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  • Vicious

Vicious

Villains #1 / 3 ✓
by V. E. Schwab
Vicious (Villains #1) by V. E. Schwab
★ 8.00 / 5
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A masterful, twisted tale of ambition, jealousy, betrayal, and superpowers, set in a near-future world

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?

“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

“Schwab gathers all the superhero/supervillain tropes and turns them on their sundry heads… I could not put it down.” — F. Paul Wilson, New York Times bestselling author of the Repairman Jack series

“Vicious is dark and intricate and daring, twisting back and forth through time and morality and life and death until you can't turn the pages fast enough. I loved it.” — Dan Wells, author of I Am Not a Serial Killer

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Science Fiction
Release date: September 20, 2013

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V. E. Schwab

V. E. Schwab

V. E. Schwab, the pseudonym of Victoria Schwab, is a writer whose stories blur the lines between the fantastical and the deeply human. Under her pseudonym, Schwab crafts compelling adult fantasy and speculative fiction that is as thought-provoking as it is immersive. Known for her ability to build intricate worlds filled with morally complex characters, Schwab’s work often explores themes of identity, power, and the cost of immortality.

Read more ...

Her books, including A Darker Shade of Magic, Vicious, and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, have captivated readers worldwide with their seamless blend of magic, emotion, and intrigue. Whether writing about parallel Londons, vengeful anti-heroes, or an immortal woman struggling to be remembered, Schwab’s novels always offer a unique twist on the genre, delving into philosophical questions and creating characters whose journeys resonate long after the book is closed.

Schwab’s writing is deeply influenced by her own experiences—raised in the American South and educated in Scotland—giving her stories a mix of Gothic atmosphere and modern sensibilities. She has the rare ability to create worlds that feel both intimately human and larger than life. Through her work, Schwab invites readers to question what it means to live, love, and leave a legacy in a world where the rules are constantly shifting.

Her writing is a delicate dance between the lyrical and the sharp, capturing the magic of the unknown while remaining rooted in the emotional and moral complexity of her characters. Under the name V. E. Schwab, she has redefined what it means to write adult fantasy, creating stories that challenge both the imagination and the heart.

Villains

In the Villains series by V. E. Schwab, morality is a shifting shadow, and the line between hero and villain is drawn in ever-changing ink. Set in a world where extraordinary abilities can be both a blessing and a curse, this series dives deep into the nature of power, revenge, and the dangerous allure of becoming what you’ve always feared.

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At the heart of Villains are two brilliant, morally complex characters—Victor Vale and Eli Ever, former friends turned bitter enemies. Both have powers that should have elevated them to the status of saviors, but instead, their ambitions spiral into a violent clash of ideals, beliefs, and identity. Victor, with his quest for vengeance, and Eli, who views himself as a savior, explore what happens when individuals with godlike powers are also deeply flawed and driven by personal demons.

The world Schwab builds is dark and gritty, with a sharp exploration of what happens when the desire for greatness leads to catastrophic consequences. Each book in the series twists the classic superhero narrative into something entirely its own, blending themes of hubris, loyalty, and the price of pursuing vengeance. With every character both complex and unpredictable, Villains refuses to offer easy answers, instead embracing the ambiguity that comes with the exploration of power and its consequences.

The atmospheric storytelling and morally gray characters invite readers to rethink traditional notions of right and wrong, offering a refreshing perspective on the anti-hero trope. Schwab’s trademark wit and precision with character development shine through, creating a world where no one is entirely good, and everyone has something to lose.

Villains is a series that keeps you on the edge of your seat, constantly questioning who the real villain is—and whether it’s possible to escape the pull of becoming one yourself.


Villains consists of two primary books, and includes one additional book that complement the series but is not considered mandatory reads and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.

Warm Up (Villains #0.5)
★ 6.50 / 2
Vicious (Villains #1)
★ 8.00 / 5
Vengeful (Villains #2)
★ 7.20 / 5
Victorious (Villains #3)
⧗ 9.40 / 5


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