Review: Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Title: Seraphina
Author: Rachel Hartman
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Publishing Date: July 10th 2012
Pages: 467
Genre: Young Adult High Fantasy
Series: Seraphina #1
Source: Digital ARC

Goodreads Summary:

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.

Review:
I have been looking for more High Fantasy in YA when I found this book. The beautiful cover drew me in and the synopsis grabbed me. I knew I would like this book, and I did. Amazing world, intriguing story, entertaining characters, and a wonderful writing style filled this book from beginning to end.

The story is about Seraphina, a girl who is different and she can’t let anyone know just how different she is. She lives in a world where there are dragons among the humans. Once they were at war, but after a treaty came about they have been at peace for forty years. The treaty has been a success for both worlds, yet Seraphina still lives in fear.

Seraphina, now living and working with the courts, is desperate to find the truth about the murder of the court. Everyone thinks it is a rogue dragon, Seraphina fears the truth will cause her and her father many problems so she joins up with Prince Lucian to solve the mystery. During the investigation she finds herself becoming very close to the prince in turn leads the prince closer to the her secret. The fear of war, the fear of discovery, and the fear of broken promises tears Seraphina’s world apart.

The world that the author created in this story was beautiful. The idea of dragons and humans living among each, the description of the musical and musical instruments, the courts and the parties, it was full of vibrancy and imagination. I was pulled in with every detail. The writing was well paced and the style fit so well with the world and the characters.

The characters were so much fun and so alive. Seraphina is a very strong heroine, loyal and caring. I felt pulled to her right away, felt for her and with her. The secret of her life ruling her world, the love that she has for her father to keep him safe, the joy she finds in her music, and her shear determination to keep the peace between dragons and humans. Lucian was just so lovable. Kind hearted, loyal, friendly, flirty, brave, a true prince. He had his stubborn moments where stupidity slipped in but was able to get over pretty quickly, with a few nudges here and there of course. Princess Glisselda and her instruction Orma brought so many laughs and more depth to the story.

The book is full of adventure, mystery, danger, forbidden love, loyalty, deception, honor, and I could go on. It was a full experience for me I can’t wait to read more of the story.

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