This Savage Song

Book: This Savage Song
Series: Monsters of Verity #1
Author: Victoria Schwab


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.-Goodreads

Revew: It's the future and the world as we know it no longer exists. Monsters roam free and people can be heard singing: 

“Corsai, Corsai, tooth and claw,
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.”

The city of Verity has been divided in two. Harker controls one section with an iron fist. People pay for safety and monsters roam free. His daughter Kate has been jumping from boarding school to boarding school for years and is finally back home, dedicated to proving herself to her father. The other half is ruled by Flynn, who has 3 Sunai adopted 'children' that help him hunt the monsters. August, one of Flynn's children, is assigned to go to boarding school with Kate and keep an eye on her. 

I love Schwab's writing and world building. I love that there was no teen romance going on here. But unfortunately, I didn't love either of the main characters. I had no emotional attachment to either of them and never felt like August really had a 'sibling' relationship with the other Sunai. Kate has potential but I didn't warm to her. 

Overall-not my favorite book but I'll definitely continue with the series. Schwab is a talented writer and I'm hoping the next book is much better. 
Grade: 2.5/5