Reading: This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab

Why are there so many shadows in the world, Kate? Shouldn't there be just as much light?" - Victoria Schwab, This Savage Song

Title: This Savage Song

Author: Victoria (VE) Schwab

Published: 2016

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Rating: 4 Stars (Really liked it!)

Humans can be monsters, but can monsters be human??

This Savage Song is based on the premise that every action has a consequence. Each violent act a human perpetrates creates a scar, but in this world those scars take the form of montsters. Three species of monster to be specific. First there are the Corsai, amorphic shadows dwellers created through wanton acts of violence. Then there are the Malchai, vampiric creatures that result from murder. Finally, there are the Sunai, rare monsters created through cataclysmic tragedies.

Kate and August live in a post-post-dystopian North America. One in which the US collapsed, new provinces named for ideal human traits were created, and then those began to break down due to the appearance of the fearsome monsters that appeared 12 years ago. Kate and August are on opposite sides of a political and moral battle being waged in V-City. One is a monster, one is not, and yet their morality is in question throughout. Whose side will you come out on?

I really liked this book. It took me a little bit to get into, but that was likely due to my own state of mind rather than the writing. When I really sat down to read it, I devoured it in a day. The overall concept of the book was really unique to me. I'd never read something that so perfectly captures cause-effect and human morality (hence the lengthy synopsis above).

The action/adventure of the book was great because once it started you did NOT get a break. I was pulled along throughout just wondering when I'd get a chance to go to the bathroom! Some of the characters fell flat, but I think that was intentional. The book was exploring the themes of good vs. evil, so I think it needed a few totally-good and totally-bad characters to even out the characters that were somewhere in between.

4 Stars.

#review #nerd #book #fantasy #youngadult