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Seraphina
- Narrated by: Mandy Williams, Justine Eyre
- Length: 13 hrs and 14 mins
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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)
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
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What listeners say about Seraphina
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- The Gabbards
- 07-26-12
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.
38 people found this helpful
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- Noell
- 11-12-12
It is a better read than a listen.
I began listening to this book and I must say that I like the story very much: the mythology, the backstories, the characters, the emotions- Rachel Hartman is an excellent storyteller, hence the 4 stars. However, for me, this is not a book one just LISTENS to. I found myself having to rewind the book a couple times because I did not understand something, but I decided to give up and carry on with listening to it. I am a college student and often like listening to something while taking the bus to and from school, but this just did not do it for me.
For me, this is a book that must be read and if it is to be narrated, the narrators must do it justice and for me the narrators did not. So a word of advice- buy the book itself because it is a great investment, the audiobook is not.
31 people found this helpful
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- Em
- 03-27-19
Story is great, narration is unbearable.
The story is imaginative and well written, but the narrator is so monotone that it was actually difficult to understand what was going on at times.
There were a few moments when I honestly wondered if it was being read by a computer program.
I'm not able to finish this audiobook. :(
3 people found this helpful
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- Nathan
- 03-24-14
Pleasantly surprised. Story has everything in it
This story has everything: Political intrigue, mystery, internal conflict, music, prejudices, humour, romance and Dragons. What more could you want?
I was hesitant by the premise. Forty year peace with Dragons, who can take human form, is threatened and two societies come close to war. Female protagonist has a secret that if revealed would bring prejudices against her and has a romance interest. Sounds typical.
However, every aspect of this book had an interesting twist or take. The Dragons are rational & logical creatures with a truly unique culture adding a higher degree of difference than just colour of their skin. I liked how they analyzed emotions and art, sometimes trying to explain or imitate it.
Politics and intrigue kept me guessing while explained enough that I thought I knew what was going on. .
The protagonist is a strong female with trying to fit in with secrets and internal struggles with identity. The way she handles situations is believable and understandable. Handles her romance in a well thought out manner and not just 'blind with love.'
Several times I thought the book was going toward cliches or common trope, especially with the romance but went a different route. Pacing between politics, romance, internal conflict, and back was handled well.
The ending is fulfilling with room for sequels. I won't hesitate to pick up the next one.
Narrators did an excellent job.
6 people found this helpful
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- Annette
- 01-29-17
Boring and Windy
I really tried to like this book. I purchased it based on the rave reviews. Personally I don't see what they were raving about! I found this book to be tedious and long, in fact I couldn't make it half way.
2 people found this helpful
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- Michael
- 07-29-12
Deep and moving
Where does Seraphina rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
up there
What did you like best about this story?
deep and emotionally moving.
Which scene was your favorite?
well, I certainly enjoyed the musical parts.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
I'd have to say where she digs her own scales trying to get them off.
Any additional comments?
It was wonderful for me to have the main character be a gifted Psalmist!
This book is deep and mature. Exquisite writing. In fact, some of the best recent fantasy writing I've encountered. The author's voice reminds me of Gail Carson Levine.
Wisely, the author assumes you will catch on to her world and doesn't bother trying to explain everything. You just gradually catch on.
It was very interesting for me that at the beginning, the church music that made Seraphina overflow with joy she described as "masculine". I think that is what good church music is -- masculine in a way that is healing and transforming.
Having said that, I find this book to be very feminine. There were some good action sequences, but much of the book, seen through the eyes of Seraphina, deals with the type of negotiations and intense murder attempts found in Royal courts.
The romantic parts of this book were extremely well done and did not degrade into becoming overly bawdy.
The gut wrenching painful things Seraphina feels (both emotionally and physically) from not wanting to have Dragon blood in her veins were very moving. It was something we could all relate to and having parts of ourselves that we wish we could get rid of. But then, God ends up using those parts in our lives.
Overall, as a guy, this book increased my sensitivity to many female issues. I tried to figure out the worldview of the author, but I honestly say that having gotten to the end of the book, that still remains a mystery. Which is a good thing.
Intriguing enough to read twice.
8 people found this helpful
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- Ravenloc
- 10-03-12
Amazing
Where does Seraphina rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
The best and I have listened to a ton of audiobooks!
