. I didn't have any trouble accepting it as par for the course.

My favorite scense were the ball and the forest.

The only small negative was being able to see what was coming in a couple instances, but not the biggest twist at the end. That one makes me more uncomfortable the more I think about it. I don't know how or why yet. Hmmm.

I loved Seraphina so much, I immediately borrowed the sequel Shadow Scales to continue the story.

[Amber (The Literary Phoenix)]

Find other reviews like this at The Literary Phoenix.

Hiding in the shadows is not suited to Seraphina.

The young music mistress doesn't rebel, not intentionally.  Music is in her bones and it calls to her soul.  When an emergency means she calls up her flute to perform at a royal funeral, suddenly everyone knows her name and it gets more complicated from there.  But people can't know her name because Seraphina can't make friends, get into relationships... she has a dark and terrible secret and if anyone finds it out, she will surely die.

Meanwhile, the celebration of the treaty between humans and dragons draws near, and the mystery of the prince's killer looms in the air over all of them.  Everything points to a dragon, and certainly many of the townsfolk and courtiers believe it's so... but they need more evidence.  If it was a dragon, that would be devastating on the eve of the celebration....

Seraphina is loaded with gems and I love it.

From what I understand of discussion and reviews of this book, Seraphina is hit-or-miss with most people.  Personally?  I loved it!  I though the character development was really well done and I thought that the discourse about racism and justice were really, really excellent.  Racism is an interesting subject to tackle in a fantasy novel without projecting our own world upon it.  Skin color plays absolutely no part in this racism - instead, it's species related, and driven by stories and fear that is not unfounded, but is definitely poorly managed (by the characters!  not the author!).  I think it does a very good job at portraying the tension in our own society - from the blatant racists to those in denial of its existence.

I like the grey areas in the characters as well.  There was a character I kept waiting was going to turn around and betray Seraphina, and she never did.  She was actually a shining light in the story and she was kind and good and sensible and just in the midst of a group that were led by unfounded hate.  While I love a good betrayal, this character was lovely that I'm glad she found her footing and maintained her values.  I WANT TO TALK ABOUT HER MORE BUT I WON'T BECAUSE SPOILERS.

There's a little romance, but not so much that it takes over the story.  A lot of books aren't this well-balanced, and as a plot before OTP person, I really appreciated this (also I ship Seraphina/Fruit Bat but I think he might be way too young and that's creepy?  MIXED FEELINGS).  I had a lot of trouble gauging ages in this books and pretty much got the impression of old, young, and something in-between.  And that's good because it's SO FRUSTRATING when a character comes out as sixteen but behaves like an eight-year-old.

This book makes you angry, anxious, and happy.

I spent a lot of this book being really anxious for Seraphina and her secret.  I was 100% on her team and didn't want her to die?  Or be tortured, or anything?  There were some places where I found her narrative a little boring, but for the most part I was charmed by her garden and her music.  Her music makes you feel. This feat must be doubly appreciated because this is a book, with no noise.  Even in the audiobook, there was no music.  And yet, the description is so real and vivid it pulls at your heartstrings.  I loved it!

You can't help but be really frustrated with a lot of the people who behave erratically or irrationally.  The way some people in this novel behave is infuriating... just like in real life.

I'll definitely be picking up the sequel, and adding this one to my hardcopy library.

[Terri M. LeBlanc]

I have been mesmerized by Seraphina since I first read it in 2013. It was one of my favorite books that year. The next book in the series, Shadow Scale released this year and I was lucky enough to get approved (just days before the released date) on NetGalley. I was concerned, after slogging through Clariel, that my memory had faded and I wanted to re-read Seraphina before tackling Shadow Scale. But that’s a tough battle for many readers…why re-read when there are so many other unread books begging to be read? Amazingly enough, my library just happened to have an audiobook copy of Seraphina and I took advantage of my new found love for re-reading via audiobooks.

