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marisavl's review against another edition
3.0
Let me preface this by saying V. E. Schwab is usually a hit for me! But idk... this duology just didn't give me what I wanted.
I had already been underwhelmed with Vicious, but this one was even worse. There were too many different characters, too many time jumps. The entire work felt unfocused. I wish the author had chosen to go with Syneys and June's relationship or Victor and Eli's or a character in particular... I feel like Schwab tried to focus on something but only did that for one part each. She spent soo much time developing Marcella as a character and yet her death was so uneventful, completely overshadowed by everything else going on.
Also, literally NONE of the plans anyone made worked. It felt quite unsatisfying.
There definitely was potential but it felt like a chaotic Schwab knock-off.
I had already been underwhelmed with Vicious, but this one was even worse. There were too many different characters, too many time jumps. The entire work felt unfocused. I wish the author had chosen to go with Syneys and June's relationship or Victor and Eli's or a character in particular... I feel like Schwab tried to focus on something but only did that for one part each. She spent soo much time developing Marcella as a character and yet her death was so uneventful, completely overshadowed by everything else going on.
Also, literally NONE of the plans anyone made worked. It felt quite unsatisfying.
There definitely was potential but it felt like a chaotic Schwab knock-off.
gabfat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
chroniclesofabookmum's review against another edition
5.0
"You can't kill what is already dead. You can only dispose of it"
This book is the sequel to V.E. Schwab's "Vicious". I literally cannot write a synopsis without giving away things that happened in Vicious and I am not willing to spoil such a wonderful book so this review will not contain a synopsis for that reason.
I absolutely loved this book. I think I preferred Vicious slightly, however regardless this was an absolutely fantastic read.
Firstly, how sassy was Marcella?! I mean I know I'm not meant to like her but I just couldn't help myself. When I grow up I want to be just like her! My favourite quote?
"Marcella the Business Major. What do you want to be?"
"In charge"
YES SISTER
I absolutely love how this continuation on from the first book, it was done so well and the plot was just fantastic. Again, there was no particular stand out character that as a reader you are meant to love. It allows each character to be focused on just as much and not just one to take the limelight. I am intrigued by how other people interpret these characters.
The magic system in this book is phenomenal. I absolutely love the idea of superhero powers in which different EOs have different powers and all of their stories are different. It is such a clever idea and Schwab really does carry this well throughout.
I really enjoyed how the previous characters from the first in the series develop throughout and we can relate further to them. Plot twist. I still hate Eli. He makes me so mad. However whilst I hate him I did like how we found out about his childhood in this book. I feel like it helped the reader understand him better as a character. I still don't like him. But I understand him.
We also had newer characters, my favourite being June. She was such a dark horse I felt throughout, and I wasn't sure of her intentions. However as the story continued I really did enjoy her as a character and definitely warmed to her. She turned out to be one of the top characters for me in the book and I'm still not I know her true intentions. She definitely has me second guessing myself.
Lets discuss the ending though. What was that? Does that mean there is going to be another book? I really hope there is because I literally feel like I've been left on a cliffhanger and wanting more. Whilst the series could probably end as a duology and I suppose I would be content, deep down I would really love a sequel to this so that I can find out what happens next, especially to certain characters .. those that are still left anyway. You won't be surprised to hear that Schwab is still not afraid to break your heart and she succeeded in this one also.
I would 100% recommend that you read this series, it was fantastic and one which I will treasure. I'm sure I will reread it with pleasure some time in the future. I cannot wait to dive into more books by V.E. Schwab.
This book is the sequel to V.E. Schwab's "Vicious". I literally cannot write a synopsis without giving away things that happened in Vicious and I am not willing to spoil such a wonderful book so this review will not contain a synopsis for that reason.
I absolutely loved this book. I think I preferred Vicious slightly, however regardless this was an absolutely fantastic read.
Firstly, how sassy was Marcella?! I mean I know I'm not meant to like her but I just couldn't help myself. When I grow up I want to be just like her! My favourite quote?
"Marcella the Business Major. What do you want to be?"
"In charge"
YES SISTER
I absolutely love how this continuation on from the first book, it was done so well and the plot was just fantastic. Again, there was no particular stand out character that as a reader you are meant to love. It allows each character to be focused on just as much and not just one to take the limelight. I am intrigued by how other people interpret these characters.
The magic system in this book is phenomenal. I absolutely love the idea of superhero powers in which different EOs have different powers and all of their stories are different. It is such a clever idea and Schwab really does carry this well throughout.
