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This Savage Song
(Monsters of Verity #1)
by
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 th ...more
Kate Harker and August Flynn are the heirs to a divided city—a city where th ...more
ebook, 464 pages
Published
July 5th 2016
by Greenwillow Books
(first published June 5th 2016)
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Start your review of This Savage Song (Monsters of Verity, #1)
She liked the idea that there were a hundred different Kates, living a hundred different lives.
Maybe in one of them, there were no monsters.
3 1/2 stars. Okay, listen: I feel like I shouldn't like this book. Compare this world to the marvelous multiple Londons, crossdressing pirates and evil twin rulers of the author's A Darker Shade of Magic, and hell, does it pale in comparison. But screw it - this was dark, monstrous fun!
Thing is, there are those books you read and you know they are good ...more
ETA: I just did my final, final read-through of this book, and I have to say, it was a messy road, and a long revision, but I am really freaking proud of the result.
ETA: IT HAS A COVER!!
Sin City PLUS Romeo and Juliet MINUS romance PLUS monsters.
This is the strangest book I've ever written. I love it.
It's the story of two teens in a broken world, where violent acts breed actual monsters. Some are shadows with teeth that feed on flesh and bone. Some are corpses that feed on blood. And some can ...more
ETA: IT HAS A COVER!!
Sin City PLUS Romeo and Juliet MINUS romance PLUS monsters.
This is the strangest book I've ever written. I love it.
It's the story of two teens in a broken world, where violent acts breed actual monsters. Some are shadows with teeth that feed on flesh and bone. Some are corpses that feed on blood. And some can ...more
*Full video review can be found here: https://youtu.be/v8lOwIbJZtU
I went into this knowing I would love it, but I'm leaving it loving it even more than I expected to. I'm constantly impressed by Schwab's ability to create such unique stories. The two main characters had such a fantastic dynamic & I loved seeing their interactions. The story itself left me wanting more & I'm sososo happy that we get another book with August & Kate.
(Also I really want August & Kate to meet up with Mackenzie & Wes ...more
I went into this knowing I would love it, but I'm leaving it loving it even more than I expected to. I'm constantly impressed by Schwab's ability to create such unique stories. The two main characters had such a fantastic dynamic & I loved seeing their interactions. The story itself left me wanting more & I'm sososo happy that we get another book with August & Kate.
(Also I really want August & Kate to meet up with Mackenzie & Wes ...more
For a book with such an epic setting, this one is quite generic. The setting is pretty awesome, I mean, imagine a post-apocalyptic world where monsters roam free.
“Corsai, Corsai, tooth and claw,Hell, one of our protagonists is a monster himself. But outside of the setting itself, I found this book emotionless and just...rather d ...more
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.”
Taking only 5 ⭐ out of Ilsa's so many and putting them here
Full review on my Blog: The Dacian She-Wolf 🐺
The synopsis of the book makes me feel like I am being held in a winery basement listening to a dark classical orchestra while in dystopian times and I am not complaining.
This Savage Song is the first book of Victoria Schwab’s duology, Monsters of Verity . Probably, I would’ve pick ...more
Full review on my Blog: The Dacian She-Wolf 🐺
"Plenty of humans are monstrous and plenty of monsters know how to play at being human."
The synopsis of the book makes me feel like I am being held in a winery basement listening to a dark classical orchestra while in dystopian times and I am not complaining.
This Savage Song is the first book of Victoria Schwab’s duology, Monsters of Verity . Probably, I would’ve pick ...more
I LOVED THIS BOOK. It was totally different from anything I've read before! The world was structured in a very unique way, and both main characters were so likable that reading this book was a pleasure. It was a story that captured me right from the start and held my attention all the way to the end. I went into this novel thinking it would be a clear cut romance, but was surprised to find that signs of it were virtually non-existant! If it develops into a love story in the future, I would be OV
...more
me @ Victoria ten pages into this, knowing that she’s about to ruin my life and I will enjoy it:
Okay, first of all, let mepretend to care about plot stuff. First of all, this book is so tense. The first half was a managable amount of stress, but during the second half, I was stressing the fuck out in a major way. And second of all, the world is brilliant. I genuinely found this so compelling and interesting - a world in which violence breeds monsters, and those monsters take on the personaliti
...more
Okay, first of all, let me
I KEEP TRYING.
