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Snakecharm
176 pages
A tense, culturally complex fantasy where fragile alliances and impending parenthood are threatened by ancient prejudices and hidden secrets.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like walking a tightrope over a chasm of ancient prejudices. The mood is fraught and suspenseful, steeped in the complex cultural lore of warring shapeshifter clans. It moves at a brisk, adventurous pace, balancing the intimate anxieties of impending parenthood with sweeping political intrigue. The narrative tone is earnest and dramatic, drawing readers into a world where a hard-won, fragile peace is constantly threatened by xenophobia and hidden histories. The prose is accessible yet richly focused on the intricate dynamics of its avian and serpentine societies. It is a perfect fit for younger fantasy readers who crave stories about star-crossed bonds, the heavy burdens of royal leadership, and the struggle to forge a unified future from a divided past.
- Mood
- fraught
- suspenseful
- anxious
- Tone
- earnest
- tense
- dramatic
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- fragile peace · prejudice and xenophobia · burden of leadership · mixed heritage
- The writing
- Accessible and engaging, focusing on complex cultural world-building and dramatic tension.
- The arc
- Moves from a fragile, hopeful peace into anxious uncertainty before culminating in a tense search for truth that redefines the future.
- Who it's for
- Young fantasy readers who love shapeshifter lore, political intrigue, and the struggle to maintain star-crossed alliances.
Content notes
- prejudice
- pregnancy anxiety
- political conflict
About the book
ZANE COBRIANA, COBRA shapeshifter, thanks the gods every day for Danica, his hawk pair bond, and the peace their union has brought to the avian and serpiente. Soon, Danica will have a child to carry on their royal line. But what should be a happy time is riddled with doubt.Syfka, an ancient falcon, has arrived from Ahnmik claiming that one of her people is hidden in their midst. The falcons are more powerful than the avians and serpiente combined, and Syfka shows nothing but contempt for Zane and Danica's alliance. To Zane's horror, his own people seem just as appalled as Syfka is by the thought of a mixed-blood child becoming heir to the throne. Is Syfka's lost falcon just a ruse to stir up controversy among them? The truth lies somewhere in their tangled pasts--and the search will redefine Zane and Danica's fragile future.Praise for Hawksong:"Atwater-Rhodes has created a stunning adventure that draws readers in and leaves them begging for more."--School Library Journal, Starred "Atwater-Rhodes takes a break from vampires to create two warring clans... [with] impressively complex cultures."--Publishers WeeklyA VOYA Best Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror List selectionFrom the Hardcover edition.
Description from Open Library.
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