Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Greenwillow Books (2017), 368 pages
Description
Fantasy. Suspense. Young Adult Fiction. HTML: A New York Times bestseller The bestselling sequel�and conclusion�to Victoria Schwab's instant #1 New York Times bestseller This Savage Song. Kate Harker is a girl who isn't afraid of the dark. She's a girl who hunts monsters. And she's good at it. August Flynn is a monster who can never be human. No matter how much he once yearned for it. He has a part to play. And he will play it, no matter the cost. Nearly six months after Kate and August were first thrown together, the war between the monsters and the humans is a terrifying reality. In Verity, August has become the leader he never wished to be, and in Prosperity, Kate has become the ruthless hunter she knew she could be. When a new monster emerges from the shadows�one who feeds on chaos and brings out its victim's inner demons�it lures Kate home, where she finds more than she bargained for. She'll face a monster she thought she killed, a boy she thought she knew, and a demon all her own. A gorgeously written dark fantasy from New York Times�bestselling author Victoria Schwab, and one to hand to fans of Holly Black, Laini Taylor, and Maggie Stiefvater. "Explosive."�Brightly.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member passion4reading
Six months after the events in This Savage Song, Kate Harker has settled into a new life of sorts in Prosperity, hunting monsters for the Wardens. One night she arrives at the scene of a massacre and takes off in pursuit of the monster, one unlike any she has ever seen: it feeds off chaos, getting
Anyone who hasn't read the first volume in this duology would do well to catch up before embarking on reading Our Dark Duet as the character development and previous events will make a lot more sense when one is familiar with the background. As if the notion of monsters being created by acts of violence isn't enough, here readers are introduced to a different and unique type, one which unleashes a person's potential for violence and turns them into an indiscriminate killer and to me the Chaos Eater was a lot scarier than the Sunai, Malchai and Corsai readers have already met. There is a lot of violence, blood and gore, with a very high body count, but it is Kate and August's humanity that draws the reader in and makes them care: being a Sunai, August is trying to deny his while Kate, as the daughter of Verity's former foremost crime lord, is coming to terms with possessing it. As in the first book, the author describes proceedings with music metaphors and allegories, though they aren't as plentiful (which is a shame), maybe because the pace is quite unrelenting for the most part, with hardly time to pause and draw breath. The author has come up with an ingenuous way to increase the tension almost from the word go, so that August and Kate not only have to battle a variety of monsters but also the clock, and almost right to the last page I didn't know how the book was going to end. Shame there won't be a sequel but the ending is fitting.
Show More
inside people's heads and turning them against each other. But the encounter is not without consequences for Kate ... Meanwhile, in Verity, August Flynn has assumed the role of commander as the Flynn Task Force try to stem the tide of violence that's sweeping the city by taking out the monster that's now controlling the part of Verity north of the Seam. But August and Kate's paths are fated to cross again.Anyone who hasn't read the first volume in this duology would do well to catch up before embarking on reading Our Dark Duet as the character development and previous events will make a lot more sense when one is familiar with the background. As if the notion of monsters being created by acts of violence isn't enough, here readers are introduced to a different and unique type, one which unleashes a person's potential for violence and turns them into an indiscriminate killer and to me the Chaos Eater was a lot scarier than the Sunai, Malchai and Corsai readers have already met. There is a lot of violence, blood and gore, with a very high body count, but it is Kate and August's humanity that draws the reader in and makes them care: being a Sunai, August is trying to deny his while Kate, as the daughter of Verity's former foremost crime lord, is coming to terms with possessing it. As in the first book, the author describes proceedings with music metaphors and allegories, though they aren't as plentiful (which is a shame), maybe because the pace is quite unrelenting for the most part, with hardly time to pause and draw breath. The author has come up with an ingenuous way to increase the tension almost from the word go, so that August and Kate not only have to battle a variety of monsters but also the clock, and almost right to the last page I didn't know how the book was going to end. Shame there won't be a sequel but the ending is fitting.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Faith_Murri
There was a strange place, between knowing and not knowing. A place where things could live in the back of your head without weighing down on your heart.
Why do you do this to me, Victoria Schwab?
The Writing and Worldbuilding
I loved that we got to see outside of Verity, and I hope that if we ever
The plot was awesome, almost better than This Savage Song, and I was totally invested throughout. Unfortunately, the emotional parts just didn't hit me nearly as hard as they did in the first book, though not for lack of trying.
I absolutely loved the addition of the Chaos Eater. It really upped the stakes and expanded the world.
I also loved the little poetic interludes in the perspective of the Chaos Eater. Those were super cool and unique.
