This Savage Song (Monsters of Verity)

This Savage Song clearly has a theme: the monster who wants to be human and the human who wants to be a monster. Yes, they are going to meet on the side of human rather than monster. But the premise of the worldbuilding here is intriguing and the story moves briskly. It's a quick read with a solid ending that does not rest on a cliffhanger.

Story: Kate Harker's father is the warlord controlling half the city of Verity; a city under siege by monsters manifested from humanity's evil. If you want to be safe from the monsters, you pay Harker to make sure they don't kill you. August Flynn, a monster, is the son of Harker's opposition - the leader of the other half of the city. Harker has the base monsters on his side. Flynn has the fewer but far more powerful monsters adopted into his 'family.' When Kate meets August at school, they will find themselves hunted by forces intent on forcing the city into a war that is brewing ever under the surface. For the monsters don't want to be subservient to Harker any longer - and recognize the danger of Flynn and his 'family.'

There are bold chances taken with the story: such as beginning with our main character Kate burning down a church just so she can get daddy's attention. Kate is done with boarding schools and desperate seeks her ruthless father's approval. She's a human who wants to become a monster so as to gain acceptance and return home. August, meanwhile, is a sunai - a monster who consumes souls. His brother and sister are also sunai. And while August resists the eating of souls, his siblings aren't quite so sanguine. And so August fights his nature every day. So yes, August is a milquetoast and Kate is extremely aggressive. Not your every day hero and heroine.

The writing is crisp and the plot flows. There are very few down points and plenty of action and twists throughout. Author Schwab does an excellent job at the reveals and keeps readers guessing through much of this first book in the series. I found I had read it in a few short hours and certainly there was the temptation to do an all-night read.

Yes, this is the set up novel for our two main characters meeting, with a small arc as a part of a much larger one (likely, the origins of the monsters and possibly a war of humans vs monsters). It will be interesting to see where Schwab takes the story from here. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the pubisher.

This is a story about monsters. It is a dark urban fantasy which takes place in a city divided in two and beset by monsters. One side is ruled by a crime lord who sells protection from the monsters. Kate Harker is his daughter. Her father has kept her away at a series of boarding schools but she wants to come home and make her father proud of her. The other side is ruled by Henry Flynn who has established a large crew to protect his part of the city. August Flynn is one of his adopted children and one of the monsters.

I this city monsters come in three kinds - corsai, malchai, and sunai. Corsai hunt in packs in indiscriminately. Malchi are sly blood drinkers. Sunai are the rarest and use song to steal souls. August is a sunai whose instrument is the violin. He doesn't want to be a monster but consoles himself with the fact that he can only rip the souls from sinners.

Kate and August meet at the most recent boarding school Kate is attending. August is in disguise to meet Kate. He also wants to preserve the very fragile truce between both sides of the city. Kate and August get to know each other and, as they do, Kate starts to question who the monster really is. When they go on the run after an unsuccessful assassination attempt at school, the two need to depend on each other and keep each other safe since both sides are hunting for them.

I liked the world building in this story. I liked the idea that monsters were created because of all the violent acts. I liked that August was determined not to give in to his monster side. I liked Kate despite the fact that she felt she needed to be hard and cruel in order to be accepted by her father.

I am eager to find out what happens next for Kate and August and look forward to the next book about them. Fans of urban fantasy will be the perfect audience for this engaging story.

THIS SAVAGE SONG is the first in the Monsters of Verity series, a new YA fantasy series from Victoria Schwab. In a destroyed America, monsters rule the dark, and people cling to whatever bits of safety and normality they can find. Well, most people — Kate Harker and August Flynn excluded.

Kate’s father rules half Verity. People pay him for safety, and he keeps the Corsai and Malchai monsters from killing those people. He’s a vicious crime boss, and Kate wants to be exactly like him. She wants to prove to her father that she’s a Harker, worthy of being his heir.

August’s adopted father rules the other half of Verity. His people fight the Corsai and Malchai for safety. But Henry Flynn has a secret weapon: August and his siblings are Sunai. Sunai are monsters too, but different from the Corsai and Malchai. Sunai are avengers.

The worldbuilding is a bit complicated in THIS SAVAGE SONG. I would have liked more about the different types of monsters and how they came into existence. There are mentions of “the Phenomenon,” but I don’t remember an explanation or information about it. I did like the idea of violence breeding violence, and the author doing a little exploring of good versus evil, black and white versus shades of grey. I hope there’s more of that in the rest of the series.

THIS SAVAGE SONG also looks at what it means to be human and what it means to be a monster. Kate wants to be a monster, just like her father. August wants to be a human, but that’s impossible. I quite liked the Sunai, but it would spoil too much to go into why. So I’ll just say I liked what the author did with all three of them.

I was also super happy to find that there’s no romance in THIS SAVAGE SONG! It’s so refreshing to not have an insta-love romance crammed down my throat, distracting me from the other good stuff in the book. I’m so happy the author didn’t go that route here. Yes, Kate and August are thrown together, and must work together to save each other’s lives, but they don’t waste time making googly eyes at each other.

I am eager to see what else Victoria Schwab has in mind for Kate and August, and the other Monsters of Verity. Bring on book two!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Verity is a city which is overruled by monsters. A city which is divided because of its different approach in dealing with said monsters. The South fights them, tries to keep the city away from crime, while the North embraces the monsters, or rather, the man who controls the North does. Enter Kate Harker, the rebellious daughter of Callum Harker, who mans the North, and August Flynn, the adopted son of Henry Flynn, the man who dedicates his life to keep the South devoid of monsters. Their lives couldn't be any more different, but they find themselves entangled in each others' fates, and embark on a journey full of thrill, danger, revelations and the answer to the paradoxical reality of the humanity in monsters and the monsters who wear a clever disguise of humans.

Like all Victoria Schwab books, This Savage Song's world building blew me away! Verity holds three type of monsters - Corsai, Malchai and Sunai - and they are all born from crime. The clever and thorough development of this concept and the way it delves through the story is nothing short of beautiful! I loved the beauty of the whole idea that human beings leave monsters behind on the wake of their crimes, and they are later hunted and haunted by the same monsters. This metaphorical concept and it's execution is just extraordinary, and I have to say that Victoria has outdone herself with the masterpiece she has delivered!

The writing is as smooth and beautiful as you would expect from a story which takes the form or a classic song. From its vivid descriptions to subtle metaphors, the writing of the book just flows through you, fast paced, energetic, thrilling as well as lyrical.

The characters are glorious. Victoria has created another batch of gray main characters, and Kate and August invoked so much feelings from me, that I just wanted to hug them both fiercely and never let them go. A girl who craves attention and a boy who avoids it at any chance. A girl who relishes in the fear she creates and a boy for whom the same effect is the worst nightmare. Both might be polar opposites, but they're equally confused, equally ambiguous, equally vulnerable and equally scared.

Kate is one misunderstood anti heroine who wants more than anything to prove herself worthy to be her father's daughter - a man who's power and ruthlessness scares her as much as it amazes her. August on the other hand, is a monster, who's power is deadly even in a city where monsters are quite common, but all he wants to be is normal, to be human. Their character portrayals are beautiful, and they make such an impact in the readers, that you'll want to protect them from all the dangers and harm they face throughout the novel. Their journey and self discovery together was an enthralling experience to read, and they didn't even require any romance to have so much chemistry and dynamics between them!

In addition, This Savage Song had every single aspect I would call a Victoria Schwab trademark. Diverse batch of characters, ruthless and gray villains, lots and lots of unapologetic violence, deaths and bloodshed, an unique, well developed concept combined with enticing writing, and in the end, a story which will leave you breathless and won't leave your mind for at least a few days!

I would recommend the book to all fantasy fans, and those who like their characters grey, their concepts filled with metaphors and beautiful paradoxes and their stories full of violence and thrill! This Savage Song is certainly one of Victoria's best works, and needless to say, I am burning to read the sequel!

***I received an eARC of this book via the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.***

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab is a unique story about a girl, a monster, and a war that is brewing beneath the surface of their city. It’s been years since the world as we know it collapsed and monsters came out of the shadows, born of our evils. Now the citizens of Verity are ruled by a cruel man who works with the monsters to control the population. His daughter Kate Harker wants to take his place and prove her worth and now that she’s given her father no choice but to bring her home she can. On the other side of Verity is another man, a good man, working to rid the city of monsters and free the people. His son August Flynn wants to be human, normal, not the monster he was born to be.

Kate is a difficult character to like. In fact she got on my nerves. She projects this air of nobility, of being better than everyone else because she is a Harker. She does things to make the other students scared of her. She’s mean, manipulative, and works towards being worthy of the empire her father’s acquired. She’s never had a friend, but the new boy at school intrigues her.

August is easy to like, yet hard to understand. He is one of the three types of monsters that roam the city. He is (at the same time) the least and most dangerous of them all. He kills with his music, eating the souls of sinners, specifically those that have killed another human. He detests his nature and fights it at every turn, which is one of the reasons I like him. August is a monster with morals, an oxymoron. His father enrolls him in the private school in Verity to keep an eye on Harker’s daughter, find out if she is as evil as her father. But August finds a kindred spirit in Kate and finds he must be very careful to keep his true nature hidden.

The story alternates between Kate and August’s POV, and I found myself skimming Kate’s chapters to get to August’s. The plot revolves around the brewing war between the two sides of the city. An attempt to frame August for Kate’s death leads to the two of them running for their lives out of the city. It’s suspenseful, fast-paced, and one of those reads that I couldn’t tear my eyes from!

Overall I enjoyed the book, despite not being a fan of Kate. The world-building was intriguing to say the least and intricate. I loved the little details the author gives to their world, complete with a history! If you’re a fan of paranormal, fantasy, and don’t mind a touch (just a touch) of romance, I highly recommend it.

This is a new to me author. I have to say...this was a bit different, interesting, but different. It caught my attention from the get go, but then it kinda dwindled, then it would pick up again, then dwindle, then pick up once more. I think that's why it took me as long as it did for me to finish the story. I liked the idea behind it. It was intense, had a bit of dystopian setup, had a male and female protagonist (which I always like having dual POVs), yet there wasn't romance involved (which is fine). I liked how it wrapped up at the end, yet also left a bit of intrigue for the next book. All in all, I enjoyed the book and will continue reading the series.

In Victoria Schwab’s This Savage Song, we follow the stories of two characters, Kate and August, both heirs to a city ravaged by war, violence and literal monsters. There are three kinds of monsters in Schwab’s world, all born out of some kind of violence: the Corsai feed on flesh, the Malchai drink blood, and the Sunai feed on souls. As far as anyone knows, there are only three Sunai in the world- one of whom is our very own August Flynn. August is the adoptive son of sorts to the leader of South City; he strives to be like his human father despite his monster heart. Kate Harker is our wild, feisty heroine who has been striving for the attention of her father, who is the leader of North City. When August is given the task of going to a school in North City and keep an eye on Kate, he jumps on the chance. One thing leads to another and our two characters find their paths intersecting.

It is no secret that Victoria Schwab has fast become one of my favorite authors; her storytelling, her characterization, the emotion she injects into her words- phenomenal. But it seems that I have come to expect nothing but masterpieces from Schwab. When put next to (and I hate comparing, but bear with me) her series about parallel Londons and legendary bromances, or her novel about anti-hero superhumans, this novel pales in comparison. Which is not to say that this is a bad book: quite the contrary since I flew through it and enjoyed (most of) it. For starters, the characterization was very good.

“It was a cruel trick of the universe, thought August, that he only felt human after doing something monstrous.”

August was a character who grew on me immediately; it always takes me some time to warm up to protagonists, but August did not grant me the comfort of time. His personality was so infectious. He is the literal definition of a precious cinnamon roll, which is ironic since he’s a monster and all. His internal struggle was both tragic and endearing, his voice was very strong and he was a multi-faceted, shaded, interesting character. Kate, too, did not take long for me to like. Granted that she’s a lot like any other feisty, bad-ass female in YA, but perhaps the reason I gravitated so strongly to her was because her strongest desire and aspiration did not have to do with revenge or romance; it is one of the most human afflictions to desire a parent’s love. Pair this with a strong female character and you’ve given me something I can’t possibly resist.

Speaking of romance, can I just say how refreshing it is to have a YA fantasy with absolutely no romance? And not only does it not have a romantic bone in its body, but it depicts a strictly platonic relationship between a boy and a girl, something which I had begun to think was an actual fairytale. I hadn’t realized how strongly I needed a good, strong platonic relationship in fantasy until I read this book. And kudos to Schwab for taking this much-needed risk; we all love our ships and romances, but she said no and stuck to her guns, and produced something refreshing and just as good – if not better.

The world-building was creative. I’ve seen a few negative reviews that assert that this is not ‘new’ world-building, but since I haven’t quite read anything like it, I enjoyed it very much. But note how I said creative, and not strong. That’s because the world had so much potential, so much room for exploration and development; I felt like it wasn’t done justice. Of course, there’s another book in the series and I trust Schwab, but I would have liked to see a little more world-building in this one.

I felt that the world-building was largely sacrificed for action. Which is not a bad thing, of course, if things are balanced out. This was my biggest problem with the book: the pacing felt off. Very slow-burning in the first half, wildly action-packed and fast-paced in the second half- I like variation. I like it when my action is broken up, interspersed with meaningful, slower moments that leave room for world-building and character development. The second half was just a whirlwind of one thing after another: boom, boom, boom. This just happened, now this crazy thing is happening, and now our characters are in danger yet again. It got tiring- and not only that, it left me feeling disoriented, confused and sometimes even disinterested.

Is this Schwab’s best work? Absolutely not. Can she do more? She has done so much more. But was it an enjoyable read? Yes, it was. Do I recommend it? Of course I do- it’s Victoria freaking Schwab!

Where do I even start?? This Savage Song does so many things so, so well. This is a violent, and violently beautiful, book. There is a lot of darkness—it's set in a city where violent acts create literal monsters—but the way that darkness contrasts with hope and light is just... achingly gorgeous. The writing is incredible, as well. Victoria Schwab strikes the perfect balance for me, between words that simply disappear in favor of the story, and beautiful prose that reaches out of the pages and grabs me and doesn't let go.

Other than those constants in Schwab's works, there are three other things I want to talk about that This Savage Song does so well: its characters, its emotions, and its message.

The heart of this book is its main characters. I mean, to be fair, everything about This Savage Song is amazing, but if you're a reader who is primarily drawn to books where the characters are the focus, you need to read this book. Kate Harker and August Flynn are two of my newest all-time favorites. This Savage Song alternates between their (third-person) viewpoints, and this is done so, so well. We see them from their own perspectives, and from each others'—which is so important to how these two characters contrast with each other. And their character development is just... incredible. All Kate wants is to be accepted by her father (who basically rules half of V-City). She wants to prove to him that she is tough enough, ruthless enough, that she has what it takes to run the city with him. All August wants is to be normal, but that's impossible when the only way for him to feel that way is to regularly consume people's souls. Kate and August are so different, but at their cores, they are so similar.

When there's an attempt on Kate's life, she and August are forced to go on the run. And in spending time together, they both come to realizations about who they are, what they want to be, and who they need to be. The emotional journeys they both take are so heart-wrenching. And here's where we come to the second thing that I want to talk about: the emotions. These are inextricably linked to the characters—because these characters make me FEEL.

Fun fact: I've already re-read this book, and when I did, it lost absolutely none of its emotional impact. First-reads are usually the ones that hit you hardest, right? But This Savage Song stood up to a reread so well because my emotional response—the response of the reader—isn't tied to shock-value (shock-value disappears once you know what happens). Rather, the emotions are tied to the characters, what they do, what happens to them, and why.

Finally, I want to talk about this book's message. And by "message," I don't mean "the moral of the story," or anything that Victoria was specifically aiming to write—I obviously can't speak to that. By "message," I mean the way this book spoke to me, personally. I love This Savage Song for its story and characters and plot and worldbuilding and great writing, but I also love it for what it makes me think about, and how it touches on emotions that I am super familiar with. August and Kate both want to be something they're not; but to an extent, they both need to learn how to be what they are. They both want to be accepted by the people they look up to, but they haven't learned how to accept themselves. They both have this fear that comes from holding back, holding things in—holding their emotions so close to their chests that it hurts. And their struggles made me think about some hard questions: If you're living in an environment that doesn't fit who you are—or who you think you should be—what needs to change? You? Your environment? And if you're able to finally accept yourself, how do you figure out how to fit into things then...?

These are tough emotions to convey, tough questions to think about—and I love (I cannot express how much I love) that This Savage Song touches on them. It doesn't offer any easy answers—it just exists with these feelings, but it exists with strength and hope... And sometimes that's all you need.

In conclusion...

If you're like me, and you're already a fan of Victoria Schwab's books, I have no doubt that you will love This Savage Song . It exemplifies everything Schwab is so good at, and explores themes that are so important. If you're unfamiliar with her work, and you're in the mood for a beautiful, dark novel—one that will make you think as it punches you in the feels—you need to check out This Savage Song.

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Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher. This in no way affected my opinion of the book, or the content of my review. This review originally appeared on my blog, There Were Books Involved.

“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!”

This Savage Song has been on my TBR since forever. The first Victoria Schwab book I bought. I was so thrilled when reading what the story was about. It felt different than most stories.

It’s official. Victoria Schwab has climbed my list of favorite authors. I only ever read City of Ghosts and this one, but her stories and writing styles are amazing. I already ordered A Darker Shade of Magic so I think it’s obvious that I’m sold.

Kate Harker: I felt a tiny bit confused when the story started, but once I got into it a little more everything played out nicely. When Kate was introduced I had a feeling I was going to really like her. And I did. I liked putting together the pieces of her life. I liked getting to know her, and getting to see her insecurities and her attitude in handling them. She aspired to be just as cruel as her father and to prove that she could handle it. That made her actions so much more interesting to understand.

“She cracked a smile. "So what's your poison?"
He sighed dramatically, and let the truth tumble off his tongue. "Life."
"Ah," she said ruefully. "That'll kill you.”

August Flynn: A monster who longs to be human. A monster who isn't a monster at all. August I LOVED. I loved him a whole lot. He was innocent and just wanted to prove his ability to be a part of the FTF like his parents and brother. He was given something different than what he was hoping for, but he still did his best. He was just so precious and I found myself wanting to protect him at all times.

“I am not a…”
But his throat closed up. The words got stuck.
I am not a monster, that’s what he wanted to say, but he couldn’t. He hadn’t found a way to make it true.”

The story was fast paced. I didn't feel bored for even a minute. I loved where the story was going and I loved how every moment built towards it. I adored the fact that there was no romance in this one. Kate and August had a simple platonic relationship and It was everything. Such an original story line and lovable characters and I can’t wait to read Our Dark Duet next

The monsters in this book were spontaneous creations from the violence of the world. It was such an interesting idea, and the book really carried it out well. There are different types of monsters, and they are being used by the leaders against each other, but something else is brewing behind the scenes too it seems.

Kate and August are the main characters. Both of them have what they want from life figured out, or at least they think they do. But, it's not that simple. Just like the whole idea of good and evil which is touched on through out this story. These characters are complicated, monsters and human alike. They may not all be evil, and they may not all be good. Just like real life. Everyone has that potential for good and evil, and this story really brings that out.

I'm super impressed with this story, and I can't even begin to guess where the next book will take us, but I can't wait to find out!

I was lucky enough to read this book all in one day (long day of travel), and boy does it hold your attention!

I loved the setting, modern day but with a twist, and the monsters are unique and interesting, both what they're like and how they come to be. If you're absolutely sick of dystopian, this book probably has too much of that for you, but I wouldn't categorize it as strictly post-apocalyptic or dystopian; more like gritty contemporary fantasy.

It's rare to find a book where the male and female characters are so evenly matched, both within the story and as narrators, but _This Savage Song_ has done it. Kate transcends what could've been just "damaged girl becomes tough and strong," and August transcends what could've been a one-note (haha) "thoughtful and sensitive musician." The circumstances that bring them together (not romantically, at least not in this book) force them to rethink how they see the world and what they think they know about each other. Each has a strong arc with a satisfying ending that still leaves us ready for the next book.

I want to start out by saying that this is the first Victoria Schwab book that I’ve actually finished. I’ve tried reading multiple other books by her before and I didn’t finish them and never felt the urge to try again. But one night I felt the need to read something new and something I knew absolutely nothing about and This Savage Song was available for my library, so I thought I’d give it ago. And I am really glad that I did because I loved This Savage Song.

I really liked the originality of the whole story, I mean sure, there were some typical tropes and such; like the main character taken in by a family of humans, when he himself is not a human and of course, the human girl x monster boy relationship. But I really like the way she developed the characters throughout the story and a few characters definitely surprised me at the end. I think this book had a brutal honesty that a lot of other books lack. There was no holding back with these characters and their stories. And when there is no holding back, there is growth, wonderful growth. I really appreciate that especially in This Savage Song.

What really ensnared me in this was the setting, the post-apocalyptic monster run city. The divided, the mirage of hope on one side of the wall and the stark darkness of reality on the other. I felt like it really spoke to our society now, in a loose comparison. Honestly, I can get lost (in a bad way) in heavy settings, which I always felt was a problem with some of her other books. If there is too much going on in the background then the focus is lost on the important stuff (to me anyways). But this had just enough of everything! I loved that this was fast paced and adventurous; I, for once, really liked the creepy shadowy feel to the entire book. I’m so curious about the world outside of Verity, like I really hope she explores more places outside of the city. Just to give more perspective and world building, so Verity can really come into view and what it means outside of just itself.

The ending most definitely sealed the deal for me, surprise surprise. A good plot twist and a separation that I wasn’t expecting left me wanting more. I will definitely be picking up the next book. But I doubt I’ll be picking up any of her other books at this point.

This Savage Song has so many elements that I love — elements of a story that Victoria Schwab so wonderfully captures in her writing. The world is rich and dark. The people are desperate and corrupt and earnest and heartbreaking. The harmonies that drove this story forward were haunting, expertly leading my emotions along a treacherous rollercoaster ride.

It’s always interesting to watch a story unfold when you get attached to main characters on opposite sides of an intense conflict. Right away I was ready to kick some ass with no-nonsense Kate Harker; meanwhile August gently made my heart ache with his vulnerability and desire to prove himself. The people — the characters — each one felt like a real person with their own history, desires, faults, motives. Each one was dangerous and made me want to know them better all the same.

This is probably the darkest of all Schwab’s books so far (at least that I’ve read), and I have to say that it definitely made an impact! At times, I was made uncomfortable, and at times I felt like wailing in agony because—OMG this CAN’T be happening! I’m telling you, you’re in for a treat with this one. It’s the kind of story that will leave your heart aching for days, and then you’ll want to read it all over again.

I can’t wait for this book to be out in the world, because it comes with a high recommendation from me! I’m pretty much convinced that Victoria Schwab can do no wrong.

I don't know what it is about the last few years, but YA has really stepped up its game. There was a point where I thought I'd finally outgrown the genre. To be fair, that's not the genre's fault, just a commentary on the passage of time and my own change in taste. But then books like Six of Crows and The Raven King popped up and suddenly I'm right back in there, and I'm so glad I am.

I actually found myself in the YA section of the bookstore, literally torn as to what to buy. For once I was overloaded with stellar choices; the best dilemma for a book lover to have. In the end I chose This Savage Song, book one in a duology (are they the new trilogy/quartet or what?).

This Savage Song is my second Victoria Schwab, the first being A Darker Shade of Magic. Now, I know Shade is technically an adult novel, but I felt less like I was taking a chance on Schwab and more like I knew what I was getting myself into.

I wanted to love the book. I did. And it's not even because it's a bad book that I didn't love it. It was really all me. Really. Well, some of it.

The premise is pretty simple: a boy who is a monster yearns for humanity, a girl who is human wants to divest herself of her more humane trappings. There is a turf war between humans and monsters, an unstable city caught between, and the question of what makes a monster. All good stuff.

So what happened?

First off, I should have known better; I'm not much for urban fantasy. As much as I did love the concept of human violence creating literal monsters, I never felt drawn to V-City. It wasn't a place I wanted to see and was curious about. I don't find urban settings terribly compelling for fantasy, unless it's something like Ketterdam or the various Londons in A Darker Shade of Magic. This isn't so much a shortcoming of the novel's as it is my own personal preference. I wanted to get past that, but I just couldn't.

If I'm being especially honest, it felt too much like the dystopian novels of yesteryear: a somewhat ambiguously futuristic society that has had to rebuild itself into something tougher and crueler for the sake of survival. We even have different areas that are sequestered and named, sort of like factions, sort of like districts. The fact is, it felt like I'd seen this before. I also wasn't much for what felt like a rehash of the paranormal romance genre: girl and boy meet, someone is a supernatural being yearning for humanity in a high school setting. Even with August and Kate being their own people, I could not get past the more well-tread aspects of the plot. The twists in the story felt predictable and so there wasn't much for me to do but wait for them to play out. Even the cliffhanger ending was more of an "of course" than a game changer.

The characters in A Darker Shade of Magic were not terribly complex (at least in the first book--I still have to read the second before book three is released) but there were constantly hints of more. I was interested in what I didn't know. The characters here feel much, much thinner. In a book about humanity, you want that lovely complexity. I just felt that was missing a bit. Outside of August wanting to be human and Kate's need to be approved of by her father. . .who were they? The other characters suffer just as badly. Ilsa and Leo and August form an interesting family unit; I wanted to see more of them and understand them better. Kate really had no one to play off of save for August and a handful of scenes with her father and Sloane. So, again, I just didn't get the complexity or intrigue I'd have liked.

There isn't anything inherently bad or poorly done here. I just felt the plot wasn't new enough to make me interested. I didn't care for the setting and the very familiar aspects of the plot left me with little goodwill. If you haven't been inundated with others in the genre that use these tropes, then it probably won't be an issue. If you enjoy urban fantasy, seeing a city setting mixed with fantasy, it could be for you. Like I said, I disliked it more because it wasn't to my taste than the fact that it was a bad book. I wanted to love it; I still wish I did.

When I started this book, I was immediately swallowed up into a dark chaotic world whose rules I didn’t understand and whose history was out of my ken. The urban fantasy world created by Victoria Schwab is brutally stark and the main characters at first seemed ill-equipped to handle their legacy–a legacy born of terror, greed, and death.

At first, I had no clue about Sunai, the Seam, the Waste, Corsai, Verity or anything else–what they were and what their purpose was. When I read the first exchange between Kate and the her father’s driver, I thought parts of the dialogue were typos. Monsters? V-City? The Waste? But as I grew to understand the importance of August, the significance of his friendship (for lack of a better word) with Kate Harker, her returned interest in him, and the monsters and how they were formed– the plot line of the story took a different trajectory. The more I knew, the more afraid I became for August and Kate.

The language of this book is exotic and chilling. Victoria Schwab is an extremely talented writer and her words truly fulfill the title–they create a Savage Song about a land gone to waste, lives doomed to perish. The ending took my breath away and at the same time, made me anxious to read more. I can’t wait!

Take the time to dig into it–you’ll be glad you did.

I actually liked this universe more than I liked the Darker Shade of Magic universe. To me, it was easier to understand-- monsters versus multiple worlds with lots of rules. And I found that this was more of a dystopian and mystery/thriller novel which is two of my favorite genres. I felt like I could relate to Kate and August, both the children of rival leaders of the split city of Verity. Kate Harker wants to prove to her father she is exactly like him-- ruthless, charismatic, and powerful-- so she gets kicked out of one boarding school after another so that she can be with him. August is one of the monsters of Verity who has been adopted by the Flynn family, along with other monsters, is used to help protect the city from other monsters and itself. When August is sent on a mission to follow and gather intel on Kate Harker at her new school, he ends up sort of befriending her and starts to question their families and how Verity got the way it is. I loved both characters for their vulnerability and their strength and the way they decide to make their own destiny.

I gave this 4 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.

I love Victoria Schwab's "Shades of Magic" series, so I decided to try out this book as well, and I was not disappointed!!! I was completely entranced by this book from beginning to end. It's not uncommon to find YA books about monsters in human form (whether they be vampires, immortals, or other types of creatures) or YA dystopian stories, but the plot was so well executed that it didn't feel cliched or quite like anything I'd read before. The action is fast-paced, so it never feels slow, and it seems like every chapter ends on cliffhanger, so you can't help but turn the page to see what's going to happen. The POV sort of bounces back and forth between the two main characters (Kate and August), which is something that seems to be popular in a lot of recent YA books. But thankfully, the book is not written in 1st person (I'm so sick of YA first-person narration, which is so overused these days) and even MORE thankfully, it doesn't try to force useless romance down your throat. The forced romances found in most YA novels are nowhere to be found in this book, and praise the Lord for that!!!! Extremely well-done story, and the writing style is beautiful as well. I can't wait until book two comes out!

This Savage Song is definitely a solid 4/5 stars or maybe even more depending on your taste. Just as the author promised there is absolutely no romance and it is actually quite refreshing for a story to not have any hints of romance what so ever.

This story has continual references and tones of music and rhythm and I absolutely adore the way Schwab wrote this story in the parts of a song. With a Prelude, 4 verses to split the chapters is such a genius way to split the story.

August & Kate are completely relatable characters with their unique perspectives that absoultely test the way people think of people & monsters. You can never really tell who are the monsters in this story until almost the very end. The cast of characters that Schwab has created is quite diverse and all have their own voice & personality. I love them almost as much as the characters in Shades of Magic.

I'm not really sure what else to say about this book, it's just such a different style story that you can't help but like even though its so vastly different.

Thanks to Owlcrate for including this in their July Box. I do highly recommend this story to Schwablins (VE Schwab fans) and fans of paranormal fantasy.

I guess I didn't write a review the first time I read it and I honestly don't know why because this book is amazing. I love Kate Harker, she's such an awesome character. V.E. Schwab writes amazing female characters, Lila Bard, Kate, I just want them all to be real people. Anyways, Kate is strong and somewhat damaged but I love that just as much, she's deaf in one ear but it's just part of who she is. August is a monster but doesn't want to be and is written as a lost boy afraid of his own power. I loved the twist ending. I loved how Kate and August become friends if that's what you would call them, which I would. I love Victoria's writing, it's like she can just look in my soul and see the story of my dreams. This book was no different, it keeps you wanting more and so attached to what is happening. I want to know what happens with Ilsa so bad! The sequel awaits!

All that’s left of the United States is a chunk somewhere in the middle surrounding Kentucky. The human race has survived, but now others walk among the citizens. There are the vicious, amorphous Corsai – born of acts of human violence; the calculating, vampiric Malchai – born of murder; and the enigmatic, deadly Sunai – born of acts of mass destruction.

The story takes place in a city torn into halves and held together by a fragile and weakening truce. The northern part of Verity is controlled by a brilliant but savage business man (Callum Harker), the southern part by a moral but bellicose military man (Henry Flynn). Henry Flynn’s son August is sent on an undercover mission as a student in North Verity in order to get close to Callum Harker’s daughter Kate…”just in case”.

I absolutely loved this book and devoured it. I started having anxiety 200 pages in because I knew I was going to tear through it too quickly, and then I’d have to wait for book two…which probably hasn’t even been written yet. Yes, this does have the girl/boy/dystopian foundation of other books you may have in your mind, but there’s so much substance! I was so impressed that the book never devolved into broody teenage love, when the characters clearly have more important things to worry about. That’s not to say that there isn’t chemistry between Kate and August…and I think readers could expect a possible romance in later books, or at least a good helping of sexual tension.

The monster development is absolutely brilliant, and the characters are easy to keep straight. This is my favorite new series of the year, by far. Book 2 can’t come soon enough.

This Savage Song is an engrossing mix of Disney's Hercules meets Supernatural.

August is a superpowered kid with a big heart striving to find his place in the world. Kate is a tough girl obsessed with quashing her weaknesses and earning a place at her father's side. Add in a city split in two and teeming with vampires and murderous shadows, and you have one compelling story.

Despite liking both protagonists, I never fully connected with August or Kate, though I could empathize with their struggles and internal conflicts. Luckily, the action, danger, mystery and constant tension of the plot kept me thoroughly engaged from start to finish.

I'm definitely interested to see where Schwab takes this series next. I have a strong feeling things will get worse before they get better, and in this city, that could mean anything. Highly recommend picking this one up!

This book was so much more than I thought it was going to be. This is my first Victoria Schwab book and it certainly won't be my last. For me this was a fast and easy read but at the same time very engaging. The world building is fantastic and I loved the concepts of how the monsters came to be.

I found myself loving Isla, Kate and August and hating Sloan and Mr Harker passionately. Although Isla is a main player but not shown in the book all that much, the scene with her, August and Allegra really gave me feelings. "Everything breaks.." Best line for me from Kate was when she said "The more you know.." immediately saw rainbow shooting stars. Hahaha.

There were definitely some predictable moments but there were also a couple times I actually said "WHAT?!?" out loud absolutely scared the cats. Really looking forward to the next in the series.

Fun fact: I was wondering around YallWest 2016 when I came across a booth giving out free books, so of course I had to check it out. I received my ARC of This Savage Song, and I had never heard of it before, so my expectations weren’t very high.

Needless to say, I was blown away. This Savage Song takes place in a city that is infested by monsters. A human named Kate and a monster named August come into contact when they begin to attend the same school. Kate realizes that something is strange about August, so, when they are forced to team up in order to survive, things get interesting. In addition, we might as well throw in the fact that, because August is a monster, he has to regularly feed off of people’s souls in order to stay alive.

From the beginning of the book, I was hooked. The setting, the characters, and the conflicts are all really well-developed. Everything that happened made me want to read keep reading to find out what happened next. This Savage Song is a definite page-turner.

Kate and August are fantastic lead characters. They are both very different from each other. Kate, the daughter of a rich man and a dead mother, is very straightforward and strong-willed. August, a monster, fights with his need to feed on human souls. The way that the two of them interact throughout the book is fascinating, and it kept me interested the whole was through.

There isn’t much more that I can say without spoiling anything, but I definitely recommend that you pick up this book. I especially recommend it for fans of fantasy, dystopian, and adventure, because it has definite aspects from all three. This Savage Song got me beyond excited for it’s sequel, and I cannot wait to read it.

