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A review by thefussyreader
Vicious by V.E. Schwab
5.0
The best book I've read so far in 2017. A very easy 5 stars and the very definition of a page-turner.
Original, gripping, and downright clever.
V.E. Schwab is one of the most skilled writers I've ever read. She is consistently good. Her stories are creative and gripping, her characters detailed and realistic, the plots are well planned and fleshed out, and don't even get me started on her writing style!
Let's just agree that she is one talented lady. And I'm not just talking about this novel, this extends to everything I've read so far by her. I haven't read all her books yet, but damn, I think I will simply because she's proven to be a reliably engaging storyteller.
Setting
I loved how this story jumped between the past and the present, blending the story nicely and revealing as much as is needed to create tension and excitement with each chapter, yet never revealing too much as to spoil the rest of the story. I can honestly tell you, I never once could guess what would happen, or how it would end. I had many theories, but nothing was ever certain; and for this reason, I binged the book whenever I could.
Characters
Victor and Eli.
Oh my god. What wonderfully fleshed-out characters. I felt for them, I cared for them, I disagreed with them, I sympathised, I loved their friendship but also understood their hate towards each other too. I felt a cocktail of every kind of emotion for these two dudes and I regret nothing; know why? Because this, ladies and gentlemen, is how you write interesting, believable, three-dimensional characters, ram-packed full of depth and real-life feeling and flaws.
Because they're not perfect. I'll repeat that. Victor and Eli are far from perfect and that's what makes them so real and, at times, even relatable. They are so complex and have so many sides to them, not all of them pleasant either. To use a cliche, they are very much two sides of the same coin, which makes it difficult to guess their motives.
But Victor, I have to say, is now one of my all time favourite anti-heroes. And I honestly can't say I'd have him any other way. He really surprised me. I loved Sydney and Mitch too, and I didn't even hate Serena; she was strong and just as flawed as the rest of them. She had her own motives for doing things. Not one character felt useless, there for the sake of it. They all played a key role in the climax of the story.
Plot
I do love a good plot twist, especially one I don't see coming from miles off. This twist I didn't see at all, so certain I knew who the heroes and villains would be; but this isn't your average superhero novel.
The 'past' is set ten years ago while Victor and Eli are best friends and roommates at university. They study science and it's while working on their theses that they begin to wonder if the body, under the right circumstances, can develop inhuman powers. Then they think they've figured out exactly what would trigger 'super powers' and begin to test these theories. Along the course of their journey, their friendship turns sour and they become firm enemies.
That's when we begin to understand the glimpses of the 'present' as it slowly builds up to the final moment of truth. This book is like a puzzle; each chapter is a new piece. It doesn't make sense at first, but the more pieces you put together, the more you start to figure out the bigger picture. But it's clever; it keeps you guessing right until the end.
Writing Style
Once again V.E. Schwab proves herself to be a total wordsmith. She knows how to use words to create the intricately detailed scenes she does. She can toy with the emotions of a reader in such a fantastic way that there were moments I simply couldn't put it down.
I seems like, when the characters talk, they don't say things because it will sound pretty or add dramatic effect, they just talk, like people do; or say nothing at all where ordinarily some useless, flouncy line could be inserted. Schwab's dialogue works so well and reads like real life conversations. Another of the many reasons why Schwab is one of my go-to authors.
And I loved how short most of the chapters were. It really drew me in and enticed me to read 'just one more chapter - just one more chapter.'
Final Impression
Wonderfully executed. My first 5 star rating of 2017 and very well deserved. I discovered just the other day there will be a sequel. I don't remember a time I was happier to learn of a sequel. Very unexpected, seeing as this could easily be a standalone, but very eagerly anticipated. I may even have to pre-order. ;)
Original, gripping, and downright clever.
V.E. Schwab is one of the most skilled writers I've ever read. She is consistently good. Her stories are creative and gripping, her characters detailed and realistic, the plots are well planned and fleshed out, and don't even get me started on her writing style!
Let's just agree that she is one talented lady. And I'm not just talking about this novel, this extends to everything I've read so far by her. I haven't read all her books yet, but damn, I think I will simply because she's proven to be a reliably engaging storyteller.
Setting
I loved how this story jumped between the past and the present, blending the story nicely and revealing as much as is needed to create tension and excitement with each chapter, yet never revealing too much as to spoil the rest of the story. I can honestly tell you, I never once could guess what would happen, or how it would end. I had many theories, but nothing was ever certain; and for this reason, I binged the book whenever I could.
Characters
Victor and Eli.
Oh my god. What wonderfully fleshed-out characters. I felt for them, I cared for them, I disagreed with them, I sympathised, I loved their friendship but also understood their hate towards each other too. I felt a cocktail of every kind of emotion for these two dudes and I regret nothing; know why? Because this, ladies and gentlemen, is how you write interesting, believable, three-dimensional characters, ram-packed full of depth and real-life feeling and flaws.
Because they're not perfect. I'll repeat that. Victor and Eli are far from perfect and that's what makes them so real and, at times, even relatable. They are so complex and have so many sides to them, not all of them pleasant either. To use a cliche, they are very much two sides of the same coin, which makes it difficult to guess their motives.
But Victor, I have to say, is now one of my all time favourite anti-heroes. And I honestly can't say I'd have him any other way. He really surprised me. I loved Sydney and Mitch too, and I didn't even hate Serena; she was strong and just as flawed as the rest of them. She had her own motives for doing things. Not one character felt useless, there for the sake of it. They all played a key role in the climax of the story.
Plot
I do love a good plot twist, especially one I don't see coming from miles off. This twist I didn't see at all, so certain I knew who the heroes and villains would be; but this isn't your average superhero novel.
The 'past' is set ten years ago while Victor and Eli are best friends and roommates at university. They study science and it's while working on their theses that they begin to wonder if the body, under the right circumstances, can develop inhuman powers. Then they think they've figured out exactly what would trigger 'super powers' and begin to test these theories. Along the course of their journey, their friendship turns sour and they become firm enemies.
That's when we begin to understand the glimpses of the 'present' as it slowly builds up to the final moment of truth. This book is like a puzzle; each chapter is a new piece. It doesn't make sense at first, but the more pieces you put together, the more you start to figure out the bigger picture. But it's clever; it keeps you guessing right until the end.
Writing Style
Once again V.E. Schwab proves herself to be a total wordsmith. She knows how to use words to create the intricately detailed scenes she does. She can toy with the emotions of a reader in such a fantastic way that there were moments I simply couldn't put it down.
I seems like, when the characters talk, they don't say things because it will sound pretty or add dramatic effect, they just talk, like people do; or say nothing at all where ordinarily some useless, flouncy line could be inserted. Schwab's dialogue works so well and reads like real life conversations. Another of the many reasons why Schwab is one of my go-to authors.
And I loved how short most of the chapters were. It really drew me in and enticed me to read 'just one more chapter - just one more chapter.'
Final Impression
Wonderfully executed. My first 5 star rating of 2017 and very well deserved. I discovered just the other day there will be a sequel. I don't remember a time I was happier to learn of a sequel. Very unexpected, seeing as this could easily be a standalone, but very eagerly anticipated. I may even have to pre-order. ;)