Hawksong

Hawksong beats the classics; Romeo and Juliet never could shape shift.

The book Hawksong by Amelia Alwater-Rhodes.
Danica Shardae is a avian shape shifter. She is a princess of her people who, like the birds they become, is reserved and disciplined, yet full of passion. Her people have been at war with the serpiente, a people who shape shift into serpent forms, for so many years that no one remembers how it all started. The hatred and bloodshed have taken a heavy toll on both sides, and Danica and Zane Cobriana, a prince among the serpiente, are determined to stop it, at any cost. He is the last of his line as is Danica and so he proposes that the avian and serpiente royalty meet at a neutral place and seek mediation to end the war. The mediator proposal-that Danica and Zane marry-is so crazy and repugnant a plan that both parties leave immediately. The young people, however, consider it in spite of the apparent lunacy, because it would mean an end to the fighting. But can they pull it off? And can they keep the dissenters among them from destroying this shred of a chance for peace?
They must pretend to be in love when in his lands, but the the overwhelming fear she feels in Zane's presence doesn't help the situation. She knows well enough that he could end her life swiftly and take control of her people.
All Zane asks for is trust; to end the bloodshed, but that may be more than she can give.

This is a wonderful love story- twisting around the classic Romeo and Juliet- marked with twists and turns masterfully done. I enjoyed this book immensely and would recommend it to any romance lovers out there. The book has many darker themes such as racism, prejudice and war. I just had to review this book because it is one of my absolute favourites- I even got it imported from America (my wallet still hurts) because the local library lost its copy!

Some reference websites with more information:
Wikipedia
Amazon
Amelia Atwater-Rhodes official website

Just a note, Amelia Atwater-Rhodes writes amazing vampire novels. Happy Twilight lovers?
Captain Libeka