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Hawksong

Book 1 in the series:The Kiesha'ra

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"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.

Characters:

The characters display growth as they navigate their contrasting cultures while developing feelings for one another.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is approachable and engaging, though some readers note a lack of depth in world-building.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around a political marriage between two warring shapeshifter factions, aiming to end centuries of conflict and address longstanding distrust.

Setting:

The setting features a fantasy realm occupied by shapeshifting races, with cultural conflicts central to the narrative.

Pacing:

The pacing is quick, which allows for an engaging read, though some feel it sacrificed depth in character development.
The smell of hot avian blood spattered on the stones, and cool serpiente blood that seemed ready to dissolve the skin off my hands if I touched it. The smell of burned hair and feathers and skin of th...

Notes:

Hawksong is the first book in the Kiesha'ra series by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes.
The main character, Danica Shardae, is an avian shapeshifter.
Danica is set to become the leader of her people, who have been at war with the serpiente (snake) shapeshifters for centuries.
The war's origin is so old that no one in the story can remember why they are fighting.
A political marriage between Danica and Zane, the leader of the serpiente, is proposed to end the war.
The book explores themes of peace and overcoming deep-rooted prejudices.
Danica and Zane start with strong distrust towards each other, which gradually changes as they work towards peace.
The story features unique shapeshifters: birds, snakes, and briefly, tigers.
Although it's a fantasy novel, some readers felt the world-building was weak, lacking historical context for humans and other races.
Danica tries to learn and adapt to Zane's culture, while Zane does not reciprocate the effort equally, which some readers found frustrating.
The book combines romance with political intrigue, appealing to young adult audiences.
Amelia Atwater-Rhodes was only 19 when she wrote Hawksong, showcasing her early talent.
The story can be read as a standalone but is part of a series that explores the aftermath of the characters' decisions.
Readers appreciated the emotional journey of trust and affection between the leads, despite some feeling the romance developed too quickly.

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)

Loved It
2 months

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.

 
Did Not Like
5 months

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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