Goodreads.com description: Four decades of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. Folding themselves into human shape, dragons attend court as ambassadors, and lend their rational, mathematical minds to universities as scholars and teachers. As the treaty's anniversary draws near, however, tensions are high.
Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered—in suspiciously draconian fashion. Seraphina is drawn into the investigation, partnering with the captain of the Queen's Guard, the dangerously perceptive Prince Lucian Kiggs. While they begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot to destroy the peace, Seraphina struggles to protect her own secret, the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life.
In her exquisitely written fantasy debut, Rachel Hartman creates a rich, complex, and utterly original world. Seraphina's tortuous journey to self-acceptance is one readers will remember long after they've turned the final page.
I was undecided between 3 or 4 stars. Ideally, this would be a 3.5 star in my rating, because since it is a teen book I didn't feel it taught me anything about people, I didn't have a moment where I found it to have changed part of me, or to have shown me something about myself that I didn't know before. It was very enjoyable to read; it was refreshing, easy and with quality. Yet there were no epiphanies on my side. It would have made for a great beach read. I actually looked forward to sitting in the bus since I would get to read this novel, which is a high compliment to Rachel Hartman. Furthermore, I found myself missing the characters when they weren't with me. I finished this book some time ago, but felt so close to it, that had to wait for some time in order to write a fair review. As it turned out my feelings didn't change. I still enjoy what I read, and was not sad that I wasn't able to take more from the story. It is after all the story of a young woman trying to come to terms with whom she is (or what she is) in a society plagued by pain and a war that had ceased not long before her birth. If I wanted to compare her character to a similar historical event the closest thing that comes to mind would be the persecution and racism against young Japanese people post WWII. These people knew little about that culture and the people they were associated with, yet the pain in society was so raw that they were seen as the soldiers that left thousands of mothers, fathers, wives, sons and daughters missing family members.
Seraphina was wonderful, I don't usually read teen fiction, let alone pick it up without having had it recommended from my coworkers. Granted, the book received a glowing review in Quill and Quire; but I was impressed by the story. It felt so real and lacking all the cliches that make teen books bestsellers that I felt time just fly by while I was immersed in the story.
Seraphina was smart, funny and kind. She was forced to grow up but still kept the heart of a child. I found her to be realistic despite the fantastical twist of the story. I was gripped by this book. I couldn't let go of it. The world felt so well crafted, complete and natural. The writing flowed without needing to make extrapolations in order to give it some solidity. I have been in a historical fiction mood lately, so this was right up my alley.
In conclusion I am looking forward to seeing what is going to happen next with this character. I wish I wouldn't have to wait and hope that my interest doesn't wane in the time in between.
Seraphina was smart, funny and kind. She was forced to grow up but still kept the heart of a child. I found her to be realistic despite the fantastical twist of the story. I was gripped by this book. I couldn't let go of it. The world felt so well crafted, complete and natural. The writing flowed without needing to make extrapolations in order to give it some solidity. I have been in a historical fiction mood lately, so this was right up my alley.
In conclusion I am looking forward to seeing what is going to happen next with this character. I wish I wouldn't have to wait and hope that my interest doesn't wane in the time in between.