The audiobook sucked me into the Seraphina’s world once again. I was dazzled by the uniqueness of Goredd and all its inhabitants—humans and dragons alike. Seraphina’s world of music seemed more alive to me this time because the narrator actually sang the songs! I love music. I collect movie soundtracks and cast recordings. So to actually HEAR “Peaches and Cheese” and Lin and Claude’s love long made my heart soar.

For those that have read the book, Seraphina is gifted with maternal memories—visions of her mother’s life. In the physical book, the maternal memories are denoted by a break and the text is italicized. In the book, another narrator fills in for Lin. A sterner, more mature, less emotional voice that is full of longing and regret. While these memories seemed to pop up a the most importune times for Seraphina, as a reader, I looked forward to them as I picked up on subtle hints regarding Lin’s life and the political intrigue that I had missed when I raced through the book a couple years ago. I think I identified more with Seraphina’s dual life on my first read through; ignoring Lin’s struggle, Claude’s fears and Kiggs’s devotion. On this second read through, I saw how Seraphina’s life paralleled her mother’s and father’s and how it diverged because of her courage.

And as seems to happen every time I pick up an audiobook of a physical book I have already read, my physical copy is now dotted with post-it note flags marking my favorite passages and quotes. I can’t decide if this is happening because my ear picks up on words/phrases that are emphasized by the narrator or if I’m more willing to “mark-up” my books now that I’m actively sharing my thoughts about them online.

I am certainly looking forward to reading Shadow Scale soon. Now that I have familiarized myself with Seraphina’s world again, I look forward to her adventures as she searches for others like her and fights to save her country from war. I’m happy that Seraphina maintained its status as one of the most unique fantasy novels that I have read and listened to.


This review was originally posted on Second Run Reviews

[tweetybugshouse]

This is an amazing story that takes the idea of humans, dragons and then throws in a whole different idea half dragon which is who seraphina is and hides for a majority of the story. I love that the dragons had a language unique to them and that their a peace treaty that suppoused to be upheld between dragons and humans. I was caught up in the history, the richness and the unique world building. I am ready to dive into book two and see what awaits seraphina as the world now knows who she truly is.

[Jo]

Originally posted on Once Upon a Bookcase.

I've been meaning to read Seraphina by Rachel Hartman ever since it was released, but just never got round to it. When Cynthia of Afterwritten raved about it in her review, Seraphina was put on my radar again, and I decided to read it sooner rather than later. I now wish I had read it when it originally came out - Seraphina is amazing!

It's coming up to forty years since the peace treaty between Goredd and dragons was signed. Seraphina, the newly appointed musical assistant to Viridius at the palace, is preparing for the huge celebrations to mark the anniversary, which will be attended by Ardmagar Cormonot, the leader of the dragons. However, not everyone is on the side of peace, and wants the saarantrai - dragons in human form - out of their town. When Prince Rufus is murdered, and all evidence points to a dragon as his murderer, fear of and prejudice towards dragons is dialled up several notches. Seraphina somehow finds herself involved in the investigation into Prince Rufus' death, and getting close, too close, to Prince Lucian Kiggs, the Captain of the Guard. But Seraphina has secrets, secrets about why she is so musically talented, and drawing anyone's attention could put her life in danger. How can she help solve the murder, and stay to the shadows?

Oh my god! Seraphina is such a fantastic book! I absolutely loved it! The world building, the dragons, the mystery! Seraphina's secret is revealed quite early on, and I guessed it from the very first page, but I'm going to try and leave it out of this review, but it might be difficult to discuss the plot in too much detail.

Since the treaty, some dragons - or Saar - live among the humans, as scholars and teachers. Seraphina's father is a lawyer who is an expert on the treaty, and her teacher, Orma, is a Saar, so through being around them both, Seraphina has picked up more knowledge and insight on Saar and Sarantrai, and so more understanding and less prejudice. It's because of this, and speaking up against those discriminating against Saar - and also the fact that she's Princess Glisselda's music tutor - that she finds herself involved in investigating Prince Rufus' death.

