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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My favorite line form the book: "I anticipated standing alone in a corner shoving butter tarts in my mouth all evening." I feel you, girl!
The prince has been found with his head missing, which points toward a dragonly demise. It threatens to unhinge the tenuous treaty between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. There are humans and dragons who want this treaty to fail, but who is responsible? Hatred and fear run deep on both sides, and Seraphina, whose father is human and whose mother was a dragon finds herself caught in the middle. To tell more would be to spoil such a wonderful debut novel filled with courtly intrigue, romance and mystery.
In spite of the murder and courtly intrigue, the heart of this novel beats with joy and wonder and soars like few I have read. There have been other dragon books, but the view here is refreshing. Dragons can become human-shaped (it's not explained, nor is it really needed. Just trust me on that). Dragons rely more on their superior intellect and are clueless about feeling, but this has severe drawbacks.
The character Seraphina is a strong heroine who shows bravery when it is needed, but is vulnerable about her greatest secret and not fitting in to either world she is a part of. The worldbuilding is solidly populated with music, cultures and a plethora of interesting saints and unique characters. Although most of the action takes place in one city of the Kingdom of Goredd, there is plenty to suggest fully formed lands, people and creatures exist outside of the city walls.
This is the best book I've read so far this year. I did not want to finish this book and leave these characters behind, and that hasn't happened with me for a while. Rachel Hartman has created a masterful debut that deserves a wider readership than the Young Adult shelves of a bookstore. It also needs to be remembered next year when fantasy books are nominated for awards.
In spite of the murder and courtly intrigue, the heart of this novel beats with joy and wonder and soars like few I have read. There have been other dragon books, but the view here is refreshing. Dragons can become human-shaped (it's not explained, nor is it really needed. Just trust me on that). Dragons rely more on their superior intellect and are clueless about feeling, but this has severe drawbacks.
The character Seraphina is a strong heroine who shows bravery when it is needed, but is vulnerable about her greatest secret and not fitting in to either world she is a part of. The worldbuilding is solidly populated with music, cultures and a plethora of interesting saints and unique characters. Although most of the action takes place in one city of the Kingdom of Goredd, there is plenty to suggest fully formed lands, people and creatures exist outside of the city walls.
This is the best book I've read so far this year. I did not want to finish this book and leave these characters behind, and that hasn't happened with me for a while. Rachel Hartman has created a masterful debut that deserves a wider readership than the Young Adult shelves of a bookstore. It also needs to be remembered next year when fantasy books are nominated for awards.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I am not a music person. I cannot neither read, write, or play music. I sing only in the shower ,loudly and cankerously; but i love listening to music.
Seraphina was music incarnate. The words were a mellow bass and the characters the highlighting melody. The romance was an echoing back drop and the inner garden discrete cymbals. But mostly, Seraphina's voice rose above all in a pure soprano, praising truth and the moral of the story.
I loved the way Hartman made the dragons not beautiful and invincible creatures ruled by instinct, instead they were calculating emotionless creatures detested by human-kind. It was a new way of perceiving these mystical beasts; one that was pleasing to learn.
I truly enjoyed Seraphina; the world was well built and new on completely different levels. The languages complex but understandable. The characters three dimensional and the creatures loathsome. Seraphina, Lucian, Gliselda were the leading instruments in the symphony that is Hartman's world, and without them the experience would not be as resplendent. Orma was the stunning supporting character that symbolized the growth of emotions in an otherwise emotionless species. He was adorable in his quest.
The garden creatures (namely Lar and Fruit Bat) were entirely too cute. I thought it was nice touch to have Seraphina not only know the half dragons, but have them inside her head; tending to them. I hope to see more of them in the sequel.. If there is one!!
I hope there is a sequel because i want to find out what happens to the gang and wether the dragons win or the humans or both or neither. Please pleaseee
Seraphina was music incarnate. The words were a mellow bass and the characters the highlighting melody. The romance was an echoing back drop and the inner garden discrete cymbals. But mostly, Seraphina's voice rose above all in a pure soprano, praising truth and the moral of the story.
I loved the way Hartman made the dragons not beautiful and invincible creatures ruled by instinct, instead they were calculating emotionless creatures detested by human-kind. It was a new way of perceiving these mystical beasts; one that was pleasing to learn.
I truly enjoyed Seraphina; the world was well built and new on completely different levels. The languages complex but understandable. The characters three dimensional and the creatures loathsome. Seraphina, Lucian, Gliselda were the leading instruments in the symphony that is Hartman's world, and without them the experience would not be as resplendent. Orma was the stunning supporting character that symbolized the growth of emotions in an otherwise emotionless species. He was adorable in his quest.
The garden creatures (namely Lar and Fruit Bat) were entirely too cute. I thought it was nice touch to have Seraphina not only know the half dragons, but have them inside her head; tending to them. I hope to see more of them in the sequel.. If there is one!!