The Characters
August: It's no surprise that I love August and will always love August. I really appreciated how his character changed and grew in this, becoming more mature, but also more tortured in a non-angsty teen kind of way. Also, I guess he does have a sex drive *wiggles eyebrows up and down and bites lip*
Kate (and sort of Alice): Kate was great in this too, and I loved her arc and final stand with Alice, her Malchai doppelganger, who was an excellent addition.
Sloan: Good ole Sloan, being creepy and obsessive. Honestly, I didn't really care much for him last book, but he really stood out in this one.
Soro: I didn't really care much for them tbh though I appreciated that Sunai can be non-gender-specific.
Conclusion
I seriously loved this, and Schwab has once again cemented herself as my queen and goddess. If you haven't read this one yet, D O I T!
Why do you do this to me, Victoria Schwab?
The Writing and Worldbuilding
I loved that we got to see outside of Verity, and I hope that if we ever
Show More
get more in this world—P L E A S E—that we'll get to see even more.The plot was awesome, almost better than This Savage Song, and I was totally invested throughout. Unfortunately, the emotional parts just didn't hit me nearly as hard as they did in the first book, though not for lack of trying.
I absolutely loved the addition of the Chaos Eater. It really upped the stakes and expanded the world.
I also loved the little poetic interludes in the perspective of the Chaos Eater. Those were super cool and unique.
The Characters
August: It's no surprise that I love August and will always love August. I really appreciated how his character changed and grew in this, becoming more mature, but also more tortured in a non-angsty teen kind of way. Also, I guess he does have a sex drive *wiggles eyebrows up and down and bites lip*
Kate (and sort of Alice): Kate was great in this too, and I loved her arc and final stand with Alice, her Malchai doppelganger, who was an excellent addition.
Sloan: Good ole Sloan, being creepy and obsessive. Honestly, I didn't really care much for him last book, but he really stood out in this one.
Soro: I didn't really care much for them tbh though I appreciated that Sunai can be non-gender-specific.
Conclusion
I seriously loved this, and Schwab has once again cemented herself as my queen and goddess. If you haven't read this one yet, D O I T!
Show Less
LibraryThing member nevong
I'm Speechless. When I finished reading Our Dark Duet, the sequel of Monsters of Verity, I needed a couple of tissues. Yes, I'll admit I shed a few tears. The author, Ms. Schwab noted that the book took a lot out of her. It took a lot out of me too. The book ends with the beginnings of hope, but as
The atmosphere of the first book, This Savage Song, was very dark and is carried through into the second installment. The characters August and Kate are reunited under the worst of circumstances and things quickly spiral from bad to worse. This book will drag you in and wring you out. Both books, are well plotted. The characters are so vivid it is not difficult to imagine them. The advisories the are intelligent and menacing to a point where you hate them but can't wait to see what they are up to next.
Would I read these books again? Yes. After I've recovered from the first time around. Well done Ms. Schwab.
Show More
Kate Harker would say, everything has a cost.The atmosphere of the first book, This Savage Song, was very dark and is carried through into the second installment. The characters August and Kate are reunited under the worst of circumstances and things quickly spiral from bad to worse. This book will drag you in and wring you out. Both books, are well plotted. The characters are so vivid it is not difficult to imagine them. The advisories the are intelligent and menacing to a point where you hate them but can't wait to see what they are up to next.
Would I read these books again? Yes. After I've recovered from the first time around. Well done Ms. Schwab.
Show Less
LibraryThing member VavaViolet
This Savage Song was included in a past Owlcrate box, and I have to thank them for broadening my book horizon because this isn't the typical book I'd read. I liked This Savage Song so much that I bought the sequel - Our Dark Duet. It took me a while to finish this book, not because it gave me the
Show More
creeps (which it did), but because I had an inkling how it would end. But unlike other books wherein I questioned how it ended (cough, Allegiant) I understood why the story had to end that way. With good world building and a cast of characters that you'll despise and fall in love with, this duology broke my heart but left me hopeful. Show Less
LibraryThing member sensitivemuse
***Possible spoilers below. You’ve been warned***
The plot was off to a pretty slow start in this one. Before I start, I’d have to recommend you read This Savage Song before going to this book. You would need the foundation that was set up in This Savage Song to really benefit and enjoy reading
As mentioned before, the plot was off to a slow start. Kate and August are on both different ends of the spectrum but have changed drastically. They’ve definitely ‘grown up’ so to speak. Kate becomes monster hunter extraordinaire. August leads his own squad in the FTF. Kate’s part of the story was definitely more interesting. Despite trying hard not to warm up to people she manages to have her small group of friends (but of course, shuns them anyway despite one of them trying to reach out to her numerous times). I love this quality in Kate. It makes her so much more realistic and puts her way from the group of those ‘stone cold butt kickers that apparently have no soul’.