This puts her in the presence of Prince Lucian Kiggs, who is leading the investigation as Captain of the Guard, more often than she would otherwise. Kiggs is very observant and seems to see more of Seraphina than she willingly shows, and although he doesn't seem to be twigging on to her secret, he still seems to understand her more than anyone else. Having to hide so much has made Seraphina quite lonely, so to have Kiggs' understanding and friendship, although dangerous, is something she is so appreciative of. She is shown kindness and affection, and with their arguing over philosophy, Seraphina can't help but develop feelings for him. But she has her secrets, and of course he is engaged to Princess Glisselda, so her heart is as heavy as it is light whenever she's with him.

The dragons in this book are amazing. They pretty much worship logical thinking, and believe emotion gets in the way of that, so emotion is simply not allowed. However, when in human form, emotion comes with the body, so it's something the continuously force aside. Because of this, dragons are very peculiar creatures. They react differently, and sometimes fail to understand completely what a human is getting at - sarcasm goes completely over their heads. They're quite intimidating with their emotionless ways, and this difference can put people of edge. Seraphina finds it a little difficult with Orma, a Saar she has known her whole life who she has come to care for, who feels nothing for her. She is often exasperated by his lack of greeting or farewell. The dragons are just really interesting, and I'm really looking forward to seeing more of them in future.

As I am of Seraphina, Kiggs and Glisselda! Seraphina is absolutely gripping, and the result of the investigation took me completely by surprise! And considering how the book ended, if Seraphina is amazing, Shadow Scale, the second book, is bound to be epic, and I'm so excited to read it!

[Suz @ Bookish Revelations]

[b:Seraphina|19549841|Seraphina (Seraphina, #1)|Rachel Hartman|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1387577872s/19549841.jpg|17375239] was an awkward book for me to read, because I have conflicted feelings towards it and it was hard for me to follow along with. In a way, I look at it as challenging and in another way I'm a little disappointed in the fact that I felt as if I had to constantly force myself to keep reading. This was a book that I was really excited to read, because it was fantasy and also involved dragons, which are two things that I absolutely love more than anything. I don't know if it was the book itself or the fact that I'm such a mood reader and maybe I just wasn't in the right mood for this one at the time. I think it was a bit of both, if I'm being honest.

There were things that I found myself liking about this book and then there were also things, that I found a little frustrating as well. The concept of this novel and the story itself, is brilliant. However, I think the writer may have bitten off a little more than she could chew. As I was reading, I found myself constantly being jarred out of certain parts of the story due to the rhythm and the pacing of it. Just getting through the first few chapters of the book felt like a chore in itself, but I continued to stick with it because I kept hoping that it would get better. In some small ways it did, because there were things that I did find likable about it, but then there were other's that I didn't.

It was hard for me to understand certain aspects of [b:Seraphina|19549841|Seraphina (Seraphina, #1)|Rachel Hartman|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1387577872s/19549841.jpg|17375239], because at times it felt like the story was in various different places at the same time. I had to work to keep up with it and then I had to work even hard to stay involved with it. That's something that I find a little too tedious when reading a book that I really want to enjoy. I was looking to find a lot of action and a more compelling story, than the one that I felt was written. Maybe if I hadn't gone into this book with such high expectations, I wouldn't have ended up feeling like it let me down as much as it did. The way the mythology of the dragons and their history was written, made kind of hard for me to finally understand them and their role of importance to the storyline. I could have been a little more forgiving of the "less action" if I had been better able to understand the dragons.

Seraphina, on the other hand, I really enjoyed her character quite a bit. I love that [a:Rachel Hartman|357601|Rachel Hartman|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1307116804p2/357601.jpg] gave us such a wonderfully endearing and awesomely complex character, such as her. Part dragon and musically gifted, she was a rare gem and a breath of fresh air for me in this story. I love the tough exterior that she presented to the world, while still being a bit vulnerable beneath the facade. Her and Lucian were probably the best part of the story for me, personally. Lucian is just made of so much awesome, that it's hard to put his character into words. I found him to be wildly enigmatic, entertaining, and definitely swoon-worthy in his own way. Glisselda, is just pure amazing. There's the only thing that can be said for her, except that I love her journey and optimistic nature. For someone who came across so carefree, she turned into one of the strongest characters the book had to offer and that definitely made reading it a lot more enjoyable.

