Vicious
📘 About This Book
V. E. Schwab's New York Times bestseller Vicious is a masterful tale of ambition, jealousy, desire, and superpowers. Victor and Eli started out as college roommates—brilliant, arrogant, lonely boys who recognized the same sharpness and ambition in each other. In their senior year, a shared research interest in adrenaline, near-death experiences, and seemingly supernatural events reveals an intriguing possibility: that under the right conditions, someone could develop extraordinary abilities. But when their thesis moves from the academic to the experimental, things go horribly wrong. Ten years later, Victor breaks out of prison, determined to catch up to his old friend (now foe), aided by a young girl whose reserved nature obscures a stunning ability. Meanwhile, Eli is on a mission to eradicate every other super-powered person that he can find—aside from his sidekick, an enigmatic woman with an unbreakable will. Armed with terrible power on both sides, driven by the memory of betrayal and loss, the archnemeses have set a course for revenge—but who will be left alive at the end? In Vicious, V. E. Schwab brings to life a gritty comic-book-style world in vivid prose: a world where gaining superpowers doesn't automatically lead to heroism, and a time when allegiances are called into question. "A dynamic and original twist on what it means to be a hero and a villain. A killer from page one...highly recommended!" —Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author of Marvel Universe vs The Avengers and Patient Zero One of Publishers Weekly's Best Fantasy Books of 2013 At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
📖 Summary
Vicious by V. E. Schwab is a gripping 2013 fiction novel that explores the dark, morally ambiguous side of superpowers through a tale of ambition, jealousy, and revenge. The story centers on Victor and Eli, two brilliant, arrogant, and lonely college roommates who recognize a mutual sharpness and ambition during their university years. Driven by intellect and isolation, they develop a shared research interest in adrenaline, near-death experiences, and seemingly supernatural events. Their academic curiosity eventually leads them to an intriguing possibility: that under the right conditions, ordinary mortals can develop extraordinary abilities, known as ExtraOrdinary events, or EOs. However, what begins as a theoretical thesis quickly shifts into a dangerous experiment, and things go horribly wrong, fracturing their relationship and setting them on a collision course. Ten years later, the narrative unfolds across dual timelines that reveal how these two former friends became bitter enemies. Victor has just broken out of prison, driven by a fierce determination to track down Eli. He is not alone in his quest; he is aided by a young girl whose reserved, quiet nature starkly contrasts with the stunning and deadly ability she possesses. Meanwhile, Eli has embarked on a crusade of his own, dedicating his life and power to hunting down and eradicating other extraordinary individuals whom he views as abominations. As their paths converge once again, the line between hero and villain blurs completely. Schwab crafts a masterful narrative that subverts traditional superhero tropes, stripping away the cape-and-cowl idealism to examine the gritty psychological toll of playing god. The 367-page New York Times bestseller dives deep into the human psyche, questioning what drives people to push past ethical boundaries in the pursuit of greatness. Through its complex characters, non-linear storytelling, and exploration of dark motivations, Vicious offers a thrilling and thought-provoking reading experience for anyone fascinated by power, corruption, and the ultimate cost of unchecked ambition.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Compelling subversion of traditional superhero tropes
Complex, morally gray characters with deep psychological flaws
Engaging non-linear storytelling that builds suspense effectively
Fast-paced and thought-provoking exploration of ambition
⚠️ Cons
Dark themes and morally ambiguous characters may not appeal to all readers
The grim atmosphere lacks traditional heroic figures to root for
✍️ About the Author
V.E. Schwab (b. 1987) is an American author known for genre-blending fantasy, including 'The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue' and the 'Shades of Magic' series.
View all books →❓ FAQ
Who is the author of Vicious? +
The book was written by V. E. Schwab.
When was Vicious published? +
It was published in 2013.
How many pages are in the book? +
The novel spans 367 pages.
What is the main premise of the story? +
It follows two former roommates who gain superpowers through dangerous experiments and become mortal enemies a decade later.
What genres does the book belong to? +
Vicious falls primarily under the fiction genre, specifically incorporating elements of dark fantasy and superhero thrillers.
