| Monsters of Verity by Victoria Schwab |

#1: THIS SAVAGE SONG

"It doesn't matter if you're monster or human. Living hurts."

PAGES: 297 (Ebook)

SYNOPSIS: It follows a world where an act of violence breeds monsters. One character is a human wants to be ruthless for her father like a monster while another character is a monster that wants to be human.

RATING: 5/5

NON-SPOILERY REVIEW

I really like this book. I found the concept where monsters are created through violent acts quite unique and interesting to read about. The three type of monsters: Corsai, Malchai, Sunai's origins were interesting to find out more about. I like the fact that in order to feed, the Sunai's needed to use music. I guess it literally means music speaks to the soul. I also liked Victoria Schwab's writing. It's beautiful to read even though the story wasn't really beautiful. It's full of tragedies and wars that cause human lives. I didn't necessarily love the main characters however they were interesting enough. A monster who wanted to be human and a human who wanted to be a monster. Their journey together as they try to survive was enjoyable to read. They had fun interactions and their support to each other was great to read. The villains in this book were not really what I expected and it was refreshing to read. Callum Hark was truly a terrible human being.

• It was heartbreaking to find out Sunai's were created through really violent acts that killed many people. Finding out that they can only kill sinners was kind of a balance for the evil deed that created them.
• Ilsa was the character I liked most. I was really heartbroken when I thought she was killed by Sloan. Her origins were really terrible and I feel bad for her. I'm glad that she survived though.
• I was really heartbroken during the twist. The fact where Kate killed a man to protect herself. It was shocking that the murder counted because it was kind of self defense.
• Sloan isn't a really great name for a character - they end up becoming the villain and getting killed or punished. Damn he's so annoying. And terrible. He killed Kate's mother. It's a sad thing that her father believed Sloan over her.
• I was shocked to see that along with Sloan, Leo was also part of the plan to start the war. I thought Leo was mean but I didn't think he would be that terrible. It's kind of sad that he had to die but I guess there's something wrong with him in the head so he had to go.
• Callum was a terrible father. There was really something wrong with his head.
• OMG that ending. A malchai spawned off what Kate did and took the name of her mother. God cliffhangeeers. It's still long before the next book and now I'm sad (This review was made long before the sequel came out).

FAVORITE QUOTES:

"To the strange, and the mad, and the monstrous." 

"Why would you even want to be human? We're fragile. We die."
"You also live. You don't spend every day wondering why you exist, but don't feel real, why you look human, but can't be. You don't do everything you can to be a good person only to have it constantly thrown in your face that you're not a person at all.

"He could be the monster if it kept others human." 

#2: OUR DARK DUET

It wasn't easy. The world was complicated. Life was hard. And so often, living hurt.

So make it worth the pain.

PAGES: 391 (Ebook)
SYNOPSIS: The story continues with August and Kate being in different places but due to a circumstance, they are forced back together to fight another monster.
RATING: 4/5

NON-SPOILERY REVIEW
I loved this book from the beginning up until before the climax. It was fast paced and the things that were happening were entertaining (even if it kind of lacked action). It was a fun read and I flew through it so fast. However, when I got near the end I got disappointed. Many things were left unanswered. Some things happened so fast in the end. There was so much build up that was released too fast. I wasn't able to absorb and appreciate the things that happened before another thing happened. I was really disappointed because it was longer than the first book and could have had so much more. I think it was left to be interpreted in a way that a spin-off could be made but heart cannot still accept what happened in the end. 

The characters were more lovely and precious here. Kate was a badass female character that amazed me. She didn't stay put a lot and went to the action to join the others. August was such a precious monster. He was adorable and you can see how much conflicted he is about his role. There were also additional characters such as Soro and Alice who were interesting to read about. I wish we could have seen more about Soro.

Overall, I would still suggest this duology to others (I think it is a duology?). It was a short and exciting read. The story and build up of the world was interesting to read. Plus, Victoria Schwab's writing was still beautiful.

