Hawksong: The Kiesha'ra: Volume One

Hawksong was AMAZING! Without hesitation, I purchased all 5 other books in the Kiesha'ra series. Amelia Atwater-Rhodes is an incredible writer and the book was a fairly smooth read. It was a great romance. When I first bought the book and read the other reviews I expected it to be cheesey and a copy of Romeo and Juliet but this was far from that. This was full of twists and turns. Amelia's characters are very attractive as well. She chooses them all to have good attributes. Zane Cobriana was man enough to me to replace all my past book crushes. Move along Edward Cullen from Twilight, Damen from Evermore, and Derek from the Summoning.

The author is seriously hampered by her insistence on writing this story as a teen novel: the story needs to be either much longer, or much shorter.

1. The author spends far too much time talking about how different the two societies (avian and serpiente) are, and how difficult it is for Zane and Danica to adapt to the other's culture, but she should SHOW how difficult it is, not tell. She should spend a lot more time setting up the cultures, and letting the reader become familiar with the rules and ideals of each one. She could include more of the mythology of each.

2. The author could shorten the story immensely, and tell it in a myth-like format; this would allow her to give more history of each culture, and spend less time in character development. In a myth, the depth of characters is not important (and can be distracting): all that really matters is the event.

The author has tried to straddle the fence with this book, and while it is an interesting idea with potential, the format of "teen fantasy novel" is simply the wrong form for the story.

A friend recommended this book to me, and I bought it feeling iffy and unsure of whether or not the purchase was worth it.
Was it? Absolutely. Though some plot points are weak, and some points are left explained, there is a mighty plot twist that I would never have seen coming! Anyone who likes the manga Zettai Heiwa Daisakusen (or, in English, roughly called The Ideal Peace Plan) will love this book.
Charming and sweet, this was a hard one to get off my mind. I'm just starting the second one, Snakecharm--let's hope it only gets better from here!

...and found myself devouring it. It took a story that was pretty apparent from as early as the first chapter and summary and made it a very interesting read. I really enjoyed the characters and their growth through the book. I would like to see another story with these races, and sequel to see how the characters develop and their interaction with other races and their new empire.

In my opinion, Hawksong is the most well-written book that Amelia Atwater-Rhodes has published so far. This is not to say that I did not enjoy her previous books (In Forests of the Night, Demon in my View, Shattered Mirror, & Midnight Predator), but this is the first book where her plot did not involve a tough girl falling inexplainably in love with a vampire guy of sorts. Her writing style has matured, there is more closure to the events that takes place.
In Hawksong, the plot is based on the political union of the leaders of two warring peoples: the avian and the serpiente. Danica Shardae, the queen (the Tuuli Thea in avian culture) and Zane Cobriana, the king (the Diente in serpiente culture) sacrifice their own happiness in exchange for the lives of their people. How this marriage will turn out is up to you, the reader, to find out when and if you read Hawksong.
Atwater-Rhodes' descriptive prose will keep you going through the book. She seems to begin to create her own worlds, but she brings them to the real world so that the reader could imagine a culture like the avian's and the serpiente's actually existing.
To sum it up: this is a great book. Five stars. Read it =)

I have started and restarted this book for over a year. I never made it past the beginning before, not because I wasn't interested, but because I'm easily distracted. When I finally sat down to read it, I found what I had been missing. I read Hawksong in a day, and immediately rushed to the local library for the next book. The characters are involved, the plot is original, and the ending is happy. I like happy endings, but I also like to be surprised, and this book surprised me. Great series, I'd recommend it to anyone.

When I began reading Hawksong I was at school and I was only reading it in small parts. Back then I would've given it a three, but on Saturday I had nothing to read so I picked it up again. It was so good that, in order to finish it, I stayed up half the night! So if you wish to read a book filled with fantasy and a touch of romemance, this book is for you.

Hawksong is a very good book. Its about Dianica, princess of the avians, and Zane,the prince of the serpentines, whos lands are fighting in a war that no one can remember the reason for and what they have to do to stop the war. My favorite charater is Dianica. If you want an exiting book about war,violence. and a little romance this is the book for you.

I many liked Amelia for her vampire books,(I really like books about vampires)but when I read this, it seems Amelia has moved past the vampires and has used her writing style to create an interesting story. I has a bit of a Romeo/Juliet theme to it(lots of family rivalries) but with many different twists. I recommend this book to those who enjoy Amelia's writing, but do not hold a strong interest in vampires.

I bought this book on impulse because I thought the concept behind it would be more than interesting. By far this is the best of Amelia Atwater-Rhodes's books. The characters are real and emotional, not flat like in some of her previous books. The plot is well developed, only giving the necessary details. I absolutely loved this book, but the ending felt rushed. Just when you feel you're getting to the best part, it's over. All in all, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone. In this book you realize that the author is really maturing in her style and character development. They just get better with each book. Zane and Danica are the best characters she's created, and I highly doubted she would ever top Aubrey. So go buy this book, you won't regret it!

