A review by laurasauras
Vicious by V.E. Schwab

adventurous dark tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot

3.5

I liked the examination of humanity and morality from both a logical and feelings-based angle. Eli did what he felt was right
(reader, it was Not Right)
without examining it too much, whereas Victor examined everything and still sometimes chose a murky path. I thought the power dynamics throughout were fascinating, and in particular what it was that gave people power over each other and what made them weak to other kinds of power.

I'm not exactly sure why I didn't love it, and to be clear I did like it. I think I found the characters to be a little flat. They were interesting, but I couldn't find any hooks in them to see them as people. I know they weren't supposed to be very relatable, but I don't think lacking empathy means that a person can't be empathised with. Thinking back to other books I've enjoyed with characters who are selfish/disregard the importance of others, I think there's just something missing that makes those characters more fun to watch.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings