Vengeful is a dark, thrilling continuation of the Villains series, exploring the consequences of revenge, power, and morality as former friends turned enemies Victor Vale and Eli Ever face off once more with new allies and adversaries in a world of extraordinary abilities.
Book Info
Title: Vengeful
Author: V.E. Schwab
ISBN: 978-0-7653-8550-3
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Dark Fantasy, Superhero, Thriller
Published: 2018
Overview
Vengeful, the highly anticipated sequel to Vicious, delves back into the dark and morally ambiguous world of Victor Vale and Eli Ever, two ExtraOrdinary individuals (EOs) whose superpowers come with complex ethical implications. Picking up several years after Vicious, the novel introduces new characters, powers, and conflicts, all while examining themes of revenge, redemption, and the blurred lines between heroism and villainy.
In this continuation, Schwab expands the Villains universe with fresh perspectives, setting up an intricate, multifaceted story where no character is entirely good or evil. With heightened stakes and dangerous alliances, Vengeful provides a deeper look into the psyche of each character as they navigate their quest for power, vengeance, and survival.
Plot Summary
The Struggle for Survival
The story opens with Victor Vale, who has been resurrected after the events of Vicious but now faces a problem with his powers. Every time he uses his abilities, he suffers debilitating pain, risking his life with each attempt. Driven by a relentless need to survive, Victor embarks on a mission to find a solution to his deteriorating condition, assisted by his loyal crew, which includes Sydney, Mitch, and Dominic.
Meanwhile, Eli Ever, Victor’s former friend and now nemesis, remains imprisoned by the EON (ExtraOrdinary Observation and Neutralization) agency, an organization dedicated to tracking and containing EOs. Despite his incarceration, Eli’s influence within EON grows as he agrees to help the agency track down other EOs. His motives, however, remain rooted in his belief that EOs are dangerous and unworthy of existence, including himself. His internal conflict between his religious guilt and his desire for control drives his actions throughout the novel.
Marcella Riggins’ Rise to Power
One of the most captivating new characters is Marcella Riggins, a woman scorned who becomes an EO with the power to disintegrate anything she touches. After being betrayed and left for dead by her husband, Marcella returns with a vengeance, using her newfound abilities to climb the criminal ranks in the city of Merit. Her ambition and ruthlessness quickly earn her notoriety, making her a formidable force.
Marcella’s rise to power puts her on a collision course with Victor and Eli, as she aims to dismantle the city’s power structures and establish herself as its ruler. Marcella’s unapologetic ambition adds complexity to the story, positioning her as both a threat and a potential ally in the ever-evolving power struggle between the EOs.
Sydney’s Struggle with Power and Identity
Sydney Clarke, who was revived by Victor in Vicious, continues to grapple with her own EO abilities and the consequences of her resurrection. Despite being a teenager, Sydney’s experiences have forced her to mature rapidly, yet she struggles with her sense of identity and belonging. She has developed a unique bond with Victor, though she increasingly questions his intentions and her place in his world.
Sydney’s ability to resurrect the dead remains a source of conflict, especially as she experiments with her powers on her deceased sister, Serena. Sydney’s internal journey explores themes of life, death, and loyalty, as she is forced to make difficult choices that ultimately shape her role in the conflict between Victor and Eli.
The Return of the Villains
Victor and Eli’s longstanding rivalry is reignited when they each learn of the other’s whereabouts. With Victor desperate to stabilize his powers and Eli seeking to rid the world of EOs, their confrontation becomes inevitable. The two characters’ differing ideologies regarding EOs bring them into direct conflict with one another, each seeing themselves as justified in their pursuit of revenge.
As Victor and Eli’s vendetta unfolds, their fight spills into the lives of those around them, dragging their allies into a complex web of loyalty, betrayal, and sacrifice. Victor’s cold pragmatism contrasts sharply with Eli’s fanatical drive, creating a tense and explosive dynamic that keeps readers on edge.
