Scan barcode
unalomemama's review against another edition
3.0
Did the audio of this one and only rating it lower because it was difficult to follow with multiple timelines and multiple points of views in the beginning. The end got easier to follow though. Like the overall idea and story of book.
abbyelizabeth's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't too sure I was going to enjoy this at the start but I ended up really liking it. Just a bit of a slow burn that ends in a frenzy. Put the sequel on my TBR list!
7dream's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rabbitjaguar's review against another edition
5.0
This story is beautifully crafted in a way that I as an aspiring writer would dream of achieving.
The story bounces back and forth between a roughly ten year time period in a way that both makes sense from a story-telling standpoint, and is extremely interesting to me. I've never seen a book bounce around the timeline quite like this one, and it thoroughly impresses me.
Victor Vale as a character is likable in his dislikable way. He's just the write amount of twisted to keep you on edge, wondering what he might do next. His college days alongside his then-best-friend, Eli, were a bit difficult for me to read - not because it was written poorly, but because it was written so well. I relate intensely to Victor's feelings of envy and his desire to get the better of his rival, to shoehorn his way into Eli's research and push him down wherever possible. It left a bitter taste in my mouth reading the perspective of a character just like me. But enough of my personal views.
The concept of EOs is just my cup of tea, as I'm a huge sucker for superhumans secretly living amongst regular society. Couple that with a government that is actively trying to smother them, and you can sign me up! I obsessed over this book for the few days it took me to read it. Every hour I wasn't reading, I was wishing that I was. I couldn't put it down! I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good friends-to-enemies antihero superhuman story.
The story bounces back and forth between a roughly ten year time period in a way that both makes sense from a story-telling standpoint, and is extremely interesting to me. I've never seen a book bounce around the timeline quite like this one, and it thoroughly impresses me.
Victor Vale as a character is likable in his dislikable way. He's just the write amount of twisted to keep you on edge, wondering what he might do next. His college days alongside his then-best-friend, Eli, were a bit difficult for me to read - not because it was written poorly, but because it was written so well. I relate intensely to Victor's feelings of envy and his desire to get the better of his rival, to shoehorn his way into Eli's research and push him down wherever possible. It left a bitter taste in my mouth reading the perspective of a character just like me. But enough of my personal views.
The concept of EOs is just my cup of tea, as I'm a huge sucker for superhumans secretly living amongst regular society. Couple that with a government that is actively trying to smother them, and you can sign me up! I obsessed over this book for the few days it took me to read it. Every hour I wasn't reading, I was wishing that I was. I couldn't put it down! I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good friends-to-enemies antihero superhuman story.
bowenam's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating. I love books that provide more than your typical horrible-bad-guy vs. amazing-but-with-some-flaws-good-guy. I wondered through most of the book which characters were going to end up being truly evil. Both Eli and Victor were very interesting main characters, and the side-characters were awesome as well. I echo the praise on the back of the book "A noirish cross between the X-Men and the Count of Monte Cristo. You won't be able to stop turning pages."
That being said, I didn't give it 5 stars because of the language (there were more than 5 F-words) and there were several parts that were quite violent - if it were made into a movie, they would be parts I'd close my eyes through.
That being said, I didn't give it 5 stars because of the language (there were more than 5 F-words) and there were several parts that were quite violent - if it were made into a movie, they would be parts I'd close my eyes through.
thecrookedmanor's review against another edition
3.0
Well I’ve owned this book for a decade but just read it now. I wholeheartedly thought I would love it but it was just ok. I never really felt drawn into the story or found myself concerned for Eli or Victor. Bummmmmmmer.
Love VE Schwab though and can’t wait to read more of her work.
Love VE Schwab though and can’t wait to read more of her work.
cait_s's review against another edition
4.0
What makes a hero? What makes a monster? Victor and Eli start out as promising young men, but there's something different, even then. And then an experiment both succeeds and goes horribly awry, and they're both changed. Eli sees himself as a hero, slaying the monsters. Victor just wants revenge.
But it's more complicated than that. As the story unfolds, largely from Victor's POV, but also from Eli's (with a few others thrown in), it's clear that what they define themselves as isn't all that they are. There's good and bad in every character in this book, but you still find yourself hoping for Victor's success. Some monsters are more frightening than others...
Be warned that the story skips around often, especially in the beginning. The chapter heads give the time, though, making it easy to track. The time shifts, like the occasional non-Victor POV chapter, give information needed for the plot, filling in events and backstory. They tend to be short, and so not disruptive. The whole story is fast-paced, with events in the present reaching a climax quickly. The end leaves you wanting more, but isn't a cliffhanger--it only asks 'what's next?' I'll be reading Vengeful to find the answer.
But it's more complicated than that. As the story unfolds, largely from Victor's POV, but also from Eli's (with a few others thrown in), it's clear that what they define themselves as isn't all that they are. There's good and bad in every character in this book, but you still find yourself hoping for Victor's success. Some monsters are more frightening than others...
Be warned that the story skips around often, especially in the beginning. The chapter heads give the time, though, making it easy to track. The time shifts, like the occasional non-Victor POV chapter, give information needed for the plot, filling in events and backstory. They tend to be short, and so not disruptive. The whole story is fast-paced, with events in the present reaching a climax quickly. The end leaves you wanting more, but isn't a cliffhanger--it only asks 'what's next?' I'll be reading Vengeful to find the answer.
bigalexander's review against another edition
2.0
Really just not that compelling. Was expecting a lot more from this