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A review by bewitchedandbewildered
Vicious by V.E. Schwab
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