I hope there is a sequel because i want to find out what happens to the gang and wether the dragons win or the humans or both or neither. Please pleaseee
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
It was really good, but it was really long. I had to use the dictionary on every page.
adventurous
Seraphina is an excellent fantasy novel with a really interesting depiction of dragons. The titular character is a 16-year-old girl who has recently come to the royal court of Goredd to serve as assistant music master. The kingdom is in turmoil because a royal prince was recently murdered and it’s the upcoming anniversary of the long-standing treaty between the people of Goredd and the dragons they were formerly at war with. Seraphina tries her best to stay out of court politics because she has a terrible secret (she’s half dragon, although she looks human), but her musical talent keeps her from fading into the background and she finds herself caught up in a series of events far beyond her control.
I really liked what Rachel Hartmann does with dragons in this book. Although the truce has been in effect for many years, it’s an uneasy peace at best, and many of Goredd’s people would be happy to go back to war with their former enemy. Dragons can take human form, and while in Goredd, they do so, but it’s only their outer appearance that mimics humanity. They are calm, extremely rational, and completely bewildered by human emotions. Seraphina’s loyalties are divided. She’s human in appearance and emotions, but she’s upset by anti-dragon prejudice.
Seraphina is a great main character. She’s smart, talented, and loyal. She’s lived her whole life hiding her true nature, and because of this, she’s a bit of a loner. Now that she’s at court, she’s forced to interact with a wide variety of people and she finds herself forming friendships despite her need to stay under the radar. She feels more human than dragon, but she’s never completely at home in the human world because she knows most of them would turn on her if they knew her secret. She's not really accepted by most of the dragons who know about her heritage, so she's always caught between two worlds, not really belonging in either.
I really enjoyed this book because of its unique fantasy world and its strong protagonist. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy. Although it’s classified as young adult, I think older readers may enjoy it as well. The main character is a teen, but in her world she’s a mature adult, and I think readers of any age will be able to identify with her.
I received an ARC from Amazon Vine.
I really liked what Rachel Hartmann does with dragons in this book. Although the truce has been in effect for many years, it’s an uneasy peace at best, and many of Goredd’s people would be happy to go back to war with their former enemy. Dragons can take human form, and while in Goredd, they do so, but it’s only their outer appearance that mimics humanity. They are calm, extremely rational, and completely bewildered by human emotions. Seraphina’s loyalties are divided. She’s human in appearance and emotions, but she’s upset by anti-dragon prejudice.
Seraphina is a great main character. She’s smart, talented, and loyal. She’s lived her whole life hiding her true nature, and because of this, she’s a bit of a loner. Now that she’s at court, she’s forced to interact with a wide variety of people and she finds herself forming friendships despite her need to stay under the radar. She feels more human than dragon, but she’s never completely at home in the human world because she knows most of them would turn on her if they knew her secret. She's not really accepted by most of the dragons who know about her heritage, so she's always caught between two worlds, not really belonging in either.
I really enjoyed this book because of its unique fantasy world and its strong protagonist. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy. Although it’s classified as young adult, I think older readers may enjoy it as well. The main character is a teen, but in her world she’s a mature adult, and I think readers of any age will be able to identify with her.
I received an ARC from Amazon Vine.
SPOILERS!!!!!
I actually really loved this book. It was different and intelligent, sometimes it was needlessly complicated but that kind of added some realism to the world.
Hartmen's interpretation of dragons was interesting, and by FAR my favourite character is Orma. <3 Dragons, in this book, are vastly intelligent, mathematical beings who have made a treaty with the humans, they can also take human form. However one of the big issues that separate the two beings is that dragons simply can't understand human emotions, they don't see any use for them and think it as a weakness. This theme was emphasized throughout the book (almost annoyingly so at points) but it made Seraphina's interactions with Orma the dragon quite entertaining and funny.
There were lots of great characters in this book, Seraphina as a heroine was awesome :) she thought on her feet and was by no means a damsel in distress which was great to see, but her inability to let herself go grew frustrating at points.
The book moves along at a good pace and you get to slowly discover more about Seraphina and her heritage and her garden and you're slowly pulled further in to this really well-detailed world. My only issue was that a points the plot dragged too slowly. Otherwise I really recommend this book! It's different, the characters are awesome and there's some really awesome little details about Dragons that I absolutely LOVED!
I will definitely be keeping a look out for the second book :)
I actually really loved this book. It was different and intelligent, sometimes it was needlessly complicated but that kind of added some realism to the world.
Hartmen's interpretation of dragons was interesting, and by FAR my favourite character is Orma. <3 Dragons, in this book, are vastly intelligent, mathematical beings who have made a treaty with the humans, they can also take human form. However one of the big issues that separate the two beings is that dragons simply can't understand human emotions, they don't see any use for them and think it as a weakness. This theme was emphasized throughout the book (almost annoyingly so at points) but it made Seraphina's interactions with Orma the dragon quite entertaining and funny.
There were lots of great characters in this book, Seraphina as a heroine was awesome :) she thought on her feet and was by no means a damsel in distress which was great to see, but her inability to let herself go grew frustrating at points.
The book moves along at a good pace and you get to slowly discover more about Seraphina and her heritage and her garden and you're slowly pulled further in to this really well-detailed world. My only issue was that a points the plot dragged too slowly. Otherwise I really recommend this book! It's different, the characters are awesome and there's some really awesome little details about Dragons that I absolutely LOVED!
Spoiler
In this book dragons hoard knowledge instead of treasure, and at one point Orma sits on his books as if protecting them, I LOVE little details like that!I will definitely be keeping a look out for the second book :)