Tynga's reviews

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Hawksong by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Many of us have a few books that hold a special place on our bookshelves because they will forever remain favorites. For me, HAWKSONG was a teenage favorite of mine and I've stopped counting how many times I've read it. It's not because it's written exceptionally well or because it has an amazing story. On the contrary, the writing is relatively simple and the story, while being original, could be a little bit more detailed. I think it became a favorite of mine because as a high school student, about 10 years ago, this genre was just starting to become popular for teens and this was simply the book that caught my attention.

The book is about Danica Shardae, an avian shapeshifter who is heir to the avian throne, and Zane Cobriana the serpent shapeshifting king. Ever since avian and serpent history can remember, their two courts have been at war, killing each other for a reason that has been lost over the years. Both these leaders wish for peace and the end of senseless killings, but both also fear assassination despite wanting the same thing. Together, Danica and Zane work together to form an alliance, that will forever change their courts and their lives. They both agree that marriage is the only thing that will keep their subjects from retaliating against the alliance but despite their good intentions, the violence doesn't end.

War and political intrigue might be the main themes of the story but I truly believe it's a love story at heart. Danica always thought she would marry another, a childhood friend of hers, but when the marriage to Zane is first proposed by peacekeepers, she is almost disgusted by the idea. Danica is a stoic person and adheres strongly to the Avian reserve, always keeping her feelings to herself, while Zane is more liberal and free with his feelings, like all Serpientes. Zane lives in a culture that thrives on touch and affection, while Danica's people tend to frown upon displays of affection in public. Their cultures couldn't be more different, yet they decide to try as hard as possible to find a way to keep the peace. Love might be too strong a word to describe what goes on between Zane and Danica but I truly believe they end up caring for one another.

The way the author portrays the racism and hate between the two culture is quite realistic. Obviously I'm not talking about the shapeshifting part but about the different beliefs and ways of thinking. Our world can definitely improve when it comes to accepting different cultures and I think I read this book at the right time because I strongly believe the message of acceptance must be grasped by everyone, especially teens.

What I find really special (and maybe a little confusing) about this book is that you never really know if this is a fantasy world, or if it's a hidden society in our human world. The author doesn't reveal much about the actual setting and despite this fact, it really doesn't matter because the story holds on its own. The author doesn't reveal much about the time frame either because wars are fought with swords and arrows, but the women wear pants and are included on the battlefield.

Like I said, HAWKSONG is a personal favorite of mine, and I don't think anyone will ever be able to change my mind. I have no clue if it's because I have a biased opinion because I read this book as an impressionable teen or not, but one thing I know for sure, even after all these years, I can read this book time and time again.

Posted by Tynga at 02:00

Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, Delacorte, Paranormal, Purchased, Random House, Review, Shapeshifter, The Kiesha'ra, YA, young adult 3 People left their mark

Thursday, May 03, 2012

Daring You to Read… Hawksong by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Daring You To Read is a weekly feature here on Tynga’s Reviews where we dare you to read some of our favorite older releases (at least 6 months old). All the books/series we choose to feature are titles we adored and think you should give them a shot! We think it’s a super awesome way to discover that special book who might have slipped off your radar!

You’ve already read the book? Let’s us know what you thought!
You are accepting the dare? We’d love to know!
Have a dare of your own? Leave a comment ^^

This week, I’m Daring You to Read a book that has come and gone a while ago. Actually, this was one of my favourite YA series when I was in high school, and still, it remains on my bookshelf. I have a hard time parting with all my books but this is definitely a series that I will never give away.

HAWKSONG is a story about two shapeshifting leaders, Danica and Zane, that are at war but who try to see past their differences in order to stop the fighting once and for all. They realize that they must agree with one another before their people can do the same. By leading from example, they hope that one day, real peace will exist between the Avian and the Serpiente. Danica is a stoic person and adheres strongly to the Avian reserve, while Zane is more liberal and free with his feelings, like all Serpientes. So you can just imagine how different the two races are.

I’ve always wondered in what decade, or century, this book takes place because we have no contact with the human world. Wars are fought with swords and arrows but the women wear pants and are included on the battlefield. Maybe it’s good that the author has left us in the dark because it allows us to concentrate a bit more on the dynamics between the two races.

Like many of the YA books we see today, I believe this series can be enjoyed by everyone, and not just by Young Adults. It doesn’t just focus on war, but also on friendship, love and responsibility. I really hope you give this series a try, especially since you can read all of them at once. No waiting for the next book! For those of you who have already read it, let me know what you think!

Here is a little bit more about HAWKSONG:

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, Danica will do anything in her power to stop the bloodshed–even accept Zane Cobriana, the terrifying leader of her kind’s greatest enemy, as her pair bond and make the two royal families one.

Now Danica must convince her people that Zane is just as committed to peace as she is–though she can’t help fearing that, despite his word, he will strike as swiftly and lethally as the cobra that is his second form. Among the serpiente, she’ll have to pretend to be in love, though when they’re alone, her reserve threatens to keep her and Zane worlds apart. And in their midst are dissenters who will do whatever it takes to destroy this union. Trust. It is all Zane asks of Danica–and all they ask of their people–but it may be more than she can give.

Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

Read and excerpt