
"Hawksong" in the series "The Kiesha'ra" by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes follows the story of Danica Shardae, heir to the avian throne, and Zane Cobriana, prince of the serpiente, two shapeshifter races at war with each other. In a bid for peace, a marriage is proposed between Danica and Zane, leading to a journey of political intrigue, cultural clashes, and budding romance. The plot delves into the complexities of their relationship, the struggles of their respective peoples, and the sacrifices needed to achieve lasting peace, all while exploring themes of love, sacrifice, and new beginnings. The writing style intricately weaves together mythology, character development, and political tension, creating a captivating young adult fantasy filled with suspense, romance, and unexpected twists.
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Has Romance?
Hawksong contains a medium level of romance as the central relationship develops from distrust to love, though it is more subtle given the YA nature of the narrative.
From The Publisher:
DANICA SHARDAE IS an avian shapeshifter, and the golden hawk's form in which she takes to the sky is as natural to her as the human one that graces her on land. The only thing more familiar to her is war: It has raged between her people and the serpiente for so long, no one can remember how the fighting began. As heir to the avian throne, she'll do anything in her power to stop this war-even accept Zane Cobriana, the terrifying leader of her kind's greatest enemy, as her pair bond and make the two royal families one.
Trust. It is all Zane asks of Danica-and all they ask of their people-but it may be more than she can give.
A School Library Journal Best Books of the Year
A VOYA Best Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror List selection
Ratings (7)
Incredible (1) | |
Loved It (3) | |
Liked It (2) | |
Did Not Like (1) |
Reader Stats (15):
Read It (7) | |
Want To Read (6) | |
Not Interested (2) |
2 comment(s)
This book may be the most surprising book I've read this year. I didn't know what to expect going into this book as I got on a whim from BookOutlet. However, I found that I enjoyed this story and the simplicity of the storytelling about two warring nations with leaders who want peace. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My only issue is that the ending of the novel feels rushed and did not seemed to be paced well.
This morning, I made a very poor decision to binge read
Hawksong. The first chapter is fabulous as the author depicts Danica’s strength and empathy against the backdrop of a bloodstained, war-torn world, but all of that is quickly sidelined for a fumbling romance coupled with pedestrian politics. Not bad, just not that great, and certainly not worth my lack of sleep.
About the Author:
Amelia Atwater-Rhodes grew up in Concord, Massachusetts. Born in 1984, she wrote her first novel, In the Forests of the Night, praised as "remarkable" (Voice of Youth Advocates) and "mature and polished" (Booklist), when she was 13. The books in…
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