Please look at this magnificent cover and repeat after me: It is ok to sometimes judge books by their cover.
Seraphina is a SPECTACULAR book for any fantasy-weary reader. It's not overly complicated with a billion different species and too many details. It has just the right amount of detail and spends just the right amount of time setting up the fantasy world in which our precious Seraphina resides in.
Seraphina is a young woman with a love of music and a garden of people in her mind. Um? STOP SHE ISN'T DELUSIONAL IT ALL MAKES SENSE LATER I SWEAR. She struggles as someone different in society who cannot reveal her true self. This is a story about coming to terms with oneself, becoming a leader, and learning to trust (people like Kiggs.)
Seraphina had many moments where she could have been an annoying female lead, but none of those chances took form . She was just the correct amount of insecure, bold, true to herself, and scared. Never so much of any of these though, that she seemed unrealistic.
This book was a tedious read but I loved every minute of it and can't wait to pick up the sequel. Seriously, if you choose to read any of the books, on this website to read, CHOOSE THIS ONE.