Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Title: Seraphina
Author: Rachel Hartmann
Rating: 4.5
Genre: YA Fantasy

I'll admit I judge a book by it's cover sometimes...and this one had a cover so gorgeous I wanted to read the book curled up in bed with the reading lamp on and pretend I was living inside the picture.  And, for the most part, this book lived up to it's attractive cover.

Seraphina has a terrible secret, one so big it could kill her if the truth is learned by the wrong people. Her goal is to stay unnoticed and blend in, however her decision to go to court and her inability to keep her strong opinions to herself make this impossible. Special abilities she didn't realize she had are also making themselves known to her.  While at court Serafina also realizes she may be the key to keeping the peace between dragons and humans during a tumultuous time. Can she restore the peace between humans and dragons and keep her secret hidden?

This is a great "escape your everyday stressful life" read.  It does a good job of putting the reader in a different world; old world setting, with a fantasy element (my favorite). Seraphina gives a very unique take on dragons. They aren't your dragon and rider type or the impersonal "terrifying" kind either.  Instead, the dragons in this story are intelligent and can change forms into human bodies, yet don't view emotions the same as them. Emotions to them are "weak". 

The main heroine, Seraphina, is also very likable, being strong-willed, intelligent, kind-hearted, and downright stubborn at times (though not whiny which happens far too often nowadays). She also has a secret which weighs on her conscience and makes it impossible for her to tell the truth at times.

Meanwhile, the peace between humans and dragons rides a thin line, and Seraphina finds herself thrown into the middle of the conflict.

Overall, this book has everything a good read needs; good setting, strong main character, characters with depth, a bit of mystery, and of course some romance.