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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
Recommended by the same flyer that suggested Yes, Chef as a good summer reading book, so I scooped up Seraphina as an envelope-pushing choice. It was well-written and interesting, but its typically young-adult-novel emphasis on the protagonist's struggles to be accepted in society, her own identity, and her role as savior of the kingdom are, by now, trite, even when they come attired in scales and claws. Some fiercely original ideas in this book, but overall, I think I'm not its target audience. Probably an excellent choice for teenaged fantasy lovers!
I took this book on a plane flight. I love doing that--one thick hardback book which the flight attendants cannot make you put down during take-off and landing--and something that lasts just exactly the length of the flight.
This book took me from DC to San Diego, and I inhaled it. It's lovely to be able to do that with a good book: to consume it all in one sitting. (Why are so many complimentary words about books also applicable to food? Satisfying. Delicious. Delightful. Creamy. Filling. Tart. Sweet.)
Seraphina is an enjoyable, original, and creative book. Hartman peoples it with well-rounded characters, striking concepts, and realistically complex issues. She so seamlessly integrates females (strong females!) into the story that you begin to realize how ungracefully it's often done elsewhere: Clumsily describing a woman right up front as female, and categorizing her. Here, Hartman introduces the characters and at some point you might realize she's female, but its not anyone's central, identifying feature.
Seraphina is smart, clever, individual, and a remarkably fresh voice in the world of YA fantasy.
This book took me from DC to San Diego, and I inhaled it. It's lovely to be able to do that with a good book: to consume it all in one sitting. (Why are so many complimentary words about books also applicable to food? Satisfying. Delicious. Delightful. Creamy. Filling. Tart. Sweet.)
Seraphina is an enjoyable, original, and creative book. Hartman peoples it with well-rounded characters, striking concepts, and realistically complex issues. She so seamlessly integrates females (strong females!) into the story that you begin to realize how ungracefully it's often done elsewhere: Clumsily describing a woman right up front as female, and categorizing her. Here, Hartman introduces the characters and at some point you might realize she's female, but its not anyone's central, identifying feature.
Seraphina is smart, clever, individual, and a remarkably fresh voice in the world of YA fantasy.
Reseña completa en Bibliotecario en la escuela.
Argumento
El mundo de Seraphina Dombergh sostiene la paz gracias a un tratado entre humanos y dragones (en el que además ha participado su padre). Uno de los puntos del tratado establece que los dragones deberán vivir transformados en su forma humana. Otro especifica que el mestizaje humano-dragón está prohibido y en caso de descubrirse, tanto los progenitores como la descendencia serán ejecutados. Y ese es el gran problema de Seraphina y de su padre, ya que su madre era una dragona. Eso le ha dado a Seraphina unas habilidades sobrehumanas, entre ellas un talento extraordinario para la música, heredado de su madre. Gracias a esto Seraphina empieza a trabajar como ayudante del músico maestro, en el sitio donde más gente la puede descubrir y más deberá esconder su secreto: la corte real. Por si esto no originara suficiente ansiedad en la vida de Seraphina, un miembro de la familia real es asesinado y todo parece indicar que ha sido obra de un dragón. La paz pende de un hilo y Seraphina empezará a investigar el crimen para salvarla, conjuntamente con el capitán de la guardia real, Lucian Kiggs, por el que empezará a sentirse irremediablemente atraída.
Valoración
4,4/5
Estamos ante una novela de fantasía singular y habitual. Y es que cuando lees que en una novela hay dragones, lo que te imaginas es acción y mucho fuego. Pero esta novela es un thriller político de corte real con un transfondo fantástico. Esta historia va de engaños, intrigas políticas, dobles identidades, descubrir a un asesino, ... Así que si no te gusta la fantasía, esta novela podría llegar a gustarte. Y es que la autora no está graduada en literatura comparada para lucir su título. La obra está exquisitamente bien escrita, con un lenguaje muy elaborado y en el que se crea un mundo de forma muy minuciosa y detallada: la historia del mundo, la filosofía de los dragones, la psicología de la protagonista, su ansiedad por ser descubierta, los pueblos y las culturas periféricas a la ciudad cortesana, ... estamos ante un gran ejercicio de literatura.
Pero la novela no me ha gustado. Está muy bien escrita, los personajes muy bien construidos, filosofía, psicología, crítica social, un lenguaje magistral... pero he quedado muy decepcionado con el ritmo. Me atrapó desde el principio, pero cuando iba por la mitad, se me hizo cuesta arriba, larga, lenta y sin ritmo. Creo que se podía haber resuelto de forma mucho más breve y dinámica. Creo que en literatura juvenil, el menos siempre es más. Si puedes explicar una buena historia en 300 páginas, no la expliques en 600.
Lo mejor: el mundo creado, el lenguaje, la psicología, la reinterpretación de los dragones, el vocabulario ... prácticamente todo.
Lo peor: el ritmo a partir de la mitad de la novela que sumado a la longitud, la convierte en una historia lenta. El romance entre el dueto protagonista que a veces transmite la apariencia de ser muy forzado.