This was one of Amelia Atwater-Rhodes best books ever. She was almost very thorough with the story, the reason I say tht is because the end left me wanting more as have all her other books (In The Forests Of The Night, Demon In My View, Shattered Mirror, and Midnight Predator), but this one left me wanting even more. Amelia's works have progress and changed in so many ways that they have each been better than the one before. Her writing to me is very moving, well coming from a 16 yr. guy who's fantasy and imagination are limitless, that I am in a state of mind that is craving even more. I can't wait for her next book Snakecharm to come out because with each of her books comes an even better adventure and story. Keep Up the work Amelia Atwater-Rhodes.

Amelia Atwater-Rhodes has hit the jcakpot with this one. In the beginning it is a bit hard to understand, but once you start reading this book, you won't be able to put it down. It starts with Danica Shardae comforting Gregory Cobriana as he dies. Her own brother has just died, and she doesn't want Gregory to die the same way her brother did, alone. In places it does get a little sappy, and sometimes a little too much time is spent on one topic, but all in all, the book is well-written and imaginative. The descriptions of the avians and the serpiente are descriptive and clear, and she did a good job describing the locations, as well. A fairly quick read (I was finished in about an hour/hour and a half) but an enjoyable one.

Danica was one of my favorite characters. She has to give up something to be able to have peace, but I'm not going to tell you what. This is a very good book with some adventure and a war. I can't wait for the second book Snakecharm. I hope that this author will write many more books than just these two.

In the beginning, I was not impressed. About a third of the way through, I though Atwater-Rhodes struck a vein of gold, but she let a promising detail go to waste.
Some parts are interesting, particularly some of the more heated conversations between Zane and Danica. Overall, Zane is the best character in the book, although he has been criticized as being 'inconsistent,' I think that might be because the other characters are so one-dimensional, particularly Danica, whose aloofness is supposed to be a trait of her race. It was carried into the first-person narration, however, which did nothing for me.
But it was a quick, fun read, and I would recommend it. I'm looking forward to Snakecharm, narrated by Zane.

Hawksong is the first of Amelia Atwater-Rhodes's books I've ever read, but it won't be the last. I thought the book was amazing. The storyline was great, I couldn't put it down (I read it in two days, that's how good it is). The message the story conveys is also amazing. They're just trying to do what they think and feel is right. The characters are like real, with real flaws and strong points, and their in a realistic world. The plot was rather Romeo and Juliet, but it also has a science-fiction/fantasy sort of twist to it. I can't really tell you much, or else that would give it away but I'm deffinently going to read Snakecharm, and her other books as soon as I have time.

Ms. Rhodes has always been one of my favorite horror authors since she created In the Forests of the Night, I've loved all her books! but Hawksong is my all time fave, she created very different characters and plot, not including vampires. This time the characters are shapeshifters. Sound interesting, I think so! So read this amazing book I totally recomend it, I finished it in one night I could NOT put it down.

Having read the book a bit ahead, and seeing where it began and ended gives me a bit of a unique opinion. The world of the shifter's is a completely unique one with more twists and turns than the serpiente palace. Danica is introduced as an almost naiive character, while Zane the brash...boy. It's a good book --i would have liked to see it as an adult book -- and longer. But still very well done. Bravo

Amelia Atwater has shown us maturity with her new book Hawksong. The detail and beautifuly mastered plot kept me rereading this book over. I give this book four stars because, although it was one of the best books I have read for a while, I felt that there should have been more problems between the characters besides assasins, although that idea proved interesting. I also think the ending was too rushed for my taste, and she could have added more. Overall I think this was a great book and I cannot wait for it's sequal Snakecharm.

I loved this book its turnd on the whole vampire thing which i liked but you know you want some new "blood" after an while and well amelia Atwater-Rhodes delivered. It was an amazing write and im still boggling the fact that shes so young and can write so well. This book reminds me sort of demon in my view but its still different. They have to try to grow to love eachother and maybe they wont or maybe they will(i'm not dsaying. but im really looking forward to her next book Snakecharms hopefully its a continueation of this book cause im still begging for more.

I just got finished reading 'Hawksong' and I'm so upset that it's over. I haven't read a book as good as that since...I can't remember when. I fell in love with the two main characters, Danica and Zane, and held on to every sentence in the novel. I'm grateful that this novel is part of a series so I can continue this wonderful tale.

This novel was a nice change from the vampire setting, and I loved the world and the culture that she created.

