“The absence of pain is not the same as the presence of joy.”
— A reflection on the nature of peace and happiness, often by Victor.
Archivist's Choice
Vicious
V.E. Schwab (2013)
Genre
Thriller / Mystery / Young Adult / Romance
Reading Time
6-7 hours
Key Themes
See below
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Two brilliant, morally gray college frenemies, changed by a near-death experiment that gave them extraordinary powers, reappear a decade later as archenemies in a deadly, super-powered game of revenge and eradication.
Synopsis
Victor Vale and Eli Ever are brilliant college roommates obsessed with the idea of ExtraOrdinaries (EOs) – people who get superpowers after a near-death experience. Their shared thesis becomes a dangerous experiment when they intentionally cause their own near-death experiences. Eli's experiment goes 'wrong' but gives him incredible regenerative abilities, while Victor's experience leaves him with the power to manipulate pain. This event destroys their friendship, turning them into archenemies. Ten years later, Victor escapes prison, determined to hunt down Eli and get revenge for past betrayals. He gathers a unique team: Mitch, his former cellmate; and Sydney, a young girl who can resurrect the dead. Sydney's dog, Dolor, also has an EO ability. Meanwhile, Eli, convinced that EOs are wrong, tries to eliminate all others, helped by Serena, a woman with the power of persuasion. The story unfolds through alternating timelines, showing the complex history of their rivalry and the moral questions of their powers. Their paths meet in a brutal fight, forcing Serena to choose sides and leading to a violent confrontation where Victor seemingly kills Eli. However, the ending leaves Eli's fate unclear, suggesting an unresolved conflict and a possible continuation of their deadly game.
Reading time
6-7 hours
Difficulty
Medium
Pacing
Fast
Mood
Dark, Suspenseful, Gritty, Thrilling
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy morally grey characters with superpowers and a fast-paced, revenge-driven plot with a dark edge.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer clear-cut heroes and villains, or shy away from violence and morally ambiguous themes.
Plot Summary
The Thesis and the Experiment
Victor Vale and Eli Cardale, brilliant and competitive college roommates at Lockland University, become obsessed with the idea of ExtraOrdinaries (EOs) – people who get superpowers after a near-death experience. Eli, driven by a deep religious conviction, believes EOs are wrong. Victor, more scientifically curious, sees it as a fascinating phenomenon. Their senior thesis explores this, ending in a dangerous experiment. Eli, with Victor's help, causes his own near-death experience by intentionally drowning himself. He dies briefly, is revived by Victor, and awakens with the ability to heal himself instantly from any injury. This success fuels their ambition but also plants the first seeds of their future animosity, as Eli's new power and self-righteousness begin to alienate Victor.
Victor's Near-Death Experience
Inspired by Eli's success, Victor decides to undergo his own near-death experience. He enlists his girlfriend, Angie, to shoot him, believing the trauma will activate his EO abilities. The plan goes wrong: Angie dies during the process, and Victor gains the ability to manipulate pain, both his own and others', making him immune to pain and capable of inflicting it with a touch. Angie's death devastates Victor, and Eli frames him for her murder, then escapes. Victor is imprisoned for ten years, fueling his desire for revenge against Eli for the betrayal and Angie's death.
Victor's Escape and New Allies
Ten years after his incarceration, Victor Vale escapes from Merit Detention Center. He is helped by Mitch, a gentle giant and fellow inmate who developed super strength after a near-death experience. Soon after, they meet Sydney Clarke, a quiet but powerful ten-year-old girl who can resurrect the dead. Sydney, an orphan, is initially wary but joins Victor and Mitch, drawn by Victor's promise to help her find her sister, Serena. This trio forms the core of Victor's mission: to find Eli Cardale and get his revenge, while also understanding and protecting Sydney's unique abilities.
Eli's Crusade
Meanwhile, Eli Cardale, now calling himself 'Eli Ever,' has become a vigilante, convinced that EOs are an affront to God and must be eliminated. He travels the country, systematically finding and killing other EOs, believing he is doing God's work. He is accompanied by Serena Clarke, Sydney's older sister, who can persuade and manipulate others with her voice. Serena is loyal to Eli, convinced of his righteousness, and helps him track down and eliminate EOs, unaware that her younger sister, Sydney, is now allied with Eli's greatest enemy, Victor.
The Search for Sydney
As Victor's group begins their hunt for Eli, they realize Eli is also looking for someone: Sydney. Eli wants to eliminate her, seeing her resurrection ability as particularly blasphemous. Victor, however, wants to protect Sydney, not only because she is useful to him but also out of a growing sense of responsibility. Serena, working with Eli, is also looking for Sydney, though her motives are complicated by her long separation and concern for her sister. This convergence of interests makes Sydney a crucial, unwitting pawn in the escalating conflict between the two former friends, leading to several tense near-misses.
