and it’s about things I’ve wanted to explore but haven’t had the window to do it.” It’s a merger of what I’ve been writing for several years as an adult author and a YA author. “All of my work has a speculative thread, and all of my work has me,” explains Schwab. Some of her works have comic-book roots, while others draw upon magic, science-fiction or fantasy tropes.

Schwab, has 11 books and counting to her credit-adult, YA and middle grade novels rife with dark settings, sinister storylines and supernatural goings-on. With an author fandom, I’ve been given more and more creative freedom to be as different and daring as I want, and my readers have been staying with me.” “If you have a book or series fandom, you get pressure to stay in your lane and do what works. “I’ve been really careful to develop an author fandom,” says Schwab during a call to her home in Nashville. Unexpected monsters haunt the latest young adult novel from Victoria Schwab, who considers This Savage Song “the strangest, darkest book I’ve ever written.” The freedom to explore this creepy new territory comes from her-and her publisher’s-trust in her readership.

Or ourselves.įind This Savage Song on Goodreads, Amazon, Indiebound, & The Book Depository.'What about humans makes them so monstrous to each other and the world around them?” It’s a story that asks us whether we are hiding parts of our true nature from the people around us. Overall, I’m still very intrigued by Our Dark Duet, especially considering the ending. Like decisions made that had a lot of weight, and I wish we had a bit of space to delve into their minds and choices. At the same time, towards the ending I wish there had been a little more space in the story devoted to the character introspection. I was pretty convinced to keep reading, I just felt like it took a while to get started. But while I enjoyed these elements, I felt that the lead up action was introduced pretty slowly (although that might be a specific feature of Schwab’s work). At the same time, August is trying desperately to fight the pull of what he was, to try to not let the shadows and expectations consume him. How desperately she wants the approval of her father and how relatable that was. In terms of characters, I loved how dedicated, clever, and reckless seeming Kate was. I am a huge fan of themes that present themselves as questions like what defines monstrosity? In a world where we think monsters can be identified, protected against, what happens when there are monsters in plain sight? When the ones who wear medals of protection are hiding violent streaks, manipulative lies, and under the cover of darkness. With the addition of August’s violin magic, and the entire Sunai world building. Our darkest actions manifesting in shadows with teeth. So the thing I enjoyed the most about This Savage Song was the concept behind the story.

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab