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zonnestraal's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Vicious. No wonder it's called that. This book is certainly no walk in the park, unless the park is dark and you get stabbed by someone while walking through it. This was a really well written book, with complex thoughts, as 'is there really good or bad?' I liked how the book switched between different timelines and wasn't a chronical recounting. The supernatural system was well explained and fascinating. A lot of murders. A lot of death (but there is a cheat in the game, so not all deaths are definitive). It's a very good book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Death, Blood, and Animal death
Moderate: Alcohol, Drug use, and Gun violence
Minor: Self harm and Suicide attempt
kristins3's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I had a really good time with this book. The part where they’re sitting in class was funny because that’s not at all how college would be structured, but it was a small part of the book and didn’t really affect my experience. Overall, it has a similar vibe to (though very different plot from) Unbreakable which I loved
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Violence
alittlegreenbean's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
3.5
this was a good, quick read but wouldn’t consider it anything special! found family trope was fun, hopefully we get to see more of them together in the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt and Murder
Moderate: Violence
akechi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
the joy of finally finding a book that ticks all the boxes you were craving for anyway we love you victor vale
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
claireisagrisha's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
OMG!!! Wow… so these have been on my physical shelf since 2022 and I finally read them!!! Thank you thank you I’m proud of it too.
Did I love Vicious? Yes. Was Vengeful better? Yeah. To me. Hehehehehehe
I think the usage of multiple POVs in both novels really contributes to my enjoyment of them because you get to hear everyone’s backstory through their perspective and you get a glimpse in how they think/view the world.
If you want a fantasy book about superpowers and supervillains ~ read this!!! It also has strong friendships, betrayals, and your jaw will be dropped.
Did I love Vicious? Yes. Was Vengeful better? Yeah. To me. Hehehehehehe
I think the usage of multiple POVs in both novels really contributes to my enjoyment of them because you get to hear everyone’s backstory through their perspective and you get a glimpse in how they think/view the world.
If you want a fantasy book about superpowers and supervillains ~ read this!!! It also has strong friendships, betrayals, and your jaw will be dropped.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Violence
Moderate: Addiction
thisisuru's review against another edition
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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Gaslighting, Gore, Self harm, Animal death, Gun violence, Child abuse, Blood, and Violence
radwritingdesk's review against another edition
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 against another edition
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