Seraphina - by Rachel Hartman (Paperback)

About the Book

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.

Book Synopsis

Lyrical, imaginative, and wholly original, this New York Times bestseller with 8 starred reviews is not to be missed. Rachel Hartman's award-winning debut will have you looking at dragons as you've never imagined them before...

Seraphina is a half-dragon, descended from a dragon mother who took human form and a father who has no particular fondness for Seraphina's kind.

Not that anyone else does either. Hers is a world where dragons and humans live and work side by side--but below the surface, tensions and hostilities are on the rise. Seraphina guards her true self with all of her being, but when a member of the royal family is brutally murdered, she's suddenly thrust into the spotlight, drawn into the investigation alongside the dangerously perceptive Prince Lucian.

As the two uncover a sinister plot to destroy the wavering peace of the kingdom, Seraphina's struggle to protect her secret becomes increasingly difficult . . . and its discovery could mean her very life.

"Will appeal to both fans of Christopher Paolini's Eragon series and Robin McKinley's The Hero and the Crown."--Entertainment Weekly

"[A] lush, intricately plotted fantasy."--The Washington Post

"Beautifully written. Some of the most interesting dragons I've read."--Christopher Paolini, New York Times bestselling author of Eragon

Meet Seraphina's sister, Tess, in Rachel Hartman's brand new fantasy adventure, Tess of the Road.

Review Quotes

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

About the Author

As a child, RACHEL HARTMAN played cello, lip-synched Mozart operas with her sisters, and fostered the deep love of music that inspired much of her award-winning debut novel, Seraphina. Born in Kentucky, Rachel has lived in Philadelphia, Chicago, St. Louis, England, and Japan. She now lives with her family in Vancouver, Canada. A New York Times bestseller, Seraphina won the William C. Morris Award, received eight starred reviews and was named to multiple "best of" lists. To learn more, please visit SeraphinaBooks.com or RachelHartmanbooks.com.