Shadow Scale by Rachel Hartman [Book Review]

Title: Shadow Scale
Author: Rachel Hartman
Series: Seraphina #2
Publisher: Random House
Source: Received from Publisher for honest review.
ISBN: 0375866574

Seraphina took the literary world by storm with 8 starred reviews and numerous “Best of” lists. At last, her eagerly awaited sequel has arrived—and with it comes an epic battle between humans and dragons.
The kingdom of Goredd: a world where humans and dragons share life with an uneasy balance, and those few who are both human and dragon must hide the truth. Seraphina is one of these, part girl, part dragon, who is reluctantly drawn into the politics of her world. When war breaks out between the dragons and humans, she must travel the lands to find those like herself—for she has an inexplicable connection to all of them, and together they will be able to fight the dragons in powerful, magical ways. 
As Seraphina gathers this motley crew, she is pursued by humans who want to stop her. But the most terrifying is another half dragon, who can creep into people’s minds and take them over. Until now, Seraphina has kept her mind safe from intruders, but that also means she’s held back her own gift. It is time to make a choice: Cling to the safety of her old life, or embrace a powerful new destiny? 

Shadow Scale is truly a sequel which contains as much beauty as the first in the series. I'm struck immediately by Rachel Hartman's writing style, as it is so easy to become lost in her world, with these characters and the landscape that surround them all. 

Shadow Scale starts off pretty much right where Seraphina ends, the changes we saw in the first book are being worked on, and Seraphina must work to unite her people with her land, and lead the way to acceptance rather than chaos for dragon kind. 

What I really loved starting off about Shadow Scale was that we were able to see more of Rachel Hartman's world, becuase there is SO MUCH DEPTH within it. Each character has an extensive back story, so being able to travel and view the surrounding territories was, for me, a highlight of the novel. A character in the first novel makes an appearance that truly captivated me. This character's importance, while always semi-apparant was easily overlooked. This is reminiscent of my statement with the first book, "You blink and you miss it" and I missed it. I was truly captivated with this character's new depth and importance within Seraphina's journey and I could not turn the pages fast enough to find out what was going to happen next. 

And oh, things happened. Lots of things happened... 

In short, this book was fantastic, and it truly lived up to the marvel that was Seraphina. I think I actually liked Shadow Scale better than Seraphina, and yes, you read that correctly. I loved the amount of internal struggle in Shadow Scale and so many things were tied together that I was constantly being taken back by the depth of the story. 

I loved the grotesques in the first book, but actually being able to delve into that world in this story made me realize that Seraphina is truly only half told - which is why Shadow Scale complements it perfectly. 

I feel as if I need to reread Seraphina again just to find all the foreshadowing. It is very apparent that Rachel Hartman planned her world perfectly, and within it each character and being feels real and alive. It is truly incredible. 

Of course, I was concerned from the beginning about Kiggs, because I love him, and I must say I was happy with how that story line ended. 

There is some heartbreak in Shadow Scale, but it is real, powerful, and even uplifting in a way. I am hoping beyond hope that Rachel Hartman revisits the world for something, because the Epilogue left me hoping for some answers. 

I must say, I am pretty indebted to Rachel Hartman's writing style at this point, in fact, I'd read her grocery lists if given the chance. Don't miss Shadow Scale! It's perfect. 

Overall: All fans of Seraphina need this book. All fans of fantasy need this book. All people need to read this series. Don't miss it! You won't be disappointed! 

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman [Book Review]

Title: Seraphina
Author: Rachel Hartman
Release Date: July 10, 2012
Publisher: Random House
ASIN: B005IQZC2M
Source: Purchased. 

Lyrical, imaginative, and wholly original, this New York Timesbestseller with 8 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. 

Seraphina was a true fantasy. I say this because of all the effort that was clearly placed into the building of the world. Hartman creates a world and a race of dragon that was very original, and the relationship between the humans and the dragons is a central concept of the novel that evolves and comes to light as time goes on. We all know that I am a huge fan of fantasy, it speaks to me, and Seraphina was special in its originality.

I loved, loved, the conflict between the dragons and man kind. I felt the relationship between them (and the mirroring that seemed to take place) as very interesting, but also important because there was still a clear difference between the two races that was tangibly felt.

Seraphina, is caught between two worlds that made an attempt at coming together, but never can fully reconcile. This from the beginning gave her a sense of depth of character as the conflict was apparent from early on as not just an inner turmoil but an outer turmoil.

The writing was beautiful, the addition of art and music to the stories central themes were a wonderful addition which made some passages read full, luscious and embodied with emotions.

While I liked all of these things, I also think that at times the world and story were so intricate if you blinked you missed things. There is a glossary for a reason, and as long as you use it you're fine, but for the reader who does not want to have to keep names and people straight this may be a problem.

This book was no Game of Thrones in complexity, but the world was so much world building that using the Glossary proved to be very helpful.

The romance in the book was sweet and it was definitely an element the reader rooted for. I am very excited to see where Hartman takes this particular element in the book to Shadow Scale. The relationship between Kiggs, Glassinda, and Seraphina was one that I really enjoyed reading. They all shared an unusual friendship in their own ways, which kept me interested and intrigued as the plot thickened.

Seraphina is a wonderfully developed story that will appeal to fans of fantasy, and to fans of romance. This tale has so many varying elements that it will hold the interest of many and the beautiful imagery will only add to the appeal as Seraphina's music and garden come alive in the most wonderful ways. While this book is long, it is definitely worth the reading.

If you love fantasy, don't miss Seraphina!