It’s tough to write a fantasy story that is smart, funny and contains a main character who is significantly flawed. Most fantasies center around a hero who has been mistreated but is able to rise above it using their inner sense of unending fortitude and sheer goodness, often to the point of being unbelievable.
Such is not the case with Seraphina by Rachel Hartman. The hero of the story, Seraphina, is a gifted musician who has become the kingdom’s assistant music director. She is irascible, has difficulty with social interaction, and feels distant from her peers. She is enjoying her newfound freedom living within the castle and conducting private lessons to the teenage princess, but struggles finding her way with others.
The kingdom is enjoying a new, and still shaky, sense of peace with the local dragon population. Interestingly, the dragons are able to morph into a human shape and are participating members of society, albeit reluctantly from both sides. Dragons and humans keep their distance from one another, but are forced to join together to celebrate the upcoming 40 year anniversary of the peace treaty. Dragons resist feeling emotions, and often struggle to comprehend social situations, making them appear less trustworthy to humans. Are you making any connections yet?
Seraphina is literally in the middle of the building tension between the two sides. She must balance her life within the castle with her undeniable connection with the dragon world. She is forced to keep a painful secret to the people around her, many who are slowly tearing down the walls she has build around herself.
There is mystery, intrigue, plenty of treason and backstabbing, and a lot of action as this story reaches a climactic finish. This fantasy world is intricately carved by a talented author who leaves plenty of room for a sequel. Seraphina will not disappoint the die-hard fantasy fan!
Such is not the case with Seraphina by Rachel Hartman. The hero of the story, Seraphina, is a gifted musician who has become the kingdom’s assistant music director. She is irascible, has difficulty with social interaction, and feels distant from her peers. She is enjoying her newfound freedom living within the castle and conducting private lessons to the teenage princess, but struggles finding her way with others.
The kingdom is enjoying a new, and still shaky, sense of peace with the local dragon population. Interestingly, the dragons are able to morph into a human shape and are participating members of society, albeit reluctantly from both sides. Dragons and humans keep their distance from one another, but are forced to join together to celebrate the upcoming 40 year anniversary of the peace treaty. Dragons resist feeling emotions, and often struggle to comprehend social situations, making them appear less trustworthy to humans. Are you making any connections yet?
Seraphina is literally in the middle of the building tension between the two sides. She must balance her life within the castle with her undeniable connection with the dragon world. She is forced to keep a painful secret to the people around her, many who are slowly tearing down the walls she has build around herself.
There is mystery, intrigue, plenty of treason and backstabbing, and a lot of action as this story reaches a climactic finish. This fantasy world is intricately carved by a talented author who leaves plenty of room for a sequel. Seraphina will not disappoint the die-hard fantasy fan!