In a world where humans and dragons live in an uneasy truce, a prince is murdered and the blame laid on the dragons.
Rachel Hartman Books
July 9, 1972
Rachel Hartman crafts compelling fantasy narratives that delve into the depths of the human psyche through immersive worlds. Her work is characterized by rich invention, intelligence, and originality, offering readers unforgettable experiences. The characters she creates are strong, complex, and believable, fighting for their place in the world.
In her return to the world of Seraphina, Hartman introduces Tess Dombegh, a stepsibling of Seraphina. After a fall from grace, Tess strives to be the dutiful daughter despite her self-loathing. Following a drunken mishap on her sister's wedding night, she disguises herself as a boy and embarks on a journey for oblivion. However, her path leads her to assist in the search for a legendary serpent alongside her childhood friend, a quigutl. Throughout her travels, Tess encounters robbers, takes on manual labor, poses as a priest, and confronts her past trauma. This first installment of a duology offers a fresh perspective on familiar fantasy tropes, enriched by empathetic characters and exquisite storytelling. Initially appearing bitter, Tess reveals her compassion, courage, and resilience as she navigates an emotional and spiritual journey. The narrative provides a poignant examination of self-loathing and the impact of rape culture in a high fantasy setting. Tess's adventure unfolds across Goredd and Ninys, where she seeks a quigutl prophecy and her own purpose. The story is narrated in descriptive, observant prose, capturing Tess's struggles and the societal pressures on young women. By the end, Tess confronts her past, setting the stage for further adventures and personal growth, making this tale both a fantasy adventure and a thoughtful discourse on consent, shame, and female empowerment.
MIND OF THE WORLD,OPEN YOUR EYES.At the bottom of the world lies a Serpent, the last of its kind.Finding the Serpent will change lives.Tess is a girl on a mission to save a friend.Spira is a dragon seeking a new identity.Marga is a woman staking her claim on a man’s world.Jacomo is a priest searching for his soul.There are those who would give their lives to keep it hidden.And those who would destroy it.But the only people who will truly find the Serpent are those who have awakened to the world around them—with eyes open to the wondrous, the terrible, and the just.
Shadow Scale
- 480 pages
- 17 hours of reading
War between dragons comes to Goredd in the much-anticipated sequel to the "New York Times" bestselling novel "Seraphina" by Rachel Hartman. As Seraphina travels the Southlands in search of the other half-breeds to help in the war effort, the dragon General Comonot and his Loyalists fight against the upstart Old Guard, with the fate of Goredd and the other human countries hanging in the balance.
Království Goredd obývají lidé a draci, kteří se umějí proměnit v lidskou podobu. Ačkoliv spolu žijí, mír mezi nimi je křehký. Když je zavražděn člen královské rodiny a zdá se, že zločin spáchal drak, mír a smlouva mezi oběma světy jsou vážně ohroženy. Do této situace vstupuje Seraphina, nadaná hudebnice, která se připojuje k královskému dvoru jako asistentka dvorního skladatele. Brzy je vtahována do vyšetřování vraždy a když odhaluje náznaky zlověstného plánu, který má zničit mír v Goreddu navždy, ocitá se zoufale uprostřed napětí. Seraphina skrývá tajemství - tajemství za svým hudebním darem - a pokud bude odhalena, její život je v vážném nebezpečí.
