[edit: why does the new version of this book look like zuko playing the violin]

"Yeah. I mean, most people want to escape. Get out of their heads. Out of their lives. Stories are the easiest way to do that."

waahh. goodbye book slump.


-- SUPER SLIGHT SPOILERS --


Victoria Schwab did not let me down.

This book is so original and unique (practically all her books are), but it's one of those books that hile you are reading it you realize "why hasn't anyone else thought of a story like this one".


Why 4 stars:
As amazing as the characters and the story were, I found myself needing more of a plot and more variety in characters and world building. I have always been a fan of complicated characters and plots when it comes to fantasy books and I guess that was the only thing I was looking for.

Aside from this, almost everything about this book blew me because I had no idea what was going to happen next and everything just kept me on my toes the whole time I was reading. It was fun let me tell you. From the plot, to the characters, the world itself, it was good.


Characters:
"I read somewhere, that people are made of stardust."
AUGUST FLYNN MY BABY and KATE!! THAT BAD ASS LITTLE GIRL. I loved the chemistry between these two. There was barely anything that said implied that they viewed each other romantically which I LOVE LOVE LOVED so much. I just wish some characters were explained more. There wasn't much of a character development but more of a character revealing I guess. The characters were explained much more towards the end but I still found that pretty lacking, but I am expecting this problem to be solved by the second book.

We are always used to those heroes saving the day and good people being the center and main characters, but everything is so subtle here that you don't even realize that you are learning to love all of these "evil" characters. I mean, our two main characters here are not exactly good people in nature.. I guess (readers you know what I mean). My point is, they are not usual heroes, and I think that was a very important aspect that I see in books.


Plot:
I actually wanted more substance in the story and more characters to be introduced and explained which was not really done here. Though, everything is so unique that it kind of makes up for it. The other weak thing here is how the world seems so compressed in the city of Verity and not any of the other territories. Although, again, everything is PRETTY UNIQUE that you probably won't care about anything else. Trust me, you aren't going to be getting your usual cliche story here, anywhere, throughout the book.


Theme:
The whole theme of this book was UH-MAI-ZING. I never thought I needed a story like this until I was reading it. All these monsters, but not monsters, in a world of humans. Some of them are losing their lives because of it while others are being their ignorant selves.

This also isn't exactly a happy book. It's quite sad if you ask me. Which I think is what adds to the originality and the uniqueness of it all.


Music Incorporation:
"the staccato of the gunshots"
Speaking as a musician, I am happy with how she added music into the story (not how someone smashed someone's head with August's violin tho, anger). I really feel like there could have been more but I am already happy to see something that I do be incorporated to a story that I love. Music here wasn't something that was just introduced into the story and then forgotten. It is in the heart of the story itself and that satisfied me a lot.


Writing Style:
I love how Victoria's writing style practically makes up for all the weak points. I don't even want to go all critic here because I just loved the book in general. I don't know how else to explain this but Victoria Schwab is someone who all fantasy book readers need to read. She has this way of writing that cannot get me to stop reading. It's so unique, beautiful, deep, realistic, all at the same time.


"He could be the monster, if that kept others human."

I don't know if I was able to complete this review properly but this is what books do to you.

This was a really great read that kept me on my toes the whole time and brought me to a whole new fandom. Fans of Victoria Schwab need to experience this. I do not want to give high expectation to anyone who is reading this review and still hasn't read the book, but just go in and enjoy the world. This should go for any book for the matter. Anyways, I am definitely starting the next book as soon as possible.


"where are you?"