A review by georgiealowe
Vicious by V.E. Schwab

5.0

I will indeed be reading more stories focusing on the anti-hero as the main character!! I love a villain origin story, but I love Victor Vale’s the most. The most cunning, intelligent, and determined man (the perfect Slytherin tbh). I’m willing to go as far as to call him an icon, bc that’s what he is. I loved the multiple timelines, it genuinely helped aid in the setup for the plot and to get into the mindset of betrayal + the paranoia associated with the thesis/ mission to become EOs. Tbh in a way certain aspects reminded me of if The Secret History and The Picture of Dorian Gray had a baby-simply bc of the dark academia combined with the lack of morality and the dangerous slope into obsession, revenge, the powers the men gain, & playing God. Eli… what a psychopath (and not in a good way). The way he goes to such lengths to twist religion and his sense of faith in order to justify his actions TRULY horrified me. Like I genuinely had to sit back with my eyes popping out of my head during certain scenes. Scenes between him & Victor fighting were masterpieces. So was any scene where Victor’s sarcasm shined through🤭 I was giggling to myself, he’s so dry & mean. Loved loved loved the little family made between Syd, Mitch, Dol, & Victor. Victor in his dad era was adorable 🥹 So happy they have each other - the family they deserve!! (Serena, I’m looking at you, you trash can). I could keep going, I love this book. The writing, the mentalities of the characters, the themes, ugh so good. This and A Darker Shade of Magic are top tier works from Schwab. An easy fave! 

“The absence of pain led to an absence of fear, and the absence of fear led to a disregard for consequence.”