Seraphina

By: Rachel Hartman

Narrated by: Mandy Williams, Justine Eyre

Length: 13 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

Lyrical, imaginative, and wholly original, this New York Times best seller with eight 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....

In the kingdom of Goredd, dragons and humans live and work side by side - while below the surface, tensions and hostility simmer. The newest member of the royal court, a uniquely gifted musician named Seraphina, holds a deep secret of her own. One that she guards with all of her being.

When a member of the royal family is brutally murdered, Seraphina is drawn into the investigation alongside the dangerously perceptive - and dashing - Prince Lucien. But 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...while 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 best-selling author of Eragon)

©2012 Rachel Hartman (P)2012 Listening Library

Critic reviews

Winner, ALA Best Books for Young Adults, 2013

Nominated, ALA Best Books for Young Adults Top 10

Winner, ALA Notable Children's Book, 2013

Winner, Amazon Best of the Year, 2012

Winner, Association of Booksellers for Children (ABC) New Voices Selection, 2012

Short-listed, Cybils, 2012

Nominated, Florida Sunshine State Book Award, 2014

Shortlisted, Kid's Indie Next List \"Inspired Recommendations for Kids from Indie Booksellers, 2012

Nominated, Pacific Northwest Young Readers Choice Award, 2014

Winner, William C. Morris YA Debut Award, 2013

Winner, Young Adult Services Division, School Library Journal Author Award

"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 best-selling author of the Temeraire series)

"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 best-selling author of the Beka Cooper series)

Fabulous entertainment

The story is brilliant. It's exactly what I look for in fantasy. Original and captivating I loved it to pieces.
The narrator did a great job. Very very happy about this book. I can't wait for the next.

Great Story!

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this story and can't wait to read or listen to the sequel.

A new favorite - I am going to share with friends!

What did you love best about Seraphina?

I loved the setting and the logic of the way the author blends religion and fantasy. Its a rich and full world. Seraphina sucked me in and took me far away to a wonderful world. This book reminds me of Curse of Challion by Lois McMaster Bujold, but for teens.

This is a mature book - well worth the read for adults as well as teens.

I am going to buy copies for all the teens I know.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sephronia's uncle - he is a very unique character. He reminds me of Spock.

What does Mandy Williams and Justine Eyre bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The fact that the music comes alive in this book makes it far richer than just the printed words. I think everyone should listen to this, even if they have read it already in print.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did cry and laughed as well!

Any additional comments?

I can't wait for the next book in the series!

Completely Inspiring Fantasy

My initial reaction to this novel (a week or so after I finished listening to it) is to reflect on my connection with Seraphina. A girl with an amazing talent who actively seeks to hide her talent in order to not draw attention to herself because of a difference that could get her killed. I am surprised that in a world so fantastical it requires a great deal of careful sculpting and building that my first thoughts are of this character. Seraphina's struggle helps ground the world. Seraphina, at the beginning of the novel, has defined and viewed herself based off of an identity that she didn't choose but was born with. She is caught between two races with each not even wanting to acknowledge her existence. She has grown up with shame and without a true connection with anyone just because she is alive. In our world people often treated differently based on factors they were born with --- I'm sure I don't need to tell you--- the reality of these situations just really hit me on an emotional level.

The world building: the religion, languages, differences between cultures--are very well done. I thought it was beautifully written and well thought out.

I don't want to comment too much on the romance--but it is a slow build and felt natural. I--I read another review that said she could not remember was Lucian looked like...and neither can I. Their relationship is built on similarities and understanding--and not without it's issues---really refreshing.

And intrigue--can this fragile balance between the dragons and the humans be sustained? Who is plotting the downfall of the peace and why? Can Seraphina help the Prince with his investigations without giving up her secret?

If you like fantasy---I can't imagine a reason why you wouldn't enjoy this read.

More drama than dragon

Though I enjoyed the book, it was not what I was looking for. I'm a huge Eragon fan, and was led to believe this was a good book to scratch that dragon world itch. I was expecting magic, battles, dragon fights, etc. It's.. Not that. It's a girl having a largely internal dialogue, struggling with 'her identity' the whole time, as well as her budding love for the forbidden prince. Sure, she can talk to a select 17 people in her mind, and there is 1 dragon fight, but it's all quite the letdown.

The dragons are basically Vulcans who, for some reason, have submitted themselves to human treaties. It makes no sense. The moral of the story is 'it's okay to feel' and 'everyone's different, it's what makes us special'.

Don't get me wrong, it's well written. The author is talented. I just think it should be more in the romantic mystery novel section instead of science fiction.
Narrator is fantastic, though I found myself dozing at her voice at times.

Enchanting!

How was this book in my library for three months and didn't get a listen?!

Well, I finally got to it and it was brilliant! I love it, the worldbuilding, the magic, the races, and most of all, Seraphina and Kiggs. Especially Kiggs.

This book drew me in and enchanted me. I think I know where my next credit is going - towards the sequel!

Original and Entertaining

What made the experience of listening to Seraphina the most enjoyable?

I truly enjoyed how the world in which the story takes place is completely constructed...tons of interesting details that make this unique world come alive. The characters have depth and the story captured my imagination. I was so sorry when the book ended...and thrilled to find there is a second installment available.

Not my favourite but it's still good

Not to the author's fault, maybe haute not my type of book. It's a nice story and a great setting. The political forces are well designed but I find that our hero is just too fragile and at some points I kept loosing interest in her point of view but the world she lives kept me moving forward. It's a political scheme/adventure that many will appreciate. I enjoyed it, just didn't love it. Give it a try!

Best listen of the year!

Where does Seraphina rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Definitely one of the best books I've listened to all year, the narrator was great and the story was fresh and new.

Which character – as performed by Mandy Williams and Justine Eyre – was your favorite?

I liked the uncle the best, he was very dry and witty which I guess is common for a Dragon in Seraphina's world.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If I had the time, sure! I listened to it over about 3 days while doing a bunch of filing at work, and it's pretty much the only thing that kept me sane during that time.

A Beautiful, Enchanting Fantasy

I discovered this book by pure accident, because I had requested the book Serafina and the Black Cloak on CD at the library so I could listen to it with one of my home instruction students. When I received the CD, I didn’t realize that it was a different story. But when I started to play it with my student, we realized it wasn’t the right book. However, the review on the back of the case, along with Mandy Williams lilting and soothing voice, quickly hooked us in. She voices both make and female brilliantly! Although this story is over my student’s head in several areas, she is really engaged with Seraphina and Prince Lucian. Perhaps because Seraphina is different from most people, and so is my student, or maybe just because there are dragons in the story and the world described is so believable, my student and I are truly mesmerized.
I listened twice already- definitely worth doing, as you miss details the first time around. It does help to see the actual book to read about the characters and the specific vocabulary used- but I was pleasantly surprised that we were able to use the context clues to accurately determine most word meanings.
I will dare to say that Ms. Hartman is as brilliant a writer as JK Rowling in her world and character building, and that is the highest praise I can give. We are so happy there is another book, which I have also bought. I do hope there will be more of Seraphina soon. Definitely worth the credit!