The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
starsandscarsbookclub's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Torture, Animal death, Self harm, Murder, Mental illness, Gore, Gun violence, Confinement, Death, Violence, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, and Blood
jiangslore's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
[4/5]
Eu até esperava gostar de “Vicious”, mas não esperava que a leitura fosse tão divertida quanto foi. O livro retrata uma história que tem fundamentos sólidos e interessantes, mas, ao mesmo tempo, muita ação e mistério. Os conflitos que permeiam o livro e os personagens foram, com certeza, meus aspectos favoritos. O enredo e a escrita, por sua vez, foram questões que trouxeram características positivas e negativas para o livro, na minha opinião.
Como esperado de um livro cuja a premissa é ser uma história não tradicional sobre pessoas com super poderes, há certos questionamentos morais que são muito importantes para o enredo de “Vicious”. Apesar desses questionamentos definitivamente poderem ser mais explorados — o que penso que naturalmente ocorrerá no resto da trilogia —, eles já foram muito bem apresentados. O que é introduzido nesse volume é suficiente para entender bem as motivações dos dois personagens que estão em conflito — Victor e Eli.
Objetivamente falando, ambos os personagens são compreensíveis, bem desenvolvidos e internamente coerentes. Portanto, mesmo se o leitor não gostar de algum deles (ou se a mera existência de um deles causar-lhe uma irritação profunda, como foi o meu caso), acredito que será capaz de entender de onde vem sua perspectiva e como isso está conectado com a personalidade e ações do personagem. Quando se trata de personagens envolvidos em conflitos morais profundos, penso que encontrar esse equilíbrio é o melhor que pode ser feito por um autor, e a acho que a V. E. Schwab conseguiu executar isso muito bem.
Além dos dois personagens envolvidos no conflito principal, há outros que também são bem relevantes para o enredo. Eles — assim como Victor e Eli, para ser sincera — pareciam um pouco estereotipados no início, pois possuíam características que não são incomuns quando autores tentam criar imagens “excêntricas” para seus personagens. Mas, aos poucos, foram sendo apresentadas mais aspectos de cada um; e o elenco todo acabou se tornando bem interessante. Ao final do livro, eu já havia conseguido me apegar a alguns deles, e uma das coisas que me motiva a ler o próximo volume, com certeza, é saber o que vai acontecer com cada um.
Com relação ao enredo, o que mais gostei foi a sua organização. A narrativa não é linear — algo que considero importante mencionar porque, se por um lado, eu tenho uma tendência a gostar de livros que são assim, por outro, reconheço que tem muitas pessoas que não gostam —, e as transições entre passado e presente, bem como a escolha do que dizer (e do que não dizer) em cada momento do livro foram muito bem executadas. Em razão disso, a impressão que tive é que “Vicious” é um livro extremamente “cinematográfico”. Sei que adaptações causam ansiedade em muitos leitores, mas eu adoraria ver uma série sobre essa obra.
Por outro lado, há coisas no enredo que foram, na minha opinião, um pouco convenientes demais. Não foi nada que me incomodasse significativamente, mas, mesmo assim, foi uma impressão que tive. Além disso, é claro que há questões que ainda não foram completamente respondidas ou desenvolvidas no enredo, mas isso é normal para um primeiro volume.
A escrita, por fim, não foi algo que considerei “ruim”, mas também não foi um aspecto que se destacou. Sinceramente, se o enredo e os personagens não tivessem me interessado tanto, não sei se teria gostado do estilo de escrita da autora — mas isso é algo que estou disposta a testar. Sei que V. E. Schwab é muito popular e, depois do primeiro contato positivo que tive em “Vicious”, com certeza pretendo ler outras obras dela.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Animal death, Child death, Gun violence, and Violence
booksbooksbooks505's review
adventurous
dark
tense
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Torture, Murder, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Animal death and Suicide attempt
clstrifes's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Animal death, Forced institutionalization, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Child death, Death, and Self harm
on_your_raedar's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was so good! Once I got into it, it was really hard to put down (the library due date helped some too 😂😂).
Fastest summary: this book is about Eli, a college student, that does his thesis on extraordinary (EOs) people and his roommate Victor, the POV you spend majority of the book in, work together to test Eli’s theories into practice to see if they can make EOs. Victor accidentally kills someone with his gift and Eli turns him in and goes on a self righteous kick using religion as his motivator. You spend the whole book waiting for the V and E show down.
