Seraphina

I have to review this wonderful debut read of Rachel Hartman, Seraphina!  What a wonderful adventure and world that Hartman builds in her stunning story about a magical land that blends together the world of humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd in an entirely new way.  The story behind how they have come to be at peace, the underlying tensions between them both and the realities of living side by side is very unique as well.  

We enter into this era where dragons take human form to co-exist with humans as ambassadors at court as scholars, musicians, teachers, etc.  Tensions and mistrust grow between the two races as the anniversary of the treaty between Dragons and the human race draw near.  Court musician assistant, Seraphina Dombegh, our main heroine, is caught in a difficult place as her secret is one that could mean her life.  As tensions continue to build, there is a royalty murder that captures Seraphina's interest and as she partners with the captain of the Queen's Guard, Prince Lucian Kiggs, her secret becomes harder and harder to conceal along with her feelings.  Can she keep the peace of the human and the draconian race while keeping her secret?  The more time she spends with perceptive Prince Lucian the more he seems to dig and learn about her.

It is no surprise to me that Rachel Hartman's book won the coveted Morris Award.  Hartman does an amazing job building the characters, elaborating on the beautiful architecture and countryside and weaving the mythological story of Seraphina.  This is a great debut and I look forward to reading what is to come!