Songs of Seraphina
Synopsis
Some battles bleed so much, and for so long, that the earth never truly forgets their dead. Some battles are born of oppression, and some of greed, and some simply because it was written in the stars.
Three sisters—Charlemagne, Cairo and Pendragon Agonistes—are sent from America to England to live with their eccentric grandparents after their mother disappears and their father falls to pieces. But before the girls have time to find their feet, Charlemagne is married off to a dead man, Penny takes a nap and wakes up as a boy, and Cairo is swept into a dangerous romance with a man who wants her for more than her considerable charm. With the girls wrapped up in a conflict they barely understand, they don’t notice that their grandmother is transforming, or that the two demigod assassins who took their mother are now coming for them—if one of them can get over his crisis of conscience.
In this richly painted tale, at whose heart is the unbreakable bond of family and blood, the world of Seraphina collides with our own as three unique girls are dragged into twilight lives past, fighting for vengeance, retribution, and the survival of their exiled people.
Author's Biography
Jude developed a love of fantasy from a relatively early age after realising an innate talent for making stuff up could result in something other than detention. A somnambulist, insomniac, lover of letters, Jude writes late into the night, most nights, tumbling down the rabbit hole to dream of other lives. Jude currently lives in Pennsylvania with an over-enthusiastic family and absurdly entitled dog.
Reviews
Amazon Customer: Bought this on a whim because I liked the cover and because it came up in my recommendations. I began reading it, and finished it in three sittings. Excellent cross-over fantasy story. Highly recommend.
Amazon: Beautiful and dark and totally absorbing. A sort of Neil Gaiman, young adult Narnia.The characters suck you in, and take you away. Just what I wanted!
Amazon: Never read fantasy - tried only once and it bored me rigid. I bought this book only because the title and the cover page appealed to me. Surprisingly,really enjoyed it.
Great story, intelligent, and beautifully written. Will look for more books by this author.
Amazon: Beautiful and dark and totally absorbing. A sort of Neil Gaiman, young adult Narnia.The characters suck you in, and take you away. Just what I wanted!
Price £9.99
Reader Comments
The debut novel of Jude Houghton is targeted at Young Adult readers but readers of all ages will find this book difficult to put down.
Without giving too much away, three sisters are sent from America to England to stay with their eccentric grandparents, whom they have never met, after their mother mysteriously disappears. On their very first night they are taken to a Wake, which they soon realise is not a normal funeral service, and in which the eldest sister suddenly finds herself dangerously involved. As the story unfolds it becomes apparent that the girls have unknowingly inherited special powers and are inhabitants of two worlds, joined together, as the book describes it, like two bubbles coming together in a pool, so that one may almost see from one to the other or the skin is so thin one could reach across. Initially each is unaware that their sisters have the same power, and they find themselves involved in separate adventures in this same other- world. In each case their lives are in danger and at times the story moves at a breath-taking pace, carrying the reader along with it helter-skelter. The story is well crafted, and one is hurled along to an ending which is masterful and totally unexpected, leaving the reader clamouring for more which, hopefully, will be provided in a sequel.
The author’s use of language, elegant and even exquisite at times, fits each situation exactly, and this latter-day Narnia is enhanced with a map of Seraphina, thoughtfully provided to help stimulate our imagination further.
This is a story about girls, but it is highly recommended for readers of all ages and both sexes.
Interesting kids book, enjoyed it!
This début novel of Jude Houghton is targeted at a teenage audience, and certainly hits the bulls-eye. Young Adult readers will find this book difficult to put down. The ending, which is masterful and totally unexpected, leaving the reader clamouring for more.
Wonderful read.
Loved it , amazing new book