For fans of 'His Dark Material' (Phillip Pullman):

Seraphina

Common themes: quests, supernatural beings

Author: Rachel Hartman
Series: Seraphina
Publisher: New York: Random House, 2012

Seraphina takes place in a world where dragons exist and are heavily involved with humans, being able to take on a human appearance, and either contributing to society or testing the uneasy truce between dragons and humans.

Seraphina, the musically-gifted titular character, finds herself in the midst of dragon-human drama at the royal court. Seraphina must assist in investigating a murder and exposing court secrets while at the same time guarding her own dangerous secret pertaining to her gift.

Like His Dark Materials, the book is written in the fantasy genre and features magical beings such as dragons, demons and spirits. Both stories also feature female protagonists on dangerous missions. Apart from thematic concerns, both books have significant world-building as well a richly detailed writing.

On it’s own, Seraphina also features engaging writing and a well-written, realistic main character.

For more information: 
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