Fantasy.
Juvenile Fiction.
Juvenile Literature.
Todo el mundo sabe que cualquier dragón que se precie puede aspirar a ser un buen político, profesor o matemático; no como esos absurdos humanos, que prestan tanta atención a sus emociones que acaban olvidando cómo pensar... En un reino mágico y sombrío en el que humanos y dragones conviven con una paz inestable, Seraphina es una música joven y talentosa (pese a ser humana) que acaba de entrar en el coro de la corte. Allí, las intrigas políticas son el pan de cada día. Poco después de su llegada, una noticia atraviesa los muros de palacio: un miembro de la familia real ha sido asesinado. Inmediatamente, los cimientos de esa fachada de paz se resquebrajan. Para investigar el crimen, Seraphina se alía con el perspicaz Lucian Kiggs, capitán de la guardia real. Pero todo el mundo tiene secretos, y ella no es una excepción: lo que oculta haría que la condenaran a muerte.… (más)
In the very crowded world of YA fiction, Seraphina is knockout. It was so refreshing to read not only a well-written first person narrative, but a fully realized, well-rounded heroine. So many authors get away with crappy books featuring pretend heroines that are really nothing more than smoke and mirrors (hello, Divergent).
Seraphina - the - character, made me laugh, frustrated me, inspired me-- I saw parts of myself in her, and I also understood her for herself. Seraphina- the- book was suspenseful, with the right blend of plot, romance, and political intrigue. The worldbuilding was maybe a little thin, but I prefer to fill in blanks myself rather than read 5000 pages of exposition.
I cried at the end and am eagerly awaiting more from this author. ( )
Course recommendation. Set in the kingdom of Goredd where tensions between humans and dragons are high. Seraphina finds herself able to understand dragons and then she finds herself changing. She discovers that her mother, who died during childbirth, was a dragon. Her father claims he didn't know. St. Ogdo recommends, to "cleave the infant's skull with a thrice-blessed axe, ... Sever its scaly limbs and burn them is separate fires, lest they return in the night, crawling like worms, to kill righteous folk" (46). Instead she is sheltered and taught. ( )
In a medieval-ish Fantasy world where dragons and humans intermingle only by treaty, Seraphina must help to navigate her past, her present, and the future of her kingdom. This book is not the kind of book that I'd normally pick up, but after only a single chapter, I grabbed my dragon loving 10 year old (who DEVOURED all four Eragon books in 2 days) and told her she had to read it; I just knew it'd be a book she loved. I appreciated the story-telling, the world-building, the dialogue, and the skillful way that Hartman revealed parts of the story at the most opportune times and in unique ways.
I think one of the things I appreciate the most about this novel is that there are strong female characters who feel so real. Girls and women are involved in politics, stand up for themselves, and hold their own in the world, but they are also "real-feeling" and aren't obnoxiously strong. Seraphina herself is incredibly introspective; she makes mistakes but learns from them, and is constantly reflecting on what she knows, what she needs, and how she is going to interact with others.
The imagery was beautiful, and the way you could literally get into Seraphina's head is something I've not seen done in this way before. Highly recommend, especially to those who love Fantasy! ( )
Equal to my enjoyment of this imaginative story’s elements, humor, characters, dialogues and descriptions, was my admiration of Mandy Williams’ narration. I’m definitely reading (listening to) Shadow Scale next! ( )
Wow, this was good. Completely original, intelligent read. I have no idea how to categorize this--I really need a general fantasy category. I recommend this to EVERYONE who enjoys fantasy--I added this to my auto-buy list. ( )
I usually practiced smiling while I slathered my scales with goo, figuring that if I could smile through that, I could smile through anything. Today I really didn't have the time.
We were all monsters and bastards. And we were all beautiful.
(page 90)
"My faith should not come easily; There is no Heaven without pain. My days should never flutter past Unnoted, nor my past remain Beyond its span of usefulness; Le me not hold to grief. My hope, my light, my Saint is love; In love my one belief."
(page 142-143)
The vagabond sun winks down through the trees, While lilacs, like memories, waft on the breeze, My friend, I was born for soft days such as these, To inhale perfume, And cut through the gloom, And feast like a king upon peaches and cheese! I'll travel this wide world and go where I please, Can't stop my wandering, it's like a disease. My only regret as I cross the high seas; what I leave behind, Though I hope to find, My own golden city of peaches and cheese!
