Seraphina Series, by Rachel Hartman | Book Series Spotlight

The Children’s Book Review | March 9, 2015

About the Books

Seraphina

By Rachel Hartman

Publisher’s Synopsis:

In her Morris Award-winning and New York Times bestselling debut, Rachel Hartman took our breath away with an utterly original alternative-medieval world full of dragons.

Four decades of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. Folding themselves into human shape, dragons attend court as ambassadors and universities as scholars. However, as the anniversary of the treaty of peace draws near, tensions rise.

Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. A gifted musician, Seraphina joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered–in suspiciously draconian fashion. She is drawn into the investigation, partnering with the captain of the Queen’s Guard, the dangerously perceptive Prince Lucian Kiggs. While they begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot to destroy the peace, Seraphina struggles to protect the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life.

“This is a debut novel quite like no other, a fantasy painted in the most intricate and believable manner, one that will take a hold on the imagination of readers’ young and old.” — The Children’s Book Review (Read our full review of Seraphina, by Rachel Hartman.)

Ages 12+ | Publisher: Ember, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books | 2012 | ISBN-13: 978-0-375-86622-7

Available Here: 

Shadow Scale

By Rachel Hartman

Publisher’s Synopsis: Dragons and humans battle in this breathtaking sequel to the acclaimed Seraphina by Rachel Hartman.

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, a part-girl, part-dragon, who is reluctantly drawn into the politics of her world. When war breaks out between the dragons and humans, it is she who 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 new and magical ways.

As Seraphina gathers this motley crew, she is pursued by humans who want to stop her. But the most terrifying one chasing her, 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?

Ages 12+ | Publisher: Ember, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books | 2015 | ISBN-13: 978-0375866579

Available Here: 

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. To learn more, please visit RachelHartmanBooks.com and follow her on Twitter @_rachelhartman.