Seraphina

Seraphina is the debut novel of author Rachel Hartman.

Teaser
"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."

--from Goodreads

Characters

 * Seraphina Dombegh
 * Prince Lucian Kiggs

Awards and Honors
Seraphina was the 2013 recipient of the Morris Award for YA debuts, the Sunburst Award, and the Monica Hughes Award; it has also been nominated for several other awards.

Series and Sequels
Seraphina is the first novel in a duology. The story concludes in Shadow Scale.