This book doesn't even have a cover yet and I'm already in love. I almost burned myself out on the medieval fantasy recently, but an ARC of this book was a pleasant surprise. I was far from disappointed. 
 Written in a style befitting the culture and time period presented, Seraphina takes a lot from classic fantasy and builds from there. Dragons and humans have a tenuous peace, the only forty years old. Because they can take human form, the dragons theoretically have the ability to meld into human society. But they clash culturally even though they look human. To humans they seem cold, calculating, logical to a fault (very Vulcan, actually!). To dragons humans seem impulsive, overly emotional, and volatile (aren't we really, though?). The end result is a racially charged atmosphere ready for violence. 
 I have long said that the reason I love fantasy the most is that it allows us to present the problems of our world in a completely different context so that we might understand them by analyzing them from afar. This book lives up to that legacy with poise and maturity. The struggles that we witness between Dragon and Human become symbols for racial struggles all over our country and planet. The author has a powerful message, and I eagerly await the sequel to continue this journey with her. 
 Stepping into this cultural tension is a girl who is half human, half dragon. She only has her human form, but it is encircled by tiny scales around her upper arms and stomach. She understands the dragon language, has a dragon tutor who is also a secret uncle, and struggles with her embedded memories of her dragon mother. All of these things she must keep hidden about herself, never letting anyone get too close. She is plagued by visions, nightmares, and paranoia. But none of these things define Seraphina. This is what makes her a terrific character. She is who she is in spite of her struggles, not because of them. It takes a great deal of strength just to go through her everyday life and exist in her mind, nevermind become tangled in interracial politics and murder mysteries. She is headstrong and brave, but she is also feminine and vulnerable. A believable young woman if I have ever read one. 
 The cherry on top is the perfectly mature and deliciously Victorian style of romance the author employs. The love interest (I won't spoil it by telling you which one he turns out to be!) is developed in a completely organic way. Seraphina falls for him gradually, over a great deal of time, the way actual relationships tend to happen instead of this love-at-first-sight theme that plagues young adult literature. I found myself falling for him at the same pace, feeling the pain of starcrossed love along with her. 
 But the romance takes a backseat to the plot, just the way I like it, which is one moment epic dragon fight scene and the next castle intrigue and elegant balls. In a world completely different from our own in every way, I was entranced and believed every moment of it. The development of both world and characters is organic and perfect. 
 This book is not to be missed by fantasy enthusiasts of all ages!