A review by queer_bookwyrm
Vicious by V.E. Schwab

dark mysterious tense 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

 
5 ⭐ CW: violence, incarceration, graverobbing, attempted suicide, intentional overdose, murder, self harm, torture, opioid misuse, descriptions of blood and corpses

Vicious by V.E. Schwab is the first book in the Villains duology. I loved this book! I'm a sucker for morally gray characters, and this book takes the cake. I mean, with lines like this- "There are no good men in this game"- you know you're in for a treat.

We follow Victor Vale and his best friend/roommate as they come up with a thesis for your science class. Victor chooses something to do with adrenaline and hormones, but Eli chooses something wild. He chooses to make his thesis on the existence of ExtraOrdinaries (EOs), people who have Near Death Experiences (NDE), but we're brought back to life and ended up with powers based on what their last thoughts or desires were.

Both Victor and Eli felt like they might be a bit sociopathic, but this ramps up after each of them goes through with an NDE and successfully come back to life with powers. For Eli, he becomes self healing, and Victor can manipulate pain in himself and others. They realize the. When they've come back, something is missing.

I loved the way this was done. It's got a superhero origin story feel to it, but as stated before, there are no good men. Eli and Victor are just different shades of bad. I loved the juxtaposition if Eli being religious and his idea that he's doing God's work while killing people. It lent an extra bit of creepyness. Eli's psychology alone is fascinating.

Glad I just bought the sequel, so I can find out what happens next! I also might be interested in starting the ExtraOrdinary graphic novels! 
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