Argumento
El mundo de Seraphina Dombergh sostiene la paz gracias a un tratado entre humanos y dragones (en el que además ha participado su padre). Uno de los puntos del tratado establece que los dragones deberán vivir transformados en su forma humana. Otro especifica que el mestizaje humano-dragón está prohibido y en caso de descubrirse, tanto los progenitores como la descendencia serán ejecutados. Y ese es el gran problema de Seraphina y de su padre, ya que su madre era una dragona. Eso le ha dado a Seraphina unas habilidades sobrehumanas, entre ellas un talento extraordinario para la música, heredado de su madre. Gracias a esto Seraphina empieza a trabajar como ayudante del músico maestro, en el sitio donde más gente la puede descubrir y más deberá esconder su secreto: la corte real. Por si esto no originara suficiente ansiedad en la vida de Seraphina, un miembro de la familia real es asesinado y todo parece indicar que ha sido obra de un dragón. La paz pende de un hilo y Seraphina empezará a investigar el crimen para salvarla, conjuntamente con el capitán de la guardia real, Lucian Kiggs, por el que empezará a sentirse irremediablemente atraída.
Valoración
4,4/5
Estamos ante una novela de fantasía singular y habitual. Y es que cuando lees que en una novela hay dragones, lo que te imaginas es acción y mucho fuego. Pero esta novela es un thriller político de corte real con un transfondo fantástico. Esta historia va de engaños, intrigas políticas, dobles identidades, descubrir a un asesino, ... Así que si no te gusta la fantasía, esta novela podría llegar a gustarte. Y es que la autora no está graduada en literatura comparada para lucir su título. La obra está exquisitamente bien escrita, con un lenguaje muy elaborado y en el que se crea un mundo de forma muy minuciosa y detallada: la historia del mundo, la filosofía de los dragones, la psicología de la protagonista, su ansiedad por ser descubierta, los pueblos y las culturas periféricas a la ciudad cortesana, ... estamos ante un gran ejercicio de literatura.
Pero la novela no me ha gustado. Está muy bien escrita, los personajes muy bien construidos, filosofía, psicología, crítica social, un lenguaje magistral... pero he quedado muy decepcionado con el ritmo. Me atrapó desde el principio, pero cuando iba por la mitad, se me hizo cuesta arriba, larga, lenta y sin ritmo. Creo que se podía haber resuelto de forma mucho más breve y dinámica. Creo que en literatura juvenil, el menos siempre es más. Si puedes explicar una buena historia en 300 páginas, no la expliques en 600.
Lo mejor: el mundo creado, el lenguaje, la psicología, la reinterpretación de los dragones, el vocabulario ... prácticamente todo.
Lo peor: el ritmo a partir de la mitad de la novela que sumado a la longitud, la convierte en una historia lenta. El romance entre el dueto protagonista que a veces transmite la apariencia de ser muy forzado.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I am not usually a fan of "creature" fantasy, preferring generally real people, or at least the fantastical versions of people - witches, vamps, hobbits, elves, that sort of thing. So I was really reticent about reading this book. It proved me wrong in every facet. I LOVED it.
Seraphina ranks right up there with the best fantasy heroines. She is a tortured soul, a "monster", someone who fits in with neither dragons nor people, because she is both. She's also brilliantly talented, smart, funny, and incredibly fascinating to the reader. I loved reading the book from her POV, another aspect of the book which both surprised and beguiled me, since I normally prefer a 3rd person omniscient POV. But I felt a kinship with Seraphina right away, and her voice carried the story along beautifully.
The love story between herself and Lucian Kiggs felt natural, unlike many fantasy romances I've read, which felt forced and fake. I liked Kiggs immediately, as I did most of the supporting cast. Orma, Princess Selda, even Millie the maidservant - Hartman did an incredible job of making fully realized characters. Every major and semi-major character in this book seemed like a living, breathing person to me.
If I have a complaint for this book, it is that I wish the backstory and the history of the land and peoples had been more fully explained, and that there had been an etymology for the many different languages. This is probably stemming from having read far too much Tolkien.
Seraphina is fabulous book, the lack of backstory notwithstanding, and I really, really, really hope there is a sequel coming, because I will cry big fat dragon tears if there isn't.
Seraphina ranks right up there with the best fantasy heroines. She is a tortured soul, a "monster", someone who fits in with neither dragons nor people, because she is both. She's also brilliantly talented, smart, funny, and incredibly fascinating to the reader. I loved reading the book from her POV, another aspect of the book which both surprised and beguiled me, since I normally prefer a 3rd person omniscient POV. But I felt a kinship with Seraphina right away, and her voice carried the story along beautifully.
The love story between herself and Lucian Kiggs felt natural, unlike many fantasy romances I've read, which felt forced and fake. I liked Kiggs immediately, as I did most of the supporting cast. Orma, Princess Selda, even Millie the maidservant - Hartman did an incredible job of making fully realized characters. Every major and semi-major character in this book seemed like a living, breathing person to me.