What I found disapointing was however, that this is a romantic novel, and I found the progression of Danica 'falling in love' with Zane very rushed. And also like other reviewers before me - the lack of insight within the alternate universe Rhodes created.

Otherwise, it's a good novel. Recommended for fantasy lovers.

Extravagant writing! Amelia Atwater Rhodes is one of my most favorite authors, and an excellent writer. Not only does she give her characters intricate personalities, but she also enforces their views. The book is a bit repetitive, and only a tad bit confusing, but the overall story diminishes such tiny flaws, and instead leaves the reader with a passion to read more of these fabulous stories. Absolutely excellent writing! A must read for all ages!

Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, a young author, has outdone herself here. I loved it from the beginning to the end. She creates a beautiful world with believable characters, and never leaves you a dull moment. With suspense, romance, and an amazing environment, one can't help but identify with the honest and selfless characters while they struggle to end a war that has ravaged both rival tribes by doing the impossible...

HAWKSONG is a wonderful fantasy novel, rich in imagination, vivid in images, entrancing in its characterization. It certainly well worth reading, even if you are no longer a young adult. Read more at [...]

she comes up with such creative story lines and creative unique titles that make you want to pick it up and give it more thought, since this book i have read all of her other books! and i love them all!!!

An excellent read, I love all of Atwater-Rhodes's work and this book was definately spectacular. I'm not much of a love-novel reader, but this one was superb. I found myself trying to send mental messages to the characters while I was reading it, mainly to Danica. I reccomend all of Atwater-Rhondes's work,(In the Forests of the Night, Demon in my View, Shattered Mirror, Midnight Predator) you won't be dissapointed!

I feel that as Atwater continues writing, the worst she gets. Especially since you begin to realize that she recycles characters more often that not. This one was even more so disappointing than the previous... how many? I've lost count.

The main character Danica: Oh, I'm such a damsel in distress because I have to marry a wonderfully sexy guy and I can't tell if he's manipulating me or not.

The main character Zane: Oh... I'm sexy.

Which doesn't say much, really, since ALL of Atwater's main male characters have to be sexy.

The plot was completely soap-opera-like. I don't want to love you. I have to love you. I need to marry you. My family doesn't approve. We don't have a choice. Blah blah blaaaaah. The characters were just as they stated: "I'm a good guy, and I end up staying as the good guy." "I'm a bad guy, and, well... I end up wanting to kill you. Imagine that." They were one-dimensional, no twists, no nothing. The plot ran straight forward without stopping to wonder whether it was a good idea to or not.

But! My friend loves sap and she loved this book. If you love sap, you will love this book. =)

This book by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, was astoundingly great, even for Rhodes' work. The relationship and hesitations of Danica were so enticing and fit perfectly for Zane's willingness for peace at any cost. I know there is a review somewhere around here, so use that to help you decide. But I will say that if you pass this up, you are missing out on such an opportunity!

This book is basically about two types of shapeshifters, the avian and the serpentine, and their at war with each other. And the heirs are basically killing each other off until there is only one left from the avian and two left from the serpentine. Danica, the heir to the avain throne, wants peace. I mean who doesn't?? And in order for her to get peace she has to marry her rival, Zane Cobranna. So far, so good. When they decide to "tie the knot" everyone hates it. Especially, Zane's woman. He leaves her for Danica, ouch!! Then there are "hits" made agianst Danica. So they finnaly get married and no one likes it.

That's it...I mean good plot, but who wants to read about two shapeshifters that fall in love??? I mean where's the blood? Where's the gore??? Where's the writer that wrote The Shatter Mirror or Demon In My View??? I want to read about the wars, not this girl falling for a guy with scales on his arm!!! I want to see people dying not people hugging and kissing.

Not to mention if you read her dedications. Ameila made up her own language. Which was kinda dumb. Why can't she just stick to the classics?? I mean her last four books were about vampires, and I must say her first was the best. But, the last two she has done is just confusing.

Amelia just needs to stay with her vampire stories, those were GOOD books. Not a girl with feathers on her neck falling for a guy with red eyes. Too fake for me.

One of Amelia's better books, in my opinion. Definitely worth reading, and the characters and storyline are so much fun! Except, she could have profitted from slowing down a little and develing into descriptions better than she did. Towards the end especially, it gets to be sort of detatched. But Zane is awesome! :)

I have read all of Amelia Atwater-Rhodes' books. This is the best one I have read of hers. She takes you into a new and exciting adventure. It also has that love interest in there too which makes it even better. I can't wait till the next book. I wish they would bump up the date release because I just can't wait.

This book is beautifully engaging, intriguing, and written with creative flair. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading books that are passionately developed with an abundance of fantasy, action, and romance.

This book is simple beautiful. I dont know how else to put it. it's so magical and romantic and just... you cant put it down. I am telling all of my friends about it and I dont do that often.

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