Flashbacks and Revelations
The story is told through alternating timelines, frequently flashing back to Victor and Eli's college days, detailing their shared research, their competitive friendship, and the events leading up to their experiments. These flashbacks highlight Eli's increasing religious fanaticism and Victor's more pragmatic, if ruthless, approach to their discoveries. We see the gradual erosion of their bond, culminating in Eli's betrayal and Victor's imprisonment. These past events explain the animosity and motivations driving both men in the present, revealing the personal stakes behind their deadly game.
Confrontation at the Warehouse
Victor, Mitch, and Sydney track Eli and Serena to a deserted warehouse, trying to ambush them. A violent confrontation follows. Mitch's super strength clashes with Eli's regenerative abilities, while Sydney's powers are tested as she tries to protect her allies. Serena uses her persuasive voice to try and turn Mitch against Victor. During the fight, Victor reveals his power to manipulate pain, incapacitating some of Eli's temporary henchmen. The battle is fierce but inconclusive, with both sides sustaining injuries and Eli managing to escape, further solidifying the rivalry and raising the stakes for their next encounter.
Serena's Choice
As the conflict intensifies, Serena begins to question Eli's methods, especially after realizing Sydney is alive and allied with Victor. Her loyalty to Eli, initially absolute, is tested by her love and concern for her younger sister. She struggles with the moral implications of Eli's crusade and the knowledge that he intends to kill Sydney. This internal conflict creates a rift between Serena and Eli, hinting at a potential shift in allegiances. Serena's character arc explores the complexities of family bonds versus ideological devotion, making her a key figure in the unfolding drama.
The Final Showdown
Victor and Eli plan a final confrontation at a populated public event, knowing the other will be drawn out. The ensuing battle is chaotic and destructive. Eli's invincibility is a formidable challenge, but Victor cleverly uses his pain manipulation, combined with Mitch's strength and Sydney's unique abilities, to try and gain an advantage. Serena's presence further complicates the fight, as her loyalties are split. The fight involves collateral damage and intense personal stakes, as both men are driven by years of hatred and betrayal, determined to end the other's existence once and for all.
Aftermath and Unresolved Conflict
The climactic battle leaves Eli seemingly defeated, with his powers weakened or neutralized by Victor. However, the ending is not a clear victory for Victor. The events have taken a toll on everyone involved, and the implications of their actions resonate deeply. Victor, Mitch, and Sydney are left to deal with the consequences and the lingering threat of Eli's potential return. The novel concludes with unresolved tension, suggesting that while a battle may have been won, the war between these two powerful and morally ambiguous EOs, and the larger implications of their existence, is far from over. Eli's fate is left ambiguous, hinting at future conflicts.
Principal Figures
Victor Vale
The Protagonist
Victor transforms from a competitive scholar to a vengeful anti-hero, learning to value companionship while remaining morally gray.
Eli Cardale (Eli Ever)
The Antagonist
Eli devolves from an ambitious student into a fanatical, self-righteous killer, becoming more extreme in his beliefs and actions.
Sydney Clarke
The Supporting
Sydney grows from a frightened, lost child into a powerful and essential member of Victor's team, finding a surrogate family.
Mitch
The Supporting
Mitch remains steadfast in his loyalty, acting as the moral center and protector for Victor and Sydney.
Serena Clarke
The Supporting
Serena's unwavering loyalty to Eli is challenged and fractured by the reappearance of her sister, Sydney, forcing her to confront her choices.
Angie
The Mentioned
Angie's death is a static, pivotal event that defines Victor's entire arc.
Dolores
The Supporting
Dolores's arc is brief, serving as a tactical ally for Victor before moving on.
Themes & Insights
Revenge and Obsession
The novel is driven by the theme of revenge, particularly Victor's decade-long obsession with Eli after Angie's death and his imprisonment. This obsession consumes Victor, shaping his every action and alliance. Eli, in turn, is obsessed with his mission to eliminate EOs, believing it to be a divine calling. Both characters are so consumed by their obsessions that they become increasingly ruthless and morally ambiguous, showing how unchecked desires can lead to destruction. This is clear in Victor's calculated escape and Eli's relentless hunting of other EOs, showing how deeply ingrained their fixations are.
““Plenty of people are original. But few are new.””
Morality and Justice
Vicious explores the blurred lines between good and evil, justice and vengeance. Neither Victor nor Eli are clear heroes or villains; both commit morally questionable acts in pursuit of their goals. Victor seeks personal revenge, while Eli believes he is enacting divine justice, yet both cause harm. The novel challenges traditional ideas of heroism, suggesting that power does not inherently lead to righteousness. Characters like Mitch and Sydney often serve as moral anchors, highlighting the ethical dilemmas faced by the EOs. The narrative forces readers to question who is truly 'vicious' and what constitutes justice in a world where extraordinary abilities exist.