That being said about Kate. Oh. Lord. That ending. Kate dying with August nearby got my stomach into knots and twists. I can’t believe it. It was beautifully written though and a suitable ending for her. Kate was pretty much a pariah and a lone wolf. August was one of the few that was able to get to know Kate at a more deeper level. It was only fitting that she meets her end with that one person by her side. Beautifully done.
I didn’t really think the romance scene between Kate and August was necessary. It was a minor filler that didn’t need to be added. I never saw August and Kate that way. They were too different and didn’t have that nice ongoing chemistry together. Fighting partners, yes. Partners in love? No I don’t think so.
So more about characters dying. Am I the only one that felt a punch to the gut when Ilsa died? Ilsa was a character I really loved in these two books. She went down in a blaze of glory though (albeit, a shocked blaze of glory.)
You have to admit, Sloan is one of the better villains I have read in a long while. I like him teaming up with Alice even though villains they are, they are looking out for themselves. He’s creepy, malicious, calculating, and cunning. He’s a perfect villain.
The last half of the book, which was filled with action, blood, explosions and all the good stuff set the pace for the great ending to a wonderfully written duology. I know fans out there are asking for more, as it’s not the end of the adventures for August and Soro. For me, it’s just enough and it’s a perfect ending. Well done Ms Schwab! Now I’m off to read your other works!
The plot was off to a pretty slow start in this one. Before I start, I’d have to recommend you read This Savage Song before going to this book. You would need the foundation that was set up in This Savage Song to really benefit and enjoy reading
Show More
Our Dark Duet.As mentioned before, the plot was off to a slow start. Kate and August are on both different ends of the spectrum but have changed drastically. They’ve definitely ‘grown up’ so to speak. Kate becomes monster hunter extraordinaire. August leads his own squad in the FTF. Kate’s part of the story was definitely more interesting. Despite trying hard not to warm up to people she manages to have her small group of friends (but of course, shuns them anyway despite one of them trying to reach out to her numerous times). I love this quality in Kate. It makes her so much more realistic and puts her way from the group of those ‘stone cold butt kickers that apparently have no soul’.
That being said about Kate. Oh. Lord. That ending. Kate dying with August nearby got my stomach into knots and twists. I can’t believe it. It was beautifully written though and a suitable ending for her. Kate was pretty much a pariah and a lone wolf. August was one of the few that was able to get to know Kate at a more deeper level. It was only fitting that she meets her end with that one person by her side. Beautifully done.
I didn’t really think the romance scene between Kate and August was necessary. It was a minor filler that didn’t need to be added. I never saw August and Kate that way. They were too different and didn’t have that nice ongoing chemistry together. Fighting partners, yes. Partners in love? No I don’t think so.
So more about characters dying. Am I the only one that felt a punch to the gut when Ilsa died? Ilsa was a character I really loved in these two books. She went down in a blaze of glory though (albeit, a shocked blaze of glory.)
You have to admit, Sloan is one of the better villains I have read in a long while. I like him teaming up with Alice even though villains they are, they are looking out for themselves. He’s creepy, malicious, calculating, and cunning. He’s a perfect villain.
The last half of the book, which was filled with action, blood, explosions and all the good stuff set the pace for the great ending to a wonderfully written duology. I know fans out there are asking for more, as it’s not the end of the adventures for August and Soro. For me, it’s just enough and it’s a perfect ending. Well done Ms Schwab! Now I’m off to read your other works!
Show Less
LibraryThing member acargile
Kate returns to Verity to tell August about a new monster. This novel is the ultimate battle, so many will fall. Does good or evil reign? There's hope at the end, but the battle is brutal.
LibraryThing member nbmars
Note: Spoilers for the first book in this duology, This Savage Song
Book Two begins with Kate Harker, now 18, living under a fake name in the capital of the region of Prosperity for the past six months, since leaving August and the region of Verity behind. She has joined a group calling themselves
She almost thinks of them as friends, although she resists the idea. You can get rid of monsters, but you can’t get rid of the burdens relationships impose. She keeps reliving the moment when August went dark, for her: “He sacrificed a part of himself - his humanity, his light, his soul - because of her. She could handle her own blood. She didn’t need anyone else’s on her hands.”
Back in Verity, August, 17, now heads a task force that is in charge of identifying and culling sinners from the refugees who have been streaming into the South ever since Callum Harker, the leader of the North, was killed. (Performing music causes the essence of sinners to rise out of them.) There is also a new Sunai, Soro, who is heartless compared to August. Soro possesses an unshakeable resolve, a belief that the Sunai existed solely to destroy monsters and eliminate the sinners responsible for them. With him there was no waivering, no doubt, and no mercy.
