(Monsters of Verity Book #1, By: Victoria Schwab)

SUMMARY:

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.

By: Victoria Schwab | Published July 2016 by Greenwillow Books

REVIEW:

I gave this book 4.5 stars. This book gripped my attention instantly. It is extremely easy to read, and I felt myself relating to and connecting with both of the main characters from the very beginning. The world is creative and the conflict is tangible throughout the entirety of the story. 

The story is told with alternating POVs between the two main characters, Kate and August. They are on opposing sides, with each of their parents ruling a separate side of the city of Verity, but I found myself rooting for both them equally, making the conflict that much more emotional.  

The characters themselves are layered and beautifully created. I enjoyed that both Kate and August were going through similar wars within themselves of discovering who they are and what they want to be, despite their vastly different upbringings. The relationship between the two is written perfectly, with steady tension and friendship building in a place where it doesn't necessarily belong. 

The writing is skilled and memorizing without being too wordy or too full of metaphors. Although the book is set in a different world, the author writes from a place of basic human understanding, weaving in emotions and internal dialog that is not only relatable but insightful.

The plot is well paced and full of high stake conflict, which kept me interested and burning through the pages. The plot concludes with much left open ended, leaving the reader aching for the sequel Our Dark Duet. 

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