Disclaimer: I've loved everything I've read by Victoria Schwab so far, that is four books total, adult and YA. And one in possession I haven't yet read but fully intend to. Naturally I went in totally expecting the outcome would be the same. Bit of a fangirl. So can I truly objective? Does it matter?

If you are also a fan you should have no problem embracing this book. If you've never tried any of her books I can without a doubt say this is a great place to start. Totally lived up to my expectations. While the storytelling is familiar again the author has come up with a very original idea/setting/atmosphere that immerses the reader. If I'd had the time I would have devoted it to reading this book in one sitting. The pacing was amazing and I really didn't want to leave - but alas there was work.

Read it and enjoy.

This Savage Song is really, really good.

It follows the story of a monster that’s born out of violence (there are multiple versions of monsters born of violence) named August. He lives in a city that’s divided in two. The top half is protected by a man that people pay to keep them safe from the monsters. The bottom half is lived with people fighting the monsters or just trying to survive. August is put into a school to get close to the North leader’s daughter, Kate. Only after a few days, things go crazy and their worlds are turned upside down.

I had to pause in reading this multiple times because it hit too close to home. With all the shootings and bombings and it just feeling like everyone is killing each other and tensions are high; it felt like this was so current and timely. The story takes place farther into the future, where all hell has already broken loose, but where we are right now in America (and the world) I feel like we’re on the edge. Which just made this story feel so much more real, even though it involves monsters. I just felt so often like we could be the start of this world. And with the way our government and so many Americans are over guns and violence, are we not living in the north side right now anyway? Anyway, it was freaking me out and I had to take breaks because I was like, it’s too real!

Part of August’s power come from music and I really loved the way the sounds of life were written as music. It wasn’t something that he used, but he appreciated and loved music so much and to get those little moments from his perspective were really nice. It just made you understand him more and made him more human, even though he didn’t feel that way the majority of the time.

I honestly just loved all parts of this book. The villains, the two main characters and their relationship, how everyone’s character was exposed throughout the telling of the story. I think that might’ve been my favorite part. Cause there were things that happened that I didn’t see coming, but after it happened I was like, Of course they did this!

If you’re already a Victoria Schwab fan (of either her adult books or her YA books), you’re going to really enjoy this. There are so many quotes I marked in my book, but I don’t want to share them because they’re so good and it hits harder to read them in the context of the story. There will be just one more book after this one. I’m really excited to see what happens in the next book and I like how the story has been set up for the next book. It will definitely be an instabuy for me.

I hate repeating myself but, Kate Harker is not supposed to be a heroine. She's not supposed to be good because she's human. Her character's personality seems to be written in ways that differs August. While August is a monster, he does not want to be one. While Kate is human, she wants to rule all the monsters. She's vicious, and most people will describe her with a derogatory term: Bitch. Believe me when I say this is not so bad at all. The irony (stark differences) between these two characters makes the book much more interesting to read. Definitely loved the friendship of Kate and August. I wish there was more like this in YA literature.

I loved August and Kate in this book, for many different reasons. I loved that August knew he was technically a monster, but he was trying so hard to be like a human and wanting to be "normal". And then there's Kate, whose really just a girl trying to win the love and approval of the only family she has left, when she knows he's an awful person whose done atrocious things and so she tries to become a monster herself. I love how this took the monster story in a different direction, with them being created by the person's action. I also liked the song, and the fact that we have two main characters who develop an unlikely but fantastic friendship.

This Savage Song is the latest book by V.E. Schwab and the first book in the Monsters of Verity world. It follows Kate Harker and August Flynn as North and South Verity struggle against a truce set by their parents years before.

I really enjoyed this book. It was different from what I'd expected, and deviated from the feel of most YA books I've had the pleasure of reading.

I felt surprised by this book. That's a good thing. The plot took interesting turns and kept me engaged.

The writing felt very like other Victoria Schwab books I've read. She has a way with strong female lead characters. It's rather interesting, and I expect a lot from Kate in any further installments in our tale of Verity.

The concept of these monsters drew me in deeply. And the connection between August and Kate was fascinating.

I won't spoil anything, so I'll leave everything plot related out at this point.

This wasn't your typical YA book, so if you're looking for something from this genre that's different and refreshing, look no further.

My rating for this is 4.5/5 stars.
I look forward to catching the next book at some point. My only complaint was that it took me a bit longer to get into at first. I felt as if I was thrown into the way of things, and didn't get a strong understanding until much later in the book than I would have preferred. This was a negligible point, but it has affected my rating. You may not feel this way, so I still recommend This Savage Song!

Victoria Schwab does it yet again. In the last six months I’ve read three of her other books and I’ve loved them all.

The hype for This Savage Song couldn’t have been higher. I’ve been waiting months, not to mention that I had already heard amazing things about it from the people that got ARCs. I never pre-order books but, with how much I loved A Darker Shade of Magic, A Gathering of Shadows, and Vicious, I just had to do it. And this one… well my notes for this review were filled with (happy) stacked exclamation points!!! Here’s why…

I was completely enthralled with this book from start to finish. It was one of those books were I stopped myself because I wanted it to last more. I wanted to savour it. The worldbuilding, the characters, the writing, it all came together for me.

I’ll start with the worldbuilding. I’m amazed at how thoroughly Schwab uses each of her settings. She tell stories that can only happen in their respective, unique universes. What I mean by this is that as she uses the worlds to their full potential. I always feel that her characters come from the setting and not the other way around. This Savage Song is no exception. Verity just screams through the pages. It felt so unique and developed despite the fact that there weren’t that many characters. Every place felt essential to the story in some way or another.

Monsters! Honestly, it sounded like an amazing premise from the get-go. Our actions are the monsters. We are the monsters. It felt so fitting that Kate and August wanted to become what they weren’t. What I’m trying to say is that the main theme of this story was everything I could ask for. This is more on the philosophical side of YA. And it’s done so well. There were no easy answers. No pretty bow at the end.

And the characters. I fell so quickly for them.

We have Kate who is both tough and vulnerable. Wounded and resilient. Funny and scary. At no point in the book is she looked down upon or questioned for being a girl. She makes an unforgettable impression from the prelude. And sweet August. He’s the kind of character who you just want to hug and hope he doesn’t ever have to suffer again. Honestly my favourite parts of the book have to do with him questioning who, or rather, what he is. Their dynamic was everything I wanted it to be. Intense as hell. Not having it turned into a romance was definitely the best choice, in my opinion. It just felt so organic.

Some side characters could’ve used a bit more depth, but practically all where memorable and vivid.

And the writing, oh the writing. There were moment were I just had to stop and reread a line over and over because of how beautiful it was. Teach me how to do words, book. The style is very heavy in metaphors and imagery, that are never clumsy or forced. They serve a purpose each time, even when you stop noticing them, they make the book work so well. Line by line, Schwab manages to break your heart. Here is one of my non-spoilery favorites:

It was a cycle of whimpers and bangs, gruesome beginnings and bloody ends.

Also beyond the line level, some of the parts that deal with anxiety just took my breath away with how vivid they felt.

The ending felt so fitting for the characters. Not in a spelled-out way, but in a way in which it completed their arcs. Even though this is the only first part in a duology, it’s able to stand on its own very well. The point where it ends feels pretty natural for the both characters and story while there’s clearly a story to continue. Complete but not definitive. I loved it.

The only things keeping me from giving this a five star rating are that the hype was pretty high and that I had some problems with the plot. I wasn’t much of a fan of the parts set at Colton and some parts were kind of reminiscent of A Darker Shade of Magic (two people, a boy and a girl, being chased around the different sections of city/parallel universe). It’s clearly its own thing, but those part, although brief, did bother me.

I just want to get my hands on Our Dark Duet already!

Just wow! Took me awhile to get into it, but once I did, I couldn't put it down. This book takes the dystopian genre to a new level. August was such an amazing character. The fact that he is a monster who didn't want to be one, a new twist. Fighting against what you are. Then there is Kate. At first, I couldn't stand her. She seemed a spoiled, awful girl. But as you read, the layers come off and you see the person under the rough bad-girl facade. Schwab does an amazing job of going back and forth between the two points of view (August and Kate). I didn't get confused like I sometimes do with books that have alternating viewpoints.

Book one compled, cannot wait for Our Dark Duet, the second book in this saga. This book left me really wanting to know what is going to happen to both August and Kate.

So... WOW. I’m not sure what I expected but a dystopic-vampiric-monster-under-the-bed Romeo & Juliet inspired piece wasn’t it. And Schwab pulls it off brilliantly. Her attention to detail to “show” the story and world rather than “telling” the reader what to see is amazing. I’m so sad this is a duology because I don’t see how I will ever have enough of this world. I think August’s character is better developed than Kate’s, but knowing there’s a sequel has me reserving judgement on Kate’s character arc. I think this book is more for August while the next will be Kate’s. A solid YA sci-go/fantasy read with minimal romance (thank god there’s no insta-love)!

There is a five letter word to describe Kate. Actually probably a few. When I first starting reading the book I thought it was going to be difficult to like Kate Harker but it didn't take long to warm to her acerbic-almost mean personality. Her facade starts to crack and we get to learn about her along with August.

The story races along at breakneck speed with betrayal and death on every corner, alley and even underground. No where is safe. No one is safe. The tone of the book is very dark. The only light seems to emit from August Flynn who keeps looking for the good in everyone, including himself.

Written like an elegant symphony, This Savage Song is the story of two people thrown together as a war between monsters and humans threatens to ravage the city.

I loved Kate and August, each of them brought to life by the author and the narrator. They're total opposites, but they work well together. I especially loved August's determination to be strong and good, despite being a monster.

Full of twists and turns, fans of supernatural, urban fantasy, or gritty fantasy won't be able to get enough of This Savage Song.

I've had this one downloaded for a while, but didn't realize what it was about until recently.

Love love loved Kate and August. Kate is a mega bad ass and August a bad ass also, but doesn't want to be. I loved the fact that they were complete opposites and yet they end up on the run together.

The plot has a bit of a build up, but once things go down, it's super fast paced. There was one thing I saw coming and a couple that I had no idea about. Regardless, I was completely captivated from the first page. I can't wait to see what book 2 brings.

**Huge thanks to Greenwillow Books and Edelweiss for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review**

*Squishy hugs to Epic Reads for handing out physical arcs at YallWest**

2.75

I wasn't a huge fan of this book. I really like the concept of the book, but it just didn't live up to my expectations. I actually liked the beginning section more than the rest, which seems to be the opposite of everyone else. The only character I kinda liked was August but that was it. The majority of this book was really boring and it could have been way shorter. I also didn't really feel the threat of the city, even though we were told it was a dangerous place. Ever since I read The Archived and The Unbound, all other books by Victoria Schwab haven't clicked with me. Maybe she's just not my kind of author (even though I own all of her books...)

I've been facing a sort of reading slump this year. I've grown to accept this fact. However, every once in a while a book comes and it captivates me and it momentarily pulls me out of that reading slump. This Savage Song was that book.

I love Victoria Schwab's writing. I genuinely do. She writes beautifully, yes, but the strength in her books are not the words themselves, or the plot, but the characters that populate them. This Savage Song was no exception to her wonderful character development.

The story follows August Flynn, a monster, and Kate Harker, who wishes she could be more of one. The characters are the story, they shape the world they live in and bring with them a perspective unique to their life experiences. They feel like real, breathing people. Their POVs are as distinct from each other as any two people's living the same day might be in real life. Not only that, but their development and growth was incredible. I am rooting for them.

