#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR
From the author of A Darker Shade of Magic comes Vengeful, the highly-anticipated sequel to V. E. Schwab's debut adult novel Vicious, a masterful tale of ambition, jealousy, and superpowers.
A super-powered battle of genius, cruelty, and the lengths one will go for vengeance―V. E. Schwab returns with the end to the Villains duology.
Magneto and Professor X. Superman and Lex Luthor. Victor Vale and Eli Ever.
Sydney Clarke once had Serena―beloved sister, betrayed enemy, powerful ally. But now she's alone, except for her thrice-dead dog, Dol. And then there's Victor, who thinks Sydney doesn't know about his most recent act of vengeance.
Victor himself is under the radar these days―being buried and re-animated can strike concern even if one has superhuman powers. But despite his own worries, his anger remains.
And Eli Ever still has yet to pay for the evil he has done.
The 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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