** spoiler alert ** 
 For the past forty years, the kingdom of Goredd has been at peace with the dragons -- but there are still people who want war and genocide. 
 And it turns out that the only thing in their way may be an illegitimate prince and an assistant music mistress. Rachel Hartman's shimmering debut novel "Seraphina" is a rare kind of fantasy novel -- equal parts politics, romance, mystery and draconic epic fantasy, as well as a wrenching coming-of-age for people who are a little big different. 
 Seraphina was only a child when she discovered that she was different from other children -- her mother was a dragon. This left her with two bands of silvery scales, and a tendency to have visions and strange dreams. 
 As she becomes the assistant music mistress of the royal choir, Goredd is thrown into an uproar -- the crown prince has been found decapitated, and dragons are suspected of murdering him. Even worse, the Ardmagar (a sort of dragon president) is due to visit Goredd, despite the violently anti-draconic Sons of St. Ogdo. 
 But the crown prince's murder may only be the beginning, as Seraphina soon discovers the threads of a conspiracy against the Queen and Ardmagar. But have humans concocted this, or dragons? To discover the truth, she must team up with a secret band of other half-breeds, and the clever prince Lucian Kiggs -- without betraying her true nature. 
 "Seraphina" is the sort of fantasy book that we need more of -- a shimmering, textured tale set in an exquisite fantasy world. Hartman clearly put a great deal of love and thought into this story, and she thinks up countless little details to give her world the richness of plausibility -- things like scale ointment and the quigs (a sort of subspecies of dragons). 
 And the plot is a pretty intricate affair, weaving together a love story, an epic fantasy tale, a murder mystery and a political thriller like so many silver threads. At times it can move a little slowly, but her prose is strong and smooth, and the various plot twists are all well-plotted in advance -- little details that make you look back and go, "Ohhh, now I get it." 
 Seraphina is also a heroine who easily could have easily morphed into a Mary Sue -- she's half dragon and half human (minus any of the uglier side-effects), with dream-powers and breathtaking musical skill. But instead she comes across as a strong, smart young woman who is remarkably un-angsty. 
 And Hartman creates a brilliant cast to support her, all of whom are developed beautifully -- the enthusiastic Lars, the vivacious Princess Glisselda, the nasty old nurse... and of course, the love interest. While Prince Lucian shares a romantic subplot with Seraphina, he'd be just as fascinating and essential if they were just friends. 
 "Seraphina" is a sublime debut novel, and the ending points to at least one more story for Seraphina and her friends. Hopefully Rachel Hartman won't keep us waiting long.