This book has some wonderful potential, that it makes me look forward to reading [b:Shadow Scale|16085457|Shadow Scale (Seraphina, #2)|Rachel Hartman|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1405355942s/16085457.jpg|21451371] for sure to see what's going to happen with these brilliant characters I have come to love so much. [b:Seraphina|19549841|Seraphina (Seraphina, #1)|Rachel Hartman|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1387577872s/19549841.jpg|17375239], is an interesting novel with an intriguing concept that I feel could be built and expanded upon better. If you are a reader who enjoys fantasy novels and you like dragons too, then I would go ahead and recommend this book. It is a pretty solid read, even though it hasn't been my favorite. I urge you to give it a chance and don't just take my word for it. There are many things about it that were enjoyable, even amidst some of the conflicting elements.

(Note: I received a copy of this book via the publisher, in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions on it.)

[nitzan_schwarz]

Originally published on my blog. 

I adored Seraphina. It's been a while since I've read any good "dragon" book, and I love them as a creature. Fire breathing, treasure hoarding, deadly, beautiful winged-scaled animals? What could be better?! Maybe this is also good time and place to ask you guys on suggestion for other good dragon books.

But I digress.

Seraphina is a wonderful heroine. She is so fleshed out, that she is right there in front of you. You could almost touch her. She is a brave, smart young lady, filled with insecurities and self doubt and self hate. But she never lets it stop her, and you feel her pain as strongly as if it were your own.

Alongside Seraphina we have a great cast of side characters, from the headstrong and sometimes silly princess (but don't let that fool you - she's a sharp one) to the adorable Dragon uncle Orma, to the music master, and the cast of grotesques(of whom we will hopefully see a lot more in the sequel).

Oh, and let's not forget the prince.

Kiggs is a prince. He is also a bastard, and the head of the Guard. He was smart, sweet and loyal to a fault. He is perceptive and once he makes you his friend, you'll be hard bent to shake him off. Not that you'll want to, really.

His and Seraphina's relationship was an interesting one. It progressed slowly, but surely, and I feel like we just touched the tip of the iceberg of what these two could become, despite love declarations already made. It feels to me like this could become an epic love, but it's not there yet.

But, get this, the most interesting part of this book is not any of that. The best part of this book is easily the dragons and the world - here, dragons are something like autistic people. They're analytic, logical, and seem to lack emotions - and an understanding of them. However, as much as people claim them "soulless", they are far from that. At least the dragons we meet in Seraphina.

The ideas behind this book are so intriguing and create one heck of a setting. Of which I'm actually thirsty for more. I can't wait to revisit this world in the next book!

The only "downside" of the book may be in the action department, which I felt was a bit lacking. The book was never dull or boring, but it wasn't action filled. Even the exciting parts were usually done or solved in talking. So don't expect any epic sword-fighting. And while this didn't bother my enjoyment of the book at all, I do feel this may relate to why the book alsolacked that WOW moment that blows you away.

But even without that wow moment, this is a wow book, for me. I'll eat the hat I'm not wearing if I don't read the next book as soon as it comes out.

[melanchalina]

Что может быть интереснее и продуманнее фэнтези? Где все герои глубоки и разнообразны, где мир захватывающ и неповторим, а каждый персонаж хранит свою историю? А что может быть прекраснее драконов? Этих хищных, изящных и одновременно прекрасных созданий, о которых сложено множество легенд и рассказано сотни сказок? Вот за что я люблю фэнтези.

Авторы создают новые миры, уникальных персонажей, описывают интересные приключения и разбавляют все капелькой любви (а не ведром розовых соплей, как ныне модно). И ты погружаешься во все это, пропускаешь через себя и не отрываешься от книги до тех пор, пока не перевернешь последнюю страницу.