(page 144)
I'll ask my true love, and I'll hope she agrees, How could she not, when I'm down on my knees? My Jill, say you will, and don't be such a tease. When it's time to eat, I say sweets to the sweet, My love, let your answer be peaches and cheese!
O Mistress Seraphina, Why won't you marry me? From first I ever seen ya, I knew you were for me! It's not just that you're sassy, It's not just that you're wise, It's that you poke Viridius In his piggy little eyes!
(pages 355-356)
My daughter, I suspect you will remember little of our conversation last night, which is just as well. I fear I babbled on foolishly. However: I owe you this, at least. Your mother had more than one flute, or I could never have borne breaking the other. I still regret that, not least for your look of betrayal. I was the monster on our household, not you. What comes, comes. I have made my peace with the past and with the future. Do what you feel you must, and do not be afraid.
All my love, for good or ill, Papa
(page 382)
A thousand regrets I've had in love, A thousand times I've longed to change the past. I know, my love, there is no going back, No undoing of our thousand burdens. We must go on despite our heavy hearts. A thousand regrets I've had in love, But I shall never regret you.
(page 420)
We the undersigned have seized the Kerama as of yesterday. We proclaim ourselves rightful rulers of the Tanamoot, all its lands and armies, until we are in turn removed by force. The traitor Comonot yet lives. He is wanted for crimes against dragonkind, including but not limited to: making treaties and alliances against the will of the Ker, detrimental to our values and way of life; indulging in excessive emotionality; fraternizing with humans; indulging deviants; seeking to alter our fundamental dragon nature and make us more human-like. We demand his immediate return to the Tanamoot. Failure to comply ill be tantamount to an act of war. Recognize, Goreddis, that you are in no position to fight. We expect you to act in accordance with your interests. You have three days.
(page 435)
Genrals of the Tanamoot: Goredd rejects the legitimacy of your claim to sovereignty over the Dragon Lands. Ardmagar Comonot yet lives; petty threats will not induce us to turn him over, nor do we recognize the validity of these trumped-up charges against him. He is our proven friend and ally, author and champion of the peace, and the legitimate ruler of the Tanamoot. If you push this toward war, do not foolishly imagine we are helpless, or that your own people will choose to fight for you rather than for continued cooperation between our species. This peace has been a true blessing upon the world, which is changed for the better; you cannot drag it back into the past.
Devoutly hoping we may settle this with words, I am, Her Highness Princess Glisselda, First Heir of Goredd, On behalf of Her Majesty Queen Lavonda the Magnificent
(page 445)
Blessed is he who passes, love, Beneath your window's eye And does not sigh. Gone my heart and gone my soul, Look on me love, look down Before I die. One glimpse, my royal pear, one smile Sufficient to sustain me, Grant me this, Or take my life and make it yours: I'd fight a hundred thousand wars For just one kiss.
Fantasy.
Juvenile Fiction.
Juvenile Literature.
Todo el mundo sabe que cualquier dragón que se precie puede aspirar a ser un buen político, profesor o matemático; no como esos absurdos humanos, que prestan tanta atención a sus emociones que acaban olvidando cómo pensar... En un reino mágico y sombrío en el que humanos y dragones conviven con una paz inestable, Seraphina es una música joven y talentosa (pese a ser humana) que acaba de entrar en el coro de la corte. Allí, las intrigas políticas son el pan de cada día. Poco después de su llegada, una noticia atraviesa los muros de palacio: un miembro de la familia real ha sido asesinado. Inmediatamente, los cimientos de esa fachada de paz se resquebrajan. Para investigar el crimen, Seraphina se alía con el perspicaz Lucian Kiggs, capitán de la guardia real. Pero todo el mundo tiene secretos, y ella no es una excepción: lo que oculta haría que la condenaran a muerte.
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Seraphina - the - character, made me laugh, frustrated me, inspired me-- I saw parts of myself in her, and I also understood her for herself. Seraphina- the- book was suspenseful, with the right blend of plot, romance, and political intrigue. The worldbuilding was maybe a little thin, but I prefer to fill in blanks myself rather than read 5000 pages of exposition.
I cried at the end and am eagerly awaiting more from this author. (