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A review by livist
Vicious by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5 rounded up!
I started reading this because I saw Victoria was rereading it as she prepares to write the final in the trilogy. I had always wanted to read this series so decided to read along side her (though she’s long since finished and moved on to the second book).
I loved all of these characters, and loved the premise. It very much parallels X-men which is my favorite marvel series, with each EO having their own unique power and origin story.
The characters were deeply flawed but more or less lovable. You can’t help but root for Victor as he has struggled so hard. He’s at least honest about his feelings whereas Eli lives in denial and instead of taking any accountability chalks everything up to God’s hand. So I like the bit of social commentary regarding religious fanaticism.
Eli is such a good bad guy, purely delulu and Victor is just a guy who has just found himself on the wrong side. Angie’s tragic death never being addressed again was a bit frustrating but not so much so that it detracted from the ending for me.
I loved Sydney and Serena with their complicated sibling love. Serena oddly falling under Eli’s own spell despite her own abilities to put under hers. She failed to see how she was be-spelled to her detriment. Ending in the tragedy of Sydney which helps kick off the rest of the book. Her betrayal of her younger sister makes her death satisfying even though when she releases her sister you sympathize with her a bit, but mostly with Sydney as she processes her love for her older sister and how she’s no longer who she thought she was.
A lot of found family moments. The plot pretty cleanly tied up. I just loved it.
I started reading this because I saw Victoria was rereading it as she prepares to write the final in the trilogy. I had always wanted to read this series so decided to read along side her (though she’s long since finished and moved on to the second book).
I loved all of these characters, and loved the premise. It very much parallels X-men which is my favorite marvel series, with each EO having their own unique power and origin story.
The characters were deeply flawed but more or less lovable. You can’t help but root for Victor as he has struggled so hard. He’s at least honest about his feelings whereas Eli lives in denial and instead of taking any accountability chalks everything up to God’s hand. So I like the bit of social commentary regarding religious fanaticism.
I loved Sydney and Serena with their complicated sibling love. Serena oddly falling under Eli’s own spell despite her own abilities to put under hers. She failed to see how she was be-spelled to her detriment. Ending in the tragedy of Sydney which helps kick off the rest of the book. Her betrayal of her younger sister makes her death satisfying even though when she releases her sister you sympathize with her a bit, but mostly with Sydney as she processes her love for her older sister and how she’s no longer who she thought she was.
A lot of found family moments. The plot pretty cleanly tied up. I just loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, and Murder