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Original Essays | September 9, 2013

Chris Bolton: IMG A Smash Is Born

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Editor's note: Chris Bolton is not only a former Powell's employee, he was also once the primary writer for this blog. So we are particularly proud... Continue »
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    Smash: Trial by Fire

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Seraphina

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Seraphina Cover

ISBN13: 9780375866562
ISBN10: 0375866566
Condition: Standard
Dustjacket: Standard
All Product Details

Only 1 left in stock at $12.50!

 

Staff Pick

Imagine... a vividly crafted world in which dragons and the veneration of saints figure prominently. Tight, evocative prose. A stoic, thoughtful, and wise heroine who just wants to make music, torn between the world of humans and the world of dragons. Now imagine that this story has been marketed to the young-adult crowd. Surprised? So was I! If you have a weakness for richly detailed fantasy, Seraphina will make you swoon. Give it a chance — even if you've never picked up a young-adult title before!
Recommended by Kara, Powell's Books at PDX

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

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.

In her exquisitely written fantasy debut, Rachel Hartman creates a rich, complex, and utterly original world. Seraphina's tortuous journey to self-acceptance is one readers will remember long after they've turned the final page.

Review:

"Beautifully written, well-rounded characters, and some of the most interesting dragons I've read in fantasy for a long while. An impressive debut novel; I can't wait to see what Rachel Hartman writes next." Christopher Paolini, New York Times bestselling author of Eragon

Review:

"A book worth hoarding, as glittering and silver-bright as dragon scales, with a heroine who insists on carving herself a place in your mind." Naomi Novik, New York Times bestselling author of the Temeraire series

Review:

"Seraphina is strong, complex, talented — she makes mistakes and struggles to trust, with good reason, and she fights to survive in a world that would tear her apart. I love this book!" Tamora Pierce, New York Times bestselling author of the Beka Cooper series

Review:

"A wonderful mix of thrilling story, fascinating characters, and unique dragonlore. I loved being in Seraphina's world!" Alison Goodman, New York Times bestselling author of Eon and Eona

Review:

"Just when you thought there was nothing new to say about dragons, it turns out there is, and plenty! Rachel Hartman's rich invention never fails to impress — and to convince. It's smart and funny and original, and has characters I will follow to the ends of the earth." Ellen Kushner, World Fantasy Award-winning Author

Review:

"Hartman proves dragons are still fascinating in this impressive high fantasy. Equal parts political thriller, murder mystery, bittersweet romance, and coming-of-age story, this is an uncommonly good fantasy....An exciting new series to watch." Booklist, Starred Review
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About the Author

As a child, Rachel Hartman played cello and lip-synched Mozart operas with her sisters. The famous Renaissance song "Mille Regretz" first moved Rachel to write a fantasy novel rooted in music, but her inspiration didn't end there. She wrote Seraphina while listening to medieval Italian polyphony, Breton bagpipe-rock, prog metal, Latin American baroque, and Irish sean nós.

Rachel Hartman lives with her family in Vancouver BC. To learn more about her, visit her website at RachelHartmanBooks.com.

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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 8 comments:
Sherrah, January 30, 2013 (view all comments by Sherrah)
Loved this one! Beautiful writing, a strong and interesting heroine, and dragons!
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LavenderPixie, January 16, 2013 (view all comments by LavenderPixie)
Dragons are the vampires of yesterday! Interesting take on dragons, their role in 'society' and how this role can seem perfectly normal, acceptable, realistic to the storyline!

This is a hot topic for the young adult readers. I think I'd have enjoyed this book a lot more if I'd read it when I was younger!
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Joanna S Stein, January 12, 2013 (view all comments by Joanna S Stein)
I gobbled up high fantasy like this by the shelf-full as a teenager but it's been a while since I had picked up a recent publication. My thirteen year-old self would have adored Seraphina even more than my present self does. It's a smart, magical and romantic book with just the right number of cruel dangers for a smart, mysterious and plucky heroine to fight against.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780375866562
Author:
Hartman, Rachel
Publisher:
Random House Books for Young Readers
Subject:
Children s Animals-Animal Stories-Mythical
Subject:
Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic
Publication Date:
20120710
Binding:
Hardback
Grade Level:
from 7
Language:
English
Pages:
480
Dimensions:
38.5 x 10.5 x 7 in 16.2 lb
Age Level:
from 12
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Related Subjects


Children's » Animals » Mythical
Children's » Featured Titles
Children's » General
Children's » Middle Readers » General
Children's » New Arrivals
Children's » Performing Arts » Music
Children's » Science Fiction and Fantasy » General
Featured Titles » General
Featured Titles » Staff Favorites
Young Adult » General

Seraphina Used Hardcover
0 stars - 0 reviews
$12.50 In Stock
Product details 480 pages Random House Books for Young Readers - English 9780375866562 Reviews:
"Staff Pick" by ,

Imagine... a vividly crafted world in which dragons and the veneration of saints figure prominently. Tight, evocative prose. A stoic, thoughtful, and wise heroine who just wants to make music, torn between the world of humans and the world of dragons. Now imagine that this story has been marketed to the young-adult crowd. Surprised? So was I! If you have a weakness for richly detailed fantasy, Seraphina will make you swoon. Give it a chance — even if you've never picked up a young-adult title before!

by Kara
"Review" by , "Beautifully written, well-rounded characters, and some of the most interesting dragons I've read in fantasy for a long while. An impressive debut novel; I can't wait to see what Rachel Hartman writes next."
"Review" by , "A book worth hoarding, as glittering and silver-bright as dragon scales, with a heroine who insists on carving herself a place in your mind."
"Review" by , "Seraphina is strong, complex, talented — she makes mistakes and struggles to trust, with good reason, and she fights to survive in a world that would tear her apart. I love this book!"
"Review" by , "A wonderful mix of thrilling story, fascinating characters, and unique dragonlore. I loved being in Seraphina's world!"
"Review" by , "Just when you thought there was nothing new to say about dragons, it turns out there is, and plenty! Rachel Hartman's rich invention never fails to impress — and to convince. It's smart and funny and original, and has characters I will follow to the ends of the earth."
"Review" by , "Hartman proves dragons are still fascinating in this impressive high fantasy. Equal parts political thriller, murder mystery, bittersweet romance, and coming-of-age story, this is an uncommonly good fantasy....An exciting new series to watch."
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