Title: Hawksong
Author: Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
First published July 8, 2003
243 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780440238034 (ISBN10: 044023803X)
Rating: 4.16
Overview
JASON IS A LYCAN shapeshifter, and the wolf’s form that he takes in the woods is as natural to him as the human one that he wears in town. The only thing more familiar to him is the long-standing feud between his people and the vampiric clan.
As the future alpha of his pack, he’ll stop at nothing to end this age-old conflict—even if it means forming an alliance with Selena Blackwood, the alluring leader of his people’s greatest foe, and uniting the two powerful groups. Trust.
It’s all Selena asks of Jason—and all they ask of their followers—but it may be more than he can offer.
About the Author
I grew up in the lovely town of Concord, Massachusetts. I attended the public Concord-Carlisle school district from the time I started kindergarten until my graduation in 2001.
The best part of my school experience was participating in chorus, from fifth grade until graduation. Singing has always been a passion of mine, and though I never had the courage or talent to perform in high school plays, I enjoyed being involved in other ways.
The music and drama community at CCHS was the highlight of my high school years. I also had the opportunity to fence on the team for two years, an experience that inspired a couple of storylines, and I regret not continuing with the sport.
Currently, I live in Massachusetts with my family and several pets. I am a student at the University of Massachusetts, pursuing a double major in English and Psychology.
I aspire to work as either an English teacher at the secondary level or in special education. I have strong opinions about literacy, education, and the treatment of our educational systems.
Most of my friends know not to get me started on the subject.
My hobbies are diverse and range from domestic activities like cross-stitching and cooking to more adventurous pursuits like aquarium keeping, playing the piano, gardening, carpentry, and riding motorcycles. I also enjoy a good debate with someone who knows how to argue, which might stem from my best friend’s occupation in politics.
I love learning and spend my free time reading books, browsing websites, or watching videos to pick up new skills. Belly dancing is something I desperately want to learn, but I haven’t mustered up the courage to take classes yet.
I’m also interested in learning JavaScript.
Editoral Review
Amelia Atwater-Rhodes’ Hawksong is a captivating fantasy novel that is sure to delight fans of the young adult genre. Atwater-Rhodes is a talented author with a gift for creating immersive worlds full of intrigue and romance.
This book is one of her early works, first published on July 8, 2003, but it remains a classic in its own right. The story is set in a world where two species, the avians and the serpiente, have been at war for centuries.
The novel follows Danica Shardae, who has been chosen to become the avian queen and marry Zane Cobriana, the ruler of the serpiente. The two must navigate their complex relationship, as well as the politics and scheming of those around them, in order to bring peace to their two warring tribes.
Atwater-Rhodes has a firm grasp on character development and pacing, making the novel a joy to read. The main characters, Danica and Zane, are complex and well-drawn, and their interactions are a highlight of the book.
The setting of the novel is rich and atmospheric, with vivid descriptions that bring the world to life. The novel also has a keen eye towards issues of race and discrimination.
The conflict between the avians and the serpiente is reminiscent of real-world race relations, and the novel does an excellent job exploring the themes of prejudice and stereotyping. However, the book’s plot structure can be a bit predictable at times, and some of the secondary characters lack the depth and nuance of the leads.
Nevertheless, these are relatively minor criticisms of an otherwise excellent novel. Overall, Hawksong is a must-read for fans of young adult fantasy.
Atwater-Rhodes’ captivating worldbuilding and superb character development make for an engaging read, while the novel’s exploration of timely social issues is sure to resonate with readers. This classic novel may be nearly two decades old, but it still stands the test of time.
The Washington Post gives it a glowing recommendation with a well-deserved rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