Now, another thing I also enjoy about Schwab's books is the world building, all of the books I've read by her have unique worlds. However, they don't seem like they're so far fetched or impossible. Her world building for this book was also excellent, if anything I wish we understood a little bit more about how monsters (particularly Sunai) are created and just more about the monsters in general. However, I understand that because this fact remains a mystery in their world, it has to remain a mystery to the reader as well.

I loved This Savage Song, it was one of those rare books that pulled me out of my year long reading slump and made me want to know more. I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel Our Dark Duet.

4.5 Stars: Part Romeo & Juliet without the romance. Part Godfather. Part Vampire: The Masquerade. This Savage Song is a slightly dystopian, young adult horror series featuring two kids caught between a monstrous war. It's a thoroughly enjoyable adventure with many creative elements littered throughout. While there are several troupes sprinkled here and there, the vividness of the prose and the dynamic relationship of the the two main characters really hold the story together brilliantly. It moves at a fairly brisk pace. There was one twist that I certainly wasn't expecting, but absolutely should have seen coming -- and it ratcheted up my appreciation of the series. This is the first of two novels in the series -- and I'm looking forward to the next one. Brilliant mythology making here.

Victoria Schwab is truly a masterful writer. Her ability to build worlds and develop characters is absolutely astounding. I loved the dynamic between Kate and August and the complexity of their relationship. I felt that both characters were so original, and I loved reading through both of their perspectives.

This book is a brilliant blend of dystopian and fantasy, so it will certainly be a favorite amongst fans of both genres. I absolutely loved the different types of monsters that Schwab has created in this story and can't wait to see more of them in Our Dark Duet!

THIS SAVAGE SONG by Victoria Schwab is the first book in a new monster fantasy series.

Kate Harker is the daughter of a ruthless leader and August Flynn is a monster trying to find his place in a divided city. When their lives intersect, they must decide whether they’re enemies or friends.

Librarians will find a large audience for this young adult fantasy. From the world-building elements to the sympathetic characters, teens will easily immerse themselves in Schwab’s dystopian world. Fans will be lining up for the next book in the Monsters of Verity series.

Published by Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins on July 5, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab
Book One of the Monsters of Verity series
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publication Date: July 5, 2016
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

There’s no such thing as safe in a city at war, a city overrun with monsters. In this dark urban fantasy from acclaimed 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, This Savage Song is a must-have for fans of Holly Black, Maggie Stiefvater, and Laini Taylor.

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. In This Savage Song, Victoria Schwab creates a gritty, seething metropolis, one worthy of being compared to Gotham and to the four versions of London in her critically acclaimed fantasy for adults, A Darker Shade of Magic. Her heroes will face monsters intent on destroying them from every side—including the monsters within.

What I Liked:

I've read two of Schwab's adult fantasy novels, A Darker Shade of Magic and A Gathering of Shadows. But I'd not read any of her Young Adult novels, until this book. I knew this would be my first YA read by her, and I was pretty excited! I loved her adult books, and this YA novel was just as captivating as her adult fiction novels.

This is the story of two teens whose lives are about to intersect, in dangerous ways. Kate Harker is the daughter of Callum Harker, who runs North City, the north side of Verity City. Harker lets the monsters (Malchai, Corsai) roam free in the city. He is ruthless, and Kate wants to prove herself to him as ruthless like him (even more so). After getting kicked out of her sixth boarding school, Kate is finally where she wants to be - North City. August Flynn is a Sunai, one of only three in existence. He's a monster hiding in plain sight (the Sunai are the only monsters that look exactly like a human). He lives in South City, under the protection of his "father", Henry Flynn, who runs South City. August and his sibling Sunai, Leo and Ilsa, sided with Henry when the city was divided and a truce was made. But the truce is on the verge of breaking. August is sent to Colton Academy as Frederick Gallagher, in order to spy on Kate. But Kate finds out who he is, and Malchai try to kill them both, and everything changes. Things were set in motion, and Kate and August are caught in the middle.

Schwab writes so effortlessly! I can't even begin to describe who beautifully written this book is. It's like she puts a pen to the page and words flow on and on and in such an excellent arrangement. This author is an incredibly talented writer!

The world-building is superbly written. I like that we get to know bits and pieces of everything as the story goes. Initially, we don't know what August is, besides the fact that he is a "monster". We don't know much about the monsters specifically. We don't know everything all at once. Schwab gently breaks us into the story, revealing information as she tells the story. This was intricately done, and in a very impressive way! One would think I'd get annoyed by not having details about our characters and the world and the supernatural upfront, but I liked the slow reveal of information.

August is such a sweetheart! It's a weird thing for me to say, as he is a monster, and a rare one at that. He is one of three Sunai in existence, one of three "monsters" that looks exactly like a human. His monster ability is probably the most intense. The Malchai and the Corsai have claws and rip things apart (one of them drinks blood, I can't remember which). The Sunai are so different, and so powerful. August, however, isn't like his calm brother Leo, who is incredibly powerful and a natural leader. He isn't like his sister Ilsa, who is powerful like Leo (maybe even more so?). August is powerful, but he holds himself back. More than anything, he wants to be human. He wants people to value him not as a monster or a tool, but as a person. He wants to exist without fear.

I wanted to hug August, at so many points in the book. His mental and emotional state of mind broke my heart. He needs some love, people! I sincerely hope he finds some kind of comfort and/or care in the next book/by the end of the series.

You'll notice the violin on the cover of the book - it is very important in the story! You'll have to read the book to figure out why. It is August that plays!

Kate is vicious, hardened, devious, calculating. She wants to be as ruthless as his father, a human who leads Malchai. Many of her motives are to get his attention, and to prove that she is not weak, and that she is just like him. Kate wants power. And Kate is very smart - she figures out what August is after just a few one-on-one chats with him, at the Colton Academy. They bump into each other and talk several times, and Kate is able to put together clues. As ruthless as Kate is, she is also a little scared and vulnerable, and tries to hide this side of her as best as she can.

I love how Schwab digs deep into her characters, and draws out the good and the bad, the self-loathing and the doubt, the ambition and the despair. And in both Kate and August. I felt more bad for August, given that he so desperately does not want to be a monster, but I also felt bad for Kate, because she's trying so hard to be a cold creature like her father.

I'm not sure if we can call Kate and August friends, even at the end of the book. When they first met in this book, they were Freddie and Kate (August was under disguise). Kate finds out who he really is about halfway through the book. He saves her life, she saves his, he saves her life again - they don't abandon each other, even after Kate finds out who/what he is. I like that it's two broken teens on the run together.

On that note -- there is no romance in this book. Sadly for me. BUT. This book doesn't need romance, and it functions well without it. It's nearly five hundred pages and it's jam-packed with action and some well-placed angst. So, no romance!

As I said above, this book was nearly five hundred pages long. The beginning was a little slow and took me a bit to get into the story, but overall, I was hooked. I think I latched on pretty tightly when both Kate and August were finally on their way to Colton Academy. From then on, this book was quite a ride!

I cannot wait to read the next book. Thank goodness this series is only a duology! I am loving this duology trend. More please, Ms. Schwab!

What I Did Not Like:

This is going to be a strange complaint, but the synopsis led me astray a little. The way the synopsis sounded, I thought Kate found out about who/what August was fairly quickly into the story. "But Kate discovers August’s secret, and after a failed assassination attempt the pair must flee for their lives." This actually happens more than halfway through the book (closer to 60%, maybe even beyond). This isn't a complaint on the story! More like a complaint about the synopsis.

On that note, I thought the first, let's say, 10% was slow. Nothing to put me off, but I thought I'd mention it so that others might know to keep going for sure!

Would I Recommend It

I highly recommend this novel! You don't have to love fantasy (it's like futuristic paranormal, kind of? I'm not sure what I'd classify the book, in terms of genre, to be honest). It's more like urban fantasy? In any case, you don't have to know or love fantasy to enjoy this book. The emotional depth to this book is incredible! And I loved our two protagonists, and the wild ride they take us on. I can't wait to see what shenanigans they find themselves in, in book two!

Rating:

4.5 stars -> rounded down to 4 stars. Generally my thing about 5 stars is that the book has to be a new favorite for me to rate it 5 stars. I'll hold off until I read book two, because conclusion novels can make or break the series. But this book is receiving a high rating and high praise from me! I'm trusting Schwab to deliver a high-action, satisfying end to the story.

I've had this one downloaded for a while, but didn't realize what it was about until recently.

Love love loved Kate and August. Kate is a mega bad ass and August a bad ass also, but doesn't want to be. I loved the fact that they were complete opposites and yet they end up on the run together.

The plot has a bit of a build up, but once things go down, it's super fast paced. There was one thing I saw coming and a couple that I had no idea about. Regardless, I was completely captivated from the first page. I can't wait to see what book 2 brings.

**Huge thanks to Greenwillow Books and Edelweiss for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review**

*Squishy hugs to Epic Reads for handing out physical arcs at YallWest**

2.75

I wasn't a huge fan of this book. I really like the concept of the book, but it just didn't live up to my expectations. I actually liked the beginning section more than the rest, which seems to be the opposite of everyone else. The only character I kinda liked was August but that was it. The majority of this book was really boring and it could have been way shorter. I also didn't really feel the threat of the city, even though we were told it was a dangerous place. Ever since I read The Archived and The Unbound, all other books by Victoria Schwab haven't clicked with me. Maybe she's just not my kind of author (even though I own all of her books...)

I've been facing a sort of reading slump this year. I've grown to accept this fact. However, every once in a while a book comes and it captivates me and it momentarily pulls me out of that reading slump. This Savage Song was that book.

I love Victoria Schwab's writing. I genuinely do. She writes beautifully, yes, but the strength in her books are not the words themselves, or the plot, but the characters that populate them. This Savage Song was no exception to her wonderful character development.

The story follows August Flynn, a monster, and Kate Harker, who wishes she could be more of one. The characters are the story, they shape the world they live in and bring with them a perspective unique to their life experiences. They feel like real, breathing people. Their POVs are as distinct from each other as any two people's living the same day might be in real life. Not only that, but their development and growth was incredible. I am rooting for them.

Now, another thing I also enjoy about Schwab's books is the world building, all of the books I've read by her have unique worlds. However, they don't seem like they're so far fetched or impossible. Her world building for this book was also excellent, if anything I wish we understood a little bit more about how monsters (particularly Sunai) are created and just more about the monsters in general. However, I understand that because this fact remains a mystery in their world, it has to remain a mystery to the reader as well.

I loved This Savage Song, it was one of those rare books that pulled me out of my year long reading slump and made me want to know more. I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel Our Dark Duet.

4.5 Stars: Part Romeo & Juliet without the romance. Part Godfather. Part Vampire: The Masquerade. This Savage Song is a slightly dystopian, young adult horror series featuring two kids caught between a monstrous war. It's a thoroughly enjoyable adventure with many creative elements littered throughout. While there are several troupes sprinkled here and there, the vividness of the prose and the dynamic relationship of the the two main characters really hold the story together brilliantly. It moves at a fairly brisk pace. There was one twist that I certainly wasn't expecting, but absolutely should have seen coming -- and it ratcheted up my appreciation of the series. This is the first of two novels in the series -- and I'm looking forward to the next one. Brilliant mythology making here.

Victoria Schwab is truly a masterful writer. Her ability to build worlds and develop characters is absolutely astounding. I loved the dynamic between Kate and August and the complexity of their relationship. I felt that both characters were so original, and I loved reading through both of their perspectives.

This book is a brilliant blend of dystopian and fantasy, so it will certainly be a favorite amongst fans of both genres. I absolutely loved the different types of monsters that Schwab has created in this story and can't wait to see more of them in Our Dark Duet!