I really enjoyed how the previous characters from the first in the series develop throughout and we can relate further to them. Plot twist. I still hate Eli. He makes me so mad. However whilst I hate him I did like how we found out about his childhood in this book. I feel like it helped the reader understand him better as a character. I still don't like him. But I understand him.
We also had newer characters, my favourite being June. She was such a dark horse I felt throughout, and I wasn't sure of her intentions. However as the story continued I really did enjoy her as a character and definitely warmed to her. She turned out to be one of the top characters for me in the book and I'm still not I know her true intentions. She definitely has me second guessing myself.
Lets discuss the ending though. What was that? Does that mean there is going to be another book? I really hope there is because I literally feel like I've been left on a cliffhanger and wanting more. Whilst the series could probably end as a duology and I suppose I would be content, deep down I would really love a sequel to this so that I can find out what happens next, especially to certain characters .. those that are still left anyway. You won't be surprised to hear that Schwab is still not afraid to break your heart and she succeeded in this one also.
I would 100% recommend that you read this series, it was fantastic and one which I will treasure. I'm sure I will reread it with pleasure some time in the future. I cannot wait to dive into more books by V.E. Schwab.
clace_19's review against another edition
5.0
4.55!
"Victor stared at the wall as if it were still a window. “He doesn’t know how patient you are,” he said. “Doesn’t know you like I do.” Eli cleaned the blood from his hand. “No,” he said softly. “No one ever has."
I absolutely loved this book though not as much as the first one. It was still a great delight to see the characters back.
Let's start with the writing style; V.E. Schwab has easily the best writing style, I mean you can easily see it in Addie Larue or Vicious even this one. It's so vivid and immersive that you just fall right into the book and see the story as if you were right there. Its addicting that I actually cannot stop.
The plot; I was all here for the plot. New character?? Victor and Eli confrontation?? Who wouldn't want that. It was good it was setting up to be really good like the building and plotting throughout the book was phenomenal that you'd think that the end would be a big bad battle but sadly it was a little anti-climatic and we were robbed of that, though there was a battle it wasn't as big as I'd hope it would be.
The characters; Victor vale is the best morally grey character ever written hands down, and Eli idk how to feel about him (ik I said that while I was reading vicious too but I just DK) Sydney was a little annoying but it made sense for her character as she was inching towards the rebellious teenage phase. Mitch and dol stole the show for me, I loved them so much, Mitch is easily a cinnamon role. They were also new characters and new povs that I really really enjoyed like Dom's pov was so fun to read I really liked him, I actually liked him more than I thought I would and Marcella was just
"Victor stared at the wall as if it were still a window. “He doesn’t know how patient you are,” he said. “Doesn’t know you like I do.” Eli cleaned the blood from his hand. “No,” he said softly. “No one ever has."
I absolutely loved this book though not as much as the first one. It was still a great delight to see the characters back.
Let's start with the writing style; V.E. Schwab has easily the best writing style, I mean you can easily see it in Addie Larue or Vicious even this one. It's so vivid and immersive that you just fall right into the book and see the story as if you were right there. Its addicting that I actually cannot stop.
The plot; I was all here for the plot. New character?? Victor and Eli confrontation?? Who wouldn't want that. It was good it was setting up to be really good like the building and plotting throughout the book was phenomenal that you'd think that the end would be a big bad battle but sadly it was a little anti-climatic and we were robbed of that, though there was a battle it wasn't as big as I'd hope it would be.
The characters; Victor vale is the best morally grey character ever written hands down, and Eli idk how to feel about him (ik I said that while I was reading vicious too but I just DK) Sydney was a little annoying but it made sense for her character as she was inching towards the rebellious teenage phase. Mitch and dol stole the show for me, I loved them so much, Mitch is easily a cinnamon role. They were also new characters and new povs that I really really enjoyed like Dom's pov was so fun to read I really liked him, I actually liked him more than I thought I would and Marcella was just
ghostofmimi's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ashwas1228's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cicelyvford's review against another edition
3.0
FROM COMPLETE EXUBERANCE TO WONDERING WHEN IT WOULD END!!!
Ages ago I read Vicious and completely fell in love with the story! I hated Eli's character because he was just pure evil and although Victor wasn't "good", I was invested in his convolutions. Vicious is one of my favorite books and unfortunately I can't say the same for Vengeful. I WILL continue to read books from Schwab because I find there's something magnetic about her writing.
I shared my excitement with two of my buddies about how good it was somewhere in the middle and it was, but then it started spiraling for me after that. My expectation for more Victor was high. The back of the book preps the reader for the familiar dynamic of good vs. evil or morally grey vs. evil, whatever your take. It notes:
Magneto and Professor X
Superman and Lex Luthor
Sydney and Serena Clarke
Victor Vale and Eli Ever
Where was Victor in this story? I mean WHERE WAS HE? This is actually the story of Marcella Riggins with the penumbra of Victor lurking in certain parts until almost the very end. To be fair, I am all for the introduction of new characters in sequels. I'm not a bookish noob. However, there seems to be too much of a disconnect from Vicious where I felt like this could've been a standalone.
Right from the beginning I disliked Marcella AND her husband. They both are incredibly obnoxious. Both are wrapped in superficiality and Marcus's rage is written in a way that is supposed to make him "attractive", but I find his antics to be a disturbing. He's a philandering, abusive narcissist. Marcella puts up with his behavior until she doesn't and starts to zone in on her own power. I actually don't like the way Marcella is written either. There's this obvious overly defined "feminist" tone to her. She was "turned on" by her husbands criminal activity. Does this make her "progressive" {insert condescension}? That was my overall impression of her throughout the story and it was a bit too meta for my taste.
Marcella encompasses the old adage "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."
pg.271 "Like fire, thought Marcella, but that wasn't quite right. She remembered how it felt when Marcus crumbled in her arms. The simple, almost elegant way he came apart. There was something raw about her power. Something limitless. She said as much."
pg. 368, "Marcella sighed. "Men are always so impatient. Perhaps it comes from a lifetime of being given what you want, when you want it. Sometimes, Joseph, you just have to wait."
It's all too cliché.
I am always up for cat and mouse narratives, but I feel it went on for entirely too long. There are instances between the EON soldiers and the EO's, Stell [the EON director] and Marcella, Marcella & June [Marcella's flunkie] that could've been truncated and would have made the book 100 pages or so shorter and more enjoyable towards the end. However, I did like the relationship between Syd and Victor. She was loyal and he was somewhat protective of her although she stifled his power in the beginning.
I wish I loved this and could end this review with "I highly recommend it", but it just fell short for me.
Ages ago I read Vicious and completely fell in love with the story! I hated Eli's character because he was just pure evil and although Victor wasn't "good", I was invested in his convolutions. Vicious is one of my favorite books and unfortunately I can't say the same for Vengeful. I WILL continue to read books from Schwab because I find there's something magnetic about her writing.
I shared my excitement with two of my buddies about how good it was somewhere in the middle and it was, but then it started spiraling for me after that. My expectation for more Victor was high. The back of the book preps the reader for the familiar dynamic of good vs. evil or morally grey vs. evil, whatever your take. It notes:
Magneto and Professor X
Superman and Lex Luthor
Sydney and Serena Clarke
Victor Vale and Eli Ever
Where was Victor in this story? I mean WHERE WAS HE? This is actually the story of Marcella Riggins with the penumbra of Victor lurking in certain parts until almost the very end. To be fair, I am all for the introduction of new characters in sequels. I'm not a bookish noob. However, there seems to be too much of a disconnect from Vicious where I felt like this could've been a standalone.
Right from the beginning I disliked Marcella AND her husband. They both are incredibly obnoxious. Both are wrapped in superficiality and Marcus's rage is written in a way that is supposed to make him "attractive", but I find his antics to be a disturbing. He's a philandering, abusive narcissist. Marcella puts up with his behavior until she doesn't and starts to zone in on her own power. I actually don't like the way Marcella is written either. There's this obvious overly defined "feminist" tone to her. She was "turned on" by her husbands criminal activity. Does this make her "progressive" {insert condescension}? That was my overall impression of her throughout the story and it was a bit too meta for my taste.
Marcella encompasses the old adage "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."
pg.271 "Like fire, thought Marcella, but that wasn't quite right. She remembered how it felt when Marcus crumbled in her arms. The simple, almost elegant way he came apart. There was something raw about her power. Something limitless. She said as much."
pg. 368, "Marcella sighed. "Men are always so impatient. Perhaps it comes from a lifetime of being given what you want, when you want it. Sometimes, Joseph, you just have to wait."
It's all too cliché.
I am always up for cat and mouse narratives, but I feel it went on for entirely too long. There are instances between the EON soldiers and the EO's, Stell [the EON director] and Marcella, Marcella & June [Marcella's flunkie] that could've been truncated and would have made the book 100 pages or so shorter and more enjoyable towards the end. However, I did like the relationship between Syd and Victor. She was loyal and he was somewhat protective of her although she stifled his power in the beginning.
I wish I loved this and could end this review with "I highly recommend it", but it just fell short for me.
suzea's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
raviolilas's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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