Seraphina

I love books where dragons feature as complex characters, and I’m particularly interested in their relationships with humans. Hartman’s dragons are magnificent creatures and, like humans, full of paradoxes. Our heroine, Seraphina, lives in a kingdom celebrating a forty-year peace treaty with the dragons, though not everyone is happy about this treaty.

Seraphina is quirky, clever, and a geek for intellectual pursuits like art and philosophy, and a talented musician. But she’s also moody and reclusive, isolating herself not just because of her insecurities… she has a dark secret, revealed over the course of the story. In addition to the… show more.

Seraphina is one of the most unique young adult novels I've ever read. The story follows the eponymous protagonist as she navigates a Victorian-Esque fantasy world where she struggles to fit in because she has a secret. Seraphina is a human-dragon hybrid.

When Seraphina uncovers a plot to overthrow the kingdom, an adventuresome detective story unfolds. Hartman threads themes of feminism and the importance of diversity throughout the tale. Although dragons, humans, and other intelligent creatures live side-by-side, they do not live as equals. The struggles Seraphina and other characters face due to inequality add complications to the plot that… show more.

I’ve always had a thing for dragons and consider them a go-to for a good fantasy read. But Seraphina is one of the most inventive takes on the dragon trope I’ve ever seen, and it works so well! (Not to mention, the dragons in this book are incredible musicians, and being a musician myself, I found that very cool.)  I think I blasted through this entire book in a day or two, so be prepared to put life on hold when you pick this one up!

Out of all my book picks, Seraphina may have the least to discover personally, but most of the characters in the story have something to hide or discover and it’s great to see which is which as they disclose their true natures. What makes this book really great though, is the different way that dragons are portrayed. It is a unique slant on what are always strong, iconic beings.