I keep picking up V.E. Schwab books, and I just...I don’t get it.
I read A Darker Shade of Magic and thought it was meh, but I didn’t have any resounding issues with it and everyone said the sequel was excellent so I figured why not. And then I picked up A Gathering of Shadows and had one of the biggest “what the f*ck?” moments of my lifetime.
But we don’t need to get into that opinion again.
I TBRed A Conjuring of Light anyway. I even bought a copy. I added Vicious to my to-read list ...more
I keep picking up V.E. Schwab books, and I just...I don’t get it.
I read A Darker Shade of Magic and thought it was meh, but I didn’t have any resounding issues with it and everyone said the sequel was excellent so I figured why not. And then I picked up A Gathering of Shadows and had one of the biggest “what the f*ck?” moments of my lifetime.
But we don’t need to get into that opinion again.
I TBRed A Conjuring of Light anyway. I even bought a copy. I added Vicious to my to-read list ...more
These books were still good but I dropped my star ratings and unhauling the hardbacks. I might get them on kindle some day. I just don’t think I’m going to reread them again.
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
My July 2016 Owlcrate Box Book! Woot!
**MILD SPOILERS**
I totally loved this book! The idea of the different monsters were really cool. I'm not sure I understand all of it but this is what I understood about the monsters:
1. Malchai - Drink blood but are not vampires. Formed/Form from murders.
2. Corsai - Feed on fles ...more
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
My July 2016 Owlcrate Box Book! Woot!
**MILD SPOILERS**
I totally loved this book! The idea of the different monsters were really cool. I'm not sure I understand all of it but this is what I understood about the monsters:
1. Malchai - Drink blood but are not vampires. Formed/Form from murders.
2. Corsai - Feed on fles ...more
quick! someone alert the vatican because there has been a miracle - i read a book about monsters and i actually enjoyed it!?!
this was my first schwab experience and let me tell you what. i understand the hype, i really do. because the lady can W R I T E. the flow was effortless, the pacing was spot on, and her words were captivating. i just loved the writing style so much. she was able to take a subject that i had no interest in and made me invested in the story - further proof of her talent.
t ...more
this was my first schwab experience and let me tell you what. i understand the hype, i really do. because the lady can W R I T E. the flow was effortless, the pacing was spot on, and her words were captivating. i just loved the writing style so much. she was able to take a subject that i had no interest in and made me invested in the story - further proof of her talent.
t ...more
Man, I feel like I've really knocked it out of the park lately with some fantastic YA reads! I've been trying to balance out my reading schedule with fun reads, alongside ones for review on the blog, and I think this is helping repel the "burnout syndrome". I have no earthly idea why this has been sitting on my physical and digital shelves for so long; I kept meaning to pick it up, but then I would remember the sequel wasn't coming out until the twelfth of never, and other books were shiny or mo
...more
Oct 04, 2016
Hailey (Hailey in Bookland)
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
owned,
mystery-thriller-paranormal
4.5*
I really really enjoyed this! I loved the world, the characters, and basically just everything about it. I'll do a video review soon! ...more
I really really enjoyed this! I loved the world, the characters, and basically just everything about it. I'll do a video review soon! ...more
Actual Rating: 2.5 Stars
Ya know...
It pains me on a personal level to give a book with such a stunning cover such a low rating, but I cannot deny my problems with it no matter how much I love V.E. Schwab's book covers or her writing.
This book has such an intriguing premise.
Imagine this:
Monsters manifesting into existence as a result of sin. A city literally divided between two leaders, both with their own ideas about how to protect their citizens. Kate, desperately trying to prove her savagery an ...more
Ya know...
It pains me on a personal level to give a book with such a stunning cover such a low rating, but I cannot deny my problems with it no matter how much I love V.E. Schwab's book covers or her writing.
This book has such an intriguing premise.
Imagine this:
Monsters manifesting into existence as a result of sin. A city literally divided between two leaders, both with their own ideas about how to protect their citizens. Kate, desperately trying to prove her savagery an ...more
5 Stars
So, I totally wasn’t expecting to love this so much?? I’ve read Schwab’s A Darker Shade of Magic series, and then everything I’d seen suggested this wasn’t as good. But I enjoyed it so much more?? (Sacrilege! I know. I know.)
