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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
This is my new favorite thing. I want the next book now! On the surface this story is about dragons and humans trying to get along in a fantasy world, but really it's about the recognizable condition of feeling like an outsider and the struggle to believe that you might actually be worthwhile.
I'm so gratified to say that I loved this book. It was world-building without info-dumping, characters that I truly loved. Straining for emotional connection and understanding, without being emo.
Really great start to this series, with beautiful narrative. Can't wait to start the next book.
Really great start to this series, with beautiful narrative. Can't wait to start the next book.
Fantasy isn't normally my genre, but this was worth the read to me. One of my problems with the fantasy genre is a tendency toward formula. Seraphina avoids the pitfalls of relying on formula while using the conventions of the genre to mage something new and refreshing. I don't normally read series, but I look forward to the second book.
adventurous
fast-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:
Complicated
High fantasy is my favorite genre, but it doesn’t mean that I’m an easy customer. It takes a lot for a fantasy to become a favorite of mine: in addition to nearly impeccable world-building, it also has to have empathic characters and enough action to satisfy the baser part of me. I had heard positive things about SERAPHINA before I was finally able to read it, but rave reviews often make me wary, worried that the book will never live up to the reviews’ promises. Happily, for me and the whole world, SERAPHINA is worthy of its high praise. Rachel Hartman writes with a sureness of hand and mind that sweeps readers into Seraphina’s complex and fascinating world.
In SERAPHINA, dragons and humans have made an uneasy peace treaty, but the social tensions are still apparent and painfully recognizable in its similarities to the prejudices that minority groups in our world still suffer. I love that “real” aspect of the book, and feel that the countless instances of anti-dragon sentiment in SERAPHINA are authentic as a result.
The social tensions aren’t the only thing that make SERAPHINA’s world-building so astounding. It’s clear that Rachel Hartman did research on her Medieval-inspired fantasy world, from the clothing to the instruments to the layout of court (physical and human). If an aspiring cable TV channel *cough HBO and Game of Thrones crew cough* were to consider adapting this story, they would have plenty to go off of.
Splendid world-building by itself isn’t enough to get me to love a fantasy, and that’s where SERAPHINA’s wonderful characters come in. Seraphina, Seraphina, you amazing protagonist. You’ve had such a rough life and it in no way is going to get easier after the events of this book, and yet you handle it with an aplomb that those twice your age cannot often claim as their own. Seraphina’s personality is the direct product of her difficult and isolated childhood, but it does not weigh her or the story down. The girl is resilient, ethical, intelligent, and determined…and she is not the only awesome character. Supporting characters are allowed a full range of thoughts and reactions, so that where we think we’ll find potentially stereotypical character roles—in the spoiled princess, or the love triangle—we instead find refreshment.
Debut authors like Rachel Hartman show me that literary talent is not in danger of being swamped by the mediocre hype-fueled masses. Hartman has the detail-oriented skills to be a fixture in the fantasy genre, and the understanding of human beings and society to make her mark in any other genre she’s interested in dabbling in. SERAPHINA was a heck of a debut, one that I sincerely hope marks the very beginning of a long and beautiful writing career.
In SERAPHINA, dragons and humans have made an uneasy peace treaty, but the social tensions are still apparent and painfully recognizable in its similarities to the prejudices that minority groups in our world still suffer. I love that “real” aspect of the book, and feel that the countless instances of anti-dragon sentiment in SERAPHINA are authentic as a result.
The social tensions aren’t the only thing that make SERAPHINA’s world-building so astounding. It’s clear that Rachel Hartman did research on her Medieval-inspired fantasy world, from the clothing to the instruments to the layout of court (physical and human). If an aspiring cable TV channel *cough HBO and Game of Thrones crew cough* were to consider adapting this story, they would have plenty to go off of.
Splendid world-building by itself isn’t enough to get me to love a fantasy, and that’s where SERAPHINA’s wonderful characters come in. Seraphina, Seraphina, you amazing protagonist. You’ve had such a rough life and it in no way is going to get easier after the events of this book, and yet you handle it with an aplomb that those twice your age cannot often claim as their own. Seraphina’s personality is the direct product of her difficult and isolated childhood, but it does not weigh her or the story down. The girl is resilient, ethical, intelligent, and determined…and she is not the only awesome character. Supporting characters are allowed a full range of thoughts and reactions, so that where we think we’ll find potentially stereotypical character roles—in the spoiled princess, or the love triangle—we instead find refreshment.
Debut authors like Rachel Hartman show me that literary talent is not in danger of being swamped by the mediocre hype-fueled masses. Hartman has the detail-oriented skills to be a fixture in the fantasy genre, and the understanding of human beings and society to make her mark in any other genre she’s interested in dabbling in. SERAPHINA was a heck of a debut, one that I sincerely hope marks the very beginning of a long and beautiful writing career.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I absolutely loved this book!! Between the worldbuilding, dragons, and the three-dimensional characters, it's hard to pick something to gush about, but my favorite thing by far is the female friendships.
Glisselda is introduced as the typical princess that we expect Seraphina to be annoyed by, because Seraphina is Not Like Other Girls while Glisselda is Other Girls. But I was SO pleasantly surprised that this wasn't the case! Glisselda and Seraphina's friendship in the book (and in the next) was one of my favorite parts.
Additionally, Kiggs isn't your typical low-key abusive broody YA hero—he's intelligent and well-read in a way that we actually see and understand why Seraphina likes him and connects with him, instead of just being told she does.
If, as a kid (or now!), you liked [b:Magyk|769483|Magyk (Septimus Heap, #1)|Angie Sage|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1404330986s/769483.jpg|2215929], I think you'll adore this. They have kind of similar feels.
TL;DR: This book is captivating and full of magic, dragons, feminism, and mysteries. Big recommend.
Glisselda is introduced as the typical princess that we expect Seraphina to be annoyed by, because Seraphina is Not Like Other Girls while Glisselda is Other Girls. But I was SO pleasantly surprised that this wasn't the case! Glisselda and Seraphina's friendship in the book (and in the next) was one of my favorite parts.
Additionally, Kiggs isn't your typical low-key abusive broody YA hero—he's intelligent and well-read in a way that we actually see and understand why Seraphina likes him and connects with him, instead of just being told she does.
If, as a kid (or now!), you liked [b:Magyk|769483|Magyk (Septimus Heap, #1)|Angie Sage|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1404330986s/769483.jpg|2215929], I think you'll adore this. They have kind of similar feels.
TL;DR: This book is captivating and full of magic, dragons, feminism, and mysteries. Big recommend.