August has now repressed the very large part of him that wants to be human: “August would never be human. He knew that now. It wasn’t about what he was, but why, his purpose, his part. They all had parts to play. And this was his.” He is “aided” in his denial by the voice of Leo, his Sunai brother who seems to live on inside him ever since August killed him. Ilsa, the other Sunai, wants August to keep trying to keep his violence at bay, but she is literally voiceless now after the attack by the Malchai monster Sloan.
Sloan was almost dead - stabbed by Leo in the first book, but he was rescued by another Malchai, Alice. Sloan is now head of the North, with Alice his second. They have a force of “Fangs” working for them. These are humans who swore allegiance to the Malchai, because they “worshipped the monsters like gods, or simply decided they’d rather submit than flee.” Fangs committed most of the daylight crimes, and ushered new monsters into the world with every sin.
The Harker regime thus lives on: Sloan was born of Callum’s crimes and Alice was born of Kate’s. Sloan has the Fangs bring him girls who look like Kate for him to kill and eat. “He didn’t hate Katherine, he simply loved the thought of killing her. And he resented her for taking the one life that should have been his: her father’s.”
Meanwhile, a new sort of monster is born in Prosperity - a “chaos eater.” It turns humans against each other, and then feeds on their violence. Its influence spreads like a virus. After Kate chased it, part of it entered her. Ironically, she is indeed becoming a monster like she always thought she wanted. She is not quite there yet. But the Chaos Eater can see into her head, and she can see into it’s head. And she sees it is heading for Verity.
Kate comes back to Verity to warn August. To her horror, she discovers Alice, who looks and acts like a very twisted version of Kate. She also gets cornered by Soro, who is about to reap her soul when she gets rescued by August. She is taken to the Flynn compound, where she warns them about the new monster.
Kate sees right away the change in August. She asks him, “What happened to the August who wanted to feel human? The one who would rather burn alive than let himself go dark?” August replied: “I’m willing to walk in darkness if it keeps humans in the light.”
Kate snorts and accuses him of parroting Leo, and also of lying to himself.
August explains, “I just got tired of losing. It’s easier this way.” “Of course it’s easier,” said Kate. “That doesn’t mean it’s right.”
August counters:
“I miss it every day, Kate, but there’s not place for that August anymore. …. this world doesn’t need that August. It needs someone else. . . . I can’t protect this world and care about it. That’s the only way to do it. Because it hurts too much. Every day, every loss, it hurts.”
Kate understands. August marvels that Kate saw him, the real him, and stuck by him all the same. They try to kiss, but as they get more passionate, they discover that lovemaking is like music - it causes Kate’s essence to rise out of her, and August almost reaps her by accident. That avenue is therefore not open to them. Nevertheless, as the story comes to a tense denouement, they find another way to be together, one that meets both of their needs in a way they never expected.
Evaluation: This bittersweet saga is full of unusual plot elements that give the reader a great deal to ponder. The author is crazily creative. I would have rated it higher had I not previously read the author’s next, even-better saga, the “Shades of Magic” series.
Note: This is not really a standalone.
Book Two begins with Kate Harker, now 18, living under a fake name in the capital of the region of Prosperity for the past six months, since leaving August and the region of Verity behind. She has joined a group calling themselves
Show More
the Wardens, dedicated to chasing monsters. The Wardens aren’t hunters, but “hactivists” who dig through surveillance sites trying to find evidence of monsters. Then Kate goes after them. Of the Wardens, Kate says, “They weren’t Flynn Task Force soldiers. Or coddled Colton kids. They were just - normal. They had lives outside this one. Things to lose.” She almost thinks of them as friends, although she resists the idea. You can get rid of monsters, but you can’t get rid of the burdens relationships impose. She keeps reliving the moment when August went dark, for her: “He sacrificed a part of himself - his humanity, his light, his soul - because of her. She could handle her own blood. She didn’t need anyone else’s on her hands.”
Back in Verity, August, 17, now heads a task force that is in charge of identifying and culling sinners from the refugees who have been streaming into the South ever since Callum Harker, the leader of the North, was killed. (Performing music causes the essence of sinners to rise out of them.) There is also a new Sunai, Soro, who is heartless compared to August. Soro possesses an unshakeable resolve, a belief that the Sunai existed solely to destroy monsters and eliminate the sinners responsible for them. With him there was no waivering, no doubt, and no mercy.
August has now repressed the very large part of him that wants to be human: “August would never be human. He knew that now. It wasn’t about what he was, but why, his purpose, his part. They all had parts to play. And this was his.” He is “aided” in his denial by the voice of Leo, his Sunai brother who seems to live on inside him ever since August killed him. Ilsa, the other Sunai, wants August to keep trying to keep his violence at bay, but she is literally voiceless now after the attack by the Malchai monster Sloan.
