Villains
V.E. Schwab’s Villains duology is a dark, morally complex exploration of power, ambition, and revenge. The story follows Victor Vale and Eli Ever, once brilliant college students who discover how to develop superhuman abilities—at a deadly cost. What begins as academic curiosity spirals into a dangerous rivalry between two former friends turned enemies. Victor, the brooding antihero with a code, and Eli, the zealot who believes he’s doing divine work, both blur the lines between hero and villain. With sharp prose, nonlinear storytelling, and ethical ambiguity, Schwab crafts a gripping tale that questions whether power inevitably corrupts—or simply reveals.
In 'Vicious' by V.E. Schwab, readers are immersed in a gripping tale of ambition, betrayal, and the blurred lines between heroism and villainy. The story follows two former college friends turned archnemeses, Victor and Eli, who possess extraordinary abilities gained through a dangerous experiment that fractures their bond and sets them on a collision course. As the narrative unfolds, themes of power, morality, and the consequences of unchecked ambition are masterfully explored, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the final page. Schwab's dynamic characters and intricate plot make 'Vicious' a standout in the realm of dark fantasy and anti-hero narratives.