Review – Vicious by V.E. Schwab (4/5 stars)
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Science Fiction
Length: 368 pages
Publisher: Tor Books
Release Date: September 24, 2013
ISBN-13: 978-0765335340
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: Swapped through Paperbackswap.com
Rating: 4/5 stars
I have wanted to read this book forever (okay since it came out last year). This was a very well done fantasy novel about people who develop extraordinary abilities (EOs) after a near death experience. This book explores a lot of shades of grey in a very superhero type of way.
Eli and Victor are roommates in college, they are both arrogant and extremely intelligent. Both decide to do research on what could potentially result in people becoming Extraordinaries, or basically people with extraordinary abilities. When they find that near death experiences are the key, they both decide to try and turn themselves into EO’s. However something must have gone wrong because now Victor is escaping prison after 10 years and seeking his revenge against Eli.
The story bounces between near history (a couple of days before current day) and 10 years ago when Eli and Victor were in college. The story is very cleverly revealed as we piece together the events that led to Eli and Victor becoming EO’s and Victor’s imprisonment.
This book is all about shades of grey. Are people having extraordinary abilities good or evil? Are they villains or heroes? What happens when one of these people thinks they are a hero, but they aren’t? This is truly a superhero comic in book form.
There are a ton of interesting characters in this book. All of them have interesting abilities. The fact that all of the characters who are EO’s have also had near death experiences adds a dark tone to the whole story. As does the fact that in exchange for their special ability they end up missing something else.
As I said the whole story was very engaging and really cleverly put together. That being said none of the characters really grabbed me and I thought the whole story ended up being a bit predictable, that’s why 4 stars instead of 5 stars. Still this is a very well done story, it is unique and engaging to read.
Overall an excellent story about superhero-like abilities and the cost of those abilities. Also a story about a friendship gone wrong. I would recommend to those who enjoy stories about superheroes. This book is very cleverly put together and makes for a very fun and unique read.