Something about this dark, egregious atmosphere clawed it’s way into my cold, dead heart. Taking place in an alternate US where the states reconstructed after Vietnam, the story had the potent ...more
“Monsters, monsters, big and small,
"They're gonna come and eat you all.
So, I totally wasn’t expecting to love this so much?? I’ve read Schwab’s A Darker Shade of Magic series, and then everything I’d seen suggested this wasn’t as good. But I enjoyed it so much more?? (Sacrilege! I know. I know.)
Something about this dark, egregious atmosphere clawed it’s way into my cold, dead heart. Taking place in an alternate US where the states reconstructed after Vietnam, the story had the potent ...more
"It was a cycle of whimpers and bangs, gruesome beginnings and bloody ends."
I've read The Archived and The Unbound. I've read Vicious and The Near Witch, I've read A Darker Shade of Magic and A Gathering of Shadows.
I've read every YA and Adult Fantasy novel Victoria Schwab has written, and compared to all of them, This Savage Song fell flat.
I love Victoria Schwab. Her writing is stunning, her stories unique, her characters intriguing. This Savage Song had all of this, but much less than her pr ...more
I've read The Archived and The Unbound. I've read Vicious and The Near Witch, I've read A Darker Shade of Magic and A Gathering of Shadows.
I've read every YA and Adult Fantasy novel Victoria Schwab has written, and compared to all of them, This Savage Song fell flat.
I love Victoria Schwab. Her writing is stunning, her stories unique, her characters intriguing. This Savage Song had all of this, but much less than her pr ...more
Excuse me while I go buy every Victoria Schwab book in existence.
"It began with a bang."
HOOOLY SHIIIIT. I'M NOT OKAY IN THE SLIGHTEST. V.E HAS DONE IT AGAIN, EVERYONE.
How am I supposed to put all these emotions into one tiny little review? It's just not possible.
There are too many good things to say about This Savage Song. The beautifully complex characters that are August and Kate, a storyline unlike anything I've read, and most of all: Victoria's writing. She creates a wonderful atmosphere, a story that just flows effortlessly, and VFHJSKL I ...more
HOOOLY SHIIIIT. I'M NOT OKAY IN THE SLIGHTEST. V.E HAS DONE IT AGAIN, EVERYONE.
How am I supposed to put all these emotions into one tiny little review? It's just not possible.
There are too many good things to say about This Savage Song. The beautifully complex characters that are August and Kate, a storyline unlike anything I've read, and most of all: Victoria's writing. She creates a wonderful atmosphere, a story that just flows effortlessly, and VFHJSKL I ...more
I freaking love the title of this book!
3.5 STARS
"I am Sunai.
I am holly fire.
And if i have to burn
the world to cleanse it,
so help me,
i will."
Just want to put it out there, my favorite character wasn't Kate, or August, IT WAS LEO! But i'm not going to talk about the plot or the characters. It's better if you find out yourself.
This was a decent read. As always, i enjoyed Victoria's writing, but something was missing. It just wasn't as epic as her other books. I still applaud you, Schwab, f ...more
3.5 STARS
"I am Sunai.
I am holly fire.
And if i have to burn
the world to cleanse it,
so help me,
i will."
Just want to put it out there, my favorite character wasn't Kate, or August, IT WAS LEO! But i'm not going to talk about the plot or the characters. It's better if you find out yourself.
This was a decent read. As always, i enjoyed Victoria's writing, but something was missing. It just wasn't as epic as her other books. I still applaud you, Schwab, f ...more
Although my Booktubeathon wasn't as successful as I had hoped, I'm still so glad I took part, and that I caused me to reread TSS. The first time I read it I kind of rushed through it, and this time I got to really take my time and enjoy it fully. I love Kate and August so much, and I love this dark and sinister world. Really excited to read Our Dark Duet very soon!
...more
“It doesn’t matter if you’re monster or human. Living hurts.”
Thoroughly enjoyed this one!
In this dystopian version of the United States monsters wreak havoc during the night, and no one is safe. 3 types of monster exist – Malachi, Corsai and Sunai, each are caused by an act of violence from one human to another. Corsai from random acts of violence, Malachi from murder and Sunai from the worst of acts – such as terrorism or mass murder.
