This Savage Song (Monsters of Verity #1)

Author: V E Schwab

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Originally Published: June 7th 2016

Format: Paperback (407 pages)

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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.

My Rating: ★★★★★

Absolutely LOVED this book! I had really high expectations of this book and at times I almost worried it wouldn’t meet them but about halfway through this book seriously picked up and I was on a rollercoaster of emotion right until the last page!

The beginning part of this book did confuse me a little. It took me a while to get to know the different types of monster and what each did and how dangerous they were. This did not effect my overall enjoyment of this book AT ALL. Once I wrapped my head around the two different families waging war against each other and the different types of monsters this book was nothing less than incredible.

Schwab’s writing style never ceases to amaze me. I love the way she writes. Her descriptions are real and I could easily visualise the scenes in this book. The short chapters kept me hooked – especially with those mini cliff hangers scattered throughout. There was plenty of action in this book and on several occasions I had flipped through 70-100 pages without even realising it. Although there didn’t feel like a lot happened for almost half of this book, I loved everything about it.

What did I love most about the book?

I seriously loved the characters in this book. I mean, all the characters – even the ones I didn’t like. I was terrified of Kate’s father and Sloane but I loved Kate herself. I thought she was a sassy little fire cracker who was sassy, fiery and passionate. The things she forced herself to do just to impress her father were incredible and I really loved her development throughout the book. August is an adorable, violin playing MONSTER. He was definitely my favourite character in the book. His development went so much further than I expected it to and I am really excited to see how he is going to develop further in the sequel. I also really liked the fact there was no romantic relationship between Kate and August in this book. This was a book forged on the basis of two lost souls finding one another and building a special friendship where they loved and protected one another.

Memorable Quotes

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

“Monsters, monsters, big and small,
They’re gonna come and eat you all.
Corsai, Corsai, tooth and claw,
Shadow and bone will eat you raw.
Malchai, Malchai, sharp and sly,
Smile and bite and drink you dry.
Sunai, Sunai, eyes like coal,
Sing you a song and steal your soul.
Monsters, monsters, big and small,
They’re gonna come and eat you all!”

“The beautiful thing about books was that anyone could open them.”

Final Thoughts

I am in love with this book and especially the wonderful characters. I loved the darkness of the story and the message that not all monsters are bad. I just loved it and I already cannot wait for the second half of the duology: Our Dark Duet.

Have you read This Savage Song? What did you think? 

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