Seraphina Review

SERAPHINA
Series: Seraphina #1
Genre: YA, High Fantasy
Release Date: July 1st 2012

Book Length: 369 pages
Publisher: Corgi Childrens
Source: Physical copy, Goodreads 
Review: 4/5 *Full Review Below.

Blurb:
In her New York Times bestselling and Morris Award-winning debut, Rachel Hartman introduces mathematical dragons in an alternative-medieval world to fantasy and science-fiction readers of all ages. Eragon-author Christopher Paolini calls them, "Some of the most interesting dragons I've read in fantasy."

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. 

HIGH FANTASY LIKE NO OTHER

This book was epic, the world building was sensational, every single detail created this vivid new world you long to be apart of and it’s a debut novel? Wow.

In Goredd humans and dragons attempt to live in peace due to an old treaty but most humans would rather see them extinct. Seraphina a sixteen-year-old musician who fears of both humans and dragons, must hide and deceive everyone for she isn’t supposed to exist, no one must find out her secret; her mother was a dragon, making her half-human half-dragon. When the royalty of each side comes together again to make a show of peace, a Prince is found dead missing his head. All evidence points to the murderer being a dragon but Seraphina being a hybrid is able to find clues where others cannot, she is soon the key to solving the murder, all the while helping the too perceptive Prince Lucian Kiggs.

Seraphina, Seraphina, Seraphina, I never tire of her name it’s just awesome! She was an amazing MC, she hates her mother for creating her and hates that she can never just be normal but does she let this get in her way? No she does not, in fact she is not like other heroines, in that they have this constant inner monologue of how monstrous they are. Seraphina know what she is and uses this to her advantage and even risks her life for the answers the Royal Crown needs.

As I’ve said the world building was simply epic, it was easy to become lost in this world with so many characters, philosophers, clothing, instruments and rituals but Hartman soon put me straight with a List of Characters and a Glossary. I devoured this new culture and was amazed by how well written it was, you will glide from wicked plot twists, dances, celebrations, treaty’s, and war so smoothly. I was actually shocked my how this enormous world was described in such vivid detail in less than 400 pages.

I seriously didn’t roll my eyes once while reading this; this is a pretty big deal. No love-triangles, no cheese PLEASE, no annoying heroine, no cliffhanger. To me this was perfect, I would have loved more romance but it wouldn’t have gone well with the story at all, it’s a much more realistic romance.

This book is absolutely perfect for high fantasy lovers and for those who enjoy amazing world building, stunning new worlds and a well paced plot. I can't wait to get my hands on Book #2 Shadow Scale.