Thursday 15 August 2013

Review. Seraphina - Rachel Hartman

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.

My thoughts:
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Sure I heard it was good, but that's the thing, is it all hyped up or not? Well I can tell you, that it is not. It was a wonderful YA fantasy.

It's all about Seraphina, a halfbreed, something that should not exist and something that many would love to kill. So she hides the fact that she has scales on her body and goes on with her life. All in a nice kingdom that fought dragons and made peace with them 40 years ago. All in a kingdom where dragons are hated and looked down upon. Not to mention all the religious propaganda being spewed out by zealots. Yes nothing like religion to get my panties in a twist when reading fantasy. Most often when it happens it cos it's cos the religion resembles Christianity, here with saints and all that we are better, you others suck. I am so gonna go off on a religious rant now, but ok ok it works great in a world where dragons look down on humans and humans look down at dragons.

So a society with lots of tensions. Then we got a lot of nice side characters. Seraphina's uncle, whom she can't call uncle. Prince Lucian (I liked him!), princess Grisselda (I liked her too, she was just sweet), and lots more. All forming a nice cast of characters around here. Helping her on her way, not helping her on her way and leading to the end. Oh yes the end, trouble there. I do not know how it all will work out but I am sure waiting for the next one.

Conclusion:
Recommended.

Cover
Both eh and yes

Hardcover, UK, 368 pages
Published July 19th 2012 by Doubleday Childrens (first published July 1st 2012)
Seraphina #1
Library
Fantasy / YA

39 comments:

  1. Snap - I just started reading this today! It's nice so far and I like that the Dragons don't just feel like humans but kinda alien...

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    1. I did like that too :) All in all, such a good book

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  2. I'm not much for YA or fantasy, but you do a good job with reviewing it and get me interested in it. You always do that with your reviews. LOL

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  3. I really liked this and I was pleasantly surprised too. It wasn't too YA which was good.

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  4. I have this on my bookshelf, Blodeuedd. So glad you enjoyed it!

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  5. I still have a copy of this needing to be read and I know I am going to kick myself when I get to it. I am sure it is awesome! Glad you didn't think it was overhyped.

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    1. It was just awesome :) Everything I did not dare to hope for.

      I do say..read it! :D

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  6. Oh this sounds good. I really need to get this book. Darn you! Adding to my list again.

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  7. This sounds good, and I am having so much fun reading the YA fantasy Throne of Glass that it has me seeking out other equally good fantasy books..so this goes on the list!

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    1. Yes def this one then :D I just hope that book 2 does not suffer from book 2 syndrome

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  8. Hmm, I do want to get to this one day. I've had it in my hands a few times at the store, but didn't have the money to get it. One day I will.

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  9. Wow that cover is way different than the one on my shelf. It's so much creepier! I'm absolutely THRILLED to hear you enjoyed this. I really loved this, and I'm dying to read the next one too. I love Lucian and Grisselda too, but I think my favorite character (besides Seraphina) was Orma. He was so hilarious. Awesome review!

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    1. I can't wait :D I hope it will be good but I dare not hope. I have gone through so many bad second books

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  10. I heard great things about this one and forgot about it. BUt I love the cover and I'm glad you enjoyed it so much!

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  11. I really liked this one, too! Not a fan at all of this cover, I admit, especially when I compare it to the US version, which is really quite pretty and has a much more positive vibe to it than this one does.

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    1. I can't remember the US one at the moment...I need to go look :)

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  12. I've seen that girl on SO many book covers. lol

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  13. I have had this one on my TBR for a long time..it just keeps getting pushed down the list for new review books! I really should make more of an effort to get to it!

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    1. I know the feeling. There are always books I wanna read, and somehow they get lower and lower than in the TBR pile

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  14. Hmm sounds nice, I am just re-reading some of my Pern books by Anne McCaffrey. I love dragons in fantasy.

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  15. I've had this one for a while, don't know why I haven't read it already ... just not enough hours in the day? Anyway I'm glad you liked it, maybe I can get to it this year lol

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    1. You really must :D Or save it for 2014 when book 2 comes out

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  16. I have also heard that this one is really good. My library has it on audio so I'll likely listen to it one of these days.

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  17. First time hearing about this one (sometimes I feel like I live under a rock *sigh*) Anywho, lovely lovely cover and review B! I'm adding this one =)

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    1. First time? Well then I am glad I read it :) Some books are so hyped and everyone read it the same month, then I come along

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    2. You're definitely a "go-to" person for me when it comes to reading material dear =D I appreciate you reading new and old books!

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  18. I don't like this cover much (prefer the original US cover) but I loved the story-I gave it to one of my friends who also loves fantasy and she agreed that it was great. Can't wait for the sequel!

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    1. I do think I prefer this cover, the US one was a bit boring. But this one is not perfect either

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