THIS SAVAGE SONG by Victoria Schwab is the first book in a new monster fantasy series.

Kate Harker is the daughter of a ruthless leader and August Flynn is a monster trying to find his place in a divided city. When their lives intersect, they must decide whether they’re enemies or friends.

Librarians will find a large audience for this young adult fantasy. From the world-building elements to the sympathetic characters, teens will easily immerse themselves in Schwab’s dystopian world. Fans will be lining up for the next book in the Monsters of Verity series.

Published by Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins on July 5, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab
Book One of the Monsters of Verity series
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publication Date: July 5, 2016
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

There’s no such thing as safe in a city at war, a city overrun with monsters. In this dark urban fantasy from acclaimed 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, This Savage Song is a must-have for fans of Holly Black, Maggie Stiefvater, and Laini Taylor.

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. In This Savage Song, Victoria Schwab creates a gritty, seething metropolis, one worthy of being compared to Gotham and to the four versions of London in her critically acclaimed fantasy for adults, A Darker Shade of Magic. Her heroes will face monsters intent on destroying them from every side—including the monsters within.

What I Liked:

I've read two of Schwab's adult fantasy novels, A Darker Shade of Magic and A Gathering of Shadows. But I'd not read any of her Young Adult novels, until this book. I knew this would be my first YA read by her, and I was pretty excited! I loved her adult books, and this YA novel was just as captivating as her adult fiction novels.

This is the story of two teens whose lives are about to intersect, in dangerous ways. Kate Harker is the daughter of Callum Harker, who runs North City, the north side of Verity City. Harker lets the monsters (Malchai, Corsai) roam free in the city. He is ruthless, and Kate wants to prove herself to him as ruthless like him (even more so). After getting kicked out of her sixth boarding school, Kate is finally where she wants to be - North City. August Flynn is a Sunai, one of only three in existence. He's a monster hiding in plain sight (the Sunai are the only monsters that look exactly like a human). He lives in South City, under the protection of his "father", Henry Flynn, who runs South City. August and his sibling Sunai, Leo and Ilsa, sided with Henry when the city was divided and a truce was made. But the truce is on the verge of breaking. August is sent to Colton Academy as Frederick Gallagher, in order to spy on Kate. But Kate finds out who he is, and Malchai try to kill them both, and everything changes. Things were set in motion, and Kate and August are caught in the middle.

Schwab writes so effortlessly! I can't even begin to describe who beautifully written this book is. It's like she puts a pen to the page and words flow on and on and in such an excellent arrangement. This author is an incredibly talented writer!

The world-building is superbly written. I like that we get to know bits and pieces of everything as the story goes. Initially, we don't know what August is, besides the fact that he is a "monster". We don't know much about the monsters specifically. We don't know everything all at once. Schwab gently breaks us into the story, revealing information as she tells the story. This was intricately done, and in a very impressive way! One would think I'd get annoyed by not having details about our characters and the world and the supernatural upfront, but I liked the slow reveal of information.

August is such a sweetheart! It's a weird thing for me to say, as he is a monster, and a rare one at that. He is one of three Sunai in existence, one of three "monsters" that looks exactly like a human. His monster ability is probably the most intense. The Malchai and the Corsai have claws and rip things apart (one of them drinks blood, I can't remember which). The Sunai are so different, and so powerful. August, however, isn't like his calm brother Leo, who is incredibly powerful and a natural leader. He isn't like his sister Ilsa, who is powerful like Leo (maybe even more so?). August is powerful, but he holds himself back. More than anything, he wants to be human. He wants people to value him not as a monster or a tool, but as a person. He wants to exist without fear.

I wanted to hug August, at so many points in the book. His mental and emotional state of mind broke my heart. He needs some love, people! I sincerely hope he finds some kind of comfort and/or care in the next book/by the end of the series.

You'll notice the violin on the cover of the book - it is very important in the story! You'll have to read the book to figure out why. It is August that plays!

Kate is vicious, hardened, devious, calculating. She wants to be as ruthless as his father, a human who leads Malchai. Many of her motives are to get his attention, and to prove that she is not weak, and that she is just like him. Kate wants power. And Kate is very smart - she figures out what August is after just a few one-on-one chats with him, at the Colton Academy. They bump into each other and talk several times, and Kate is able to put together clues. As ruthless as Kate is, she is also a little scared and vulnerable, and tries to hide this side of her as best as she can.

I love how Schwab digs deep into her characters, and draws out the good and the bad, the self-loathing and the doubt, the ambition and the despair. And in both Kate and August. I felt more bad for August, given that he so desperately does not want to be a monster, but I also felt bad for Kate, because she's trying so hard to be a cold creature like her father.

I'm not sure if we can call Kate and August friends, even at the end of the book. When they first met in this book, they were Freddie and Kate (August was under disguise). Kate finds out who he really is about halfway through the book. He saves her life, she saves his, he saves her life again - they don't abandon each other, even after Kate finds out who/what he is. I like that it's two broken teens on the run together.

On that note -- there is no romance in this book. Sadly for me. BUT. This book doesn't need romance, and it functions well without it. It's nearly five hundred pages and it's jam-packed with action and some well-placed angst. So, no romance!

As I said above, this book was nearly five hundred pages long. The beginning was a little slow and took me a bit to get into the story, but overall, I was hooked. I think I latched on pretty tightly when both Kate and August were finally on their way to Colton Academy. From then on, this book was quite a ride!

I cannot wait to read the next book. Thank goodness this series is only a duology! I am loving this duology trend. More please, Ms. Schwab!

What I Did Not Like:

This is going to be a strange complaint, but the synopsis led me astray a little. The way the synopsis sounded, I thought Kate found out about who/what August was fairly quickly into the story. "But Kate discovers August’s secret, and after a failed assassination attempt the pair must flee for their lives." This actually happens more than halfway through the book (closer to 60%, maybe even beyond). This isn't a complaint on the story! More like a complaint about the synopsis.

On that note, I thought the first, let's say, 10% was slow. Nothing to put me off, but I thought I'd mention it so that others might know to keep going for sure!

Would I Recommend It

I highly recommend this novel! You don't have to love fantasy (it's like futuristic paranormal, kind of? I'm not sure what I'd classify the book, in terms of genre, to be honest). It's more like urban fantasy? In any case, you don't have to know or love fantasy to enjoy this book. The emotional depth to this book is incredible! And I loved our two protagonists, and the wild ride they take us on. I can't wait to see what shenanigans they find themselves in, in book two!

Rating:

4.5 stars -> rounded down to 4 stars. Generally my thing about 5 stars is that the book has to be a new favorite for me to rate it 5 stars. I'll hold off until I read book two, because conclusion novels can make or break the series. But this book is receiving a high rating and high praise from me! I'm trusting Schwab to deliver a high-action, satisfying end to the story.

I can understand why many others gave the book higher ratings. It stands out more unique without the "insta love" to quote some. The world building is creative and will appeal to Gotham lovers. However I think it would be greatly improved if she started the book on page 30/ chapter 5. The hinting at August's condition, while partially getting insights into the world did not hold my attention. I only plowed through because I believed the thousands of reviewers had to be somewhat justified and it did pay off. Starting with August heading to school and having strangers on the bus make confessions he caused, but didn't want to hear reminded me of Joe Hill's Horns novel. It was an excellent hook, and the rest was a riveting page turner. I'd be very interested in reading the sequel.

I've wanted to read a Schwab book for a long time now, and This Savage Song was a fantastic start. Despite the fact that I, as always, tried to lower my expectations, they were pretty high, since everything I had heard about her books was that they are amazingly written and totally unique. Luckily I was not disappointed.

The book starts with one of the main characters, Kate Harker, burning down a chapel, and it does not slow down from there. The whole book is filled to the brim with excitement and there is always something happening, especially during the second half. The world that Schwab has made is so interesting and well developed, and having the abstract concept of violence turn into physical monsters truly is something I've never encountered before. There is still a lot about this world that is unclear, what was it that triggered the creation of the monsters? Do they have some deeper connection to the person committing the crime and making the monster? Why is this only happening in the city of Verity, what does the rest of the world look like? But loose threads is to be expected from the first book in a series, and I don't doubt that we'll get all the answers in the sequel.

The character of Kate Harker surprised me a lot. What I had heard about her was that she really wasn't a good person, that she wanted to be a monster, that she was cold and unsympathetic. It's not true, not at all. Unfortunately I think this is a case where a female character has been judged way too harshly and that many people has remover her humanity because she's difficult to pin down. Kate wants to impress her father, but it's made crystal clear that her though outside is just a shell, a facade. She is probably the one who goes through the most character development during the whole book.

I will also give Schwab a huge star for not forcing a romance between Kate and August into the book. This is something I've learned to expect, and I'm happy it wasn't the case here. It would have been way too much right now, that characters simply wouldn't have had the time for it. It is neither something that I, personally, feel is necessary at all, as they work perfectly as friends. We don't need another Romeo and Juliet story.

Why did it take me so long to read this? This book had been on my list for a while now, but for some reason I just never picked it up. I have to admit, the beginning was a little slow for me, but then everything got so interesting so fast. It was fantastic! I loved this book so much, everything from the characters to the world. I couldn't get enough of it and I'm so excited to continue on to the next book.

I was SO LUCKY to get my hands on this ARC at YallWest, and to my delight, it was WELL worth the hour or so I waited in line (whilst hanging out with one of my best writer friends and soaking up the Santa Monica sunshine, so no real loss!)

This might be one of my favorite reads of 2016. I haven't read as much of Victoria Schwab's work as I would like, but I've read enough to know GIRL CAN WRITE. From the sizzling (literally) opening chapter to the end, This Savage Song grabbed me like one of its clawed monsters and held on. I am such a fan of multiple POV books (and they certainly seem to be getting more and more common) and I think one of the biggest strengths of this book is how well the two protagonists voices contrasted and complimented one another. Kate and August are two very, very different characters who want very different things, but they also have a great deal in common, and that gave them such great chemistry on the page.

The world of this book is brutal and uncompromising, and it contains some of the most original world building I've seen in an urban fantasy-ish book to date. Schwab's crackling language, attention to detail, and effortless dialogue made this book a joy to read, even beyond the captivating plot and compelling characters.

If I didn't already want to read her other work, this book would definitely convince me. I'm already marking my calendar for book 2!

I can't believe it took me so long to read this book! The characters were amazing. Even if they weren't likeable, they were still amazingly written. It's cool how you never really know who's a bad guy and who's a good guy. I also love that(view spoiler) . I'm not saying I don't want that to change in the second book.... This has definitely become one of my new favorite books of all time. I will probably be up all night reading Our Dark Duet now, so thanks for that lol.

I have read everything Victoria Schwab has written and love her Darker Shade of Magic series and so I was pretty excited about this new series. While I loved the world-building and idea of creatures created by different deeds, the story was uneven and felt like it just jumped from one conflict to the next (not in a good way). The jumpy/lumpy plot makes it seem as though she wrote this too quickly or was hoping that her fans would be too excited to notice how sloppy it was.