August is one such Sunai. Born at age 12, he lives with Hen ...more
Thoroughly enjoyed this one!
In this dystopian version of the United States monsters wreak havoc during the night, and no one is safe. 3 types of monster exist – Malachi, Corsai and Sunai, each are caused by an act of violence from one human to another. Corsai from random acts of violence, Malachi from murder and Sunai from the worst of acts – such as terrorism or mass murder.
August is one such Sunai. Born at age 12, he lives with Hen ...more
[4.5] REREAD! HOW DID I FORGET THAT ENDING?! MY MEMORY IS THE SHITTEST, I SWEAR!
Straight onto Our Dark Duet, though my soul is in agony! August better be getting that redemption he deserves. If Schwab pulls a Holland on him, I'm gonna lose my mind. Hate-mail is what I'll be writing...
Initial review:
[4.5] That ending!! I. Need. More!!!
As per usual, I always have the best time reading one of V.E. Schwab's books. This is the fourth book I've read by her and it did not disappoint. She constantly ...more
Straight onto Our Dark Duet, though my soul is in agony! August better be getting that redemption he deserves. If Schwab pulls a Holland on him, I'm gonna lose my mind. Hate-mail is what I'll be writing...
Initial review:
[4.5] That ending!! I. Need. More!!!
As per usual, I always have the best time reading one of V.E. Schwab's books. This is the fourth book I've read by her and it did not disappoint. She constantly ...more
Taking place in a reconstituted America, war-torn and mired with monsters, the story focuses on Kate and August whose backgrounds define them, whether for good or bad. Kate wants to be a monster like her father and August longs to be a human like his father. The world building is captivating with political contrivances and complicated characters and various magic elements were intricately incorporated in the story.
3.75/5
3.75/5
I'm between 4.5 and 5 stars, but heck, I'll round up!
So when I finished devouring this book last night before I went to bed, I tried to think of the best way to sum up my feelings. Sometimes when I'm at a loss for words I turn to those more articulate than I am, so:
Ah, thanks, Oprah!
It is a time in the (hopefully very) distant future. At one point, monsters tried to take control of a city. It led to massive destruction, but ultimately a truce was reached which divided the city. One h ...more
So when I finished devouring this book last night before I went to bed, I tried to think of the best way to sum up my feelings. Sometimes when I'm at a loss for words I turn to those more articulate than I am, so:
Ah, thanks, Oprah!
It is a time in the (hopefully very) distant future. At one point, monsters tried to take control of a city. It led to massive destruction, but ultimately a truce was reached which divided the city. One h ...more
2.5 stars.
this savage song is a book i was really excited to start because of all the hype surrounding it. it was apparently badass and had a cool idea of monsters, humans and evil. what i got was?? much less terrifying and made me laugh out loud because what the fuck, these whiny monsters were supposed to be scary??? it's like that ghost gif where you're waiting for that creepy jump scare but what you get is a guy with a white sheet on him, going around saying "booo."
here are some pros:
-i loved ...more
this savage song is a book i was really excited to start because of all the hype surrounding it. it was apparently badass and had a cool idea of monsters, humans and evil. what i got was?? much less terrifying and made me laugh out loud because what the fuck, these whiny monsters were supposed to be scary??? it's like that ghost gif where you're waiting for that creepy jump scare but what you get is a guy with a white sheet on him, going around saying "booo."
here are some pros:
-i loved ...more
Jan 03, 2021
Tina ➹ the girl who lives in Fandoms
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
i-recommend,
most-anticipated,
2021,
fav-hero,
golden-stars,
wow-end,
want-this-edition,
cover,
review-pride,
favorite
4.75 Golden Stars
it's such a good feeling that the 1st book of the year gonna be the first 5-star too!
Updated:
also
1st the best book of 2021!
it was one of my long-lasted most anticipated books! & I was afraid that my expectations might disappoint me.
it DID NOT!
YES!
& I'm so thrilled & happy that I loved it!
I read anything Schwab writes! I love her style & her works!
"Monsters, monsters, big and small,
They're gonna come and eat you all!"
(yay! cheerful!)
I didn't expect it to like it this much, but se ...more
it's such a good feeling that the 1st book of the year gonna be the first 5-star too!