““The absence of pain is not the same as happiness.””
The Nature of Power
The book looks at how people react to gaining extraordinary abilities. It suggests that power does not inherently make one a hero; rather, it amplifies existing personality traits and desires. Eli's power solidifies his religious fanaticism, while Victor's amplifies his cunning and desire for control. The various EOs encountered throughout the story show a range of responses to their abilities, from Mitch's gentle strength to Sydney's terrifying gift of resurrection. The novel explores the responsibilities, temptations, and corrupting influence of power, showing how it can both elevate and destroy.
““Given the right circumstances, anyone could be a monster.””
Friendship and Betrayal
At its heart, Vicious is a story about a friendship gone wrong. The initial bond between Victor and Eli, forged in shared brilliance and ambition, devolves into bitter hatred through betrayals. Eli's manipulation of Victor and his abandonment during Angie's death is the ultimate act of treachery, shattering their connection. The novel explores the profound impact of such a betrayal, showing how it can fuel a lifetime of animosity. In contrast, the new friendships formed by Victor with Mitch and Sydney show the potential for new, more genuine bonds to emerge from shared trauma and loyalty.
““I'm not a monster. I'm just good at what I do.””
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
Alternating Timelines
The story jumps between the past (college years) and the present (ten years later).
This device is crucial for building suspense and revealing character motivations. The past timeline details Victor and Eli's friendship, their research, and the experiments that led to their powers and eventual schism. The present timeline follows Victor's escape and hunt for Eli. By interweaving these narratives, the author gradually unveils the layers of betrayal and animosity, making the reader understand the deep-seated reasons for their current conflict. It allows for a slow reveal of critical information, enhancing the mystery surrounding their past.
ExtraOrdinaries (EOs)
Individuals who gain superpowers after a near-death experience.
The EOs are the central conceit of the novel, serving as the primary source of conflict and character development. The mechanism for gaining powers (near-death experiences) adds a layer of danger and desperation. Each EO's power is unique and reflects, to some extent, their personality or the nature of their death. This device allows for a diverse cast of super-powered individuals, each with their own moral compass and impact on the narrative. The existence of EOs drives Eli's crusade and Victor's quest for revenge, shaping the entire world of the story.
The Revenge Plot
Victor's singular goal to get revenge on Eli.
The revenge plot serves as the main driving force of the narrative, providing a clear objective for the protagonist. Victor's decade-long planning and relentless pursuit of Eli give the story its forward momentum and sense of urgency. This device allows for the introduction of various supporting characters (Mitch, Sydney) who become instrumental in Victor's quest. It also frames the antagonist's actions, as Eli's crusade against EOs is directly challenged by Victor's pursuit, creating a direct collision course between the two former friends.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“Plenty of humans were monstrous, and plenty of monsters knew how to pretend to be human.”
— A core theme of the book, blurring the lines between hero and villain.
“He wanted to know how it felt to die. He wanted to know what came after. And then he wanted to come back.”
— Victor's initial motivation for his near-death experience.
“When you look at a person, any person, you see a story, and the story isn't over.”
— A thought about the ongoing nature of life and conflict.
“Revenge is a meal best served cold, but it’s a dish that can be reheated.”
— A twist on the classic revenge proverb, reflecting the long-running feud.
“The only way to truly understand a person was to be them, and since that was impossible, the next best thing was to kill them and take their place.”
— Eli's twisted logic for understanding and eliminating EOs.
“He was a monster, but he was her monster.”
— Sydney's loyalty to Victor, despite his dark nature.
“There were no heroes. Only villains who won.”
— A cynical view on the nature of good and evil in their world.
“Sometimes, when you have nothing left to lose, you have everything to gain.”
— A mantra for characters at their lowest points.
“The world was full of monsters, and some of them wore human skin.”
— Reinforcing the idea that not all threats are obvious.
“Power was a strange thing. It could corrupt, but it could also define.”
— A reflection on the dual nature of the extraordinary abilities.
“He didn't want to be good. He just wanted to be better than Eli.”
— Victor's primary motivation, driven by rivalry rather than altruism.
“Memory was a fickle thing, a ghost that haunted the halls of the mind.”
— A thought on the unreliability and power of memory.
“Every villain is a hero in his own mind.”
— A perspective on the self-justification of antagonists.
“He wasn't trying to save the world. He was just trying to get even.”
— Victor's true, more personal, objective.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
The pivotal event is their college experiment to induce extraordinary abilities through near-death experiences. Victor nearly dies and develops his power to manipulate pain, while Eli successfully dies and resurrects with a healing factor. This experiment, coupled with Eli's subsequent actions, shatters their bond and sets them on opposing paths.
About the author
Biography coming soon.
