The Shapeshifters by Amelia Atwaters-Rhodes

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Random House Australia. ISBN 978-1864718904
The Shapeshifters is a compelling book documenting the heart aches of bringing together the Avian and Serpiete lands that have been warring with each other for two thousand years. Each of the five stories in this magical book are written in the first person. Hawksong, book one, follows Danica Shardae, the Avian Tuuli Thea's heir, and her struggle to end the war and bring peace to the two lands. Danica soon realises that the Serpiete's Royal House, the Cobrianas, want peace as much as she does. She is faced with the dilemma of either accepting Zane Cobriana, leader of the Serpietes, as her pair bond and accomplishing peace or continuing the war. Danica is unsure if Zane really wants peace or is he looking for the means to end the Shardae line?
I would recommend this book to teenage fans of the fantasy genre and people who enjoy stunning twists and turns in the plot. One stand out feature is that the solid and well developed characters are so life like that you feel as if you're one of the Serpiente dancers dancing a sakkri'nira in the sha'Mehay. What I say to anyone who reads this is: 'Go and treat yourself with this superb book'.
Zoe Pfeiffer (student)

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