Monday Book Recs--Seraphina by Rachel Hartman and Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

This is a really refreshing dragon book with a strong, believable romance. I loved the main character, Phina, and the gradual unfolding of her history. I also loved the Prince and his many interesting and awkward conversations with Phina. In addition, there are a number of side characters who are fully fleshed out and riveting. The plot is intricate and comes to a drum-pounding conclusion.

But over and over again, I found myself considering what the meta-text of this book was. What was the author saying about us, and about our dragons? Who are the people around us who can change into other forms? What does it mean if we try to seek them out and expose them? What does it mean if emotions are human and other creatures cannot experience them unless they have human form? Are emotions something that we would get rid of it, if we could? Are emotions something that truly are valuable, and the only thing that makes us human? Does love make us better than what we would be without love? What would we give up to gain the chance to feel love?

I can't say that Hartman answers any of these questions directly, though there are certainly characters who give answers. But then again, I wouldn't want to be hit over the head with answers anyway. I like the idea that I'm sitting with the author over a long tea, discussing all the most important questions in the universe, and giving scenarios in which different answers might be offered, but are never quite decided upon.







This is a great Russian-inspired fantasy romance. I enjoyed being fooled briefly by the "wrong" hero, and I found the resolution to the triangle very satisfying (which is unusual, since I often hate love triangles). I liked the Grishas, their keftas, and the world-building here. I liked the history and the menace of the Shadow. Most of all, I liked the character Alina. She tells the story in first person (mostly) and I found her likeable and strong.

In this novel, the questions I had mostly centered on the nature of evil. Is a villain someone who is selfish? Someone who has too much power? Someone who lies? Someone who manipulates and uses others as pawns? Or someone who imagines a peaceful world and will do anything to get it?

I am not often satisfied by a lack of conclusion in a novel, but in this case, I strongly did NOT want to see the villain punished and killed and I hope to see a sequel where he appears again and deeper questions continue to be asked.