This book was recommended to me by one of my coworkers and she knows what she’s talking about. Schwab and the library both categorized it as “Adult Fiction”, but it kind of felt YA to me. Of course, that might just be how one distinguishes between the two.
Eli Cardale and Victor Vale (whose name is ridiculously similar to a Batman character, but there doesn’t seem to be much of a connection between the two) were best friends and roommates in college. Until they decided to work together on a research project about ExtraOrdinaries, humans with seemingly impossible abilities. This research, and subsequent experiments cause the proverbial feces to hit the fan, and violence, betrayal, and vendettas ensue.
The characters are all very interesting, they all have backstories and motivation for doing what they do. The pace is quick, there’s some good action, and Schwab keeps it brief, without getting into too many of the gorey details (there still are some gorey details, but it’s no Titus Andronichus). The best part of this book, for me, was the look at morality. One character sees himself as a hero, but does some pretty heinous stuff. The other is intrigued by the possibility of being the villain, since he is the counter to the “hero”. Our “villain” (who we get to know the best), spends time musing over the moral implications of his actions and the actions of those around him.
I’d say this book is completely lacking a hero in the moral sense, but that’s what I find so fascinating. Just normal people put in an extraordinary scenario, and none of them really think about the “greater good”. Additionally, this book gives a brief glimpse into the mind of a psychopath. Many of the characters seem to lose their sense of empathy and remorse (if they indeed ever had one), and struggle to determine the appropriate behavior.
If you like superhero stories, philosophical quandaries, or sassy protagonists, give Vicious by V.E. Schwab a read.
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