Seraphina (Seraphina, #1)

by Rachel Hartman

[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.