What was one of the most memorable moments of Seraphina?
When Seraphina confronted her grandfather and told him that she was his grandaughter
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
YES!
Any additional comments?
The narrator was awesome! Perfect for this book! I am forty years old and this book had me crying in places. Truly a beautiful wonderous Fairy Tale!
10 people found this helpful
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- Coral
- 05-26-14
Now this a book about being different
This is a really good story. I enjoy the whole package - the characters are believable and enjoyable. It is a pity it's hidden in the young reader section! This is about being different and then coming to see that you are not the only one and that your differences isn't the most extreme in world nor does it define you but it does change how you are. But this isn't a moral story it's a actual story - enjoy read. My only question is where are more books by Rachel Hartman?
4 people found this helpful
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- Rebecca
- 06-19-19
Pretty good!
Not a super complex novel, but I enjoyed the authors unique take on dragons. The Audible version was decent, although I wish I could forever the narrator's cringe worthy singing.
1 person found this helpful
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- Elisabeth
- 03-26-19
nice
Whie I enjoyed this book, I think it was a little to YA for me and maybe what it lacked was some edginess. The dangers just never felt real. Also, and this may have been due to listening to an audiobook as opposed to reading it, but the names of characters, places, ethnic groups, saints, were at times hard to keep track of. i can recommend this.
1 person found this helpful
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- Kindle Customer
- 04-26-14
Nice story, relentlessly upbeat narrator.
Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?
I think I would have enjoyed this a great deal more if the narrator had more dramatic range in her voice. Each sentence seemed to end on a (literal) upbeat - spoiling dramatic tension. I hate to criticise but the girlish breathiness just didn't do the story justice. The dragon conceit was interesting and world-building probably better than average.....but Seraphina's voice needs an impassioned dramatic resonance. Let's it down, sorry to say.
2 people found this helpful
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- Lulu
- 08-04-14
Slow but Intense and Gripping
After first few chapters into this book, I was unsure whether to proceed to the end. It was slow, with very little description of the world in which the heroine lives. It didn't help either that the narrator's voice seemed so bland. However, I am glad that I decided to stick with it!! I soon learnt the reasons for the narrator's often seemingly bland, slow voice - there are numerous characters (dragons in human forms and, beings half human and half dragon) who by their nature, we are made to understand, neither understand, possess nor express human emotions in the way humans do - hence the bland tone attributed to their conversation. With regard to the humans voices, the narrator picks up quite well on the appropriate tone and speed. She narrates in such a way as to help readers distinguish between our heroine's mother's memories, passed onto and beheld by our heroine, and the heroine's own thoughts and speech.
The story does seem to start to come together and get more intricate and gripping midway through the book and really builds up from there; and the sci-fi reader begins to truly appreciate the book in its last 10 or so chapters . This said, I can totally appreciate why other readers have posited the book as one written with confusion or disorganisation, and therefore hard to follow.
Most sci-fi readers look to be transported and escape to a different world when reading a sci-fi book; and this relies on the author delivering an enargia, enabling the reader to mentally visualise and emotionally connect to the world and the characters. I do not think Hartman achieved this convincingly in this book. I do however think that for her first book, 'Seraphina' is enjoyable and shows a promising potential in Rachel Hartman as a sci-fi author.
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- Bibliophile
- 09-17-13
Dragons with a difference
A fascinating story of dragons interacting with people. Some beautiful writing and beautifully read.
Wasn't at all sure about this book, but found myself listening late into the night as the story unfolded
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- Samwiseflangee
- 04-17-21
Love this book and reader
What a truly magical book, where two world's collide in more ways then one
Absolutely stunning
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- Sydney
- 11-24-13
Superior fantasy
Dithered about spending a credit on this as I wasn't captured by the audio snippet on preview. Very glad I picked it up-- it's a really superior fantasy novel. Not so much in the plot, which will be familiar verging on the retread to fans of Robin Hobb or Anne McAffrey; it's more in the writing, which is much better than you usually find in this sort of story. Literary prose meets genre plot, with a great sense of place, an interesting 'world', and an appealing protagonist, makes for a very pleasant listen. The reader seemed a little dull at first but she grew on me, a bit like the book! Recommended.
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