Title: This Savage Song
Author: Victoria Schwab
Series: Monsters of Verity (Book 1)
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Genre(s): Young Adult, Dystopian, Thriller, Horror, Supernatural Fantasy…
Number of pages/length: 464 pages
Price: $10.36 (Amazon hardcover)
Synopsis:
There’s no such thing as safe in a city at war, a city overrun with monsters. In this dark urban fantasy from author Victoria Schwab, a young woman and a young man must choose whether to become heroes or villains—and friends or enemies—with the future of their home at stake. The first of two books.
Kate Harker and August Flynn are the heirs to a divided city—a city where the violence has begun to breed actual monsters. All Kate wants is to be as ruthless as her father, who lets the monsters roam free and makes the humans pay for his protection. All August wants is to be human, as good-hearted as his own father, to play a bigger role in protecting the innocent—but he’s one of the monsters. One who can steal a soul with a simple strain of music. When the chance arises to keep an eye on Kate, who’s just been kicked out of her sixth boarding school and returned home, August jumps at it. But Kate discovers August’s secret, and after a failed assassination attempt the pair must flee for their lives.
Rating: .5 {4.5 stars/5 stars}
This was my first ever book experience with Victoria Schwab. I am unbelievably impressed. I applaud the originality of this dystopian novel. Scwab’s creation of V-City smokes out all other recent dystopian novels I have read.
Let’s start from the beginning though. I was immediately smacked in the face with the personalities of each character. First you have Kate Harker, the human and badass rebel, trouble maker. (And the label trouble maker is definitely being generous to Kate’s hostel character). I truly thought I was going to hate Kate. I definitely am never one to root for the headstrong female character. However, we quickly discover there is much about Kate that is misunderstood. She’s fighting and battle to a Kate she thinks people want.
Then you have August. The sweet and sensitive monster. Yes, he is certainly an oxymoron. I immediately was in love with August. He’s my all time favorite! My love for him just grew and grew throughout the novel. An A++ character in my book – pun intended.
One of the reasons I did not give this book a complete 5 was because I was not completely captivated in the beginning. I felt it took my a bit longer than usually to really be wrapped up in the novel. But when I was…. I was hooked. I believe a bit of the problem was that I had definitely understanding the real geography and set-up of this world. I found myself longing for a map of the city, including a key with area zones.
With that being said, I loved the depictions of each race of monster. Each were equally creative and unique from each other, as well as any other that I have ever come across. There are three types of monsters: Malchai, Sunai, and Corsai. Each type exampled simply by the song sung by characters throughout the novel.
“Monsters, monsters, big and small,
They’re gonna come and eat you all.
Corsai, Corsai, tooth and claw,
Shadow and bone will eat you raw.
Malchai, Malchai, sharp and sly,
Smile and bite and drink you dry.
Sunai, Sunai, eyes like coal,
Sing you a song and steal your soul.
Monsters, monsters, big and small,
They’re gonna come and eat you all!”
The novel later dives into more detail about how this dystopian world has evolved. It does take place in the future and it is exampled whereabouts the book takes place in the United States. It is also explained how the monsters are created.
I have also got to see. I actually didn’t see that ending coming. I was ripped apart. Sad and disappointed by…. well, you’ll see when you read it.
I would highly, highly recommend this book to readers who crave dystopian novels. There is somewhat of a romantic element, however, it is not the main focus. I definitely cannot wait to see what happens next and if we will get to see more of August and Kate’s journey.
You should read Shades of Magic series if you loved this one! Now I’m more excited to read this book. Nice review, by the way! 🙂
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I’m intrigued. I’ve been looking for a young adult novel to pick. I’ll have to see if it’s at the library. =)
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You definitely, definitely need to!
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I absolutely loved this book, I’m glad you enjoyed it as well! But… you have not read the Shads of Magic series also by V.E Schwab?
Where have you been? TELL MEEE
^^ the two books in that series are absolutely amazing, I’m sure you’ll love them! 🙂
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I know! I can’t believe I haven’t read them either. Definitely on next months TBR.
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great! I’m crossing my fingers that you’ll enjoy them. 🙂
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I just bought the book then I got it on my Uppercase box so I will have a giveaway soon, I haven’t read it yet I like to wait for series to be over then read them all 🙂
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Wow, this seems like my kind of book! I should totally order it! Well, someday… But I do have one of her books on my shelf, A Darker Shade of Magic
Really nice review! ^^
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Thank you so much! And yes! You should definitely order it when you get the chance. I will also be ordering A Darker Shade of Magic. I’m so excited. lol
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I think I’ll order the Harry Potter play, which means that I won’t be able to order other books for a while (oh, money, sometimes you make me sad). I hope you get A Darker Shade of Magic soon! 😀
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I feel you!
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