Не смотря на то, что роман довольно объемистый читается он легко и невероятно быстро. Повествование плавное, и в тоже время даже в голову не приходит назвать его «затянутым». А еще в книге все красиво описано, образы просто захватывают дух. Роман полный поэзии, красоты и эмоций.

Повествование ведется от лица главной героини Серафины, получеловека-полудракона, вынужденной ото всех скрывать свою сущность. И втянутой в водоворот событий при дворе Королевства, которые собственно грозят разрывом Мирнового Договора между Драконами и Людьми.

Знаете за что я, так же люблю фэнтези? За потрясающих героинь. В YA (мистике) главные героини выставляются авторами, как чрезвычайно умные и отважные героини. В действительности? Это совершенно не так. Но не в этом жанре. Серафина – обаятельная, умная и смелая. Хотя надо признать все герои этой книги потрясающие, даже отрицательные. Глиссельда, которая по началу показана глупой, избалованной девочкой на протяжении всех событий раскрывается и превращается в мудрую и решительную девушку. Киггс, милый и очаровательный. Он полностью покорил меня свей мудростью и проницательностью. А их отношения и чувства с Серафимой… такие реальные, понятные. Никто не признается в любви с первого взгляда, никто не кидается в омут с головой. Нет, герои вначале стремятся помочь своей стране, близким, а потом уже позволяют себе некие чувства.

Драконы… что ж, соглашусь с Паолини, действительно самые необычные драконы, о которых я когда-либо читала. Умные, мудрые… смертельные и хладнокровные. Невероятно прекрасные и необычные.

Побольше бы экшна и книга была бы просто бесценна. Надеюсь автор восполнит это в следующей книге, жаль вот только она будет нескоро.

Моя оценка: 9/10

[Chelsea]

I was very happy while reading this book. The writing flowed very nicely and is very descriptive. It’s a serious book without being too serious. Seraphina is born into a life she didn’t ask for and she has to lie and hide. This book is a really easy read and basically perfect. It was just a really smartly written book. You go through so many different emotions throughout the whole novel!

The main character, Seraphina, is a great heroine. She’s beautiful, vulnerable, inspiring and brave. I usually find main characters that are really smart to be super immature and whiny but this case was the complete opposite. I loved Seraphina so much! She was the perfect main character. And while I couldn’t tell you what Lucian looked like, he was the perfect male main! The romance between them was great as well. I liked how they took their time and didn’t rush it like in most books.

[inlibrisveritas]

Seraphina is a really unique epic fantasy novel with dragons! However they are not just your normal scaly fire-breathing monsters these dragons are incredibly intelligent, logical, and capable of taking a human form. If that doesn’t draw you in, Seraphina has a really interesting secret! I can’t tell you what it is but it definitely adds even more to the mix of originality.

I personally love the rich writing style and the interesting world building that went into creating the Kingdom of Goredd. The city is full of political and racial (humans/dragons) tension all due to the current peace treaty. There is also a really interesting religious system with numerous saints and even a heretic, which I’m incredibly curious about. The realness of these tensions is truly one of the highlights of the book, Hartman pulls in morality issues we can all understand. Then there are the dragons who are actually separated into two groups the Saars and the Quigs, saars are your typical dragons and quigs are more of odd little dragon cousins.

Seraphina is a smart, witty, and ‘prickly’ heroine with a huge secret that could get her killed. It’s something she’s learned to hide so well that she has a job as Music Mistress in the palace where her amazing music talent is most appreciated. I love that she’s resourceful and that while she has fear she’s willing to put it behind her to do what she needs to do. Then there is Prince Kiggs, who is the loyal honor-bound head of the guard and the swoony guy of the book. However I don’t entirely agree with the relationship that develops between him and Seraphina, while I loved them together it felt wrong given the circumstances. (Which obviously I can’t tell because it would spoil some of the book). The romance doesn’t take a big portion of the book though and even though I had some problems with it, it does develop nicely.

Overall this is a really impressive and really strong start to a high fantasy series. The set up is executed wonderfully and the amount of tension that builds over the course of the story really sets a promising pace for the next book!