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In a world where dragons and humans coexist in an uneasy truce and dragons can assume human form, Seraphina, whose mother died giving birth to her, grapples with her own identity amid magical secrets and royal scandals, while she struggles to accept and develop her extraordinary musical talents.
I really loved the idea for this book, and it was very artfully executed. My only complaints would be the typical lead-girl self-debasement, and the somewhat overdone love story. This is just a pet peeve of mine, and I really do recommend this book to any fan of YA and fantasy, especially if you can enjoy the world enough to suspend your eye-rolling at certain points, as I was able to. I will definitely be reading the next one, and hope Ms. Seraphina thinks a little more of herself in the future. ( )
I was very happy while reading this book. The writing flowed very nicely and is very descriptive. It’s a serious book without being too serious. Seraphina is born into a life she didn’t ask for and she has to lie and hide. This book is a really easy read and basically perfect. It was just a really smartly written book. You go through so many different emotions throughout the whole novel!
The main character, Seraphina, is a great heroine. She’s beautiful, vulnerable, inspiring and brave. I usually find main characters that are really smart to be super immature and whiny but this case was the complete opposite. I loved Seraphina so much! She was the perfect main character. And while I couldn’t tell you what Lucian looked like, he was the perfect male main! The romance between them was great as well. I liked how they took their time and didn’t rush it like in most books. ( )
Some truly good stuff here. Reminded me of Bitterblue and Queen of Attolia. And can be read as a standard-alone! How many YA fantasies can say that? ( )
I'm glad to see that I'm not the only reader who is not drawn to this. Somehow I don't feel the connection to the girl, nor do I feel drawn to the world, nor moved by the writing. And court/political intrigue is one of my least favorite plots.
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. ( )
In memoriam: Michael McMechan. Dragon, teacher, friend.
First words
I remember being born.
Quotations
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.
In a world where dragons and humans coexist in an uneasy truce and dragons can assume human form, Seraphina, whose mother died giving birth to her, grapples with her own identity amid magical secrets and royal scandals, while she struggles to accept and develop her extraordinary musical talents.
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