Vengeful

byVictoria E. Schwab

☕︎☕︎☕︎☕︎

“Maybe we are broken. But we put ourselves back together. We survived. That’s what makes us so powerful. And as for family—well, blood is always family, but family doesn’t always have to be blood...”

If Vicious was a study in the creation of monsters, Vengeful takes those monsters and lets them loose. V.E. Schwab’s sequel to her gritty, super-powered revenge saga is a sharp, electrifying tale of ambition, power, and the thin line between hero and villain.

The story picks up where Vicious left off, following Victor Vale and Eli Ever—two men bound by their past, their abilities, and their ever-escalating vendetta. But this time, the world of the ExtraOrdinaries expands, introducing new players like Marcella Riggins, a woman who refuses to be underestimated. Marcella is a force, wielding her newly acquired power with deadly precision, proving that ambition and vengeance make for a lethal combination.

Schwab’s writing remains as razor-sharp as ever, effortlessly balancing multiple timelines and perspectives to weave a gripping narrative. The moral ambiguity that made Vicious so compelling is still at play—no one here is truly good or evil, just different shades of ruthless. Victor continues his struggle with his failing powers, Eli remains trapped in his warped sense of righteousness, and new characters bring even more complexity to the chaos.

However, while Vengeful is an intense and immersive read, it doesn’t quite pack the same punch as its predecessor. The pacing can be uneven, with certain storylines dragging while others feel underdeveloped. Marcella is a standout character, but some of the other new additions don’t get the depth they deserve. And while the themes of power and revenge remain strong, the story doesn’t hit quite as hard emotionally as Vicious did.

That said, Vengeful is still a thrilling ride. Schwab’s world-building is darkly fascinating, her characters are deeply flawed and endlessly compelling, and the action is relentless. If you loved Vicious, this sequel is absolutely worth the read—even if it doesn’t surpass the original.

Final Verdict: 4/5. Not quite as sharp as Vicious, but still a wickedly entertaining exploration of power,