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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have read this book twice now- once in 2018 and then in 2025. Both times, the story grabbed me.
I think that this is one of those books that will either really work for you, or really won't. Sadly I was in the latter category, and I struggled to work out just what it was that didn't excite me about it. The plot's interesting enough set in a world of music and magical shape-changing dragons (who are totally Vulcans in disguise). In the end, I'd say it was the writing style that was a bit of a turn off for me.
TL:DR; Two things I wish I'd known before reading this:
1 - It's pretty much a setup for a further book/series, so things go very slowly.
2 - If you just aren't feeling the writing early on, you're not going to enjoy it any more later.
It's not a bad book, it just didn't sing for me personally.
I found the writing style a little cold and dry, and couldn't fathom quite how old protagonist Seraphina was. I'd assumed she was older than her sixteen years (the same went for her maybe-kinda friend Glisselda who turned out to be fifteen). Some of the narration could veer towards been oddly prose-y and heavy considering it was meant as a stream of consciousness, and it jarred me just how often characters "shrieked" or "cried" their dialogue despite it not sounding like it'd fit the occasion.
The story is a serious slow-burn, not quite mystery, not quite YA coming-of-age/romance, but something with those elements mixed in. There's a really intriguing fantasy setup there, hence me struggling through the book despite my misgivings, and I liked how the setting seemed to be some kind of Renaissance Europe-inspired place full of artists and scientists (or at least mathematicians) rather than your usual Medieval city with barbarians at the gates. That the dragon-shifters are cool and aloof by nature means this was never going to be one of those "fiery passions" stories, and I was glad that while the romance felt oddly tacked in, it wasn't overly hormonal.
The pace did drag for me somewhat, as I felt like I was waiting for something to happen. Tension only really ramps up right towards the end when reveals come tumbling out of the woodwork, but I wasn't wholly satisfied by the drama at the conclusion as it felt more like a lead-in for the next book of the series. I was also just a bit weirded out by some of the more surreal aspects of the story that didn't quite gel for me (Phina's "mind garden" for instance).
It's a great fantasy world, and it does make a good case for a slow series starter. Where the plot could go from here, both in the bigger dragon alliance politics and Seraphina's self discovery journey, are compelling. It's the execution that means I probably wouldn't read a follow up no matter how curious I am, but if the writing style floats your boat you'll be in draconic heaven with this one.
TL:DR; Two things I wish I'd known before reading this:
1 - It's pretty much a setup for a further book/series, so things go very slowly.
2 - If you just aren't feeling the writing early on, you're not going to enjoy it any more later.
It's not a bad book, it just didn't sing for me personally.
I found the writing style a little cold and dry, and couldn't fathom quite how old protagonist Seraphina was. I'd assumed she was older than her sixteen years (the same went for her maybe-kinda friend Glisselda who turned out to be fifteen). Some of the narration could veer towards been oddly prose-y and heavy considering it was meant as a stream of consciousness, and it jarred me just how often characters "shrieked" or "cried" their dialogue despite it not sounding like it'd fit the occasion.
The story is a serious slow-burn, not quite mystery, not quite YA coming-of-age/romance, but something with those elements mixed in. There's a really intriguing fantasy setup there, hence me struggling through the book despite my misgivings, and I liked how the setting seemed to be some kind of Renaissance Europe-inspired place full of artists and scientists (or at least mathematicians) rather than your usual Medieval city with barbarians at the gates. That the dragon-shifters are cool and aloof by nature means this was never going to be one of those "fiery passions" stories, and I was glad that while the romance felt oddly tacked in, it wasn't overly hormonal.
Spoiler
I didn't get why Seraphina suddenly decided she was in love with this guy... Or why he decided he wanted her around considering he's only just met her in suspicious circumstances. That Kiggs thinks she's in love with tutor Orma was even weirder - what gave him that idea? His leap of logic was just a bit far.The pace did drag for me somewhat, as I felt like I was waiting for something to happen. Tension only really ramps up right towards the end when reveals come tumbling out of the woodwork, but I wasn't wholly satisfied by the drama at the conclusion
Spoiler
(Oh look, there's something dramatic happening over there *three main characters stand and watch dragons fighting*)It's a great fantasy world, and it does make a good case for a slow series starter. Where the plot could go from here, both in the bigger dragon alliance politics and Seraphina's self discovery journey, are compelling. It's the execution that means I probably wouldn't read a follow up no matter how curious I am, but if the writing style floats your boat you'll be in draconic heaven with this one.
I thought this was a pretty good book but I felt like some things were a little too drawn out and that it was maybe a little bit hard to follow. But nonetheless I thought it was an interesting and new take on dragon lore.
This was a wonderful book. I love the characters and the world building as well.
Loved it. It was a bit slow at the beginning but once I got into it, I could not put it down! I cannot wait until the next book. Ms. Hartman has just become one of my favorite writers.
Re-read in preparation for Shadow Scale, as good as I remember - a strong 4.5 stars!
Very well written and original, I just didn't find it that entertaining.
It has been a long time since I have read a book that I haven't wanted to put down and that I couldn't stop thinking about when I could not read it. Seraphina is creative, interesting, and a great read. Seraphina is half-human and half-dragon in a world where the peace between humans and dragons is precarious at best. Despite her differences, she befriends the prince, princess, and other strange folks to keep the peace in tact. Wonderful. I loved it.
I originally gave it 4 stars, but after I finished it I kept thinking about restarting it, just to be with the characters and the story some more... So 5 stars it is!