Reviews tagging 'Suicidal thoughts'

Vengeful by V.E. Schwab

21 reviews

fierygecko's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

The more I read V.E. Schwab’s work, the more I like it. I love that the themes that both the characters and the readers are presented with in Vicious are shown in this book, too. Vengeful felt like a true continuation of Vicious, even though the first book ended in such a way that it could have stood alone. While this book felt less dramatic to me I thought that having more characters with spotlight was really interesting and that kept me hooked. I do wish Dominic Rusher had more “screen time” but that’s just because I really like him. If I could highlight every other line in this book without the action losing all meaning, I would.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, and Violence

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

seastheday's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I wanted to read this an entire night but alas, I have a newborn, and she comes before books. However, this was a great sequel to Vicious. I absolutely loved Vicious, and thought it was perfect so I was hesitant to go on with the trilogy. But V.E Schwab is one of the most artful and meticulous authors I’ve come across and will only put out work that does her characters, plot, and world building justice. This novel not only expanded the world and what we know about EO’s but also introduced a new villain while continuing the heart of the story: Victor Vale vs. Eli Ever. I enjoyed getting to understand Eli & his backstory. But, I will always root for Victor, since he has redeeming qualities and is loyal. Whereas Eli is a cold-hearted fraud with no allegiance to anyone except himself. I’m incredibly excited for Victorious- which they confirmed they’re working on currently. (Confirmed at the end of 2023!!!)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Medical trauma, and Murder

Moderate: Alcohol

Minor: Alcoholism

beansprout344's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Self harm, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Animal death, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

aliyachaudhry's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-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

3.75

never needed a book series to be adapted into action movies as much as these

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, and Infidelity

Minor: Vomit

rhyslightning's review against another edition

dark reflective tense medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

If you’ve already read Addie LaRue, then I can say this one ends leaving a similar taste in your mouth. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail

regaliaofchaos's review against another edition

challenging dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Medical content, and Fire/Fire injury

mxdegroot's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I. NEED. THE. NEXT. BOOK.

Schwab never fails to pull me into a book and not let me go before I've finished it. Her pacing is gripping and well-balanced and her writing adds to the tension. You'd expect that a long book consisting of short chapters, perspective changes and time jumps would be very confusing, but to me, it was very easy to follow. The fact that the reader gets left on a character cliffhanger for roughly fifty pages every once in a while and then gets thrown back into their story after another character cliffhanger adds amazingly to the tension. By the end of longer chapters, I sometimes forgot where in the timeline I was, but they're always stated in the chapter title, so all you have to do is just flip back and your memory is refreshed.

I was so happy that we finally got full insight into Eli's backstory. The mystery worked well in the first book, but knowing his history gave the character a whole new dimension and made him ten times more scary/unhinged than he already was.

I have to be honest and admit that June's character arc disappointed me a little. She's not a flat character; we get hinted at her backstory a lot. However, we never really know what happened to her and her exact motivations for doing what she did.

It's been a few years since this book came out, but I hope Storygraph's information is true and there is a new book coming, because this story feels anything but complete to me; there's a difference between an open ending and an incomplete one, and this was the latter. I want to know more about Victor's history and motivations, what happens to him after the book, where Sydney and Mitch are going, June's backstory, and so many more things.

January 2nd, 2024 - January 5th, 2024.

 “Gods [were] crucified before they were worshipped.” 

 “While seeking revenge, dig two graves—one for yourself.” 

 “Run, thought Victor, and he could see the response in Eli's coiled frame.
Chase me.”

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Animal death, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Death of parent

cowardlyteaman's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, and Murder

Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Alcohol

Minor: Stalking

pelb's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Here’s the thing, I wanted to love this book. The writing style is great, I love all the characters, and the powers are cool. I loved that we got to see more of Eli’s backstory, I felt like I understood his character a lot better after that. Here’s my main problems: 

1. The focus on new characters 
- there were two new characters introduced, which seemed cool at first. They were good characters with interesting abilities, however, it felt like they were thrown in out of nowhere and then they took over the story. I felt like they could’ve had their own spin off story, rather than being put in this book. Their presence is what killed it for me, because it detracted from the main plot line and caused the downfall of my second problem: 

2. The ending 
- I could’ve overlooked everything else if it wasn’t for the ending. It was extremely rushed and felt unfinished, which was very disappointing after all the buildup. There was no satisfying conclusion I was looking for and I felt confused by the end, wondering why it wasn’t a trilogy, because the story is very clearly not over. Now if she actually comes back and makes a third book, which I’ve heard she might, that would significantly change my opinion of this book, because it was a very enjoyable read. I don’t think she’s going to though, so I am very disappointed. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Physical abuse, Torture, Medical trauma, Murder, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Addiction

elinorn's review against another edition

4.0

This was fun, I found myself loving but also hating all the villains, in the best way possible. I want to read more books from the villain/anti-hero's perspective!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt