First, just a comment, but I know everyone has said that the characters are purely platonic...but...I'm not positive I see that. I know they're platonic now, but are we sure that's going to last forever? Is there proof from Victoria Shwab that says they're platonic ONLY??

"I mean, most people want to escape. Get out of their heads. Out of their lives. Stories are the easiest way to do that." -Kate, page 305

Anyway, with that out, I absolutely loved this book. It reminded me of a tv show in a way because you usually don't see plots like this in a book and it almost read like one. I don't exactly know how to explain it, but I got this really weird tv show vibe. I definitely don't have a problem with that because everything about this book was perfect. It did start a little slow, but once I got past the beginning, I loved it.

The characters are the best part of this book. August is so sweet and innocent, despite being a monster. I love him with every bit of my soul (date me please?). He didn't want to be evil and it hurt him so much. That's what I loved the most about him, his complete purity toward killing. He never wanted to be a monster and I found that so depressing. Then there's Kate, who's almost a monster in her own way, despite being completely human. It's like they had the roles switched *lightbulb goes off*. I loved Kate, though. She was wicked, but it was because of her past, which only hints were given to. You finally understand what happened at the end, but that's for you to find out.

And then there's the plot. I loved the plot too, but characters always come first to me. This plot was definitely epic, though. I have never read a single book like it before and it certainly wasn't what I expected. It was violent, but not in an in your face way. It was beautiful, but not in a romantic way. Schwab has a way with words and I was practically swooning with delight at her figurative language. What can I say? I love words.

"It doesn't matter if you're monster or human. Living hurts." -Kate, page 352

Not to mention, Schwab understands teenagers and life and struggles. I may not have monstrous abilities, but I found pieces of myself within her words.

I highly recommend you pick this one up. It's a beautiful, but cruel book and you won't regret it (I hope, please don't hold me to this).

-Book Hugger

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