Hawksong: The Kiesha'ra: Volume One
by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
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Book Summary Information
Author: Amelia Atwater-RhodesEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-05-08
ISBN: 0385734921
Number of pages: 256
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Book Reviews of Hawksong: The Kiesha'ra: Volume One
Book Review: Hawksong--The First of the Kiesha'ra Series--How does it hold up to her other books?
Summary: 5 Stars
Well, this is the first book of a five-part series (called the Kiesha'ra series) that features various races of shapeshifters and doesn't have anything to do with her previous vampire novels.
When I first got this book many years ago, I was already an avid fan of Amelia's writing; I just loved her vampiric world. At the time I bought Hawksong, I was expecting more of the same. Once I realized that it took place in a totally different setting and had nothing to do with vampires, I was sorely disappointed. I even decided that it wasn't as good of a novel as the past ones.
Well, now that I've re-read it I've come to realize that yes, this book has nothing to do with vampires, and yet, it's really an excellent book. Perhaps her best yet, at least in terms of technical writing skill. She really does seem to improve with each new book release (I haven't yet read past this book in the series yet, so I might be let down later).
Anyway, the story involves two races of shapeshifters, the Avians (with bird forms) and the Serpiente (with snake forms) who are constantly at war with each other and have been for generations. Danica, the leader of the Avians, and Zane, leader of the Serpiente decide that they are sick and tired of war and come to the realization that the best way to bring an end to it is to marry each other. Unfortunately, neither of them really likes the prospect, and are only doing so for the chance at peace. Now, anyone who's read any romance-themed novel in their life already knows how this will end. Despite being predictable, which you think would make this terribly boring to read, the story is actually the exact opposite. It's quite engaging and entertaining. Even though, logically, you realize that due to the "long arm of the plot" they'll wind up loving each other at the end, Amelia does a good enough job of the story that you're kept on the edge of your seat nonetheless. That's pretty darn good for a plot that most would consider downright cliche by now (i.e. guy and girl hate each other at first, then fall in love anyway). In fact, while her other books dealt with romances that weren't a huge part of the main plot (all of her first books had elements of romance, with the exception of In the Forests of the Night), Hawksong really seems to be her first book that focuses a huge deal on it. And, kudos to her for doing such a good job!
In addition, although it could be argued that her earlier books were not great technical achievements(I greatly love those books anyway), Hawksong doesn't qualify for this criticism. It really does have the air of a professional, experienced writer about it. In fact, I have no complaints at all about this book (except it still doesn't have vampires in it...Just kidding! I'm over that complaint now!) Anyway, I highly recommend this book to fans of shapeshifters, romances in fantasy settings, or fans of fantasy novels in general.
P.S. If anyone is wondering, you can read any of her vampire books out of order and still pretty much understand it, but for the Kiesha'ra series, you really need to read Hawksong first and read the series in order, otherwise, you will be completely lost. Just trust me on that one. :)
Summary of Hawksong: The Kiesha'ra: Volume One
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.
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