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radwritingdesk's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Suicide, and Violence
meant2breading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Wow! This is my second book from V.E. Schwab (don’t expect this to be anything like Addie Larue 🤭) and I loved this one too! I really enjoyed the antihero character and plot drive. It was quite engaging to see how Eli and Victor mirrored each other frequently on multiple levels: The aspects of their personalities and before and after the NDEs, the interactions with EOs (by the way, what a cool concept!!), and the graveyard setting. While I couldn’t standddd Serena, and certainly, the main characters at times, Mitch, Syd, and Dol added the necessary comic relief and reprieve from all the fast paced crazy that took place! The short chapters and constant time hops were also spectacular and surprisingly were easy to follow. The only reason I didn’t give this five stars is because Eli REALLY REALLY got on my last nerve. I’m sure that was the point though. Will definitely read Vengeful soon!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Minor: Animal death
bewitchedandbewildered's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
2018:
Absolutely amazing! A book that you can't put down; with very complex characters who you'll love or hate deeply.
2024:
Vicious was so much better the second time around, and that's saying a lot considering I gave it five stars the first time I read it. The story is absolutely exhilarating, the characters feel real and flawed and complex: human. The last 100 pages had me on the edge of my seat, counting down the minutes until midnight. I was genuinely stressed out. Every showdown had me screaming in my bedroom, hoping Victor would come out on top, victorious.
That was contentious point for me with the book - how much I liked Victor. I'm sure as readers we are supposed to sympathize with him more, especially as Eli casually murders dozens of people in the name of his faith/beliefs? I'm still a bit confused by his motivations and his self righteousness. How he was able to justify his actions, and in the same breathe exempt himself from that same judgement...he's a weird guy. And idk there's just something kinda hot about Victor...anyways.
Mitch and Sydney are such likable characters, and again when juxtaposed with Eli's sidekick, Serena, it's quite easy to pick a side. Their relationship, and the little family they were able to create with Vic, Dol, and later Dominic was surprisingly heartwarming even in the midst of all the violence. I really hope this continues, and their bond deepens in book two. On the other hand, Serena irritated me every single time she was on the page. It's so hard to empathize with her, despite the fact that her story and her powers are quite heartbreaking. She's just a terrible person. 10/10 would not recommend.
Overall I'm obsessed with this book, I can't wait to see how this story continues to unfold in book two. I'm incredibly happy with how Vicious ended, and honestly even if I never picked up the second book I could sleep peacefully at night knowing my homies did what they had to do.
Absolutely amazing! A book that you can't put down; with very complex characters who you'll love or hate deeply.
2024:
Vicious was so much better the second time around, and that's saying a lot considering I gave it five stars the first time I read it. The story is absolutely exhilarating, the characters feel real and flawed and complex: human. The last 100 pages had me on the edge of my seat, counting down the minutes until midnight. I was genuinely stressed out. Every showdown had me screaming in my bedroom, hoping Victor would come out on top, victorious.
That was contentious point for me with the book - how much I liked Victor. I'm sure as readers we are supposed to sympathize with him more, especially as Eli casually murders dozens of people in the name of his faith/beliefs? I'm still a bit confused by his motivations and his self righteousness. How he was able to justify his actions, and in the same breathe exempt himself from that same judgement...he's a weird guy. And idk there's just something kinda hot about Victor...anyways.
Mitch and Sydney are such likable characters, and again when juxtaposed with Eli's sidekick, Serena, it's quite easy to pick a side. Their relationship, and the little family they were able to create with Vic, Dol, and later Dominic was surprisingly heartwarming even in the midst of all the violence. I really hope this continues, and their bond deepens in book two. On the other hand, Serena irritated me every single time she was on the page. It's so hard to empathize with her, despite the fact that her story and her powers are quite heartbreaking. She's just a terrible person. 10/10 would not recommend.
Overall I'm obsessed with this book, I can't wait to see how this story continues to unfold in book two. I'm incredibly happy with how Vicious ended, and honestly even if I never picked up the second book I could sleep peacefully at night knowing my homies did what they had to do.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence
tannerisboring's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Blood, Violence, and Gore
katbotelho's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
theres a lot going on in this book but i really enjoyed it,, there were times where i had to put the book down bc it was just straight up overwhelming how much was going on, but i will be reading the next one anyway. also i think this book wrote the definition for morally grey characters.
also couldve done without so much self harm tho but alas
anyway im taking away half a star simply for serenas annoying ass
also couldve done without so much self harm tho but alas
anyway im taking away half a star simply for serenas annoying ass
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Suicide, and Death
Moderate: Drug use, Violence, Gun violence, and Murder
Minor: Animal death
sandwiiche's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
that was a ride. my favourite v.e schwab book by far !! i enjoyed the concept and the themes surrounding mortality and morality 🔫
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Violence
strawberrytops's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I could not put this down. I wanted to read it in one sitting, and had to actively stop myself from doing so knowing it would give me nightmares if I did. It’s haunting. Addictive. I highly recommend, but not for the faint of heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Torture, Drug abuse, Blood, Violence, Gun violence, Murder, Self harm, and Suicide
Moderate: Animal death
isabezza's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Murder, Self harm, Violence, Torture, Blood, Death, and Gun violence
seastheday's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The premise and story were extremely unique. There really was no predicting what would happen in the end from any point of the book. Meaning that it is a really well written novel. There were about 6/7 times where I thought something occurred with finality to only find out pages later that the end result was quite different. Now, I wasn’t attached to any of the characters enough to cry at any of these points. The characters are from from lovable with the exception of Mitch. Even though I will definitely read the next book in the duology, for some reason I still don’t want to give it the full four stars. But I think it’s because I almost didn’t care if I finished the book or not? Maybe because it was so dark most of the time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Stalking, Self harm, Animal death, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Blood and Torture
Minor: Alcoholism and Alcohol
imcarsick's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Blood, and Death