Vicious
by V.E. Schwab
Summary
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?
GoodReads Nominee for Favorite Fantasy 2013
My Review
3.5 stars
I really enjoy this author’s novels, so when my best friend wanted to do a buddy of this book, I jumped at the chance to read another story by V.E. Schwab. As always, it’s beautifully written. It was highly descriptive and immersive. To note, there is language in it. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did a great job, though his female voices made me laugh because they sounded a bit silly coming from a male narrator.
I thought this fantasy story felt like a mix of X-Men and the 80s movie, Flatliners. Now, you can take my review with a grain of salt because I’m not a huge fan or reader of sci-fi fantasy or hero/villain stories. I usually do not gravitate toward these types of stories. As much as I enjoy this author and her writing, the overall story was good but not quite my cup of tea. I thought the plot was interesting, but it felt a little flat for me. I would’ve liked a lot more action. It also had a lot of build-up and tension, but then the ending felt anticlimactic.
While the premise of the story is intriguing, following the rivalry between two former friends turned nemeses, Victor and Eli, the execution feels somewhat uneven. The narrative jumps back and forth in time, which can be disorienting at times and disrupts the flow of the story. Additionally, the pacing can feel uneven, with some sections dragging while others rush by, leaving little time for the reader to fully absorb the events unfolding. I preferred the past storylines and wished it were a linear story, working its way forward.
The characters themselves, while complex, can be difficult to connect with on a deeper level. Victor and Eli are both driven by their own ambitions, but their motivations can feel shallow and their actions, at times, hard to sympathize with. I had a hard time relating to them and even liking them. Supporting characters, such as Sydney and Serena, also lack depth, serving more as plot devices than fully realized individuals.
Furthermore, while the exploration of morality and the nature of power is a central theme of the novel, it can feel heavy-handed at times. Schwab’s commentary on the blurred lines between heroism and villainy often lacks subtlety, making it feel more like a lecture than a nuanced exploration of the subject.
Despite these criticisms, “Vicious” does have its moments of brilliance. Schwab’s prose is engaging, and she creates a vivid and atmospheric world that draws the reader in. The concept of ExtraOrdinary individuals, those with supernatural abilities, is intriguing, and the moral dilemmas they face add depth to the story. There are also themes around friendship, revenge, and redemption, which were interesting to think about.
Overall, I enjoyed this story, but also saw some problems with it. While it offers a thought-provoking exploration of power and morality, its uneven pacing, lack of depth in character development, and heavy-handed themes prevent it from reaching its full potential. It’s worth a read for fans of dark fantasy and superhero stories, but be prepared for a narrative that doesn’t always live up to its promise.
But I enjoyed it enough to read the second book, and I’ll definitely read more by this author. Recommend this book if the plot sounds interesting to you.