THIS BOOK YOU GUYS. THIS. BOOK. Just THINKING about it makes me super excited and happy and reminds me of why I love reading so much.
Yes, you read that right. This book was one of those that just absolutely took my breath away, had me hooked until the very end; it was one of the few gems that makes going through the books that maybe aren’t so great absolutely worth it. It possesses that inexplicable quality only bookworms and readers understand, the one we try so desperately to explain when people ask us “So, why do you like reading so much?”
Although this book was basically perfect, there was one tiny flaw, and it’s one that I’m not sure I can even call a flaw, and that is that I found the first half of the book to be a tad slow. I was waiting for the action to pick up, for something exciting to happen, but I didn’t really get anything until I was past halfway. The reason I’m not even sure I can call this a flaw is because of the necessary world-building that Schwab executed so perfectly; to explain the complex world present in This Savage Song, I understand why the author had to make us wait before picking up the action.
But let me tell you, the second half of this book made the agonizing wait of the first 200 or so pages worth every second, because when the action picked up, it picked up. And it didn’t ever stop. I was racing through the pages, gasping and screaming and maybe even whispering to myself. I lost sense of what was going on around me; all that mattered were the words on the page and the beautifully-crafted characters. I was engrossed in that incredible way certain books capture you, and I’m not even sure I let go of the breath I was holding until I read the last word (and even then, I still haven’t totally let go of it… I don’t think that’s going to happen until I’ve read the last word of the last book).
Backing up a little bit: the characters. I absolutely loved how some conformed to the stereotypes of the city, others completely defied them, but what mattered was our two protagonists and their inner conflict. I adored how Schwab gave us just enough information about the side characters for the reader to feel for them and care for them too, but really placed a strong focus on August and Kate, making it clear that the story was about them and them alone (although I would love to maybe see some side/background stories about other characters in the future…)
Another aspect of this book that I found to be positively refreshing was the lack of romance. Never mind the messy love triangles and romance conflicts pretty much every YA book possesses, this novel really concentrates on the characters’ personal and individual developments and transformations, without the added factor of worrying about a love interest. This aspect of the story also eliminated the issue of insta-love, and really illuminates that relationships take time and a long list of shared experiences before they truly become romantic.
The writing was just… stunning. This was my first Victoria Schwab book, and I’m honestly kicking myself for never having picked up A Darker Shade of Magic or Vicious. You can bet I’ll likely be reading them very soon, because Victoria Schwab + fantasy?! Yes. Please.
Overall, there really is just no way I can do this spectacular book justice. Characters that blossom and develop as the plot does the same, along with gorgeous writing… Is there really anything else a reader can ask for? Plus, the premise in this book is in no way generic: everything about it was unique and unlike anything you will have seen before. It’s definitely one of my favorites ever, and one that I will cherish for a long, long time.

The writing, concept, characters, and execution of this story were all perfect. I loved everything and don't really have much room for complaint. I highly recommend this book to everyone but specifically to anyone who wants something a little spooky and mysterious to read when it's cold outside. The writing alone is enough for me to recommend to everyone, so the fact that the story and characters are also amazing makes me want to buy this book for my shelves.

It took about fifty pages in for me to get a feel for this book but once August and Kate met at school it all started to come together. I was reading this in a read-a-long so I was intentionally going slow and didn't want to stop reading the last 100 pages because that's where a lot of the action takes place. The last tow pages of the elegy left me confused but I guess it's setting up The Dark Duets. Not my favorite V. Schwab book, that's Vicious, but it's another good one.

THIS SAVAGE SONG was incredible. I loved watching Kate and August develop throughout the story, and watching as they faced the realities of the society and people that they had previously viewed through rose colored glasses. The friendship that forms between the two of them was as beautiful as August's music, and it was a balm not to have their every interaction fraught with sexual tension and desire.

I look forward to OUR DARK DUET and learning more about these kids and their world full of monsters.

I picked this book up after reading some favorable remarks on a horror blog. So I actually thought that it would be creepier than it actually was, but it was still great. A few chapters in, I thought I had the whole plot figured out, but Schwab surprised me and didn't take the conventional line that I anticipated. The writing was solid, the characters were developed, and the story was interesting. The sequel, Our Dark Duet just came out last month, and I plan on working it into my TBR.

MASTERPIECE.

"I read somewhere," said Kate, "that people are made of stardust."
He dragged his eyes from the sky. "Really?"
"Maybe that's what you're made of. Just like us."

I don't even know. What a beautiful book, full of rich world-building and haunting prose. Fascinating characters that pull at all of your heart strings and nestle right into you like they were always meant to be there. And a cat, of course.

This is definitely going to be one of my favorite books of the year! The concept of dark deeds turning into literal monsters was interesting to explore.
August and Kate both were so well written and intriguing. Both danced the line between good and bad, blurring what that even means in the first place. I loved exploring the question of what makes a monster and if it is a definition that remains or shifts depending on person and situation.
It's going to be tough to wait for the next one to see where this all ends up.

While this isn't my favorite Schwab novel--it will take a lot to knock Vicious off of that spot--but this is a very close second. This book is masterfully done and magnificently crafted. August and Ilsa are characters that will stick with me for a long time. Also, just the idea behind this story--that our terrible actions create tangible, terrible, monstrous consequences--is endlessly interesting and I wouldn't have wanted anyone but Schwab to conquer.

I absolutely LOVED this book. It was dark and creepy and everything that the cover and the synopsis promised. Victoria Schwab’s writing is fantastic, and I thought the pacing of the book was great; those 400 pages honestly flew by. I loved Kate and August, and the struggles that both of them faced are expertly crafted and thought out. My favorite book of the summer so far!

This book is good, kind of slow at first. It drags on a bit and took me some time to
Get through it. For me it never really was just amazing or anything. I got
This in my owlcrate subscription. I think this is aimed more for younger maybe teens or
Something. Wasn't horrible but like I said wasn't great either. Being my first read with this author I'm not sure if I'll try any other books from
Her. First impressions mean a lot with me.

I usually have a great relationship with V.E. Schwab books, by which I mean there isn't a single one I've read that I haven't enjoyed, and that's going all the way back to The Archived. The same goes for this one, but unlike her Shades of Magic series, I'm not crazy obsessed with this book. I didn't sit down and devour the book in a day, and in fact, was rather bored until about halfway through the book. It's not that this isn't a good book - it's just that I had expected it to be so much more special than it actually was, and that disappointed me.

So what is it about this book that didn't leave me panting for more? Let's get down to it.

1. I didn't connect with or garner a deep interest in the characters.

They are cool and unique, and I like the idea of the monster trying to be human and the human trying to be a monster, but when it actually plays out, nothing really stands out. They seem like great characters on their own, but there is nothing overtly awe-inspiring about them, unlike many other of Schwab's characters. If I had simply picked up this book and read it without knowledge of the hype surrounding it, I would never have guessed that this was a book by the same author.

2. Way too much time is spent fleshing out the characters instead of starting up the plot, and though it doesn't hinder the story in any way, it certainly slows down the pacing of the book, at least until about halfway into it.

The two main characters, Kate and August, don't even meet until a significant portion of the book, and even after they do meet, nothing really grabs the reader's attention about their circumstances until even further into the book, when the two characters finally have a shared interest aka saving their own skins.

3. The plot is a bit too simple.

I know that there's absolutely nothing wrong with a simple, straight-forward plot, but sometimes it seemed like the plot was almost an afterthought to the characters. So much time was spent developing them that I had a hard time keeping track of where exactly the story was going. The storyline was interesting, sure, but I never grew invested in it.

-

And that is actually all I have to say about this book. It isn't memorable, it didn't actively keep my interest, and I'm not even completely sure I want to read the next installment (I probably will though because I'm hoping that now we have the characters down, the second book will be more plot-oriented).

There were parts of this that I really enjoyed: the monsters, the dystopian feel of the world (and I'm not a huge dystopian fan!), the strength of Kate, the heart of August, and the action at the end. Other parts...just didn't matter to me. Not good, not bad, just neutral and kind of generic. It felt like a good start to a series, so I hope the second book keeps up the momentum the ending of this book had.

Another fantasy masterpiece from V.Schwab. I was a massive fan of the Darker Shade trilogy before reading this and once again she amazed me. Beautiful writing,deep characters, rich lore all combine into a mesmerizing fantasy tale that you do not want to end.

This is the first book I've read by Victoria Schwab and all I can say now is...

I NEED ALL HER BOOKS.

This Savage Song was everything I didn't know I needed. On the one hand we have Kate Harker the daughter of the most powerful man in North City and on the other, August Flynn, the son of the man in charge of South City. Both want to be something they're not, and are inevitably thrown together.

Victoria Schwab shows what it's like to be born to something you desperately don't want. To be someone who isn't enough. Not cruel enough. Not human enough. All the while, the tenuous balance that was holding V-City together begins to fracture.

This Savage Song is a brilliant yet dark novel that explores what it truly means to be a human. Or a monster.

"Once upon a time, a girl burned down a chapel and a boy picked up a violin and everything fell apart." - Victoria Schwab

And so did the story...

This is how the story progressed. Oh, and a hint, storylines being moved forward by coincidences is one of my pet peeves.

1. Really good start.
2. Here these things are. Why are they, oops, sorry not really going to tell you but here are some sketchy "rules" about it.
3. Coincidence
4. Coincidence
5. Coincidence
6. Oh, yes, I know this thing that happens goes against those sketchy "rules" I gave you, but the story would be stuck, so to hell with the rules.
7. Coincidence
8. Fabulous scene!
9. Oh, sorry, I have to break some of those rules again. Oh to hell with it, there are no rules. Everything can just happen anyway it needs to to move the story along.
10. Brilliant scene!
11. Coincidence
12. I know this takes place on Earth and humans should only be able to act according to the rules of Physics, but hell, I really need this human character to be able to do this.
13. Really great scene!
14. Coincidence.
15. Coincidence.
16. WTH?
17. Are you kidding me?
18. Really contrived ending.

Plus, I guessed the plot twist pretty early on. It was way too obvious.

*Be careful if you read this book you might step in a plot hole and sprain your ankle.

I loved and adored A Darker Shade Of Magic, but this book and Vicious suffered from all the same problems. Weird. I think she should stay away from writing super powers stories and stick to magic.

I was approved for for an eARC, via Edelweiss, in return for an honest review. I will not be reviewing this book on my blog because it is less than 4 stars.

3.5 because the premise is unbelievable but otherwise I see little fault in the writing. It did take a while to get started and I almost gave up a bunch of times. In the end it was a finish at 2:46am situation.

I adored this. Schwab again proves her ability to craft characters and worlds. And she writes dome dang fine sentences. It was so wonderfully readable and the action moved so well, but then when you sit back with it, some deeper themes hit you from behind.

Here be monsters indeed. I flew through this one and can't wait for the next installment.

Devoured this book. Fascinating setting. The different types of monsters that exist in "This Savage Song" are familiar and similar to monsters we know, fear and love, yet very, very different. We even get to know one of these "monsters" very intimately. August struggles to understand who he is in this strange and dangerous world. Kate is a human struggling to find her identity as the daughter of the city's ruthless overlord. I can't wait to learn more about this world, and hope the books that follow offer more excitement and intrigue.

This is another series that I recommend highlyyyyy to everyone. This book left me like WTF in the best way. It was fun, it was dark and it justified a lot of my own struggles when I was Kate's age. The way each monster behaves, how they come into being, especially the Sunai has stuck with me all this time. 110/10 recommend.

Okay, seriously, we have a main character who has my name (Kate) while the other is the month of my birth (August) and there is a cat and beautiful music in this tale. I think Victoria wrote this one for me and I'm sticking to it.

*runs off to sing the monster song*

This book starts off slow as you learn the background of this world. Trust me it will fly by. I just finished the Econ and last book to this series and was so thankful that I gave it a try. The second book is amazing. The characters are in depth. The story is beautiful

Another amazing book by Victoria Schwab, This Savage Song presents a unique premise where violent acts breed actual monsters. It's a thrilling urban fantasy read with two lead characters, a human girl who wants to be monstrous, and a boy who is a monster but wants to be human. The characters' relationship dynamics are not only based in friendship with no romance in sight--a seemingly rare occurrence in YA books--but are also complex and compelling to read about. The book is equal parts fast-paced plot and sympathetic character development. I continue to be amazed at Victoria Schwab's original story ideas and the addictive, atmospheric way in which she writes them.

