A masterful, twisted tale of ambition, jealousy, betrayal, and superpowers, set in a near-future world
Victor and Eli started out as college roommates — brilliant, arrogant, lonely
boys who recognized the same sharpness and ambition in each other. In
their senior year, a shared research interest in adrenaline, near-death
experiences, and seemingly supernatural events reveals an intriguing
possibility: that under the right conditions, someone could develop
extraordinary abilities. But when their thesis moves from the academic
to the experimental, things go horribly wrong.
Ten years later,
Victor breaks out of prison, determined to catch up to his old friend
(now foe), aided by a young girl whose reserved nature obscures a
stunning ability. Meanwhile, Eli is on a mission to eradicate every
other super-powered person that he can find — aside from his sidekick, an
enigmatic woman with an unbreakable will. Armed with terrible power on
both sides, driven by the memory of betrayal and loss, the archnemeses
have set a course for revenge — but who will be left alive at the end?
“A dynamic and original twist on what it means to be a hero and a villain. A killer from page one… highly recommended!” — Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author of Marvel Universe vs The Avengers and Patient Zero
“Schwab gathers all the superhero/supervillain tropes and turns them on their sundry heads… I could not put it down.” — F. Paul Wilson, New York Times bestselling author of the Repairman Jack series
“Vicious is dark and intricate and daring, twisting back and forth through time and morality and life and death until you can't turn the pages fast enough. I loved it.” — Dan Wells, author of I Am Not a Serial Killer
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Start a discussionThe series
In the Villains series by V. E. Schwab, morality is a shifting shadow, and the line between hero and villain is drawn in ever-changing ink. Set in a world where extraordinary abilities can be both a blessing and a curse, this series dives deep into the nature of power, revenge, and the dangerous allure of becoming what you’ve always feared.
Read full series description
At the heart of Villains are two brilliant, morally complex characters—Victor Vale and Eli Ever, former friends turned bitter enemies. Both have powers that should have elevated them to the status of saviors, but instead, their ambitions spiral into a violent clash of ideals, beliefs, and identity. Victor, with his quest for vengeance, and Eli, who views himself as a savior, explore what happens when individuals with godlike powers are also deeply flawed and driven by personal demons.
The world Schwab builds is dark and gritty, with a sharp exploration of what happens when the desire for greatness leads to catastrophic consequences. Each book in the series twists the classic superhero narrative into something entirely its own, blending themes of hubris, loyalty, and the price of pursuing vengeance. With every character both complex and unpredictable, Villains refuses to offer easy answers, instead embracing the ambiguity that comes with the exploration of power and its consequences.
The atmospheric storytelling and morally gray characters invite readers to rethink traditional notions of right and wrong, offering a refreshing perspective on the anti-hero trope. Schwab’s trademark wit and precision with character development shine through, creating a world where no one is entirely good, and everyone has something to lose.
Villains is a series that keeps you on the edge of your seat, constantly questioning who the real villain is—and whether it’s possible to escape the pull of becoming one yourself.
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