Book Review Time: This Savage Song | Victoria Schwab

THIS SAVAGE SONG | Victoria Schwab

Book Details

Series: Monsters of Verity (Book 1)

Hardcover: 464 pages

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Publication Date: July 5, 2016

Synopsis

“There’s no such thing as safe in a city at war, a city overrun with monsters. In this dark urban fantasy from author Victoria Schwab, a young woman and a young man must choose whether to become heroes or villains—and friends or enemies—with the future of their home at stake. The first of two books.

Kate Harker and August Flynn are the heirs to a divided city—a city where the violence has begun to breed actual monsters. All Kate wants is to be as ruthless as her father, who lets the monsters roam free and makes the humans pay for his protection. All August wants is to be human, as good-hearted as his own father, to play a bigger role in protecting the innocent—but he’s one of the monsters. One who can steal a soul with a simple strain of music. When the chance arises to keep an eye on Kate, who’s just been kicked out of her sixth boarding school and returned home, August jumps at it. But Kate discovers August’s secret, and after a failed assassination attempt the pair must flee for their lives.”

“‘I mean, most people want to escape. Get out of their heads. Out of their lives. Stories are the easiest way to do that.'”

This Savage Song is a refreshing addition to the dystopian genre. Schwab’s writing is very crisp and clear. Her world-building is done through dense sections of explanation that detail the lore/history of her dystopian world inhabited by both humans and monsters.

The secrets of the world gradually unfold as the truths and various narratives of August and Kate come to light. The mixture of human and “other” and the challenge towards the meaning of “monster” is not an old concept. And yet, the book makes if feel new.

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

The weight of the world seems to be carried on the shoulders of two very young and striking characters: The hardened yet sympathetic human Kate and the sensitive yet dangerous monster August. These two characters balance out and complement one another quite well due to their differing personalities and similar circumstances. August’s genuine goodness is incredibly endearing (I love him to bits) and Kate’s transformation in the wake of her realization that August truly has a good heart is what I live for.

Their intense relationship is founded on understanding and a united vision. A book with romance is perfectly acceptable, but in this instance, a platonic relationship is just what the doctor ordered. I adored how Kate and August’s relationship is more a strong companionship than a romance. It was perfectly suitable for this story, and I hope to the high heavens that their connection remains this way in the second book.

“We are the darkest acts made light.”

In regards to antagonists, I wanted more from Harker and Sloan. They, as a threat, didn’t come off as disturbing or eerie as August’s own brother, Leo. *spoiler–>highlight to see* Outright villainy loses in the face of a masked villain parading as a saint and warrior of justice, I think. *end spoiler* And I almost felt as if Harker’s maliciousness was never really explained.

All in all, this is one of the better dystopians I’ve read in a while. And with an ending like that, I have to say that I’m really excited but fearful of what happens next. I really just want Kate and August to be okay!!

My Rating:

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