The Dance of Light and Shadow
In a world where extraordinary abilities come at the cost of death itself, Victoria E Schwab’s Vengeful emerges as a dark symphony of ambition, revenge, and the corrupting nature of power. This brilliant sequel to Vicious proves that sometimes the most compelling stories aren’t about heroes versus villains, but about the shadowy territory where morality blurs and power corrupts absolutely.
A Tale of Three Powers
Vengeful by Victoria E Schwab picks up five years after the events of Vicious, weaving together three main narrative threads that eventually converge into a spectacular collision. At its heart lies Marcella Riggins, a mob wife who rises from the ashes of her husband’s attempted murder to become Merit City’s most formidable new power. Her ability to decay anything she touches serves as a perfect metaphor for her corrosive ambition.
Meanwhile, Victor Vale grapples with the consequences of his resurrection, experiencing increasingly frequent deaths as his power turns against him. His search for a cure becomes a desperate race against time, even as he tries to protect Sydney Clarke, the young EO who brought him back to life.
The third thread follows Eli Ever, still imprisoned by a government organization called EON, but far from powerless. Schwab masterfully shows how even in captivity, Eli’s influence reaches far beyond his cell walls.
The Art of Character Evolution
The Rise of Marcella
Marcella Riggins emerges as one of Schwab’s most compelling creations. Unlike Victor and Eli, who gained their powers through calculated experimentation, Marcella’s transformation comes from betrayal and survival. Her journey from trophy wife to sovereign power is both terrifying and captivating. Schwab excels at showing how Marcella’s newfound abilities don’t change her so much as amplify who she always was—ambitious, ruthless, and unwilling to be controlled.
Victor’s Descent
Victor Vale’s arc takes a fascinating turn as he faces his own mortality in a way he never has before. His increasingly desperate search for a cure reveals vulnerabilities we’ve never seen in him, adding layers to his complex character. The relationship between Victor and Sydney continues to be one of the story’s emotional anchors, though now complicated by his deteriorating condition.
The Shapeshifting June
The introduction of June, a shapeshifter with her own agenda, adds another fascinating dimension to the story. Her ability to become anyone she touches makes her an excellent foil to both Marcella’s destructive touch and Victor’s pain manipulation. Through June, Schwab explores themes of identity and belonging in ways that feel fresh and compelling.
Strengths and Achievements
Masterful Structure
Schwab’s nonlinear narrative structure continues to shine, with timelines weaving together like strands of a rope. The past and present sequences are perfectly balanced, each revealing crucial information at exactly the right moment. The pacing is relentless yet never feels rushed, building to a climactic confrontation that feels both inevitable and surprising.
World Building
The expansion of the EO universe through the introduction of EON adds fascinating new dimensions to the story. Schwab crafts a believable infrastructure around the existence of EOs, exploring how society might actually attempt to contain and control such individuals.
Thematic Depth
The novel delves deeper into questions of power, control, and the nature of villainy. Schwab continues to subvert traditional superhero tropes, showing how the line between hero and villain often depends entirely on perspective.
Areas for Improvement
Pacing in the Middle
While the novel’s structure is generally strong, there are moments in the middle section where the multiple storylines can feel slightly overwhelming. Some readers might find themselves wanting to spend more time with certain characters and less with others.
Character Balance
Though Marcella is a fascinating addition to the cast, her dominance of the narrative sometimes comes at the expense of developing other interesting characters, particularly Sydney, who feels somewhat sidelined compared to her role in Vicious.
The Verdict
Vengeful by Victoria E Schwab is a worthy successor to Vicious, expanding the world and raising the stakes while maintaining the psychological complexity and moral ambiguity that made the first book so compelling. Schwab’s prose remains sharp and evocative, her characters complex and memorable, and her plotting masterful.
For Fans Of:
- The Darker Shade of Magic series by V. E. Schwab
- Worm by Wildbow
- The Renegades trilogy by Marissa Meyer
- The Umbrella Academy by Gerard Way
Notable Lines
“Power belonged to the man with the biggest gun. Marcella thought of the remains of Tony Hutch’s body, staining his white carpet.”
“Sometimes subtlety is overrated.”
Final Thoughts
Vengeful confirms Victoria E Schwab’s status as one of the most innovative voices in contemporary fantasy. It’s a story that will leave readers questioning their assumptions about power, morality, and the nature of villainy itself. While it builds effectively on the foundation laid by Vicious, it stands as its own achievement, pushing boundaries and raising questions that will linger long after the final page.
