JULY 2012 - AudioFile
After 40 years of peace between the kingdoms of Goredd and Dragonkind, there’s a threat from pro-war factions on each side. Sixteen-year-old musical prodigy Seraphina hides a dark, potentially deadly secret. She’s plagued by her mother’s visions, by strange creatures inhabiting her mental “garden,” and by her growing affection for a betrothed prince. Mandy Williams narrates Rachel Hartman’s original coming-of-age story with a girl’s ingenuous enthusiasm while Justine Eyre provides the maternal memories with the rueful tone of one who has ignored a taboo. Hartman’s tale is chock-full of unique landscapes, ancient saints, dragon lore, music, and politics. Williams creates a charming new heroine, and Hartman’s clever symbolism and artful allusions assure fantasy fans of something fresh and unusual. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine
Publishers Weekly
In this complex, intrigue-laden fantasy, which establishes Hartman as an exciting new talent, readers are introduced to a world in which dragons and humans coexist in an uneasy truce, with dragons taking human form, dwelling among their former enemies, and abiding by a strict set of protocols. Sixteen-year-old Seraphina, assistant to the court composer, hides a secret that could have her ostracized or even killed: she’s half-dragon, against all rules and social codes. Along with the distinctive scales she keeps hidden, she has a mind filled with misshapen personalities whose nature she doesn’t quite grasp. As Seraphina navigates the complicated politics of a court where human-dragon relations are growing ever more fragile following a royal murder, she has to come to terms with her true nature and powers, the long-dormant memories her mother hid within her, and her growing affection for charming prince Lucian. There’s a lot to enjoy in Hartman’s debut, from the admirably resourceful heroine and intriguing spin on dragons to the intricately described medievalesque setting and emphasis on music and family. Ages 12–up. Agent: Daniel Lazar, Writers House. (July)
From the Publisher
A New York Times Bestseller
An Indie Bestseller
Winner of the William C. Morris YA Debut Award
An Amazon Top 20 Teen Book of the Year
A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book
A Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Book of the Year
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A Library Journal Best Young Adult Literature for Adults Selection
A Booklist Editors' Choice
An ABA Top 10 Kids' Indie Next List Selection
An ABC New Voices Pick
Nominated for the Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction
Winner of the Cybil Award for Teen Fantasy and Science Fiction
A Publishers Weekly Flying Start Author
An ALA-ALSC Notable Children's Book
An ALA-YALSA Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults Books
A YALSA Teens Top Ten Nominee
"An impressive debut novel; I can't wait to see what Rachel Hartman writes next."—Christopher Paolini, New York Times bestselling author of Eragon
"A book worth hoarding, as glittering and silver-bright as dragon scales, with a heroine who insists on carving herself a place in your mind."—Naomi Novik, New York Times bestselling author of Uprooted
"Seraphina is strong, complex, talented—she makes mistakes and struggles to trust, with good reason, and she fights to survive in a world that would tear her apart. I love this book!"—Tamora Pierce, New York Times bestselling author
"A wonderful mix of thrilling story, fascinating characters, and unique dragonlore. I loved being in Seraphina's world!"—Alison Goodman, New York Times bestselling author of Eon and Eona
"Rachel Hartman's rich invention never fails to impress—and to convince. It's smart and funny and original, and has characters I will follow to the ends of the earth."—Ellen Kushner, World Fantasy Award-winning author
“Full of grace and gravitas.”—The Washington Post
"Refreshing."—Entertainment Weekly
"Seraphina makes dragons fascinating once again."—io9.com
“Head and talons above the rest."— Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
"[A] complex, intrigue-laden fantasy."—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
"Captivating.” —Shelf Awareness, Starred Review
"Uncommonly good fantasy."—Booklist, Starred Review
“An outstanding debut from author-to-watch Hartman.”— The Horn Book Magazine, Starred Review
"Readers will want to plan to return to this richly developed world to see where this intricate fantasy goes next."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Starred Review
"Fans of fantasy will devour this book."—Voice of Youth Advocates, Starried Review
“Hartman creates a rich story layered with intriguing characters and descriptive settings.”—School Library Journal, Starred Review
School Library Journal - Audio
Gr 7 Up—In the decades since the peace treaty was signed, a fragile amity has existed between humans and dragons. Or so it is believed. As the treaty's 40th anniversary nears, a rogue dragon masterminds a dangerous scheme to reignite the ancient war between the two species. Caught unwillingly in the crossfire is Seraphina Dombegh, assistant music mistress of the royal court, who guards a terrible secret: She is half-dragon, a genetic anomaly considered an abomination to both sides. Because of her unique ability to connect with dragonkind, she is reluctantly drawn into a high-profile murder investigation headed up by the acutely insightful Prince Lucian Kiggs. Seraphina knows this death is only the tip of the iceberg, below which lurks a plot far more sinister and far-reaching. But can she divulge what she knows without also revealing the truth about her heredity? Or her forbidden feelings for the prince? The audiobook cover's nondescript black-and-white does little to hint at the gorgeously vivid imagery contained within Rachel Hartman's stunning debut novel (Random, 2012). Although the pace unfolds rather slowly, the story is by no means dry. Hartman's detailed storytelling and intricate plotting are reminiscent of Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy and Franny Billingsley's Chime. Mandy Williams's crisp voice harmonizes perfectly with the lyrical writing and lush ambiance of this exquisite tale. Fantasy enthusiasts will be enthralled throughout. A must have!.—Alissa Bach, Oxford Public Library, MI
School Library Journal
Gr 7 Up—For nearly 40 years, the treaty between the humans of Goredd and the dragons of dragonkind has held strong. Humans must not enter dragonkind territory and dragons, upon entering human lands, must take their human shape, or saarantrai. In Goredd, Seraphina's human father, a high offical, needs her to stay anonymous. The dark secret that she must hide is that her mother was a dragon. Because of her musical talents, Seraphina becomes Goredd's music assistant, helping prepare for the anniversary celebration. Layers of clothing disguise the scales on her arms and stomach, but unlike dragons, her blood runs red, not silver. Also, to keep from having fainting spells in which she relives her deceased mother's experiences, Seraphina must clear her head each night. She calls the figures in her vision grotesques, and each night, she must ensure all is calm in her mind-garden. When the decapitated body of Prince Rufus is found just days before the anniversary festivities, many humans are quick to accuse a dragon of breaking the pact. Seraphina's grotesques begin acting strangely, and the whole court is investigating the murder. When the celebrations are in full swing, all hell breaks loose as the rogue dragon that killed the prince enters Goredd in his dragon form and attempts to take control. Seraphina must risk revealing her true identity (and that of her fellow hybrids) in an attempt to save the kingdom. Hartman creates a rich story layered with intriguing characters and descriptive settings. Seraphina is a complex and fully developed protagonist. Although long, this unique novel (left open for a sequel) will surely appeal to fans of Christopher Paolini's "Eragon" books (Knopf) and wherever readers enjoy fantasies.—Lauren Newman, Northern Burlington County Regional Middle School, East Columbus, NJ
Kirkus Reviews
In Hartman's splendid prose debut, humans and dragons--who can take human form but not human feeling--have lived in uneasy peace for 40 years. The dragons could destroy the humans, but they are too fascinated by them. As musician Seraphina describes it, attempting to educate the princess, humans are like cockroaches to dragons, but interesting. As the anniversary of the treaty approaches, things fall apart: The crown prince has been murdered, anti-dragon sentiment is rising, and in the midst of it all, an awkward, gifted, observant girl unexpectedly becomes central to everything. Hartman has remixed her not-so-uncommon story and pseudo-Renaissance setting into something unexpected, in large part through Seraphina's voice. By turns pedantic, lonely, scared, drily funny and fierce, Seraphina brings readers into her world and imparts details from the vast (a religion of saints, one of whom is heretical) to the minute (her music, in beautifully rendered detail). The wealth of detail never overwhelms, relayed as it is amid Seraphina's personal journey; half-human and half-dragon, she is anathema to all and lives in fear. But her growing friendship with the princess and the princess' betrothed, plus her unusual understanding of both humans and dragons, all lead to a poignant and powerful acceptance of herself. Dragon books are common enough, but this one is head and talons above the rest. (cast of characters, glossary) (Fantasy. 12 & up)