If I have a complaint for this book, it is that I wish the backstory and the history of the land and peoples had been more fully explained, and that there had been an etymology for the many different languages. This is probably stemming from having read far too much Tolkien.
Seraphina is fabulous book, the lack of backstory notwithstanding, and I really, really, really hope there is a sequel coming, because I will cry big fat dragon tears if there isn't.
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
This book was really refreshing. It reminds me of the fantasy books I would read as a child.
There are three plot elements that, for no good reason, turn me off of any book so much so that I generally will not be persuaded to read it regardless of reviews, personal recommendations, and the knowledge that I just maybe, possibly, potentially might like it anyway. The first is time travel of any sort, to and from any time. The second is certain periods of historical fiction. I will not bother specifying which because there is no logic behind this. The third is dragons. That is why I did not want to read this book and left it sitting on my coffee table for weeks before I very reluctantly picked it up.
Well, I loved it. In fact, I think I loved it more than any J/YA/Adult fiction book I read this year. The world that Hartman creates is awesome in its richness, darkness, beauty and complexity. I didn't want to come up for air. Seraphina is a true heroine. I found myself intrigued by her and connected to her. If her heart were to be broken, surely mine would break for her. Her story clung to me. I've heard a few people complain that the story started slow, but I enjoyed this slow build-up. I enjoyed "seeing" Seraphina's world come together before me and I enjoyed Hartman's beautiful writing from page 1 to the last. I will be recommending this to many readers, and awaiting Hartman's next book.
Well, I loved it. In fact, I think I loved it more than any J/YA/Adult fiction book I read this year. The world that Hartman creates is awesome in its richness, darkness, beauty and complexity. I didn't want to come up for air. Seraphina is a true heroine. I found myself intrigued by her and connected to her. If her heart were to be broken, surely mine would break for her. Her story clung to me. I've heard a few people complain that the story started slow, but I enjoyed this slow build-up. I enjoyed "seeing" Seraphina's world come together before me and I enjoyed Hartman's beautiful writing from page 1 to the last. I will be recommending this to many readers, and awaiting Hartman's next book.
((Personal Peeve: I'm trying not to judge this book too harshly based on my overall disgust with the YA genre at the moment. DOES NO ONE WRITE STAND-ALONE BOOKS ANYMORE? I mean, starting a series is one thing--and enough of one thing itself, are there ANY non-series fantasy/scifi books out there these days??--but writing a book that then ISN'T a book because ALL you do is set up setting, characters and plot elements for the NEXT book which you promise, oh YES you promise, "THIS one has the story I got you excited about, I swear!" Only to find that means, "Well, actually, by 'story' I meant interminable, plot-less bridge from the first novel to the third," is a whole other thing.))
Okay, so Seraphina isn't the worst culprit of this awful current trend, but it DOES span 400+ pages only to never quite get there and leave you on an almost-built-up-to-the-main-plot cliff. However those 400+ pages of more description, intrigue and set-up than plot are thoroughly enjoyable. The story tugs you along excitedly, and there's little of the same-old in terms of characters and tropes. In fact this is one of the more unique takes on dragons, and dragon politics, I've read in a long time. Of course there's a goofy YA romance element, yet the main female lead manages to stay slightly reasonable, functional and autonomous despite it. The female character you think you're being set up to write off ends up being strong and independent in her own way as well. And there's a lovely anti-hate theme throughout as well, so I certainly can't fault the messages behind this teen novel either. I could be picky and agree with some other reviewers about where the heck her powers came from and why she's the one that has them when there is nothing else of the ilk in this fantasy world, but I'll save the rest of my pickiness for the second book (which I will most definitely be reading.)
Okay, so Seraphina isn't the worst culprit of this awful current trend, but it DOES span 400+ pages only to never quite get there and leave you on an almost-built-up-to-the-main-plot cliff. However those 400+ pages of more description, intrigue and set-up than plot are thoroughly enjoyable. The story tugs you along excitedly, and there's little of the same-old in terms of characters and tropes. In fact this is one of the more unique takes on dragons, and dragon politics, I've read in a long time. Of course there's a goofy YA romance element, yet the main female lead manages to stay slightly reasonable, functional and autonomous despite it. The female character you think you're being set up to write off ends up being strong and independent in her own way as well. And there's a lovely anti-hate theme throughout as well, so I certainly can't fault the messages behind this teen novel either. I could be picky and agree with some other reviewers about where the heck her powers came from and why she's the one that has them when there is nothing else of the ilk in this fantasy world, but I'll save the rest of my pickiness for the second book (which I will most definitely be reading.)
As with any book that I haven't actually finished but put on my read list, this is more to remind myself to never pick it up and try to read it again.
No, No, No, no way! The prologue was not interesting at all, but I made myself keep reading hoping to get to the good part, but I was so confused by all of the challenging words, that I am certain my reluctant readers will quit before page 10. This is for the hard-core fantasy/dragon people. A No vote for me.