Editorial Content for This Savage Song
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Reviewer (text)
THIS SAVAGE SONG comes from renowned author of young adult and adult fiction, Victoria (V.E.) Schwab. Like Schwab’s previous books, THIS SAVAGE SONG is a fast-paced story with compelling characters and a unique setting that is definitely worth the read.
Kate Harker is the daughter of V-City’s leader. She's been kicked out of more boarding schools than she can count, all with one goal: to come back home to the city and prove to her father that she has what it takes to lead. The city is overrun by monsters, the Malchai, Corsai and Sunai, all of whom come into existence due to horrible, violent crimes. Kate believes she knows how to deal with both these physical monsters and the demons that have haunted her since her mother’s death.
“THIS SAVAGE SONG is a brilliant, elegant read that will make you reevaluate the definition of the word ‘monster.’”
August Flynn is a monster who wants to be human. He and his siblings, the only three Sunai, are the rarest of all: monsters who feed on human souls. August has been waiting for as long as he can remember to do something to help his adoptive father in the fight against Harker and his Malchai. He finally gets his opportunity when he's asked to go undercover at Kate Harker’s new school in an attempt to learn Harker’s weakness.
They have more in common than either of them can imagine. And soon, circumstances will bring them together in ways no one could have predicted.
I'm always amazed with Schwab's world building, and THIS SAVAGE SONG is no exception. V-City is a dark and twisted setting that is infinitely fascinating. Schwab paints a vivid picture of a city teetering on the edge of apocalypse. Monsters roam the streets, but it's also a place with modern amenities such as cell phones and public transportation. This mixture of new and familiar makes for an utterly unique city that is the perfect stage for soul-eating monsters and young leaders.
Equally stunning are Schwab's characters. My favorite was August Finch. I loved that he was always trying to rise above not only others’ expectations but also his own nature. August is one of the most unique characters I've read in a while, and he made me love this book even more.
Kate Harker is more of a stereotype. She's a bad girl who purposely causes trouble to hide her problematic relationship with her father. However, I really liked how she developed along the way. Kate lets go of a lot of her prejudices and ill-founded loyalties as the story goes on, and I found this flexibility to be endearing and special.
Despite what it may seem, there is no romance in THIS SAVAGE SONG. Usually, I'm a huge fan of romance, but I actually found this to be a very nice deviation from the norm. Without a romance between Kate and August, it was easier to focus on the politics and life-or-death situations that arose in V-City. Of course, if a romance happens to blossom in the next installment, I wouldn't be disappointed, but I really enjoyed this change of pace.
The book is kind of confusing at the beginning, but once you get into it, it's quick-moving and easy to follow. I would recommend THIS SAVAGE SONG to dystopian fans, or anyone looking for something different. Fans of dark fantasy will love this one. THIS SAVAGE SONG is a brilliant, elegant read that will make you reevaluate the definition of the word “monster.”
Teaser
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.
Promo
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.
About the Book
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.
Audiobook available, narrated by Therese Plummer.
