Wednesday 2 October 2019

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab

Book Title: This Savage Song
Author: Victoria Schwab
Genre: Fantasy
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Source: Ebook from the library

Amazon UK, Goodreads 
Plot Summary: 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.
What did I think?

This is one of those books where I felt apprehensive going in and thought that I might not like it. But I was wrong. Oh so wrong.

My only other Schwab novel was A Darker Shade of Magic, which I did not like as much as I thought I would. Basically, it was the other way around. Amazing premise, but I wasn't a fan of the execution.

With This Savage Song, however, I felt lukewarm reading the blurb and absolutely loved the execution.

Schwab is an excellent writer and an even better world-builder. Her characters are fleshed out, real and vulnerable, flawed people, and her setting is intriguing. The pacing is spot on, and the pages fly by, sucking the reader right into the story.

I especially enjoyed her main character, Kate, who is deeply flawed, hot-headed, stubborn, yet kicks ass in the most believable way. Her chemistry with August is incredible, and it did not lead to romance. We need more books with complex relationships and friendships.

This Savage Song convinced me to put Vicious on my list, and I highly recommend it to all Schwab fans, of course, and all urban fantasy fans.

7 comments:

  1. Oh been meaning to read this for a while, really need to pick it up!

    Lotte | www.lottelauv.blogspot.co.uk

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  2. I liked this book, too, but I still haven’t read the sequel. Vicious is one of my favorite Schwab books, so I think you should read it!

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  3. I have not yet read anything by her but I know I should. I haven't seen a bad review yet. Plus I loved Nocturna and apparently the main reason why some didn't is because there is a book by her that they felt it was almost a knock off of. So I imagine I'd like it. Great review!

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  4. I really need to read one of her books! Thanks for the reminder!

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  5. OMG it's been so long since I dropped by! I'm so sorry! I was in a blogging slump but last month I've slowly been catching up and posting quite a bit :) I'm yet to read this book! Not because i'm not interested but someone spoiled something in the ending of the duology WHEN I TOLD THEM NOT TO and I'm just having a hard time picking it up now. Hopefully I will soon.

    Uma@Books.Bags.Burgers.

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  6. I totally adored this book! Especially August! His internal struggle torn my heart in pieces! I just wanted to hug him lol I agree their non-romance relationship was fantastic ! Great review! :)

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  7. I should really try Schwab. The Bookish Games just started (a bookish version of Mafia or werewolf, if you're familiar with those) and they're using ADSOM as their book theme. :) In this case though This Savage Song definitely sounds like it's worth a look! Glad you enjoyed it!!

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