Hawksong

Danica Shardae is an avian shapeshifter who takes on the form of a hawk. The princess of her people, she is reserved and disciplined. Yet, she is also passionate, and seeing her people die sickens and saddens her. Her people have been at war with the serpiente for so long that the reason for the start of the war is unknown and the word "peace" is a foreign term. After coming upon her own brother's dead body, the last of her family, save for her mother, Danica does not cry though she desperately wants to. Hearing a cry, Danica stumbles upon a dying member of the Cobriana, the ruling family of her enemies, about the age of her recently deceased brother. Ignoring her guards, Danica kneels down beside him in the bloodied battle field, holding his hand and singing to him so that he does not spend the last moments of life alone.

Danica's strong desire for peace is found to be echoed by Zane, who is to inherit the Cobriana throne. A neutral tribe, the Mistari, suggests Zane and Danica, as their tribes leaders, demonstrate to their people how strong they wish for peace--by marrying one another. Everyone is outraged, and the room soon is consumed by shouts, save for Danica's, as she seems to be lacking words. Though she and Zane both claim to be willing to risk anything and everything for peace, can they get over the revulsion, hate, and fear each has towards the other? And if they can, would their people accept their decision, and finally have peace?

I've had this book under a day and yet I've somehow managed to read it twice, I enjoyed it so much. It's like Romeo and Juliet, accept Romeo hates Juliet, and Juliet is afraid of Romeo. There's also a lot less suicide. I loved both Zane and Danica's characters, as well as many others. The story managed to be fast paced and leisurely at the same time, conflicts not completely solved until the very last page, but in a way that works (And that's one of my very biggest pet peeves, so that's saying a lot.) I loved the way that instead of being about how the characters dealt with the war, it was about bringing peace. I've just started it's sequel, and though a bit disappointed it's not from Danica's point of view, I have a feeling I might just love it as much as the first. So if you like shipeshifters, romance, and happy endings, check this one out.

-Tina