A review by emeraldrina
Vicious by V.E. Schwab

dark tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I’m a bit torn about this book. I love the idea of a villain MC, and the characters are all very well done- complicated, yet logical, unique, easily distinguishable. However, Victor’s not actually a villain, he’s a classic anti hero. Which is fine, but I feel like the book is misbranded. My main issue with the book is the pace and scope of the plot. Essentially the entire “current” part of the book is about one battle. It takes place over two or three days. The bulk of the plot is actually in the flashbacks. Which are liberally interspersed with superfluous flickers of characters’ thoughts in the present. The balance of past and present felt very off throughout the book- I really wanted there to be more going on in the present in order to justify all the flashbacks. The flashbacks really are the story right now, and that just feels wrong and disappointing.
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