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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
This was a fun read, I'm not a huge fan of YA and didn't know this was it's genre before reading. If I was younger I would have enjoyed it even more.
this is one of those books I wish I had had growing up, but not because it has lost it's luster in the intervening years, but because it would have been Perfect for the person I was. it is still pretty perfect I read it all in a night because I refused to put it down.
well written, never condescending to its readers, delightful grumpy!! heroine, but not a friendless one-- she has allies and she is a grump! also a variety of other things I like to see in a female main character-- competent in her field, smart, struggling with hard things, but willing to go after stuff that is right, or that she wants.
also, dragons!!
well written, never condescending to its readers, delightful grumpy!! heroine, but not a friendless one-- she has allies and she is a grump! also a variety of other things I like to see in a female main character-- competent in her field, smart, struggling with hard things, but willing to go after stuff that is right, or that she wants.
also, dragons!!
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Seraphina succeeded in being a compelling and unique fantasy novel in two huge ways: the first is Rachel Hartman’s artful and ambitious world-building. She takes familiar players – princesses, dragons, knights – and transforms them into something unexpected. In the kingdom of Goredd, rather than knights defending damsels in distress from vicious dragons, the knights are banished from the kingdom, and dragons live amongst humans, transformed into human forms, called saarantrai.
Read the rest of my review at Giant Squid Books.
Read the rest of my review at Giant Squid Books.
Why oh why did I start this book? I still have a year til the sequel comes out, but I want it NOW.
Seraphina is an amazing story. The characters are amazing. The world is so interesting. And Phina's love interest is cute! Whats not to love.
I recommended reading this book, now. But if you want to wait until the sequel comes out I don't blame you.
Seraphina is an amazing story. The characters are amazing. The world is so interesting. And Phina's love interest is cute! Whats not to love.
I recommended reading this book, now. But if you want to wait until the sequel comes out I don't blame you.
4.5 (Re-read)
With the release of the sequel, I just had to re-visit this rich and intelligent novel.
Hartman offers us an intricate world, reminiscent of Renaissance Europe, where dragons and humans have been trying to live in peace, but as often happens between species (or even just cultures), relations are tense, and misunderstanding and bigotry abound everywhere, with factions on both sides determined to destroy the treaty.
The plot follows this strand while entwining itself with a coming-of-age story, that of 16-year-old Seraphina. And what a character she is! We witness her slow transformation from self-loathing to acceptance, from doubt to confidence. She inhabits the no man's land in between these two warring species, belonging to both and none at the same time. Through her eyes and heart, we see what it means to be human and dragon alike.
I was amazed at the author's skill in bringing together so many aspects in the creation of this fully-fleshed world, from history and religion, to philosophies and politics, without overpowering the reader. The only too recognisable signs of oppression and persecution (the bells the dragons had to wear) for instance, reminded me of our own history. She also adds a murder mystery to her narrative, driving the action forward, with an interesting investigation. Mostly however, I was fascinated by her use of music. It permeates everything, content and form, giving the text a lyrical quality.
"That's the secret to performance: conviction. The right note played tentatively still misses the mark, but play boldly and no one will question you. If one believes there is truth in art - and I do - then it's troubling how similar the skill of performing is to lying."
Music - lies - logic -mathematics - feelings. There are all connected. What does it mean to Feel - to Love? The importance is not on species but on the goals you choose and share together for a common good. I haven't read many dragon books, but Seraphina feels different, or rather better defined.
With the release of the sequel, I just had to re-visit this rich and intelligent novel.
Hartman offers us an intricate world, reminiscent of Renaissance Europe, where dragons and humans have been trying to live in peace, but as often happens between species (or even just cultures), relations are tense, and misunderstanding and bigotry abound everywhere, with factions on both sides determined to destroy the treaty.
The plot follows this strand while entwining itself with a coming-of-age story, that of 16-year-old Seraphina. And what a character she is! We witness her slow transformation from self-loathing to acceptance, from doubt to confidence. She inhabits the no man's land in between these two warring species, belonging to both and none at the same time. Through her eyes and heart, we see what it means to be human and dragon alike.
I was amazed at the author's skill in bringing together so many aspects in the creation of this fully-fleshed world, from history and religion, to philosophies and politics, without overpowering the reader. The only too recognisable signs of oppression and persecution (the bells the dragons had to wear) for instance, reminded me of our own history. She also adds a murder mystery to her narrative, driving the action forward, with an interesting investigation. Mostly however, I was fascinated by her use of music. It permeates everything, content and form, giving the text a lyrical quality.
"That's the secret to performance: conviction. The right note played tentatively still misses the mark, but play boldly and no one will question you. If one believes there is truth in art - and I do - then it's troubling how similar the skill of performing is to lying."
Music - lies - logic -mathematics - feelings. There are all connected. What does it mean to Feel - to Love? The importance is not on species but on the goals you choose and share together for a common good. I haven't read many dragon books, but Seraphina feels different, or rather better defined.
It is an interesting take on dragons.
The story in some parts was slow that i wanted to stop reading. But i wanted to know how things will unfold although some parts were predictable. I liked in this book, the way dragons and humans separated and distinguished but their continued struggle to live together in peace.The struggle of the main character Seraphina to cope in two worlds she is not completely part of.
The crime mystery was not that interesting. I felt it did not take that much details in the book. The ending came to fast in away to only end the book.
I will read the second book because I'm curious how will the writer continue the story.
The story in some parts was slow that i wanted to stop reading. But i wanted to know how things will unfold although some parts were predictable. I liked in this book, the way dragons and humans separated and distinguished but their continued struggle to live together in peace.The struggle of the main character Seraphina to cope in two worlds she is not completely part of.
The crime mystery was not that interesting. I felt it did not take that much details in the book. The ending came to fast in away to only end the book.
I will read the second book because I'm curious how will the writer continue the story.
Seraphina drops you smack dab in a European-esque country in somewhat medieval times with a Christian-esque religion of slightly monstrous Saints with the title character and just expects you to figure things out.
I love that. Porphry is a city-state where Seraphina works as assistant music director for the Queen's residence. Despite being insanely talented musically, Seraphina tries very hard not to stand out. She has secrets, and it has something to do with Orma, the very strange, socially awkward friend of her father's who saved her life when she was very young.
Only Seraphina can't stay hidden in the background very long. When an emergency forces her to play at a Prince's funeral, she comes to the attention of the royal family just as they are preparing for their 40th celebration of peace.
Porphry had spent long years warring with dragons. Malcontents on both sides now agitate to disturb the peace. Seraphina begins to realize her secrets might be the key to protecting the head dragon himself and the princess who has become her friend.
Very, very cool world building (three-legged Saints! Pyregyria whirling dervish dancers! Mega-harmoniums and Seraphina's mental garden of grotesqueries) There's just enough surprising twists on the normal pseudeo-Medieval details to keep you reading.
In the midst of these imaginative details are characters worth hanging out with. Orma by himself struggling through social rituals was fun, but add in crotchety old ladies like Dame Okra and the sweet, low-key YA romance between Seraphina the Prince/Captain of the Guard Kiggs and you've got gold.
Looking forward to the next one.
This Book's Snack Rating: like a handful of Chex Mix for the fascinating bits of world in each bite and the fun, crunchy textures of the endearing characters
I love that. Porphry is a city-state where Seraphina works as assistant music director for the Queen's residence. Despite being insanely talented musically, Seraphina tries very hard not to stand out. She has secrets, and it has something to do with Orma, the very strange, socially awkward friend of her father's who saved her life when she was very young.
Only Seraphina can't stay hidden in the background very long. When an emergency forces her to play at a Prince's funeral, she comes to the attention of the royal family just as they are preparing for their 40th celebration of peace.
Porphry had spent long years warring with dragons. Malcontents on both sides now agitate to disturb the peace. Seraphina begins to realize her secrets might be the key to protecting the head dragon himself and the princess who has become her friend.
Very, very cool world building (three-legged Saints! Pyregyria whirling dervish dancers! Mega-harmoniums and Seraphina's mental garden of grotesqueries) There's just enough surprising twists on the normal pseudeo-Medieval details to keep you reading.
In the midst of these imaginative details are characters worth hanging out with. Orma by himself struggling through social rituals was fun, but add in crotchety old ladies like Dame Okra and the sweet, low-key YA romance between Seraphina the Prince/Captain of the Guard Kiggs and you've got gold.
Looking forward to the next one.
This Book's Snack Rating: like a handful of Chex Mix for the fascinating bits of world in each bite and the fun, crunchy textures of the endearing characters
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Renaissance-Italy-inspired fantasy with dragons. What else can I say?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Minor: Self harm
Discrimination against dragons is similar to discrimination against many real-world groups. (Ex: Dragons are attacked based on a Catholic-like religion and are forced to wear bells identifying them as dragons when they are in human form, for examples).