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tuckeralmengor's review against another edition
3.0
shelbyheartonmysleeve's review against another edition
4.0
This was a dark read, one I did not quite expect from Schwab. Not because I don't expect her to be able to write dark--have you read her other series? More because it is so different from ADSOM. I had a general synopsis of this going in from my gf but I didnt expect such a dystopian setting, which is not really my thing anymore. But honestly, you grow so interested in the characters themselves that the setting doesn't matter so much. August is so sweet. Kate you wanna fight for too as she goes through all her inner and outer battles. Leo is a true monster. Isla is endearing. Sloan makes my skin crawl and infuriates me to my core. I can't wait to see what happens in book 2...
rubywhatashmoo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
4.75
mlkbn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
dizzyupthegirl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
robotnik's review against another edition
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Unpopular opinion probably ahead, I guess.
I don't know how to word this best other than I find the actual writing good and the world building is interesting but the plot and the characters hold zero interest to me. I just didn't vibe with neither August nor Kate and didn't care for their story. I honestly found them both boring and generic. August is probably the better one though, as Kate is just a typical non-typical YA protagonist fighting against the archetype norms and it's just tired on her. It took about 100 pages before the story got remotely interesting to me and even then it dragged on in so many places.
I can acknowledge that Victoria Schwab is a great writer and that I can see why other people really enjoy it, but it just wasn't for me.
I don't know how to word this best other than I find the actual writing good and the world building is interesting but the plot and the characters hold zero interest to me. I just didn't vibe with neither August nor Kate and didn't care for their story. I honestly found them both boring and generic. August is probably the better one though, as Kate is just a typical non-typical YA protagonist fighting against the archetype norms and it's just tired on her. It took about 100 pages before the story got remotely interesting to me and even then it dragged on in so many places.
I can acknowledge that Victoria Schwab is a great writer and that I can see why other people really enjoy it, but it just wasn't for me.
hhamlet's review against another edition
3.0
There are consequences for darkness in humanity. There are repercussions for violence that cannot always be seen outwardly, but take form in obscure ways. This Savage Song touches on this in an entirely unique and innovative manner. I'll admit, I was more skeptical than I cared to admit going into this book. The part of me that's always been intrigued by Victoria Schwab's numerous popular books and was interested in all the hype surrounding this series was ecstatic about finally cracking the book open. The part of me that wasn't sure how I was going to feel about a book so reliant on music as a weapon or the plot in general had seeded its doubts deep within me. And while I can say This Savage Song is a book that's definitely an acquired taste, I have to admit that I enjoyed the ride thoroughly.
In every way, This Savage Song's original concept for the birth and origin of monsters is a necessary element to her story. In this day and age, books illustrating how humanity is the real monster - how monsters are meant to represent the social turbulence or unrest of a corresponding author's era - has become a bit of a predictable cliche. And while This Savage Song definitely falls prey to those stereotypes, its execution is brilliant and unique enough to bring something fresh to the narrative.
This Savage Song addresses two characters from opposite sides of a war-torn community. Kate Harker, the human daughter of a man I can only think to describe as the Ultimate Mob Boss, wants to prove to her father that she's as ruthless and commanding a leader as he is. August Flynn, a monster with the ability to steal a soul through the power of music, is a monster who desperately wishes he was human. They are different in every conceivable way, and the significance of their contrasting situations and personalities make them direct foils of one another. August and Kate balance one another out in very jagged, yet efficient, ways. They don't seem like they would work together, and yet they do. They fit with each other because they try so desperately to blend in with crowds that don't work for them. Kate is a fuse ready spark and ignite at any given moment; August is a natural disaster, building slowly, carefully, steadily up until the brink of explosion. Their narratives weave together to form an action-packed, thought-provoking story about love, loss, betrayal, and the consequences that come from humanity's demons.
By now, there's a pretty clear view as to why I enjoyed this book. However, with that being said, there are a few points of disagreement with the vast majority of This Savage Song fans I've seen flooding Goodreads, Tumblr, YouTube, and other social networking sites.
i. Primarily, I disagree with this notion I saw literally everywhere on booktube: that this is a book with "no romance! None at all!" It's possible this is just a personal opinion and interpretation of the book, but I can honestly say that, if I hadn't read and heard so many people declare this was a book without a ship featuring the main characters, I wouldn't believe it. There were definitely a few moments in the book that left a lingering, tense "What if?" question ringing in my ears between August and Kate. Again, I'm not saying I directly disagree with the people who claim there's no romance, because outwardly, there isn't. I just personally feel that there was a hint of a (potential) ship at play here, and I genuinely wouldn't be surprised if Schwab decided to go for it in book two.
ii. I don't think this is the greatest thing to be introduced to the YA genre. Again, I thoroughly enjoyed it, but it was nowhere near a 5 star read for me. As much as I try to avoid the hype and buzz of super pumped up books, it was nearly impossible with this one. In that sense, it was a bit disappointing for me.