This book is so beautifully written. There's something so haunting about the characters that Schwab brings to life, and I'm on the edge of my seat awaiting the next Monsters of Verity book. (PS. to be perfectly honest, I read the book for free online, and I loved it so much I bought it because I just HAD to own it).

HOW I LOVED THIS BOOK.
It was my first of Victoria Schwab and I fell in love with both her writing and her novel's characters hard. I don't know who I loved more, August or Kate. There was such a depth of character and a sense of realness and humanity to them both and their struggles, inside and out.
Schwab seriously clicked with me on this one. Starting with the cover itself. (:

This book was a work of art. This is the perfect example of showing and not telling. Victoria immediately immersed the reader in the world and I was so intrigued and ready to learn more about how the situation came to be and who the main players were. Victoria is truly talented and you will not regret picking up this book.

I went into this book not knowing what I was getting into, but then when I came out I was looking at the world in a whole new way. I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! Full Review on my YouTube channel to come soon.... :D

Not a bad book, took a bit to pick up in the story line. I do like that Kate's story is starting to get more dynamic. Love that August overcomes the darkness!! Excited to see how the second book expands on the story lines!

Tessa Gratton is the best I found at world-building, and Maggie Stiefvater does flavor and texture like nobody else, and Victoria Schwab may not always be great at pacing, but when she is, she is HELLA GREAT. Maybe I just prefer the darker side of her fiction - I adored Vicious and I loved this one. Can’t wait to pick up the second volume.

Absolutely excellent. I knew Schwab was a superb writer, but this book definitely hammered that home again. Right from the beginning, she weaves a complex story about humanity and emotion while crafting a unique world filled with unique and terrifying monsters. Kate and August are both amazingly crafted and layered characters with realistic good and bad sides. Their relationship is one of the many highlights for me, followed closely by the strong action and tension throughout. And of course, only Schwab could put a huuuuuge twist on the final freaking page of this book, all but guaranteeing you'll be the sequel. And honestly, you should. This is a beautiful, haunting story crafted by a stellar author who knows how to whisk you away into a new and engaging world. I honestly cannot wait to see where the sequel goes and recommend THIS SAVAGE SONG to anyone looking for a book they will never forget.

Okay honestly what do I even say about This Savage Song, because all I really want to do is go outside (not normal) and scream at people about this book (normal). This will be the 5th book I’ve read by Victoria and I am just in love. I mean at this point my obsession with her knows no bounds. She doesn’t even need to tell me what her new books are about, I’ll just buy them. Even though a girl falling in love with the Devil over 300 years sounds pretty damn interesting! That being said let’s focus on This Savage Song. This book follows Kate Harker, a human who wants to be a monster and August Flynn, a monster who wishes to be a human. They live in a world where acts of violence breeds monsters. The Corasi who eat anything and everything, the Malchai who eat everyone, and the Suni who can only eat those who have committed acts of violence. What I find so fascinating about the worlds Victoria creates is the fact that it’s not good against evil. The lines are so blurred and what one person thinks is the right thing to do, may be the worst thing they can do. I love reading Victoria’s questions and how far she’s willing to push them. It’s that moral compass and I love how twisted Victoria makes it.

One thing I find when reading a Victoria book is that the first book is always really rich in detail. She really sets the scene for her books. Let’s us dive in and get comfortable before she starts maiming people. For me I love the slow build. I love getting to know a character. Really get a sense of who they are before s*** starts happening. Honestly, for me, Victoria’s books always pull me in. She makes me feel things for characters I normally wouldn’t like and she makes you question the way you think. Her style of writing really flows off the page for me and it keeps me turning page after page. I am extremely interested to see how Our Dark Duet is. And I love that it’s going to be a duology. It’s going to be crazy!

When I first read the summary on goodreads, I was confused. I wasn’t sure quite what this book was about other than, monsters and humans. But the element of surprise was what worked. Not to mention the writing in this novel. Victoria really delivers this gritty and dark sense of the bad things people do. That line between good and bad is what always draws me to Victoria’s writing. She has this amazing ability of being able to push someone to their limit. To see how far her characters will go and it is just amazing to me the type of result her stories get. Not to mention the characters. Kate who is a badass and tries very hard to prove to her father that she is a Harker. And I love it because on the outside we see this girl who acts like nothing affect her. She’s unbreakable. But inside she doesn’t like doing the things she’s doing. She doesn’t like the blood or the killing and watching her struggle to come to terms with the things she has to do and the world she has to live in, is part of the reason I am so drawn to this book and to Kate as a character. One of my biggest things is getting in the mind of someone. Seeing why they did what they did. What pushed them that far. And so I loved getting more and more into why Kate was the way she was. Why she thought she had to be ruthless. This Savage Song delivered so well for me.

Then there’s August who doesn’t want the power he’s been given. He struggles with being a monster and wanting to be a human. One of the most interesting aspects was going dark. If the Sunai do not feed they end up going dark and as a result they lose a part of their humanity. Which was such a fascinating thing to see in August because all he’s ever wanted was his humanity. So he eats and proves he’s a monster or he doesn’t and goes dark and loses the very thing he’s always wanted. Both Kate and August’s struggle was so similar but very different. We see these characters who just want to do right by those they love. Even if as a reader you see that it’s the wrong decision. I did love the interactions between both Kate and August. It was probably my favorite part of the whole book. I loved that they kind of just connected with each other, but that they didn’t fall in love. The story was much bigger than that and I love that Victoria did such a wonderful job.

Overall This Savage Song was a dark and beautifully told story of the line between human and monster and what makes someone make certain choices. I would most definitely recommend this to anyone and everyone. I was going to compare it but I honestly don’t think there is anything out there to compare it too. It’s really uniquely different. Also as a little note I know people have given up because the first half moves a bit slow, but I promise you that it is worth it. You won’t be disappointed with this book.

I can’t believe I have to wait a year for Our Dark Duet and THAT TITLE

*DIES A LITTLE BIT INSIDE*

I’m also about 99.9% sure Victoria Schwab sold her soul to get amazing titles and covers!

Did you guys read this one? What did you think?

VICTORIA SCHWAB HAS DONE IT AGAIN. I am so deeply in love with her books and this one was definitely NO exception.
Actually this one was especially special to me because it felt a little different to me. I felt so “home” in her writing style but also often found myself forgetting that I'm reading a Schwab book which hasn't happened to me before and that felt so extraordinary to me.

If you've seen some of my other reviews or follow my YouTube channel you'll know that I always love Schwab's characters and these just joined the ranks. Both main characters felt very realistic but super unique. I especially loved how both had a rather “tragic” back-story but I didn't feel like their thoughts and feelings were over-dramatized as it sadly often happens in YA, it's one of my greatest pet peeves. The characters had a wonderful depth to them. I really liked the way they were portrayed and the distinction between their personalities and the way people saw them. I also loved many of the secondary characters and the “villains”, as always. If you've read Vicious or A Darker Shade of Magic, you know that evil and villainous characters are what Schwab excels at.

I think it was mentioned pretty early on that while this is a story about a boy and a girl, we should not expect a romance. Either way would have been fine for me, as I love a good romance and I know Schwab CAN write it. But what she did with this friendship was even better. The friendship felt intense and deep and was beautifully written but never once made me question if there is more. There was no romantic or sexual tension between the lines and that made the friendship seem even stronger. I don't think I've ever read such a friendship, especially in YA, especially between a boy and a girl. Simply fantastic!

One of the aspects I found so outstanding in this novel was the writing. I also never made a secret of my love for Schwab's writing. It is always easy to read but she has such a great way of describing things that never make the story boring. It's always easy to picture things while the world still feels rich. In THIS SAVAGE SONG I felt like her writing has outdone itself. I don't even know how to describe it, it was simply beautiful and fit the novel perfectly. It set the tone for the world and plot just right and it was able to bring across so many of the feelings the characters felt. I could feel the anxiety and the pain and the hunger. It was mesmerizing to me.

Lastly I wanna mention the music aspect because it was especially important to me. I am a musician and I have a really close connection to music. I know many people laugh about these sentence but I really love music and I couldn't imagine my life without it. Just as I could not imagine my life without Victoria Schwab's books. So these two clashing together was very exciting to me and I had been looking forward to this aspect in particular. While I did think (or rather hoped) that the music would play a bigger role in the novel, I enjoyed this aspect of the story a lot! It was a fascinating concept that I don't wanna go into detail with but it was definitely one of the things that made me fall in love with the novel as much as I have.

I am excited to see where the story is going in the second book. I do hope that we get a bit more about the world, how it came to be and what lies outside of what we've experienced in this story, especially because world building is another aspect that Victoria Schwab has never disappointed me in before, so I feel like there is definitely more to explore and find out.
If by now you haven't guessed it.. I loved this book! It's definitely in my favourites of the year and probably my favourites of all time but I'll wait for my already planned reread to decide that. I'd recommend it to simply everyone. It is beautiful, fascinating, dark and compelling!

This is another series that I recommend highlyyyyy to everyone. This book left me like WTF in the best way. It was fun, it was dark and it justified a lot of my own struggles when I was Kate's age. The way each monster behaves, how they come into being, especially the Sunai has stuck with me all this time. 110/10 recommend.

This was the second book by I've read, the first being Vicious, which I loved. This one didn't either. I came in on his because of all reviews and vlogg/bloggs. I wasn't sure I understood what it was about and verse 1 (it's broken down into 4 verses, with several chapters per) But then I think I felt the rhythm, heard the music and I could not stop turning pages. At one point, I think I had to remind myself to breathe. That's all I'm gonna say bc I went in cold and I'm a better person for. You'll thank me later.

“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!”

This Savage Song has been on my TBR since forever. The first Victoria Schwab book I bought. I was so thrilled when reading what the story was about. It felt different than most stories.

It’s official. Victoria Schwab has climbed my list of favorite authors. I only ever read City of Ghosts and this one, but her stories and writing styles are amazing. I already ordered A Darker Shade of Magic so I think it’s obvious that I’m sold.

Kate Harker: I felt a tiny bit confused when the story started, but once I got into it a little more everything played out nicely. When Kate was introduced I had a feeling I was going to really like her. And I did. I liked putting together the pieces of her life. I liked getting to know her, and getting to see her insecurities and her attitude in handling them. She aspired to be just as cruel as her father and to prove that she could handle it. That made her actions so much more interesting to understand.

“She cracked a smile. "So what's your poison?"
He sighed dramatically, and let the truth tumble off his tongue. "Life."
"Ah," she said ruefully. "That'll kill you.”

August Flynn: A monster who longs to be human. A monster who isn't a monster at all. August I LOVED. I loved him a whole lot. He was innocent and just wanted to prove his ability to be a part of the FTF like his parents and brother. He was given something different than what he was hoping for, but he still did his best. He was just so precious and I found myself wanting to protect him at all times.

“I am not a…”
But his throat closed up. The words got stuck.
I am not a monster, that’s what he wanted to say, but he couldn’t. He hadn’t found a way to make it true.”

The story was fast paced. I didn't feel bored for even a minute. I loved where the story was going and I loved how every moment built towards it. I adored the fact that there was no romance in this one. Kate and August had a simple platonic relationship and It was everything. Such an original story line and lovable characters and I can’t wait to read Our Dark Duet next