Author: Victoria Schwab
Genre: Fantasy; Young Adult; Dystopian
Rating: 8.5/10
Wow, what a great read. I’m also just completely smitten with the gorgeous cover and the perfect, befitting title!
The story follows the heirs of Verity–a divided city. All Kate wants is to be as ruthless as her father, recognised by her father, the very man who lets the monsters roam free in the city and makes humans pay for protection. All August wants is to be humane, be human, and help protect innocents from the terror of monsters, just like his father. There’s only one problem; he’s a monster himself. And when they meet, they have to make a tough choice; to be foes or friends.
I really loved this story. Not only was the concept of the book fantastic, V.E. Schwab’s world building was also completely seamless. She introduced the setting in a way which was both comprehensive and immersive, never letting it get info-dumpy or dry. I also have to commend how intricate the plot was. Every change of scene and plot twist felt deliberate and meaningful to the bigger picture.
It doesn't matter if you're monster or human. Living hurts.
I think the characters are very distinct, with clear motivations, goals and fears. They are well developed and realistic, and their unique voices really captivate the reader. The relationship between August and Kate also developed very organically. I really loved how V.E. Schwab made a male and female lead get together in a relationship which was platonic. The lack of romance in the story does have its own drawbacks—the lack of angst may turn romance lovers away from the story—but I feel that these sorts of relationships are very interesting to read about.
I'd rather be able to see the truth than live a lie.
It's also incredibly noteworthy that V.E. Schwab’s writing is such a pleasure to read. The sentences themselves are so thoughtfully crafted, and seem almost lyrical at times. Not a single word feels out of place, and the sentences create an atmosphere that just suits each scene. I am absolutely in love with her writing! I’m definitely adding more of her books into my TBR!
The way the book ended is also quite gratifying. While there were no terribly heart-stopping cliff hangers, it is also very apparent that the story has potential to continue in many interesting ways. I am super excited to continue reading the second book in this duology. I definitely need more August and Kate!
Reviewed by: S.R. Scribbles (1st reading)
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