Hawksong by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

GREETINGS STACK WORMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's not often that I do a book review for a past read. However, it has been years since I've reread this book, but since I had it on my Goodreads TBR list I decided to do a review. This will probably be a rather short review since it's a short book, so let's get to it. 

Today's review is: Hawksong by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

A few tidbits before we get into the thick of it. This is a YA novel that was published in 2003 by a 19-year-old AA-R. No, I will not be typing out their name every time I bring them up.  Hawksong is the first book in a five-book series called the Kiesha'ra series. Amelia Atwater-Rhodes isn't big on social media but keeps up on their Patreon. I wasn't able to find if there'd be more to the series at a later date but they have been writing more to their other series. Wasn't able to find anything published, outside of Patreon, since 2018. I think that's enough bonus info let's get going. 

SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Duh...

TRIGGER WARNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-Talk of War 

-War 

-Blood 

-Death

-Assassins 

-Assassination attempts 

-Venom being called poison

-Enemies-to-lovers trope 

-Arranged marriage trope (even though the MCs arrange it so I don't know if it should count) 

-PG-13 (yeah this is a trigger warning because a lot of people complained about this not being more spicy despite it being YA)

-Betrayal 

-Romeo & Juliet vibes 

-Feticide  

-Racism (speciesism?) 

-Prejudice 

-PTSD 

-Marriage to end a war trope 

-Skinning 

-Execution 

PLOT: 

Danica Shardae is sick of the continuous war between her people the avians, and the serpiente. So, sick of it that when Zane Cobriana, the future Diente (serpiente king), reaches out for peace talks, she convinces her mother, the Tuuli Thea (avian queen), to meet them. 

However, when the mediators suggest marriage between the two courts, and Danica considers the idea the Tuuli Thea drags her from neutral grounds back to the Hawk Keep, where Danica throws herself into learning her future queenly duties. 

A few nights later, Zane shows up to invite Danica to private talks and when she arrives at his palace, they agree to be each other's mates. Danica will be Zane's Naga (serpiente queen) and Zane will be Danica's Alistair (pair bond). 

Of course, when announced, their courts aren't too happy, and it takes a while for the idea that peace is possible to sink in. However, there are a few defectors who do their best to assassinate Danica and Zane, with Danica taking a poisoned blade for Zane and then taking a poison arrow to her abdomen. 

During Danica's two poisonings, her and Zane grow closer and in the end admit their love for each other. Despite neither of them thinking they ever could. 

LIKES: 

-The build-up to Danica and Zane agreeing to "marry" is solid. I really believe that these species have been warring for dozens of generations 

-World building and lore, while sparse or unfinished at times, does make me want to read more of the series (even though I already read the entire series once before)  

-I love shapeshifters 

-Zane kept making me laugh

DISLIKES: 

-The ending was rather abrupt 

-Danica and Zane's blossoming relationship felt a bit rushed despite us getting a feel that Zane already started having feelings for Danica after he'd snuck into her room a few times. There was more build-up to them agreeing on peace by marriage than there was to their eventual love. 

THOUGHTS: 

I love this book and have since I first read it. 

When I was younger, I gave it five-outta-five but now I give it a 4/5 because of the abrupt ending. I hadn't noticed it before because I didn't stop between books. Now that I have, I feel that as a "stand-alone," it needed to have a more solid ending. 

What mostly upsets me is people complaining about what the book is NOT. Reviewers say that it's not spicy enough (it's fuqn YA duh). This was before New Adult existed. Others say it would have benefited if it were an Epic Fantasy. I, for one, am okay that it's YA. Not everything needs to be a tome or highly sexualized to be good. 

If Amelia Atwater-Rhodes ever decided to rewrite the series like that I wouldn't complain but the OG series would always remain nostalgic for me. It was one of the books that solidified my obsession with reading and books. So, it will never mean any less to me.  

Here is the music I picked for the book: 

Have you read the book? What did you think? Would you agree or disagree with me? Did you like the review? What can I do to improve the reviews? Is there anything you'd like to see done for a future review? Remember I always encourage constructive criticism. Thank you for reading!! Toodles, luvs! 

-Bug