Sloan was almost dead - stabbed by Leo in the first book, but he was rescued by another Malchai, Alice. Sloan is now head of the North, with Alice his second. They have a force of “Fangs” working for them. These are humans who swore allegiance to the Malchai, because they “worshipped the monsters like gods, or simply decided they’d rather submit than flee.” Fangs committed most of the daylight crimes, and ushered new monsters into the world with every sin.
The Harker regime thus lives on: Sloan was born of Callum’s crimes and Alice was born of Kate’s. Sloan has the Fangs bring him girls who look like Kate for him to kill and eat. “He didn’t hate Katherine, he simply loved the thought of killing her. And he resented her for taking the one life that should have been his: her father’s.”
Meanwhile, a new sort of monster is born in Prosperity - a “chaos eater.” It turns humans against each other, and then feeds on their violence. Its influence spreads like a virus. After Kate chased it, part of it entered her. Ironically, she is indeed becoming a monster like she always thought she wanted. She is not quite there yet. But the Chaos Eater can see into her head, and she can see into it’s head. And she sees it is heading for Verity.
Kate comes back to Verity to warn August. To her horror, she discovers Alice, who looks and acts like a very twisted version of Kate. She also gets cornered by Soro, who is about to reap her soul when she gets rescued by August. She is taken to the Flynn compound, where she warns them about the new monster.
Kate sees right away the change in August. She asks him, “What happened to the August who wanted to feel human? The one who would rather burn alive than let himself go dark?” August replied: “I’m willing to walk in darkness if it keeps humans in the light.”
Kate snorts and accuses him of parroting Leo, and also of lying to himself.
August explains, “I just got tired of losing. It’s easier this way.” “Of course it’s easier,” said Kate. “That doesn’t mean it’s right.”
August counters:
“I miss it every day, Kate, but there’s not place for that August anymore. …. this world doesn’t need that August. It needs someone else. . . . I can’t protect this world and care about it. That’s the only way to do it. Because it hurts too much. Every day, every loss, it hurts.”
Kate understands. August marvels that Kate saw him, the real him, and stuck by him all the same. They try to kiss, but as they get more passionate, they discover that lovemaking is like music - it causes Kate’s essence to rise out of her, and August almost reaps her by accident. That avenue is therefore not open to them. Nevertheless, as the story comes to a tense denouement, they find another way to be together, one that meets both of their needs in a way they never expected.
Evaluation: This bittersweet saga is full of unusual plot elements that give the reader a great deal to ponder. The author is crazily creative. I would have rated it higher had I not previously read the author’s next, even-better saga, the “Shades of Magic” series.
Note: This is not really a standalone.
Show Less
LibraryThing member infjsarah
I enjoyed this conclusion but I enjoyed the first book more. I felt too removed from the characters in this and thus didn't feel the same emotional involvement. In the first book August's struggles with what he is and his wish to be human made him a sympathetic character that you felt for. And the
In this they are both less sympathetic - Kate has turned into Buffy the Vampire Slayer but without her charm. And August is just I am a monster and that's what I must be to fight. So for me the end just didn't have the emotional impact that it should have had.
I do like Ms Schwab's writing though and will be picking up "Vicious" at some point.
Show More
same for Kate who is not a nice person but who you could understand.In this they are both less sympathetic - Kate has turned into Buffy the Vampire Slayer but without her charm. And August is just I am a monster and that's what I must be to fight. So for me the end just didn't have the emotional impact that it should have had.
I do like Ms Schwab's writing though and will be picking up "Vicious" at some point.
Show Less
LibraryThing member pwaites
I enjoyed Our Dark Duet less than I did its predecessor, This Savage Song, but I can’t tell if that’s on me or the book.
Kate Harker has made a new life outside of Verity, hunting monsters. But a new and dangerous breed of monster will send her back hunting back to the city of her past.
Okay, so. Do you remember my review of This Savage Song? No? Suffice to say that I spent practically the entire review praising the book for not having romance. Guess what Our Dark Duet does. Go on, just guess.If you’re thinking that Kate and August kiss, bingo! It comes out of bleeding nowhere, and I am so effing mad about it. Why did they have to kiss? Really, someone please explain this to me. What on earth does one half baked romantic subplot add to this book? It got me so pissed off that I went on a twitter rant about heteronormativity. Just because one person’s a girl and one person’s a boy doesn’t mean they’ll be attracted to each other or interested in a romantic relationship! Urgh! And that was literally all their was to this kiss. I’ve calmed off somewhat since I read the book, but believe me I am still annoyed.
One of my favorite things about This Savage Song was the pacing. I raced through it, reluctant to put it down even while I was in exam season. Our Dark Duet didn’t have the same effect on me. With only seventy pages of the book left and nothing I had to get up for the next morning, I put the book down and went to sleep.
