Number of Pages: 467
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Release Date: July 10, 2012
"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 lend their rational, mathematical minds to universities as scholars and teachers. As the treaty's anniversary draws near, however, tensions are high.
Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered—in suspiciously draconian fashion. Seraphina 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 her own secret, the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life."
This novel reminded me a lot of Graceling, Fire, and Bitterblue, all by Kristin Cashore. I think it was a mixture of the same writing style and the type of fantasy that it was- which is not at all a bad thing! This kind of castle-and-dragons-and-action-and-fighting fantasy really pulls you in and doesn't let you go. There are so many little details in the plot that all come full circle eventually-something that always make me smile.
Rachel Hartman's unique view on dragons was very interesting and different from other fantasy novels including dragons, such as Eragon by Christopher Paolini (where people ride dragons). Instead, Hartman's dragons can actually take on human form, and they live alongside humans (not that the humans particularly like it). This creative twist on an old subject was very refreshing because it didn't feel like I was reading a book I'd read before. AND THE TWIST AT THE END! You think you know who the culprit is, but NO! IT'S NOT WHO YOU THINK IT IS! I love when books have twists like that!
Overall, this was a really excellent book. I hope there will be a sequel!!!
My Rating: :0) :0) :0) :0) :0) 5 out of 5 smileys.
Would I recommend it to a friend?: If they enjoyed reading fantasy novels, then absolutely!
Yours,
NutFreeNerd
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