Vicious

Victor Vale and Eli Ever were brilliant college roommates who became obsessed with near-death experiences and the possibility of gaining supernatural abilities. Their research led them to conduct dangerous experiments that changed their lives forever. Ten years later, Victor has emerged from prison with a plan to find Eli. The two former friends are now mortal enemies, each believing the other must be stopped at any cost. A cast of complex characters becomes entangled in their conflict, including a young girl with unusual powers and a woman who cannot stay dead. The story moves between past and present, revealing how Victor and Eli's choices led them down darker paths. The novel examines questions of morality, vengeance, and what truly makes someone a hero or villain. Through its exploration of power and human nature, the story challenges traditional superhero narratives while blurring the lines between right and wrong.

Readers highlight the complex morality and lack of clear heroes/villains as a defining strength. The dynamic between the two main characters draws frequent praise, with reviewers noting their "deliciously complicated relationship" and "fascinating descent." Fans point to: - Fast-paced plotting - Dark superhero/villain exploration - Well-developed antihero characters - Scientific approach to supernatural abilities Common criticisms: - Nonlinear timeline feels confusing - Some side characters lack depth - Middle section pacing drags - Romance elements feel underdeveloped Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (158,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (2,800+ reviews) Barnes & Noble: 4.5/5 (500+ reviews) "The characters are neither good nor evil - they're real," notes one top Goodreads review. Multiple readers compare it to X-Men but "with more moral ambiguity." Critics say the timeline jumps "require too much mental tracking" and "disrupt the flow."

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🎭 Victor and Eli's thesis research was partially inspired by real scientific studies about near-death experiences and the surge of brain activity that occurs moments before death. ⚡ Victoria Schwab wrote the first draft of Vicious during her senior year of college, though it went through many revisions before publication in 2013. 🔮 The book's structure, which alternates between past and present, was influenced by Christopher Nolan's film "Memento." 💀 The concept of EOs (ExtraOrdinaries) draws parallels to both comic book superheroes and Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," exploring the price of playing god and the thin line between hero and villain. 🎨 The cover design features a backwards "V," symbolizing the mirror-like relationship between Victor and Eli, as well as the theme of duality that runs throughout the novel.