Scan barcode
A review by lizziehutchings
This Savage Song by V.E. Schwab
5.0
~~edit 01/19/22~~
“The beautiful thing about books was that anyone could open them.”
Kate, who fears weakness. August, who fears strength.
This was not written to be read with flippancy. It really challenges morality and makes its readers think about life through a dark tale filled with monsters, humans, and everything in between. It is pure genius.
--edit 04/05/21--
Has there ever been a more lovely dystopian tale? I think not.
“It hurts,” he whispered.
“What does?” asked Kate.
“Being. Not being. Giving in. Holding out. No matter what I do, it hurts.”
“That’s life, August,” she said. “You wanted to feel alive, right? It doesn’t matter if you’re monster or human. Living hurts.”
I just love reading Queen Victoria Schwab's books. There is nothing more to it, they are all masterpieces. From the concepts, the delivery, plot, subplots, characters, themes, writing, and LITERALLY EVERYTHING ABOUT THEM. This book is just so fast-paced and fun, and 90% trope-free. Read below for a more analytical perspective about the book that I wrote after the first time, but this was just as enjoyable the second time through.
Have a wonderful afternoon :-).
--original 08/26/20--
I would like to reiterate the words said in my sister's review of the book: "This was one of the easiest five stars that I have ever given." -Whitney Hutchings
That being said, this book lived up to the crazy high expectations that were set up for me. I fell in love with both the characters and the plot, and here's why:
a) Both of the main characters had equally interesting stories and life experiences but in completely different ways. August had no desire for the power that he had, and Kate had an essentially very different kind of power that she, at least towards the beginning, wanted more of. August wanted peace and normalcy. Kate wanted to feel loved and successful. They both were forced into the situation with different motives and had to make do.
b) The. Characters'. Relationship. Though. I am not implying a romantic relationship, but rather, simply the way they interacted with each other. They were hilarious--first of all. And secondly, they were forced to be with one another as they run for safety, which as a result, caused them to build trust with one another. They were only with each other on this journey that lasted like--what--two days? And yet the audience of this delightful book witness the growth of these characters' bond with one another. Kate even says herself near the end that "she was out of secrets" (352) to tell him. The characters' bond growth was obviously my favorite part of the book.
c) But wait, there's still more. I probably lost most of you after the first paragraph, whatever. At this point, this review is purely for my enjoyment. The plot. Oh man, if the characters weren't enough, V.E. Schwab continues to amaze me with how shocked I was with each twist and turn of the plot. While my love of this book resides with the characters, the plot was still round-of-applause-able.
Anyways. This book is worth every word. And if you haven't read it yet, then I suggest that you do. No regrets. Have a wonderful evening
“The beautiful thing about books was that anyone could open them.”
Kate, who fears weakness. August, who fears strength.
This was not written to be read with flippancy. It really challenges morality and makes its readers think about life through a dark tale filled with monsters, humans, and everything in between. It is pure genius.
--edit 04/05/21--
Has there ever been a more lovely dystopian tale? I think not.
“It hurts,” he whispered.
“What does?” asked Kate.
“Being. Not being. Giving in. Holding out. No matter what I do, it hurts.”
“That’s life, August,” she said. “You wanted to feel alive, right? It doesn’t matter if you’re monster or human. Living hurts.”
I just love reading Queen Victoria Schwab's books. There is nothing more to it, they are all masterpieces. From the concepts, the delivery, plot, subplots, characters, themes, writing, and LITERALLY EVERYTHING ABOUT THEM. This book is just so fast-paced and fun, and 90% trope-free. Read below for a more analytical perspective about the book that I wrote after the first time, but this was just as enjoyable the second time through.
Have a wonderful afternoon :-).
--original 08/26/20--
I would like to reiterate the words said in my sister's review of the book: "This was one of the easiest five stars that I have ever given." -Whitney Hutchings
That being said, this book lived up to the crazy high expectations that were set up for me. I fell in love with both the characters and the plot, and here's why:
a) Both of the main characters had equally interesting stories and life experiences but in completely different ways. August had no desire for the power that he had, and Kate had an essentially very different kind of power that she, at least towards the beginning, wanted more of. August wanted peace and normalcy. Kate wanted to feel loved and successful. They both were forced into the situation with different motives and had to make do.
b) The. Characters'. Relationship. Though. I am not implying a romantic relationship, but rather, simply the way they interacted with each other. They were hilarious--first of all. And secondly, they were forced to be with one another as they run for safety, which as a result, caused them to build trust with one another. They were only with each other on this journey that lasted like--what--two days? And yet the audience of this delightful book witness the growth of these characters' bond with one another. Kate even says herself near the end that "she was out of secrets" (352) to tell him. The characters' bond growth was obviously my favorite part of the book.
c) But wait, there's still more. I probably lost most of you after the first paragraph, whatever. At this point, this review is purely for my enjoyment. The plot. Oh man, if the characters weren't enough, V.E. Schwab continues to amaze me with how shocked I was with each twist and turn of the plot. While my love of this book resides with the characters, the plot was still round-of-applause-able.
Anyways. This book is worth every word. And if you haven't read it yet, then I suggest that you do. No regrets. Have a wonderful evening