BOOK REVIEW: This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab

Year Published: 2016

Publisher: Harper Collins Children's Books

Format: Hardbound

Rating: 4.5 / 5 Stars

Synopsis

KATE HARKER wants to be as ruthless as her father. After five years and six boarding schools, she's finally going home to prove that she can be.

AUGUST FLYNN wants to be human. But he isn't. He's a monster, one that can steal souls with a song. He's one of the three most powerful monsters in a city overrun with them. His father's secret weapon. 

Their city is divided.

Their city is crumbling.

Kate and August are the only two who see both sides, the only two who could do something.

But how do you decide to be a hero or a villain when it's hard to tell which is which?

*********************************************************************************

Corsai, Corsai

Tooth and Claw,

Shadow and bone will eat you raw.

Malchai, Malchai 

Sharp and Sly

Smile and bite and drink you dry.

Sunai, Sunai

Eyes like coal.

Sing you a song and steal your soul.

Monters, Monsters,

Big and Small.

They're gonna come and eat you all.

Qoutes:

"Violence breeds violence" -A teacher from Kate's school (St. Agnes)

"Every weakness exposes flesh and flesh invites a knife" - Callum Harker

"People are users. It's a universal truth. Use them, or they'll use you." - Callum Harker

Dystopian setting, bad-ass lady protagonist seeking parental attention and a guy monster experiencing identity crisis. I love the pacing of this book that I managed to finish reading all 427 pages in just three sittings. I find it quite easy to imagine the characters and their world, as well. Kate and August's relationship development is friendly leaning to romantic, sans the sappy and cheesy lines or scenes. I would definitely recommend this to those who love reading fantasy, thriller and suspense books.

WARNING: SPOILERS 

As much as I love almost everything about monsters and Verity City, I am quite concern where did all these Corsai, Malchai, and Sunai came from. Like how did they evolved, laboratory/place of origin, how they breed and how these monsters compete with each other? Do monsters also roam outside Verity City? Kate was formerly enrolled in a Catholic School -will the monsters be afraid of the gospel, holy water, bible and the likes? Will Henry Flynn take over the entire Verity City since Callum Harker is already dead? Will Colin survive the monsters and make a re-appearance in the next book? And the last part of the book, at Kate's home in the Waste where a lady Malchai was trotting the house and was seen by another dying Malchai, asked her name and lady trotting Malchai answered "Alice". Callum Harker's wife and Kate's mother is named "Alice".  Does this means that Kate a monster too? 

Okay, I need the next book...

REVIVED!

It has been 3 straight years (yes, that's three) since I posted a review here in my blog. I've been busy with work and family (my parents) in between those period that I missed to share my beauty thoughts and other experiences with you guys. Now please do accept my apology and let me catch-up and chitchat with you once again! This blog comeback has been planned since the start of year 2016. 

Here's what to expect from the Curious Cat for this blog revival:

I started with beauty reviews and I am still the same girl who loves prettifying her face and finding the right "aka-holy grail" product for my largest organ. As usual, expect the regular beauty reviews from this blog of mine with a little few segments like products for "500 and below" , "Testing Beauty Hacks" and a whole lot more!

I love eating, hence the weight gain. Aha! Every month, a new restaurant seem to be popping all around Metro Manila and of course, your foodie friend here's gonna try them all. But, health-wise, I am also trying to find balance between the gems that I shove into my mouth and my body's chemical composition. Currently, I am in-search of the right diet, exercise and eating proportions to keep up with my weight and BMI goals, and I will be very glad to share this health journey to everyone here in my site! :)

I recently been enjoying reading young adult, romance, fantasy and thriller books! Yes, I could be quite busy sometimes and I also do have my fair share of reading slump seasons but I am quite devouring fiction novels these days. I am no book expert or literature major and I will be basing all my reviews from my personal point of view, so kindly expect a few faults and rants for this section/portion.

Who loves going to places and discovering new things? I do, and I am raising both hands and legs to that! The downside of traveling? -expenses, finalizing itineraries and possible encounter with scams. Just like the reading section, I am no expert (yet) when is comes traveling hacks and itineraries. So please expect me to account everything in my traveling articles on personal experience. I will also be including travel agencies and contact person, if there is any available, for each destinations. 

Here's to new beginnings and fearless pursuit of one's dreams and aspirations.

Meow to that! :)

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Toner

My usual problems with oil regulating facial toners is that most of them has strong alcohol scent while others tend to over-dry my skin. Majority of the products that I have tried usually costs around Php500.00 to Php800.00 but I still ended up getting the same "chaka" results.

Last March 2013, Kiehl's recently opened their 6th boutique in Manila located at Shangri-La Plaza East Wing in Mandaluyong. I was intrigued with their quirky interiors which gravitated me towards the shop. Upon entering the boutique, I was greeted by their very accommodating and friendly SAs. Their Top 10 best-selling products were displayed in a corner near the entrance and there were also samples for each product in all shades and skin care line. Knowing that my Eskinol Facial Cleanser is just a few drops away from extinction, I concentrated on testing their facial toners.

My first impression while browsing their products is that the prices were a bit too expensive. Hahaha! Little did I know that aside from expecting only the best results from their products, they also give-out a lot of samples upon purchase.

My first Kiehl's purchase!

I got free samples of their Ultra Facial Cleanser, Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser, Aromatic Blends in Nashi & Pink Grapefruit, Kiehl's latest which is Actively Correcting and Beautifying BB Cream and last but definitely not the least is Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Toner

Claims: (As written on the bottle) Our oil-free toner is formulated to visibly reduce excess oil on skin's surface, while leaving it instantly fresh and healthy looking. Made with Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract and Antarcticine to soothe and hydrate skin, our non-drying alcohol-free formula gently removes any remaining residue, dirt and oil without stripping skin of vital moisture. PH-balanced. Tested for safety and gentleness. Paraben-Free. Silicone-Free. Fragrance-Free. Oil-free. (Unfotunately, the product is not free, hahaha!)

Hydrating formula to balance and freshen skin. 

For normal to oily skin types.

Use: After cleansing, moisture a cotton pad with the toner and apply to face, avoiding the immediate eye area.

Price: Php1,050.00 for a 250ml bottle.

Hits: 

• It has an almost mute herbal fragrance which is not irritating to my nose.
• After applying the product, my skin feels clean and refreshed without the "evaporating-alcohol" feel.
• My skin texture feels smooth and moisturized even when using this product alone. 
• I can flawlessly apply moisturizer and liquid foundation on my face since it no longer has flaking skin  which is usually common on my nostril openings and dried pimple areas. 
• I only need around 5 drops of the product for it to cover my face and neck.

Miss: 

• The price is a bit expensive but the end results are really worth it.

I am definitely re-purchasing this product once I finished my first bottle. I never had the same results from my Php500.00 to Php800.00 toners. No stinging and flaking. I love how my skin feels amazingly clean and moisturized without the heavy petroleum like residue of common non-moisture stripping formulas or the feel of evaporating alcohol on my face when using oil removing toners (even compared it to other high-end products).