Book Review: Vicious by V.E Schwab

Publication Date: January 10th 2014

Series: Villains #1

Goodreads Synopsis

Victor and Eli started out as college roommates—brilliant, arrogant, lonely boys who recognized the same sharpness and ambition in each other. In their senior year, a shared research interest in adrenaline, near-death experiences, and seemingly supernatural events reveals an intriguing possibility: that under the right conditions, someone could develop extraordinary abilities. But when their thesis moves from the academic to the experimental, things go horribly wrong.

Ten years later, Victor breaks out of prison, determined to catch up to his old friend (now foe), aided by a young girl whose reserved nature obscures a stunning ability. Meanwhile, Eli is on a mission to eradicate every other super-powered person that he can find—aside from his sidekick, an enigmatic woman with an unbreakable will. Armed with terrible power on both sides, driven by the memory of betrayal and loss, the archnemeses have set a course for revenge—but who will be left alive at the end?

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I want to dissect Victoria Schwab’s brain. I want to find out how she ticks, how she creates such amazing characters and gripping plots. 

I was nervous going into Vicious. I love Victoria as a person, I think she’s so sweet, and although I had to originally put down A Darker Shade of Magic the first time around, I’ve loved everything I’ve read from her and I was scared this was going to be the exception. However all of those worries were for nothing because this was amazing, and is possibly my favourite of hers.

My love for this book and these character snuck up on me. One minute I wasn’t bothered and the next I was ready to die for Victor Vale and his squad. There’s really not much action in this book, especially compared to A Darker Shade of Magic, and yet I was gripped.

I loved the way this story is told jumping from past to present and all the different perspectives. I was worried about this jumpiness at first because it tells you what stage of the timeline you’re reading from at the beginning and I always, always!, forget to pay attention, but I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to keep track.

Eli Ever was such a complex and intriguing character! My favourite part about his chapters were reading about his motivations and seeing how his mind ticked.

I personally really enjoyed the ending and I don’t think a sequel was completely necessary however I am 100% going to read it because Asexual Victor Vale is apparently cannon in Vengeful and also I just need more from the characters.

I am so excited to read not only Vengeful but also everything else by V.E Schwab I can get my hands on because she has a true talent at telling stories and I’m looking forward to seeing what more she has to offer.