Seraphina

Seraphina

by Rachel Hartman

Synopsis:

A new vision of knights, dragons, and the fair maiden caught in between . . .
 
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 has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered. While a sinister plot to destroy the peace is uncovered, Seraphina struggles to protect the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life. Seraphina''s tortuous journey to self-acceptance will make a magical, indelible impression on its readers.

My Thoughts:

I actually didn't pick this book myself; it was recommended to me by a coworker.  It had dragons so I couldn't turn it down.  After looking at the cover and reading the little summary I thought this would be an interesting but rather short and simple story more suited for younger audience than a high school student.  I couldn't have been more wrong.  First of all this is just the first book there will be more coming (unfortunately I haven't seen anything indicating when the next book will be available).  Second the world that Hartman has created is far more intricate than I was expecting.  The character development was quite complex and very well done.  You can clear see how each character is developed and the best part is it is completely believable.  There are so many topics discussed in this book from philosophy and art to love and religion and then there are even heavier topics just as what is means to be human (or a dragon) and how to be accepting (of others and of oneself).  This book I found was a little tough to get into but by chapter 5 I was in love with pretty much all the characters especially Seraphina and I can't wait to see what happens next in this amazingly detailed world.