Seraphina (Seraphina, #1) in Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge

Feb 28, 2018 Lacey Louwagie rated it really liked it

Shelves: youngadultfantasy, mp3-audiobook, fantasy, youngadult, into-the-forest-2017-challenge

I wish I had read this over a shorter period of time, and without the sleep-deprivation of new motherhood hanging over the whole experience, because I could tell on a technical level that this was a really well-done book. But because it took me so long to read, I know I didn't hold all the threads -- especially when it came to the political intrigue -- as well as I ought to have, and probably missed the level of mastery Hartman attained with it.

Still, the writing is phenomenal, second only to th I wish I had read this over a shorter period of time, and without the sleep-deprivation of new motherhood hanging over the whole experience, because I could tell on a technical level that this was a really well-done book. But because it took me so long to read, I know I didn't hold all the threads -- especially when it came to the political intrigue -- as well as I ought to have, and probably missed the level of mastery Hartman attained with it.

Still, the writing is phenomenal, second only to the worldbuilding. This is some of the best worldbuilding I have encountered in a fantasy universe. I loved the exploration of religious rituals, the political relationship between the dragons and the humans, and the ways that spilled into both species' personal lives, the prejudices, gossip, and OMG, the WORDS. The names and imaginary words in this book are just the best. They roll off the tongue so beautifully (I listened to this in audio, and I just loved having those unique words in my ear.) I've read some reviews that say the first half of the book is "slow," but it never really felt that way to me because I was intrigued by what Hartman was setting up. With that said, it did take some time to grasp what the main plot thread was going to be, i.e., what the book would be "about."

There is a love triangle, but this book takes the high road in that all three characters are fully realized and she does not give an easy resolution to the emotional quagmire they find themselves in. This was in keeping with Seraphina's restraint, a characteristic I appreciated in her -- she was much like an Austian heroine in that way, with her deep feelings always kept beneath the surface. Also, she was not at the "center" of the love triangle -- her love interest was betrothed to someone else, so this book didn't succumb to the trope of two potential lovers vying for the main character's attention. I really liked the bittersweet way emotions and relationships were handled.

Because of all this, the plot was less important to me, so it wasn't such a big deal that my distraction made it a little harder to follow than it should have been. I would still highly recommend this -- one of the most unique takes on dragons that I have read, and so well-written to boot. ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Apr 21, 2015 Abby Johnson rated it really liked it

Shelves: audio, teen, fantasy

Very glad I reread this on audio before attempting the companion book because I remembered almost nothing except the basic premise!

2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 02, 2013 Suzanne Hamilton rated it liked it · review of another edition

This dragon fantasy presents an interesting premise: dragons who can shift their shapes to become human; who have given up their love of hoarding gold so that they can learn from humans about art, music, philosophy, etc. Seraphina is the product of a forbidden love between a dragon and a human and she struggles mightily to keep her 'illegitimacy' a secret. There is a love story here, in addition to political intrigue and some epic dragon battles. I wish I could say I 'really liked' this book -- ...more

Like · see review

Jul 28, 2012 Abby Johnson rated it really liked it · review of another edition

August 2012: A richly imagined fantasy world where the politics of dragons and humans are intertwined. Although it dragged a little bit in the middle, this story of palace intrigue, musical interludes, and forbidden romance will please fans of Graceling by Kristin Cashore.

Like · see review