I wasn’t as fond of the characterization either. I have the feeling that Schwab was going for a tragedy, a book that would stomp on your heart and make you feel things. But I didn’t feel things. Even with some significant character deaths, I was just sort of like, “Well, that happened I guess.” When it comes to August, I think his character arc just wasn’t as compelling here. He’s trying to not be human (which is sort of a flip from the last book), and it doesn’t end up feeling like he goes anywhere new. When it comes to Kate, there were some seeds of her desiring to connect more with other people, but I feel like there were a lot of wasted opportunities with her character. There’s not a lot of focus on any of her relationships except for August, and I feel like the main way Schwab was developing that relationship was with That Moment(the kiss), which doesn’t make Kate magically more connected to other people. Physical intimacy isn’t the same as emotional intimacy.
Our Dark Duet also feels like a strange end to the series. I suppose it’s the end of a plot arc and potentially some character arcs. I guess it works in that regard, but it still leaves a lot up in the air. I didn’t find it a satisfying conclusion, but from the plethora of positive reviews, my opinion seems to be in the minority. Hopefully other fans of the series will have a better time with this one than me.
Kate Harker has made a new life outside of Verity, hunting monsters. But a new and dangerous breed of monster will send her back hunting back to the city of her past.
Show More
Meanwhile, August Flynn is trying to forget her earlier desires to be human. He has a part to play, and human isn’t what he needs to be.Okay, so. Do you remember my review of This Savage Song? No? Suffice to say that I spent practically the entire review praising the book for not having romance. Guess what Our Dark Duet does. Go on, just guess.
One of my favorite things about This Savage Song was the pacing. I raced through it, reluctant to put it down even while I was in exam season. Our Dark Duet didn’t have the same effect on me. With only seventy pages of the book left and nothing I had to get up for the next morning, I put the book down and went to sleep.
I wasn’t as fond of the characterization either. I have the feeling that Schwab was going for a tragedy, a book that would stomp on your heart and make you feel things. But I didn’t feel things. Even with some significant character deaths, I was just sort of like, “Well, that happened I guess.” When it comes to August, I think his character arc just wasn’t as compelling here. He’s trying to not be human (which is sort of a flip from the last book), and it doesn’t end up feeling like he goes anywhere new. When it comes to Kate, there were some seeds of her desiring to connect more with other people, but I feel like there were a lot of wasted opportunities with her character. There’s not a lot of focus on any of her relationships except for August, and I feel like the main way Schwab was developing that relationship was with That Moment
Our Dark Duet also feels like a strange end to the series. I suppose it’s the end of a plot arc and potentially some character arcs. I guess it works in that regard, but it still leaves a lot up in the air. I didn’t find it a satisfying conclusion, but from the plethora of positive reviews, my opinion seems to be in the minority. Hopefully other fans of the series will have a better time with this one than me.
Show Less
LibraryThing member MickyFine
This review may contain spoilers for [This Savage Song].
In the wake of her father's day, Kate Harker has been hiding in Prosperity and fighting the occasional monster outbreak in that city. But when a new monster appears on the scene, she'll be pulled back to Verity to face everything she left
A satisfying conclusion to this duology filled with monsters, excellent fight sequences, and an ending that pulls no punches. If you've read some of Schwab's other fantasy works you can see her skills at work here with well-crafted characters and well-defined rules for this universe. Also, there was a significant gap between when I read the first book and when I read it's sequel and I was able to jump into the narrative without a refresher and still follow along. Recommended if you liked the first book.
In the wake of her father's day, Kate Harker has been hiding in Prosperity and fighting the occasional monster outbreak in that city. But when a new monster appears on the scene, she'll be pulled back to Verity to face everything she left
Show More
behind. Meanwhile, August has had to step up into a leadership role as Verity begins to fall apart and is losing what little humanity he has. As darkness closes in, will he be able to save the city from itself?A satisfying conclusion to this duology filled with monsters, excellent fight sequences, and an ending that pulls no punches. If you've read some of Schwab's other fantasy works you can see her skills at work here with well-crafted characters and well-defined rules for this universe. Also, there was a significant gap between when I read the first book and when I read it's sequel and I was able to jump into the narrative without a refresher and still follow along. Recommended if you liked the first book.
Show Less
LibraryThing member HeatherLINC
found the first half of this book very slow but, thankfully, the pace quickened once Kate arrived back in Verity. I enjoyed the development of Kate and August, and the end broke my heart because I had grown to care for these characters. Despite not enjoying this book as much as the first, this was
Show More
a fitting end to an enjoyable series. Show Less
LibraryThing member Ray_
When I first read [b:This Savage Song|23299512|This Savage Song (Monsters of Verity, #1)|Victoria Schwab|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1445529989s/23299512.jpg|42855493] I kept wondering how it'd feel like to have your soul reaped by a Sunai, your heart snatched up and eaten by a Malchai or
Now I know.
