Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman

Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s and Random House Books for Young Readers for the advance reader copy Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman in exchange for an honest review. I just have to say, WHAT AN AWESOME COVER!!! Tess is such a different (not really likable all the time) character; as a child, she is always being spanked for the wrong things she says and does. But living in medieval Goredd, is not easy when you have a mother who is so angered and malevolent because too late realizes she married a man who slept with a dragon and has produced Seraphina, a human/dragon. Tess’ mother prays to the bad saints and instills this scary religion into her children. As an adolescent, Tess makes a huge mistake and puts her family’s and her own future at risk. As she mightily endeavors to get her sister married; Tess keeps making MORE mistakes. She speaks out when she shouldn’t, she punches a minister, now her family is going to put her with the nuns for the rest of her life. But Tess meets up with an old friend, who is a quigutl-a small dragon, and Patha is on a mission to meet a High Serpent (Dragon) and invites Tess to come. Dressed as a boy, Tess flees with Patha and as they try to exist with no money and food; Tess realizes she likes to work, using her hands and muscles, and she likes the adventure of the road. Tess still has her personal problems and constantly trying to forget her past- but will confronting her past and the forgiveness of the road, work for Tess? You must read this funny, heartbreaking fantasy about a girl who feels unloved and unlovable; and striking out on her own (with Patha) finds redemption on the road with dragons, and with much drama finds her place in life. I rooted for Tess from page one; readers will enjoy her adventures and growth!

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