Scan barcode
lanalabonita's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
remilauren's review against another edition
4.0
Vicious is the story of two best-friends turned foes. Sounds simple right? But these men are ExtraOrdinaries (EOs), people that have had a Near Death Experience (NDE), they almost died and have been resurrected. EOs have special powers depending on their mental state or manner of death. An interesting concept, flavored with religious sentiments of God-Devil, or even Hero-Villain, it sets itself up nicely. Shwab stirs the plot slowly, letting it brew and it ends up on a delicious note, haha.
***SPOILER***
For quite some time, I could not decide on whom to root for, or if I should even root for somebody. Vic was an escaped convict that hated Eli, but it was him in the past that made an outrageous suggestion to try becoming EOs. Only when I learned the fact that Eli conveniently threw Vic under the bus and even marked him as an EO, did I start to feel for Vic.
But I didn't start rooting for him until I found out Eli was on a killing spree. He considered himself a hero and believed he was saving the normal people from EOs by eliminating them. Apparently, all EOs that have influence over others are evil, while he with a reflexive ability is blessed by God. Wow, this guy has a complex!!
Coming to the Clarke sisters, the younger one could raise the dead while the elder could will anyone to do her bidding. I loved the fact that both of them tricked Eli and his obnoxious ways. Serena legit controlled Eli; took away his thoughts and instilled her emotions into him when he came to eliminate her. And our little Sydney escaped death at his hands, twice!
For a long time, I felt like I wasn't attached to any characters. But when Sydney said, Safe had ceased to be a place but a person, specifically Safe had become Victor, I teared up. I loved this strange bond that had formed between them! Similarly Victor might not have shown it but he valued Mitch as a friend, and that feeling was mutual. These three had formed a strange family (sigh).
When Mitch, Sydney, and Dominic were given back their pain, meaning that Vic was dead, I was really sad. But I didn't know how it could end differently. He had killed Serena, and only if he were to die, will Eli be caught red-handed by the police. It hurt, but when Dol was given a third chance, I had my hopes up. And he got his chance too, he even accepted it with a smile. My boy Victor finally found his place among Mitch and Sydney. Hope they led a peaceful life thereafter :D
Though initially I was clueless where the plot was headed, it gained steam midway and I just couldn't put it down. I loved reading it!
***SPOILER***
For quite some time, I could not decide on whom to root for, or if I should even root for somebody. Vic was an escaped convict that hated Eli, but it was him in the past that made an outrageous suggestion to try becoming EOs. Only when I learned the fact that Eli conveniently threw Vic under the bus and even marked him as an EO, did I start to feel for Vic.
But I didn't start rooting for him until I found out Eli was on a killing spree. He considered himself a hero and believed he was saving the normal people from EOs by eliminating them. Apparently, all EOs that have influence over others are evil, while he with a reflexive ability is blessed by God. Wow, this guy has a complex!!
Coming to the Clarke sisters, the younger one could raise the dead while the elder could will anyone to do her bidding. I loved the fact that both of them tricked Eli and his obnoxious ways. Serena legit controlled Eli; took away his thoughts and instilled her emotions into him when he came to eliminate her. And our little Sydney escaped death at his hands, twice!
For a long time, I felt like I wasn't attached to any characters. But when Sydney said, Safe had ceased to be a place but a person, specifically Safe had become Victor, I teared up. I loved this strange bond that had formed between them! Similarly Victor might not have shown it but he valued Mitch as a friend, and that feeling was mutual. These three had formed a strange family (sigh).
When Mitch, Sydney, and Dominic were given back their pain, meaning that Vic was dead, I was really sad. But I didn't know how it could end differently. He had killed Serena, and only if he were to die, will Eli be caught red-handed by the police. It hurt, but when Dol was given a third chance, I had my hopes up. And he got his chance too, he even accepted it with a smile. My boy Victor finally found his place among Mitch and Sydney. Hope they led a peaceful life thereafter :D
Though initially I was clueless where the plot was headed, it gained steam midway and I just couldn't put it down. I loved reading it!
thoroughly_bookish's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It was probably halfway through the first chapter that I knew I was going to love this book. I would sit at work and wish that I could be home reading. The characters were interesting and not just because of their “talents.” Their storylines flowed seamlessly between each other and kept the plot going. My only question is just Eli‘s reason for doing what he did didn’t seem quite as strong as I thought it should be to spend that much time working on that task. He didn’t present as someone that was overly religious and then all of a sudden, this was the reason why he was doing all these horrible things, it wasn’t quite there for me, but the rest of the story, the plot and the characters were amazing. I’m starting the next book now.
missbritt08's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I loved it! I haven’t devoured a book like this in months. The story line, characters, all of it. Already checked out book 2 from libby.
ida_py's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
theroastedbookery's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jemsgreatsin's review against another edition
5.0
snap gurl, i think you dropped something, MY JAW *slay music in the background*
THIS WAS SINGLEHANDEDLY THE ADRENALINE FILLED READ IVE EVER EXPERIENCED!!
my favorite thing about this is probably the chapter switches between past and present and the way everything ties together so satisfyingly towards the ends. it really keeps you on your toes and the build up was just *chefs kiss
but what truly makes Vicious so much more layered and gripping is the characters!!!
their narrative and personalities were so gripping and tangible i was practically rooting for both Victor and Eli at the same time
Victor and Eli are in a way two sides of the same coin because they're both so similar in terms of character yet their mindsets and end-goals are vastily differnet.
both of them are obssed with the idea of killing the other, stopping at nothing to get wjat they want (icluding unaliving people), and this just created the perfect cat and mouse chase between the two pf them
AND THEHOMEOEROTIC TENSION??? truly unmatched.
i also have to emntion victor and sydney's friendship because its SOOOO.
nothing makes my heart warmer than a grump adopting a lost child. IT GETS ME EVERY SINGLE TIME
this book is perfect for anyone that enjoys a fast paced plot, morally gray characters, skyrocketting tension and the most satisfying end to a book.
THIS WAS SINGLEHANDEDLY THE ADRENALINE FILLED READ IVE EVER EXPERIENCED!!
my favorite thing about this is probably the chapter switches between past and present and the way everything ties together so satisfyingly towards the ends. it really keeps you on your toes and the build up was just *chefs kiss
but what truly makes Vicious so much more layered and gripping is the characters!!!
their narrative and personalities were so gripping and tangible i was practically rooting for both Victor and Eli at the same time
Victor and Eli are in a way two sides of the same coin because they're both so similar in terms of character yet their mindsets and end-goals are vastily differnet.
both of them are obssed with the idea of killing the other, stopping at nothing to get wjat they want (icluding unaliving people), and this just created the perfect cat and mouse chase between the two pf them
AND THE
i also have to emntion victor and sydney's friendship because its SOOOO.
nothing makes my heart warmer than a grump adopting a lost child. IT GETS ME EVERY SINGLE TIME
this book is perfect for anyone that enjoys a fast paced plot, morally gray characters, skyrocketting tension and the most satisfying end to a book.
underscorealex's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
tweisenberger's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Short chapters!!!!
hailey2510's review against another edition
3.0
The beginning of the story was good, until it began dragging from around 60%-90%. The last 10% was good, but ended on a cliff hanger. So I will be reading the sequel.