Between the Pages discussion

This discussion is for everyone who has completed This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab.

If you have not finished This Savage Song you will be spoiled.

Some of the starting topics you might want to discuss are:
*star rating
*characters
*plot
*writing style
*overall enjoyment

Try to keep the discussion flowing by asking a question at the end of your thoughts.
My questions for the next reader is: "If there was one thing (scene, character, ending, etc.) in This Savage Song that you could change, what would it be and why?

This book was exactly what I needed to get out of my reading slump. After I started it, I couldn't put it down and I finished the whole thing it 2 days (it helped that it was only 300 pages long, but still). Loved the writing, the descriptions, the slow world building and getting to know the characters in the beginning, and then all the action and stuff happening after that I could barely catch my breath and finally the book dwindling down to the Eulegy and ending with a bang like an actual melody. Also, it was very clever to divide the book in verses, like a song, and to use the black tallies for the chapters. It was a full 5 stars for me.

I don't think there's anything I would change in the book, maybe add a little bit more romance to the bathroom scene.

Was there any character you wish you knew more about or that was not fully explored in the book? Mine was definitely Ilsa, and maybe a little bit more of Leo. I couldn't fully understand his motivations, I wish it was more clear - IDK, if we got to know more about his backstory after he was born, events that led him to think like he did or if he was always like that, if when he fell the last time something happened and he became full dark or something.

I really enjoyed this book, and can't wait until the next one! The writing and descriptions were great, the world building was steady and the plot was really well done. It got to the point where I was reading this book during my lunch break at work and I didn't want to stop. I super enjoyed myself reading this!
The book also wrapped up super nicely which I haven't experienced in a long time.

It's a 4.5 stars for me, as I wanted to know more about the other characters such as Isla and Leo. Hopefully there will be a second book that explores Isla's character, that would be great!!

Natália wrote: "This book was exactly what I needed to get out of my reading slump. After I started it, I couldn't put it down and I finished the whole thing it 2 days (it helped that it was only 300 pages long, b..."

Yeah I agree, I really wanted to know more about Isla and Leo!

It seems to be a shared feeling that we want more exploration of Ilsa! I think it will come in book two, along with more explanation of August and a deeper understanding of the Sunai in general.

What did you all make of Kate heading to Prosperity in the end? I was a little thrown by the reminder that there are whole other cities outside of Verity, with their own politics and agendas. Like, wait a minute, the only Sunai are the ones we know...right?

Also—did I understand correctly that the Sunai are created by mass murders, and are created the age of the victims? This would make sense with August, as he was "born" as a 12 year old, and I believe the vague details we were given of the act that created him were that they were all younger children. Their marks are certainly tied to the acts - Leo has crosses, August has the tallies resembling body bags, Ilsa has stars (which of course circles back to I WANT MORE ABOUT ILSA!).

Does that theory work with Leo and Ilsa as well? If not...does anyone have a different understanding of their creation?

I rated 4 stars—check out my full review here if you want!

** 5 stars **

Like all of her writing, I was engrossed in this story. For some reason, verse 1 was hard to get through. But verses 2-4 I read in 12 hours lol. Definitely excited to read the next book!
August was such a wonderfully complex character. His struggle between the monster he is and the human he wants to be is heartbreaking. I liked him pretty much fom the beginning.
Kate on the otherhand, was not an easy person to have sympathy for at the start. But as time went on, and more of her story was revealed, we learned of the other Kate. The Kate that she was and could no longer be.
Leo bugged me from the beginning, and when he showed August the other way to reap souls, I got a very bad feeling. Schwab is a master at foreshadowing.
The book left me really curious about Isla and sad about the loss of her voice. I'm anticipating some more back story on her (and Leo) in the sequel.
Lastly, the monsters themselves are amazing. Wow, does she know how to write a nightmare or what? In the next book, I hope she gives an origin story on them as well. It's like a vampire and a demon had a baby and it's fantastic.

Whoops! Forgot to write a question:
Which of the monsters is the scariest to you?

(4.5 stars) Rated 5 because the story was amazing, although it had a slow and somewhat confusing start.

I enjoyed this book, and it is not one I would not have quickly picked up on my own. Thanks for introducing me to it.

August is my favorite character, and I gathered that he came into being as the result of a suicide. Was a mass/forced suicide mentioned early on? I don't remember.

The author is a good writer, the writing flowed well, and it was easy to digest. I always notice repetitive words in writing, and she used "hiss" a lot. All writers have words like that.

I was surprised the four verses were not listed at the front of the book like chapter titles to draw readers in. They were clever titles.

Ilsa was intriguing, and Leo made me uncomfortable from the beginning. All the monsters except August were so scary, I recommended this novel to my friends who write monster stories.

Well I have nothing else to add when it comes to praise for this book. It's my first Schwab and I loved it! I'm really excited to delve into her other books. As for Ilsa and Leo, I would definitely like to learn more about them. So it'll be interesting to see what direction Schwab decides to go in the trilogy?.....series? Honestly because of the characters she could probably take this in many different directions, although I'm not done with August and Kate yet. I want to know the rest of their story. :)

So will there be an October read? :)

Josen wrote: "Well I have nothing else to add when it comes to praise for this book. It's my first Schwab and I loved it! I'm really excited to delve into her other books. As for Ilsa and Leo, I would definitely..."

The new poll is up, check it out! :D

Oh my gods. I don't regret this at all. I can't even think straight right now except to say that August and Kate's relationship and character growths are supremely satisfying.

Kate working to win Harker's approval and respect and August trying to assert the fact of his existence and will (I think, yeah?), so unsure of himself. None of them wanting a war.

Flash forward to the end, Kate's her own woman shedding her father like an old skin and August finally accepting his nature yet not letting himself be defined by it, so grown up ... and so sad, but stronger. I'm proud of them both. Also, as much as I loathe Leo with his zeal and righteousness he was a stimulating character.

The writing is clean cut and engrossing, the flow was almost flawless and really poetic. The idea of violence breeding literal monsters is refreshing and clever, like a metaphor brought to life, how the darkest sins we commit leaves a mark on us and indelibly the world around us.

Plot-wise, I saw none of it coming and that just blew me. The next books are open to basically anything at all and it's kind of exhilarating! I cannot find any fault at this time.

Five freaking stars, man!