How would you like to read a Romeo & Juliet story, set in a dark dystopian city divided by war, where violent acts breed actual monsters and there is NO ROMANCE whatsoever?
I’m guessing at this point you’re either thinking,
“WTF?! Nope.”
Or
“This sounds amazing – I must read it now.”
Or maybe you feel like Paul Rudd...
Really Confused...
I know, I know – it is a tough concept to swallow. However, stick with me for a second everyone; I am going to explain why you might actually like this book.
This book sounds at the very least, incredibly intriguing if not downright badass. The concept is something that is both familiar (is there anyone out there who does not know Romeo & Juliet?) and completely new and relevant. The two main characters come from opposite sides of a city divided by violence and crime; Kate is the only daughter of Verity’s infamous crime boss, who uses his monsters to ensure he maintains control of his half of the city, August is a monster, born out of tragic violence, who wants nothing more than to be human.
A human with a desire to control and frighten others into submission, and an actual Monster who wants peace but has the capability to cause mass murder. Who sounds more monstrous?
Victoria Schwab creates a dark, gritty urban landscape where monsters, both human and supernatural, lurk in the shadows. She is a superb writer – there is no arguing that the writing is brilliant while being easy to read. This is why I read her books; Schwab is an incredible storyteller with an innate ability to create a multifaceted world with complex, multidimensional characters and relationships. The lack of romance in this book is on point – if a romantic relationship had developed between Kate and August, it would not have worked for development of the story or the characters. So, if you are looking for a lusty, “instalove” relationship to drive a storyline, please look elsewhere as you will not find it here. This is a fast paced YA Urban fantasy with interesting characters and allusions to relevant social issues. It really is so well done.
That said – plot was lacking for me. I absolutely love the concept and character development in this book but am still unsure of where the plot is going with this. Plot development is slow throughout this book and as a reader, I have so many questions that I hope are answered in the sequel. I do not think that this will deter readers, however, because while plot is thin, there is plenty of action to get the reader through the book without being bored. Moreover, the cliffhanger at the end is perfect, leaving the reader in anticipation of the sequel.
At the end of the day, this is not my favorite Victoria Schwab book, BUT it is worth reading if you enjoy YA Fantasy that is original, well written and easy to read.
Buy This Savage Song
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