It's exactly how it feels to read the ending of this book.
Victoria Schwab successfully broke my heart, my soul and every limb in my body beyond repair.
I must admit when I started this book, I was going through a horrible reading slump, and by the time I reached 30% of the book I knew that if I forced myself to read any more I'd end up hating this masterpiece, so I put it in the "No I'm not DNFing you, I just need some space, I swear we'll get back together soon" shelf.
I'm so glad I did that, because when I picked it up again I dived into it and fell more and more in love with it every time I turned the page.
This book was so beautifully written and so well executed it hurts.
I thoroughly enjoyed every part of this book, every point of view has something interesting in it and I wanted to know everything about everyone.
I loved the idea of the Chaos Eater. It was this terrifying monster that turned humans against each other, yet it was such an interesting thing. I found myself wanting to know more and more about it. Then, the more I knew the more it seemed impossible for them to defeat it.
Which is why the ending made perfect sense...
BUT that doesn't mean it didn't make me weep like a toddler.
So to sum it up, this book was an amazing piece of art that broke me to pieces then left me without picking me back up. It's definitely on my top ten most heartbreaking endings
If you haven't read this book I highly recommend it.
Show More
your body devoured by a CorsaiNow I know.
It's exactly how it feels to read the ending of this book.
Victoria Schwab successfully broke my heart, my soul and every limb in my body beyond repair.
I must admit when I started this book, I was going through a horrible reading slump, and by the time I reached 30% of the book I knew that if I forced myself to read any more I'd end up hating this masterpiece, so I put it in the "No I'm not DNFing you, I just need some space, I swear we'll get back together soon" shelf.
I'm so glad I did that, because when I picked it up again I dived into it and fell more and more in love with it every time I turned the page.
This book was so beautifully written and so well executed it hurts.
I thoroughly enjoyed every part of this book, every point of view has something interesting in it and I wanted to know everything about everyone.
I loved the idea of the Chaos Eater. It was this terrifying monster that turned humans against each other, yet it was such an interesting thing. I found myself wanting to know more and more about it. Then, the more I knew the more it seemed impossible for them to defeat it.
Which is why the ending made perfect sense...
BUT that doesn't mean it didn't make me weep like a toddler.
So to sum it up, this book was an amazing piece of art that broke me to pieces then left me without picking me back up. It's definitely on my top ten most heartbreaking endings
If you haven't read this book I highly recommend it.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Faith_Murri
There was a strange place, between knowing and not knowing. A place where things could live in the back of your head without weighing down on your heart.
Why do you do this to me, Victoria Schwab?
The Writing and Worldbuilding
I loved that we got to see outside of Verity, and I hope that if we ever
The plot was awesome, almost better than This Savage Song, and I was totally invested throughout. Unfortunately, the emotional parts just didn't hit me nearly as hard as they did in the first book, though not for lack of trying.
I absolutely loved the addition of the Chaos Eater. It really upped the stakes and expanded the world.
I also loved the little poetic interludes in the perspective of the Chaos Eater. Those were super cool and unique.
The Characters
August: It's no surprise that I love August and will always love August. I really appreciated how his character changed and grew in this, becoming more mature, but also more tortured in a non-angsty teen kind of way. Also, I guess he does have a sex drive *wiggles eyebrows up and down and bites lip*
Kate (and sort of Alice): Kate was great in this too, and I loved her arc and final stand with Alice, her Malchai doppelganger, who was an excellent addition.
Sloan: Good ole Sloan, being creepy and obsessive. Honestly, I didn't really care much for him last book, but he really stood out in this one.
Soro: I didn't really care much for them tbh though I appreciated that Sunai can be non-gender-specific.
Conclusion
I seriously loved this, and Schwab has once again cemented herself as my queen and goddess. If you haven't read this one yet, D O I T!
Why do you do this to me, Victoria Schwab?
The Writing and Worldbuilding
I loved that we got to see outside of Verity, and I hope that if we ever
Show More
get more in this world—P L E A S E—that we'll get to see even more.The plot was awesome, almost better than This Savage Song, and I was totally invested throughout. Unfortunately, the emotional parts just didn't hit me nearly as hard as they did in the first book, though not for lack of trying.
I absolutely loved the addition of the Chaos Eater. It really upped the stakes and expanded the world.
I also loved the little poetic interludes in the perspective of the Chaos Eater. Those were super cool and unique.
The Characters
August: It's no surprise that I love August and will always love August. I really appreciated how his character changed and grew in this, becoming more mature, but also more tortured in a non-angsty teen kind of way. Also, I guess he does have a sex drive *wiggles eyebrows up and down and bites lip*
Kate (and sort of Alice): Kate was great in this too, and I loved her arc and final stand with Alice, her Malchai doppelganger, who was an excellent addition.
Sloan: Good ole Sloan, being creepy and obsessive. Honestly, I didn't really care much for him last book, but he really stood out in this one.
Soro: I didn't really care much for them tbh though I appreciated that Sunai can be non-gender-specific.
Conclusion
I seriously loved this, and Schwab has once again cemented herself as my queen and goddess. If you haven't read this one yet, D O I T!
Show Less
LibraryThing member allison_s
EXCUSE ME. How dare you.
LibraryThing member samnreader
I'll be reading more from this author. I loved its fast pace, engaging characters swirled in darkness and light and the struggle to be who we want while maintaining our duty to the world and those around us.
At least that's what I got from it. August is the finest monster I've read about in a
And after all that, Kate's dealing with a monster in her brain, which I frankly loved. It illustrated the struggles we all go through to not--well--strangle each other on a daily basis.
Unfortunately, this started off too slow and choppy, and I can't quite determine why. The first 100 pages or so felt a bit like a struggle, albeit an easy one, or this would've been a 5 star read for me. It suffered a little too because while the internal struggle was real, the first had more complex relationships between the good & evil, where here the enemy was quite clear.
Also though this book isn't romance, the main characters clearly deeply care about-and maybe even love one another-and that's clear. That makes this tale all the more bittersweet.
At least that's what I got from it. August is the finest monster I've read about in a
Show More
while. In this book, he's made more even more complex by his decisions, duties, and desires. Kate, at the beginning of the book isn't in Verity and she's struggling with her new bonds to others and ultimately, the reasons she has to escape them. And after all that, Kate's dealing with a monster in her brain, which I frankly loved. It illustrated the struggles we all go through to not--well--strangle each other on a daily basis.
Unfortunately, this started off too slow and choppy, and I can't quite determine why. The first 100 pages or so felt a bit like a struggle, albeit an easy one, or this would've been a 5 star read for me. It suffered a little too because while the internal struggle was real, the first had more complex relationships between the good & evil, where here the enemy was quite clear.
Also
Show Less
LibraryThing member JulesGDSide
Perfect ending, to paraphrase VE Schwab's words: hopeful but sadly not happy.
LibraryThing member CarleyShea
I started the two-book series, so I thought I might as well finish it. I stand by my comment in my review for This Savage Song: Schwab has a real knack for creating monsters.
Our Dark Duet picks up a few months after the events of This Savage Song. August has become a soldier for Flynn’s army,
I still liked the monsters that Schwab created, but Kate and August’s relationship still doesn’t draw me in. It’s not badly written or uninteresting. I find that I relate to Schwab’s adult releases better, and that is all just a personal preference.
Our Dark Duet picks up a few months after the events of This Savage Song. August has become a soldier for Flynn’s army,
Show More
taking up his brother’s former position. Kate is living in a new city, still fighting monsters. After an encounter with a completely new type of monster, Kate decides to return to Verity to warn August and the Flynns.I still liked the monsters that Schwab created, but Kate and August’s relationship still doesn’t draw me in. It’s not badly written or uninteresting. I find that I relate to Schwab’s adult releases better, and that is all just a personal preference.
Show Less
LibraryThing member brittaniethekid
A great if not perfect sequel in this series (a "bilogy"? "duology"?) with a similar structure as the first book.
It picks up after a length of time wherin Kate is in a new city with a new set of friends but still fighting monsters though she only knows what little combat training she learned in
It picks up after a length of time wherin Kate is in a new city with a new set of friends but still fighting monsters though she only knows what little combat training she learned in
Show More
high school P.E. class (which she tends to mention a LOT). August is still in Verity but moving up the ranks of his adoptive father's taskforce, being emo about how emo but also how not emo he is, and has a new metal-plated violin with a bow that is also a sword??? (where they found a master violin maker that could also defy the laws of what makes a violin actually work isn't part of the story and also magic etc). They still think of each other - because this is Romeo and Juliet with monsters - but without the communication grid between cities, they have nothing but nostalgia to go on. Then things happen as they tend to do which causes a new monster to be formed, who then finds out about a larger food source in Verity via Kate so Kate uses it as an excuse to be a dick to those who gave her things for free and follows the monster because she's strong and brave and true and stubborn to the point of stupidity like all YA heroines. Anyway, more things happen that are exciting and then sad and then maddening and then more sad but also exciting. There's no happy ending here. Show Less
Original language
English
Original publication date
2017
Physical description
368 p.
ISBN
0062380885 / 9780062380883