Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

U.S. cover

This book is---hands down---the best book I've read this year. Seraphina combines all the elements of a great fantasy story into one. For me that includes a whole new fantasy world, complete with history, language, culture, but doesn't hit you over the head with it.

Seraphina lives in a world where the Catholic church reigns supreme and dragons roam the Earth. They have eased into an uncertain treaty and are celebrating it's 40th anniversary.

Suspicion and prejudice are present on both sides. Dragons hate emotions and humans feel that dragons are soulless and evil. It's an uneasy truce but one that allows for peace and cooperation.

Seraphina is our heroine. We learn she is half human and half dragon. She is the one who will bring them all together in the wake of treason, assassinations, and the undoing of the treaty.

I loved Hartman's writing. She brings a sense of wonder to this world. The romance isn't heavy-handed. The plot moves along nicely. I really cared about the people, the dragons, and the world. I really haven't read such an engrossing YA fantasy novel since the Harry Potter series.

I really have nothing bad to say. I guess I didn't like the ending as much as I was hoping but that's just being nit-picky.

This is a beautiful and engaging fantasy series and all should read!

*I really like the U.S cover better. Adds to the mystery of the world. I don't like seeing the characters on the cover. Kind of ruins it for me.

U.K. cover