Fantasy Review: Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman (Seraphina #1)

gifted

Synopsis from Goodreads
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.
Amazon  US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK | The Book Depository | Fishpond

8.5/10

* * *

 It took me just under a year and a half to finally read a paperback copy of Seraphina gifted to me at Christmas 2012, and what a shame I haven't done it sooner, peeps! At least I dragged all my unread books with me all the way to Portugal. *grinning*

This is a wonderful, quirky, whimsical fantasy and it's written just the way I like it. In fact, my main complaint is that the story is not long enough. I want more dragons, damn it!


There are so many intricate connections I wanted to wallow in? gloat about? Seraphina and her uncle Orma, Seraphina and Kiggs, the knights, the princess, Dame Okra, Fruit Bat, Lars... it was just all so juicy!

“We were all monsters and bastards, and we were all beautiful.”

And then there is also Seraphina's unbreakable ties to music. No matter how she tries to stay under a radar and hide her talent, - it shines through.

Rachel Hartman's writing style strongly reminded me of Laini Taylor, but she is definitely in a class of her own and original to boot. I am not saying anything plot-wise because there are many much more eloquent reviews floating around, but this is simply how I felt about this book. Highly recommended.

* * *

Шикарнейшая книга, которая пролежала на моей полке полтора года перед тем, как я её наконец прочитала. Стыд и позор мне, мои дорогие! 

Стиль пера Рэйчер Хартман напомнил мне книги Лэйни Тэйлор. Волшебный, мудрый, яркий, немного грустный, с оригинальным миром и интереснейшими персонажами, с которыми не хотелось расставаться.

Серафина, ах, Серафина с её драконом дядей Ормой, с бастардом принцем Киггсом, с рыцарями, с дамой Окрой, с Фруктовым Летучим Мышем, с Ларсом... описана безумно прекрасно, а драконы - это вообще что-то изумительное! Мне очень хотелось, чтобы книга не заканчивалась, и чтобы Мисс Хартман не останавливалась в своих описаниях драконов, а также музыкального таланта Серафины, так как книга эта так и пронизана музыкой.

Если вы хотите прочитать рецензии, обсуждающие сюжет, то их можно найти на Гудридс, а я не хочу ничего к ним добавлять, так как от Серафины у меня остались они эмоции. Читайте!