I’m not sure if the intent was to make Victor a likeable character but I really liked him. Mitch was easily my favorite character, I really hope the6 make this into a movie or tv show and get his character right because I’d love to see him. Sydney was a solid character, she’s really young so I’m excited to see her growth if she’s in book 2, especially withher not knowing that Victor killed her sister, not Eli. I can already feel the tension there, but I hope it works out.
Needless to say, I have book 2 ready to start and also another book by the author. I could easily see V.E. creeping into my top 5 authors and I’m ready.
Fastest summary: this book is about Eli, a college student, that does his thesis on extraordinary (EOs) people and his roommate Victor, the POV you spend majority of the book in, work together to test Eli’s theories into practice to see if they can make EOs. Victor accidentally kills someone with his gift and Eli turns him in and goes on a self righteous kick using religion as his motivator. You spend the whole book waiting for the V and E show down.
I’m not sure if the intent was to make Victor a likeable character but I really liked him. Mitch was easily my favorite character, I really hope the6 make this into a movie or tv show and get his character right because I’d love to see him. Sydney was a solid character, she’s really young so I’m excited to see her growth if she’s in book 2, especially with
Needless to say, I have book 2 ready to start and also another book by the author. I could easily see V.E. creeping into my top 5 authors and I’m ready.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Suicide, Blood, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Gun violence
Minor: Drug use, Grief, Gaslighting, and Ableism
sofiadanielle's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
As usual, VE Schwab has a wonderful touch for building a fantasy world and bringing her characters to life.
It’s safe to say that I don’t hold much love for the two main characters, though I was quite fond of Mitch and Sydney (and Dol, of course.) Despite my apathy for Victor and Eli, I found myself quite enamored with the storyline.
The way the story was told was interesting, with the switching POVs + time skips, and though I found it slightly disorienting at first, I was definitely intrigued and interested, motivated to keep reading on.
Dark and a bit violent, but so easy to get drawn into. Excited to start Vengeful soon!
It’s safe to say that I don’t hold much love for the two main characters, though I was quite fond of Mitch and Sydney (and Dol, of course.) Despite my apathy for Victor and Eli, I found myself quite enamored with the storyline.
The way the story was told was interesting, with the switching POVs + time skips, and though I found it slightly disorienting at first, I was definitely intrigued and interested, motivated to keep reading on.
Dark and a bit violent, but so easy to get drawn into. Excited to start Vengeful soon!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, Gun violence, Death, Toxic friendship, Suicide, Self harm, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
itisnatal's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Gun violence, Murder, Abandonment, Blood, and Death
grabyourcrocs's review
5.0
I ate this up mm mm mmm!
if Eli has no haters I am dead
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death
cowardlyteaman's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
This is without a doubt my favourite read of the year.
Fucking hell, this was a WILD RIDE.
I love every single one of the characters, and I love the way this book kept me hooked 100% of the while.
Even though Victor is «edgy» in a way, it just makes sense for him in such a good and logical way. I'm not annoyed or icked by it, I just like his character.
Loving the way Mitch's character is built up, too, and of course Sydney.
I especially loved Eli and Serena as villains, too. Nothing I love more than a sexy and crazed religious man and a fem-dom.
For a while, I was conflicted on what I thought about people being revived. However, I don't think it matters here? In all other media, it seriously bothers me, but in this book in particular, who lives and who dies isn't really what keeps you on edge, it's how the characters' relationships with each other develops. I absolutely love the dynamic between each and every character, I CANNOT stress any more how much I LOVED reading this.
Ditched Norwegian, maths, and economics class for this book.
Fucking hell, this was a WILD RIDE.
I love every single one of the characters, and I love the way this book kept me hooked 100% of the while.
Even though Victor is «edgy» in a way, it just makes sense for him in such a good and logical way. I'm not annoyed or icked by it, I just like his character.
Loving the way Mitch's character is built up, too, and of course Sydney.
I especially loved Eli and Serena as villains, too. Nothing I love more than a sexy and crazed religious man and a fem-dom.
For a while, I was conflicted on what I thought about people being revived. However, I don't think it matters here? In all other media, it seriously bothers me, but in this book in particular, who lives and who dies isn't really what keeps you on edge, it's how the characters' relationships with each other develops. I absolutely love the dynamic between each and every character, I CANNOT stress any more how much I LOVED reading this.
Ditched Norwegian, maths, and economics class for this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Alcohol, Animal death, Drug use, Gun violence, Religious bigotry, Violence, Drug abuse, Murder, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Gaslighting, Medical trauma, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Medical content
Minor: Sexual content, Stalking, Panic attacks/disorders, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
ahpets's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Death, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical content, Torture, Animal death, Alcohol, Blood, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual content, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Violence