• I loved seeing Kate in Prosperity. I love her relationship with Riley. I love that Riley cared about her which is something that she needs at that moment. He was worried about her and he's gay! I love that. He just a friend who cared about Riley. I hate that she suddenly left without saying goodbye to the team.
• I feel that the potential for Alice's character was underdeveloped. She was just there to annoy the main characters and be an obstacle to them.
• There are so many unanswered question about the chaos eating monster. Where the fuck did that shit come from? Why doesn't it form a physical body permanently? Are there more out there? I am still confused on how they were able to defeat it.
• I love the development of the relationship between Soro and Kate even if it was subtle. Soro hated her a lot at first but started to grow on her later on. Even handing back her weapon because she'll join the fight. I think he realized that there is more to humans than he thinks.
• It was sad that August reaped everyone with a tainted soul. It was heartbreaking especially for the lady who's husband's soul was reaped. He regretted it and he deserved a chance. Unlike the lady who killed her husband (?) but poor kid for losing her mother.
• It was pretty ironic that the FTF cannot harm humans because their souls would be tainted and August would have to reap them. 
• It was pretty hilarious and sad to see that when August kissed Kate he almost sucked her soul out. I love that he cared a lot about Kate and didn't want her back their because Verity sucked. I love the development of their relationship. It was hinted that they do like each other but they didn't really develop into a couple because of life.
• I love the badass scene where Kate told the council what she thought and stabbed the table they are using then walked out.
• I felt sad when Rez died. Even though she was just a minor character, she was really brave.
• It was weird that Kate could see through the eyes of the monster. How was she able to do that? How was she even able to fight its control?
• It was shocking to find out the origin of Sloan. It made sense as to why he's really resilient.
• I loved seeing Henry and Emily. They were cute together. It was funny when she wanted to beat him up for being taken by Sloan but was really happy that they were able to get him back.
• One of the scenes that broke my heart was Kate's death. It broke my heart because I knew how devastated August would be and because Kate fought so hard for her freedom from the chaos eater. She endured so much pain and loneliness only to end up that way. It also broke my heart because she broke her promise to return to Riley and the Wardens. They are still probably waiting for her to come back. I really think that her death was unnecessary except to break our hearts.

Kate drove the spike up into the Alice's heart.

And Alice drove her hand into Kate's chest.

• Another scene that broke my heart is Ilsa's death. I thought everything was fine after she defeated the chaos eater (which I still don't get how) but she broke apart. She still died even after she endured Sloan slitting her throat. I thought she would be safe now because she almost died before. I hate that she still died.

Ilsa looked up at August, and he saw the sadness in his sister's eyes right before she broke apart and shattered on the floor. 

FAVORITE QUOTES:

'Hell is empty. All the devils are here.' 

'Permission to enter?' Kate spread her arms along the back of the couch. "Password?" "I brought pizza." 

"Monsters," he said slowly, "all want the same thing: to feed. They are united by that common goal, while you are all divided by your morals and your pride. What do I think? I think that if you cannot come together, you cannot win." 

'I can't protect this world and care about it.' Kate met his gaze. "That's the only way to do it. "He folded forward. "I can't." "Why not?" "Because it hurts too much." He shuddered. "Every day, every loss, it hurts." "I know it hurts," she said. "So make it worth the pain." "How?" "By not letting go," she said softly. "By holding on, to anger, or hope, or whatever it is that keeps you fighting."You, he thought. 

'Do you ever wonder why music brings a soul to surface? What makes beauty work as well as pain?' 

"You cannot win unless you're willing to fight." Kate slammed her fist on the table, and heard the sound of metal burying itself in wood.

Soro's gray eyes hardened. "You would risk these lives, and yours, for a sinner." "No," said August, "I would risk them for a friend." 

"I'm here," she said. "We're here. You're an absolute fool, and I'm going to kill you after we save you, but we're here." 

People were messy. They were defined not only by what they'd done, but by what they would have done, under different circumstances, molded as much by their regrets as their actions, choices they stood by and those they wished they could undo. Of course, there was no going back - time only moved forward - but people could change. For worse. And for better. It wasn't easy. The world was complicated. Life was hard. And so often, living hurt.So make it worth the pain.