Review: Seraphina, by Rachel Hartman

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.

I went in to my reading of Seraphina with little to no expectations. Something about it piqued my interest, and so I purchased a copy. I held off reading it, worrying that it wouldn't draw me in enough and that reading all 467 pages would turn in to a chore. I finished the book wishing there were 467 more pages for me to devour. I won't tell you there weren't any minor annoyances with this book. The religious systems were a little dense, the medieval terminology a little hard to keep track of. A few relationships could have used a little more fleshing out rather than their pert solution towards the end.

However...that's basically it. I'd love to sit down and tell you everything I loved about this book down to the last gritty detail, but I'm trying to keep this spoiler-free out of respect for my co-authoress, Bitterblue, who has yet to have the luck to read this gem. Seraphina's personality is so rich and emotional. I felt every thing she experienced, right down to my gut. The way she loves so unconditionally, contrasted with the constraints on how she feels allowed to display that love, is a paradox unfolding. Her bravery and courage are tempered with how terrified she is of herself. The supporting cast of characters are diverse and unique and I loved them all.

I don't think it's too much of a spoiler to say that her secret must be outed at some point. The way it is handled is so great and I love how the author didn't resort to the trope that usually accompanies such outings. I loved it. I don't really know what else to say. I felt like I was floating above and among the facets of Seraphina's world, akin to her visions, and that floating sensation has yet to wear off. It was a privilege to be inside this character's consciousness. The love story wasn't what I expected. And I loved it.

Hartman has said it took her a good ten years to put this book out into the world. Those ten years were well worth it. The result is a beautiful novel, that has such fresh, sensible twists on the genre. I cannot recommend it enough. Five stars.

- Fire