Reflections in that rain puddle

The Marriage Solution

Atwater-Rhodes, Amelia ~ Hawksong ~ Delacorte, 2003 ~ 243 pages ~ older children, tweens, teens.

“They say the first of my kind was a woman named Alasdair, a human raised by hawks. She learned the language of the birds and was gifted with their form.”

This is a world with humans as well as shape-shifters that can take the form of animals, birds, snakes, and perhaps other creatures. For a long, long time, those who shift into hawk shape have fought with those who shift into snake shape. Over time, the costs have been severe and neither side is capable of winning. Danica is the future ruler of the hawk people. Distressed by the loss of life, she hopes for some sort of peace. Zane, ruler of the snake people, has similar hopes.

Given many years of warfare, it will be a notable challenge to convince the people in each group to suspend heir distrust and hatred. A difficult solution would be for Danica and Zane to become co-rulers of each of the tribes. While this takes place, neither Danica nor Zane completely trusts the other. They certainly don’t love each other. And some hawks and some snakes will do anything to prevent an enduring peace.

Slightly taller than a mass-market paper edition, Hawksong has reasonably large print and adequate white space. It is a relatively short story. Still, the author does a good job in establishing and describing the immediate settings and some cultural context for each of the tribes. Danica receives a bit more attention than Zane so we understand her better. The plot is straight-forward as Danica and Zane meet each other and overcome barriers. There is just a bit of action at the end, but this is not fight or battle oriented. Rather, the focus is on how to understand those who seem very different and most threatening.

Writing, including descriptions and dialog, works well and the pages turn quickly. A bit more on the larger context/historical background would strengthen, but probably won’t matter for most readers. The jacket illustration by Cliff Nielsen shows the two main characters with a hawk between them. I found it a bit too dark, but it seems true to the story.

Recommendation:

Atwater-Rhodes has received praise from various library publications for this and earlier works. An especially good choice for those wishing to strengthen their fantasy collection for female tween readers.

The Twelve Houses Series

Shinn, Sharon ~ Fortune and Fate ~ Ace, 2008 ~ 403 pages ~ adults, teens.

“Karryn was so grateful to step out of the coach that her legs practically buckled under her as her feet touched the ground. Only Tover’s hard hold on her arm kept her more or less upright.”

This is the fifth volume in the “Twelve Houses” series.

While understandable to those who have not read the earlier volumes, Fortune and Fate will make more sense to those who are familiar with the larger story.

Wen, feeling that she had failed to defend her King as a King’s Rider, chose not to serve his daughter when she became Queen. Instead, she left her colleagues and decided to go where-ever her horse took her — dedicated to helping those who needed help. She remains haunted by the death of the King and wishes that she had died with him. Nevertheless, she remains a fierce and talented warrior.

At one time, Rayson Fortunalt was one of the most powerful men in Gillengaria. Under his leadership, some of the twelve houses attempted to overthrow the King. The revolt failed and he was killed. His daughter Karryn will become head of the house in just a few years when she is of age. Now, she is a teen and has been kidnapped by a noble who plans to marry her [against her will] hoping to become head of her house. His scheme is destroyed when Wen encounters and frees Karryn and returns her to Fortunalt.

Although Wen typically stays in one place for only a few days or a few weeks, she finds herself appointed to be captain of the Fortunalt house guard and responsible for Karryn’s safety. Wen also finds herself in a surprising relationship with Karryn’s scholarly guardian who is responsible for the house until she is of age. At the same time, some unknown enemy wants Karryn dead, but Wen does not know why or who the enemy might be.

The major thread in the story is Wen’s inability to forgive herself for the King’s death and her strong desire not to put down roots anywhere. At the same time, she has given her word to protect Karryn. The growing relationship with Karryn’s guardian enriches the self-discovery process and adds a romantic interest. A secondary thread is the characterization of the kingdom after the revolt and the problems faced by the new Queen and her consort. This is also an opportunity for the major characters from the earlier volumes to appear at least briefly.

While there are some action scenes and dramatic sword play and just a bit of magic here and there, this is primarily a story of self-discovery by Wen and to some degree by Karryn. The larger political-social-economic context has been well-established and is nicely handled here. The plot is straight-forward but contains a notable surprise at the end.

Recommendation:

Sharon Shinn is an accomplished fantasy, and science fiction, author. The “Twelve Houses” series has received most positive reviews. The stories are well written. The world-building is excellent. Main characters are strong, persuasive, and appealing with real problems to solve. The strong romantic elements means that there is considerable cross-over potential for female readers who will appreciate women who are challenged and respond well to difficult situations.The series should be a good choice for most heroic fantasy collections. The cover illustration by Donato Giancola shows Wen sword in hand in front of the Fortunalt home.  The print is easily read with reasonable white space and dark type.