Character Analysis
Victor Vale
Victor remains a complex antihero, embodying both ruthlessness and an underlying desire for justice. His struggle with his own powers adds a layer of vulnerability, making him more introspective about his actions and the people he cares about, particularly Sydney. His calculated approach to situations and moral ambiguity highlight Schwab’s exploration of what it means to be a “villain” and whether redemption is ever truly possible.
Eli Ever
Eli’s religious fanaticism drives his mission to eliminate EOs, whom he views as unnatural and dangerous. His internal conflict over his own existence as an EO and his complicated relationship with Victor make him a compelling antagonist. Eli’s character explores themes of self-righteousness, guilt, and the extent to which people justify their actions through faith and ideology.
Marcella Riggins
Marcella’s character stands out as a new, unapologetic villain in the Villains series. Her ambition and desire for revenge fuel her quest for power, making her a formidable and charismatic addition to the EO world. She embodies the dangers of unchecked ambition and the allure of power, challenging both Victor and Eli as she seeks to establish her dominance.
Sydney Clarke
Sydney’s internal struggles with her powers and her relationship with Victor make her a sympathetic and relatable character. Her journey is marked by self-doubt, loyalty, and a growing sense of agency. As she navigates the moral complexities of her abilities, Sydney’s character reflects themes of innocence, loss, and the search for identity in a world of extremes.
Major Themes
Revenge and Morality
The theme of revenge is central to Vengeful, with each character pursuing vengeance in different forms. Victor seeks revenge against EON for his deteriorating condition, Marcella aims to exact revenge on the people who wronged her, and Eli’s vendetta against EOs stems from his belief that they are abominations. Schwab explores how revenge shapes each character, pushing them to morally questionable actions and raising questions about justice, ethics, and the cost of vengeance.
Power and Corruption
Marcella’s rise to power is a prime example of the corrupting influence of power. Her journey from victim to villain highlights how power can transform individuals, especially when driven by a desire for control and recognition. Through her, Schwab examines the seductive nature of power and the danger it poses when wielded without restraint or compassion.
Identity and Self-Acceptance
Each EO grapples with questions of identity and self-worth. Victor and Eli’s fractured friendship and subsequent rivalry are rooted in their differing views on power and morality. Meanwhile, Sydney struggles to accept her own abilities and the impact of her resurrection powers. These conflicts underscore the novel’s exploration of self-acceptance and the tension between who characters are and who they wish to be.
Quote: “Revenge was the sweetest poison. It killed both drinker and the one it was meant for.”
The Climax and Resolution
The climax of Vengeful brings the characters’ intersecting agendas to a head. Marcella’s ambitions, Victor’s quest for stability, and Eli’s destructive mission collide in an explosive showdown. Each character is forced to confront the consequences of their actions and the realities of their powers.
In a final confrontation, Victor and Eli face off, reigniting the unresolved conflict from Vicious. Their battle leaves a lasting impact on all characters involved, challenging their motivations and reshaping their futures. Schwab concludes the story with a sense of ambiguity, leaving readers to ponder the lasting effects of revenge and the ethical complexities surrounding superhuman abilities.
Key Quotes
- “Heroes and villains are not born, but made, one choice at a time.”
- “In a world of monsters, who decides which ones wear capes?”
- “Revenge makes the heart hard, but at least it makes it beat.”
Conclusion
Vengeful is a dark and gripping exploration of the fine line between heroism and villainy, a theme that Schwab masterfully deconstructs through complex characters and morally ambiguous conflicts. The novel examines the seductive power of revenge, the corrupting influence of ambition, and the cost of seeking control over others. Schwab’s deft storytelling and nuanced character development create a world where each character’s motives are understandable, even as they make decisions that blur ethical boundaries.
With its intense action, layered themes, and thought-provoking narrative, Vengeful is a powerful addition to the Villains series, challenging readers to question the nature of morality and the true price of vengeance.
One-Sentence Summary
Vengeful continues the Villains series with a compelling tale of revenge, power, and the complex moral struggles of individuals bound by extraordinary abilities.