Monday, July 25, 2016

This Savage Song Review

Author: Victoria Schwab
Genre: Fantasy,Young Adult, Paranormal
Rating: 4.5 stars

“Plenty of humans are monstrous, and plenty of monsters know how to play at being human.” 

This Savage Song is a lyrically and hauntingly beautiful story about humans who act monstrously and monsters who crave humanity. The novel had light, darkness and shadows. The novel had two sides; good and evil. But.... strangely one does not know which side is which. This is not your ordinary good versus evil it is....

good versus evil,
good versus good,
evil versus evil. 


“Every weakness exposes flesh,” he’d said, “and flesh invites a knife.” 

This Savage Song begins with the introduction of Kate Harker. Kate has been to 6 boarding schools in 5 years. She is tired of being away from home, away from her father. With drastic measures, she finally gets the attention of her father and moves home. Home is North City of Verity where her father is the ultimate ruler. A war 6 years ago divided the city into two sides the North and the South. The South is under the protection of Henry Flynn. These cities might as well be different countries. In the South, the buildings look like skeletons, a reminder of the damage of war. While in the North, the streets are clean and the people are protected. 

“People are users. It’s a universal truth. Use them, or they’ll use you.” 

August Flynn is the son of Henry Flynn. Hmm... son is not the right word for it. How can you be a son if you were never born? This is what August Flynn struggles with; he is a being but not a being at the same time. He is a monster in human skin hidden from the world. He loves music and loves to play music especially the violin. However, as the story advances, it is clear that playing music comes with its consequences. 

There was light. There was darkness. There was music. There was peace. 

August and Kate's destinies were never supposed to cross. (UN)Fortunately, they are both sent to Colton Academy, a private school in the suburbs. Within Colton, both worlds clash together. August and Kate find companionship, friendship and a shaky alliance with each other. Despite coming from different worlds, they both share a lot of similarities; the need to rise to their responsibilities, the itch of not quite fitting in, and an emptiness. 

In a school that clung to the illusion of safety, he didn’t shy from talk of violence. 

Victoria wins the award for one the best settings of a story. Once you read this gem you will understand. Her world-building is a magical skill, woven elegantly. There isn't too much of an info-dump but you aren't left blind either. The characters in This Savage Song oddly remind me of The Grisha Series. There was a depth to them that is has to replicate. They were smoke, constantly shaping and reshaping. I can't wait to see the growth of both August and Kate. They began as teenagers in high school but soon turned into characters who had seen too much, done too much and didn't really know their place in the world. 

Living hurts. 

I wait anxiously to read the fate of Verity and the individuals living in it. 

"You’re a monster.” “It’s a monster’s world."


Find this novel on Amazon and Goodreads.


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