Hello, 2013! Between Pitch Wars and revisions, I haven't had much time to blog, but I've been meaning to recommend this book since the beginning of December, so here goes...Several weeks ago, agent Kristin Nelson asked her readers what they thought the breakout YA debuts of 2012 were. When I checked the comments, one book kept coming up: Rachel Hartman's SERAPHINA. I hadn't heard of it (which is unusual these days), but after looking it up on Goodreads, I decided to give it a go (especially since it sounded like something the lovely Myrna Foster might have written). It didn't disappoint.
Ms. Hartman's debut tells the story of the title character, a gifted musician who recently took a position as the court composer's main assistant. She has a secret, though, one that must stay hidden if she wants to keep her position and her life. Her people have hated dragons--old, cunning creatures capable of taking human form--for as long as anyone can remember, and the uneasy peace between them, brokered a mere fifty years before, has only put a lid on a boiling pot. When the crown prince turns up dead, apparently murdered by a dragon, Seraphina's secret points the way toward the only clues available. If she and the captain of the guard can't puzzle them out in time, they may have another war on their hands--and Seraphine will be right in the middle of it.
The world of SERAPHINA is as rich as it sounds, and I thought Seraphina was a strong, capable heroine. The story twisted and turned in all the right places, and I loved how it set up a series that promises to be even richer and twistier. I'm not a huge fan of high fantasy, but this one won me over. I'll definitely pick up the sequel.
If you love dragons, high fantasy, or just well-crafted, well-written books, definitely check this one out. It's well worth a read.
I actually hadn't heard of this one either...until today. i'm pretty sure I saw it on someone else's Teaser Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely sounds like a fun read. Thanks for the review! :)
I'm with you on high fantasy but I will take a look!
ReplyDeleteSERAPHINA is lovely. I'm excited to see where the series goes.
ReplyDeleteAnd YOU . . . you are too good to me. Not that I'm complaining. ;o)
Dragons and fantasy and a female heroine... sounds like one of my old favorites, The Hero and The Crown. And lucky me, Seraphina is sitting on my shelf right now. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wiNNer!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wiNNer!!
ReplyDeleteTamara, it's funny how you often hear about the same book over and over again in rapid succession. I've gotten two recommendations for William Alexander's GOBLIN SECRETS just this week. Anyone want to add another? :)
ReplyDeleteKristen, I've read a few standout high fantasies lately, but this one was my favorite.
I just tell it like I see it, Myrna. I just tell it like I see it:)
Christine, I've heard wonderful things about THE HERO AND THE CROWN, but I still need to check it out!
It is, Jamie!
Thanks for doing a review on this book! I've picked it up at the bookstore, and read the back of it like ten times, but I've always put it back on the shelf. Now I'm totally excited to read it! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOh, man, talk about PRESSURE. I hope it doesn't disappoint! :)
ReplyDeleteI'll check it out. I recently read Finninkin of the Rock. Amazing. I couldn't believe I had missed that one.
ReplyDeleteOh, I haven't heard of that one! Thanks for the tip, Eliza!
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