Updated:
also
1st the best book of 2021!
it was one of my long-lasted most anticipated books! & I was afraid that my expectations might disappoint me.
it DID NOT!
YES!
& I'm so thrilled & happy that I loved it!
I read anything Schwab writes! I love her style & her works!
"Monsters, monsters, big and small,
They're gonna come and eat you all!"
(yay! cheerful!)
I didn't expect it to like it this much, but se ...more
"And you?" asked Kate. "Your brother is righteous, your sister is scattered. What does that make you?"
When August answered, the word was small, almost too quiet to hear. "Lost."
This is the fourth of Schwab's books that I read, and I think I finally realized this very incontrovertible truth about the universe, which I believe I summed up adequately enough in the following statement: It's Schwab's, it's good.
•First and foremost, as always, the writing. This marvellous, marvellous thing that is Vic ...more
When August answered, the word was small, almost too quiet to hear. "Lost."
This is the fourth of Schwab's books that I read, and I think I finally realized this very incontrovertible truth about the universe, which I believe I summed up adequately enough in the following statement: It's Schwab's, it's good.
•First and foremost, as always, the writing. This marvellous, marvellous thing that is Vic ...more
Here is my Spotify Book Playlist!
~ Rating- 5 stars ~
Content/ Trigger Warnings- Arson, Gore, Death of a parent, Suicide & Attempted Suicide, Murder, Violence, Attempted murder, Blood, Mass shooti ...more
“It hurts,” he whispered.
“What does?” asked Kate.
“Being. Not being. Giving in. Holding out. No matter what I do, it hurts.” Kate tipped her head back against the tub. “That’s life, August,” she said. “You wanted to feel alive, right? It doesn’t matter if you’re monster or human. Living hurts.”
~ Rating- 5 stars ~
Content/ Trigger Warnings- Arson, Gore, Death of a parent, Suicide & Attempted Suicide, Murder, Violence, Attempted murder, Blood, Mass shooti ...more
Buddy-read with the ever amazing Hufflepuff, Chelsea (click to read her review)
3.5/4 stars. So. This Savage Song. Rarely a novel created so many divergent reactions in my feed. If the fact that opinions differ doesn't strike me as unusual - suffice it to take a look at most romance novels' pages to see radically different ratings - it still contributed to my confusion before reading because mixing most of them would lead to a hell of an oxymoron.
The world-building is fantastic and original, but ...more
Very good book!
Not my favourite Schwab novel but one of the tops!
Loved the writing style and characters. Victoria really knows how to weave amazing and deep characters!
Not my favourite Schwab novel but one of the tops!
Loved the writing style and characters. Victoria really knows how to weave amazing and deep characters!
one of my new favourite books of all time and I want to cry just thinking about it.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A World Within: This Savage Song | 2 | 2 | Feb 03, 2022 06:28AM | |
| The booked reader...: Donachy and Maya; This savage song | 45 | 26 | Oct 02, 2021 09:50AM | |
| Ranters and Revie...: September 2021 Series BOTM: This Savage Song | 1 | 13 | Aug 18, 2021 05:06AM | |
| YA Buddy Readers'...: This Savage Song (Monsters of Verity #1) by Victoria Schwab - GBR - Starting February 1st 2021 | 7 | 168 | Feb 22, 2021 06:26AM | |
| YA Buddy Readers'...: This Savage Song (Monsters of Verity #1) by Victoria Schwab - Restarting 1th January 2021 | 304 | 470 | Jan 06, 2021 06:50PM | |
| Savage Grow Plus - Supplements Online Store | 1 | 1 | Jan 04, 2021 03:47AM | |
The Procrastinato...:
This Savage Song (November 2020) Buddy Read Discussion ~ Alex, Allyson, Michelle
|
11 | 13 | Nov 17, 2020 06:51AM |
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Victoria is the product of a British mother, a Beverly Hills father, and a southern upbringing. Because of this, she has been known to say "tom-ah-toes," "like," and "y'all."
She also tells stories.
She loves fairy tales, and folklore, and stories that make her wonder if the world is really as it seems.
...more
She also tells stories.
She loves fairy tales, and folklore, and stories that make her wonder if the world is really as it seems.
...more
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Monsters of Verity
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