Short Summary
Vicious by V.E. Schwab is a dark and thrilling exploration of power, ambition, and morality, centering on two brilliant yet flawed men, Victor Vale and Eli Cardale, who unravel the secrets of extraordinary abilities, only to become mortal enemies in a dangerous game of revenge and survival.
Book Information
Title: Vicious
Author: V.E. Schwab
ISBN: 978-0765335340
Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Thriller, Dark Academia, Supernatural
Published: September 24, 2013
In-Depth Summary of Vicious
Introduction
Victoria Schwab’s Vicious is the first installment in the Villains series, offering readers a dark, morally ambiguous tale of superhuman abilities, ethical dilemmas, and the destructive power of rivalry. The novel alternates between past and present timelines, skillfully unraveling the complicated relationship between its two protagonists, Victor Vale and Eli Ever, while exploring the consequences of their experiments with life, death, and extraordinary powers.
This story is not a simple battle of good versus evil—it is a nuanced narrative about flawed characters who blur the lines between hero and villain. Schwab’s deft storytelling and sharp prose make Vicious a compelling examination of the human condition, power, and vengeance.
The Characters
Victor Vale
Victor is the story’s antihero, an intelligent, resourceful, and deeply ambitious young man who is fascinated by the darker side of human nature. His charisma and cunning make him an engaging protagonist, but his moral ambiguity leaves readers questioning his motives and actions.
Eli Cardale/Ever
Victor’s best friend turned nemesis, Eli is equally brilliant but hides a ruthless streak beneath a façade of righteousness. Eli’s belief that he is chosen by God to eliminate other “ExtraOrdinaries” (EOs) drives much of the novel’s tension, painting him as both a zealot and a deeply flawed man.
Sydney Clarke
A young girl with the ability to resurrect the dead, Sydney becomes a key figure in Victor’s quest for revenge. Despite her youth and innocence, Sydney’s powers place her at the center of the story’s darker themes.
Serena Clarke
Sydney’s older sister, Serena, has the power to influence others with her voice. Her relationship with Eli adds complexity to the narrative, as she shares his vision of a world without EOs, even as her motives are clouded by her own ambitions.
Mitch Turner and Dol
Mitch, a large, tattooed man with a heart of gold, and Dol, a loyal dog, form Victor’s unlikely allies. Their presence adds warmth and humor to the otherwise intense and dark story.
Plot Summary
The Beginning: A Dangerous Experiment
The story begins at Lockland University, where Victor and Eli are gifted but competitive college roommates. Their academic rivalry intensifies when Eli proposes a thesis exploring the existence of “ExtraOrdinary” individuals, or EOs—humans who gain superhuman abilities after near-death experiences.
Victor, intrigued by the concept, joins Eli in experimenting to prove the thesis. The experiments are both dangerous and unethical, requiring the participants to engineer near-death scenarios in hopes of triggering EO abilities.
- Eli’s Transformation: Eli successfully becomes an EO with regenerative abilities after surviving a self-inflicted overdose. However, his newfound power comes at a cost: a shift in his personality that amplifies his self-righteousness and zealotry.
- Victor’s Experiment: Victor’s attempt to replicate Eli’s success goes horribly wrong, resulting in the accidental death of Angie, Eli’s girlfriend and Victor’s close friend. While Victor gains the power to manipulate pain, he is immediately arrested for Angie’s death.
A Rivalry is Born
Victor’s incarceration marks the beginning of his transformation into a darker, more vengeful character. Blaming Eli for his downfall, Victor becomes obsessed with exacting revenge. Meanwhile, Eli adopts a godlike persona, believing it is his divine mission to eliminate all EOs, whom he views as unnatural aberrations.
The narrative alternates between the past and the present, gradually revealing how Victor escapes prison, builds a team of allies, and orchestrates his plan to confront Eli.
The Present: A Game of Cat and Mouse
Victor emerges from prison with a single goal: to destroy Eli. Alongside Sydney and Mitch, he tracks Eli’s movements, discovering the extent of his former friend’s campaign against EOs. The trio forms an unlikely family, with Victor acting as both a mentor and protector to Sydney.
Eli, on the other hand, works closely with Serena, using her persuasive powers to manipulate others and eliminate his targets. Their relationship is one of mutual exploitation, driven by shared goals rather than genuine affection.
Key Themes Explored
Morality and Power
The novel explores how power corrupts and how morality becomes subjective in the pursuit of one’s goals. Both Victor and Eli justify their actions through their own moral frameworks, even as they commit increasingly heinous acts.Friendship and Betrayal
At its heart, Vicious is a story about the dissolution of a friendship. The bond between Victor and Eli, once rooted in mutual respect, unravels into hatred and vengeance.The Nature of Villainy
Schwab subverts traditional notions of heroism and villainy, forcing readers to question who the true villain is. Victor’s methods are brutal, but Eli’s self-righteousness makes him equally dangerous.
Climax and Resolution
The novel builds to a tense and explosive confrontation between Victor and Eli. Using Sydney’s powers and his own cunning, Victor devises a plan to expose Eli’s crimes and bring an end to his reign of terror.
The final showdown is a masterclass in suspense, with both men pushing their abilities and resources to the limit. The story concludes with a shocking twist that leaves the door open for further exploration in the series.
Writing Style and Structure
Schwab’s prose is sharp, concise, and evocative, perfectly suited to the novel’s dark and fast-paced narrative. The non-linear structure adds layers of complexity, allowing the story to unfold like a puzzle as readers piece together the characters’ motivations and histories.
The use of alternating perspectives provides insight into both Victor’s and Eli’s minds, highlighting their similarities and differences while deepening the moral ambiguity of their conflict.
Themes Revisited
Identity and Transformation
The experiments that create EOs are not just physical transformations—they fundamentally alter the characters’ identities. Victor and Eli grapple with what it means to be human, and whether their powers have made them more—or less—so.Ambition and Hubris
Both Victor and Eli are driven by ambition, but their hubris blinds them to the consequences of their actions. Their fall from grace is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition.The Cost of Revenge
Victor’s quest for vengeance consumes him, raising questions about whether it is worth the price he pays.
Conclusion
Vicious is a brilliantly crafted novel that challenges traditional superhero tropes and delves deep into the complexities of human nature. V.E. Schwab’s masterful storytelling, coupled with her morally ambiguous characters and intricate world-building, makes this a standout entry in the fantasy and science fiction genres.
One Sentence Takeaway: Vicious is a dark, thought-provoking tale of ambition, revenge, and the thin line between heroism and villainy, leaving readers questioning the true nature of power and morality.