Shadow Scale

Publisher's Summary

Seraphina took the literary world by storm with eight starred reviews and numerous "Best of" lists. At last, her eagerly awaited sequel has arrived - and with it comes an epic battle between humans and dragons.

The kingdom of Goredd: a world where humans and dragons share life with an uneasy balance, and those few who are both human and dragon must hide the truth. Seraphina is one of these, part girl, part dragon, who is reluctantly drawn into the politics of her world. When war breaks out between the dragons and humans, she must travel the lands to find those like herself - for she has an inexplicable connection to all of them, and together they will be able to fight the dragons in powerful, magical ways.

As Seraphina gathers this motley crew, she is pursued by humans who want to stop her. But the most terrifying is another half dragon, who can creep into people’s minds and take them over. Until now, Seraphina has kept her mind safe from intruders, but that also means she's held back her own gift. It is time to make a choice: Cling to the safety of her old life, or embrace a powerful new destiny?

©2015 Rachel Hartman (P)2015 Listening Library

Critic Reviews

"...the intricate plotting, clever surprises... and lovely prose make this a worthy conclusion for all of Hartman's big-hearted characters." (Booklist)

"This is a tale of love, mistakes, double-crosses, and pain - one that left me tied up in knots!" (Tamora Pierce, New York Times best-selling author)

"...[Hartman] continues to expand her world with enough history and detail to satisfy even the most questioning of readers, doing it all so naturally that it's hard to believe this is fiction. Dragon fiction has never flown higher." (Kirkus Review)

"Williams sweeps us along on the journey, never stumbling over Hartman's invented words or the panoply of dragon, half-dragon, and human characters.... It won't take long for listeners to be drawn into the story's intrigue or to find themselves rooting for a happy ending." (AudioFile)

Excellent sequel to the first

I really liked the originality of the original and if you don't want to spend time on a trilogy it's a good duology. Does what a good sequel should, changes the kind of story while keeping the spirit and characters from the first. The first dealt with political intrigue and romance in a single city, here Seraphina travels the world to find her fellow half-dragons. However, she is not the only one with special powers and someone from her past is out for revenge. Unresolved questions from are explored with greater focus on her special mind powers and dragons play a bigger role.

While social justice and prejudices are a strong theme throughout this is one of the best stories that handle diversity in it's characters. Characters are not defined by their diversity and it doesn't waste time uselessly exploring it.

Doesn't have the typical happy ending but it is satisfying. While not answering all questions it does feels natural and not forced. Plot had me guessing till the end.

If you liked the first book read this.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Doesn't live up to the first book

Same great characters, same lovely narrator... but the talented author of the first book is only visible in tiny snippets. Otherwise it reads like bad fan fiction of the first volume.

It's worth reading for closure to the mysteries brought up in Serafina. But go in with low expectations if you want to enjoy it.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Loved Serapina, hated Shadow Scale

I loved Seraphina in the first book. She was inquisitive and earnest. She tried her hardest at everything. She was also quick witted.
In this book however, she seems to have lost all of that. She chooses the easiest option and mopes when things don't go her way. She spends most of the book ignoring the one thing she is repeatedly told to do. I also hated the ending. It was unfinished and lacking. The prologue hints at more of an ending than the epilogue.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Satisfying but also leaves me wanting more

Great prose and poetry, peppered with humor, this is a wondrous adventure which I hope we can continue in future books. Marvelous world building unfurls into glorious color as Seraphina explores the world looking for her fellow half-dragons, even though she finds only despair and destruction when her nemesis Jannoula appears to always be one step ahead. Romantic, philosophical, and creative, SHADOW SCALE is a worthy successor to SERAPHINA. Mandy Williams singing as a Quigutl is not to be missed.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Not as good as the first...

I was really hoping for a fantastic finish after enjoying the first book, unfortunately I found it pretty disappointing. After building intelligent, witty, and lovable characters I hoped to find more of the same in the second installment - instead they went the opposite way and I really struggled to finish the book.

Wonderful!

I love the world Hartman has invited us into! I just finished Tess on the Road and it’s just gotten better and better for me. The stories have so many layers, from imaginative fiction to deeper philosophy/spirituality, from depths of humanity to archs of wonder. Shadow Scale continues seraphinas journey beautifully.

not as good as the first. I'm sorry

it was missing what the first book had in spades. the characters Magically became flat and we lost much of the dynamic between the characters and in the culture that made the first one so good.

Mandy Williams brought this to life

The story of Sarafina is compelling, the heroine is not perfect and often frustrating. Please that is the charm. however the true glory is from the reader, who makes all the myriad characters come alive. I think without that I would have been seeing confused listening to this book.

A Unique Sequel

Mandy Williams is an excellent narrative, with a silky and comforting voice! She handles all creatures and characters well. Characters are easily distinguishable, and there are many.

I found the writing complex and rich in description, but sometimes it is difficult to really imagine; perhaps too much detail at times, especially Seraphina’s garden. The build up to the climax is well thought out, but I had to listen to the resolution 3x to fully grasp the concepts. I would have preferred a slightly different ending, but I suppose it has to be this way.
I would recommend this set of books if you like fantasy, some magical properties, dragons, and a complexly woven story with strong characters. Seraphina is a wonderful metaphor for both a figurative and literal guiding beam of light, with positive energy and power to do right in the world!
Would that we all could use our minds and think inside out well enough to make peace instead of war, and to help each other, rather than be so divided by our differences. I do tend to be idealistic!

So eager!

I was so eager to finish, I took every possible opportunity to listen! it feels like it's been a long time since I was so captivated by a tale that I wanted so badly to keep listening. There are so many unexpected turns, and even the expected turns are so masterfully delivered that it clutches your heart through the whole ride. A masterful work!