Vengeful (Villains, #2)
by V.E. Schwab
A supercharged collision of ambition and vengeance unfolds in Merit City, where Victor Vale—brought back from death—struggles with powers that betray him at every turn, even as he chases a cure for his corrupted resurrection. Beside him, Marcella Riggins—reborn and ravenous for control—wields a touch that destroys, assembling her own cadre of extraordinary allies and dragging old rivals into a deadly game of power, allegiance, and reckoning.
Tropes & Themes
About This Book
In "Vengeful," the sequel to V.E. Schwab's "Vicious," the narrative delves deeper into the lives of ExtraOrdinary individuals (EOs) in Merit City. Victor Vale, resurrected with powers that betray him, seeks a cure for his corrupted resurrection while grappling with the consequences of his return. Alongside him, Marcella Riggins, reborn and ravenous for control, assembles a cadre of extraordinary allies, dragging old rivals into a deadly game of power, allegiance, and reckoning.
The story is driven by the tension between Victor's struggle to control his abilities and Marcella's relentless pursuit of dominance. Their complex relationships and the moral ambiguities of their actions create a suspenseful atmosphere, exploring themes of power, revenge, and the human cost of extraordinary abilities. The dark, intense mood of the narrative is underscored by the characters' internal conflicts and the high stakes of their confrontations.
As the plot unfolds, alliances shift, and the boundaries between heroism and villainy blur, leading to a climactic reckoning that challenges the characters' perceptions of themselves and each other. The novel's slow-burn tension builds to a powerful conclusion, leaving readers reflecting on the complexities of ambition and vengeance in a world where power comes at a high cost.
What Readers Say
Many readers praise Schwab's compelling character development and intricate world-building in 'Vengeful'. Fans appreciate the novel's non-linear narrative structure, which adds depth to the storytelling. Some readers find the portrayal of morally ambiguous characters both engaging and thought-provoking. A few readers note that the book's pacing can be uneven, with some sections feeling slower than others. Content warnings include themes of violence, death, and moral ambiguity, which may be unsettling for some readers.
