Hawksong by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Title: Hawksong
Author: Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Rating: 3.5/5
# of pages: 256
Date read: May 2006
Summary: Danica Shardae is an avian shapeshifter. She is a princess of her people who, like the birds they become, is reserved and disciplined, yet full of passion. Her people have been at war with the serpiente, a people who shapeshift into serpent forms, for so many years that no one remembers how it all started. The hatred and bloodshed have taken a heavy toll on both sides, and Danica and Zane Cobriana, a prince among the serpiente, are determined to stop it, at any cost. He is the last of his line as is Danica and so he proposes that the avian and serpiente royalty meet at a neutral place and seek mediation to end the war. The mediator proposal-that Danica and Zane marry-is so crazy and repugnant a plan that both parties leave immediately. The young people, however, consider it in spite of the apparent lunacy, for it would mean an end to the fighting. But can they pull it off? And can they keep the dissenters among them from destroying this shred of a chance for peace? This book takes the Romeo and Juliet angle to new heights and is dealt with in a completely original way. It's a love story and a plea for peace, and an intriguing look at a world that is teeming with tension and danger and beauty.
Review: A fun fantasy take on the 'Romeo & Juliet' romance. I enjoyed it, but I think my hopes were a little too high, because before reading it, my friend raved about it. I still really enjoyed it though and plan on buying it and the rest of the series soon enough. I really liked the whole shape-shifting idea too.. that was really cool. It's nice, fairly light, and touches on the subjects of war and prejudice but in a cool way for teens. Also, the author was only 16-17 when she wrote the book, so that's pretty impressive as well!