Challenge Corner discussion

The sequel to VICIOUS, V.E. Schwab's first adult novel.

Sydney once had Serena—beloved sister, betrayed enemy, powerful ally. But now she is 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.

Part 1 - (view spoiler)[ Ah, I was wondering what was going to happen to Marcella. But how will she fit in with what is going on with Victor? (hide spoiler)]
Part 2 - (view spoiler)[ Ick, I think this Dr. Haverty is the worst villain of them all. Yet, I foresee him being the key to Victor's problem somehow. It will be interesting to see what happens if they cross paths. (hide spoiler)]
Part 3 - (view spoiler)[ I don't see Victor and Marcella working together very well. They both want to be in charge too much. I do think that Marcella will threaten Sydney somehow and that will force June to pick a side. I also worry that Mitch will survive whatever happens. He is just human after all......unless he dies and becomes an EO?? (hide spoiler)]

Finished - (view spoiler)[ Ugh! That ending! I just feel left hanging, but not in a cliffhanger kind of way, rather like someone stopped in the middle of a sentence. I'm so sad that Victor has secluded himself from Mitch and Sydney. I also don't think Eli is dead, sorry. I really thought that Eli's perspective might change a little when confronted with Dr. Haverty again. This whole time, he has thought he was protecting regular humans from the EOs, but here is Dr. Haverty - a truly horrific regular human that the EOs need protection from. I was hoping it would give his character the chance to come around. But, maybe if he isn't dead.....

I still loved the book regardless of how unfulfilled I feel here at the end. (hide spoiler)]

Part 1 (view spoiler)[
I like how this book picks up shortly after the last one ended, but there are a bunch of new characters and plot points. I really really enjoyed the first book, so I am hoping this one will be just a good. I am really focused on reading this because already have a bunch of questions that I need answers for. What is causing Victor's painful episodes, and why did bringing him from the dead back start them? What is June's ulterior motive with Sydney? Is Eli going to come back into the picture? And more! (hide spoiler)]

Part 2 (view spoiler)[
I am not really sure I like the direction Schwarb took Eli in this one. I feel like this wasn't the original intention for him in the first book, but she decided to change gears in this one and make Eli seem more evil. I just liked him better in the first book. He seemed more realistic than this new version. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Part 3 (view spoiler)[
Wow, Victor keeps becoming more and more like a bad guy. He never was a good guy, but I considered him better than Eli. I honestly like the characters in this series because no one is really good or really bad, they are a mixture of both. It is a bit more realistic. However, I still don't like how this book has tried to make Eli more evil than the first one. Another note, that way to lure Eli back to Merit was actually quite smart. (hide spoiler)]

Part 4 and Part 5 (view spoiler)[
(view spoiler)[I wasn't sure if there was going to be another book after this one so I didn't entirely expect Eli to die. It was about time, though! I honestly expected him to wake up when he was in the morgue. I was happy when he remained dead throughout the end of the book. I was, however, sad that Victor left Mitch and Sydney. I know he is doing it to keep them safe while he goes after his own agenda, but still… (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Started
5% (view spoiler)[Great start, I should've started the second book sooner (hide spoiler)]

Hope I can continue this today or tomorrow -crossing fingers-

13% (view spoiler)[Poor Victor, hope he gets fixed quick (hide spoiler)]

25% (view spoiler)[Curious to where this is going how all these characters will fall into place (hide spoiler)]

28% (view spoiler)[Ooh the betrayer ! I hope he'll regret or that he's actually a spy (hide spoiler)]

36% (view spoiler)[At same time you feel super sad for Eli, but at the same time you also realise he's a psychopath and when he kills someone he doesn't truly loves, he loves it and thinks it's a sign of god, but his mom, his new family and Victor dying actually made him feel horrible, pointing that there's at least something redeemable left (hide spoiler)]

45% (view spoiler)[I think Dr Haverty is the true villain here, not the others even if they killed people rofl, torture thrumphs quick swift killing (hide spoiler)]

66% (view spoiler)[ Oh it's slowly coming to and end, it will probably be a bang when all of them collide together. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[Forgot to update throughout the last part but oh this was such a good book, I liked it better then the first one, and I'm probably alone in that. I really want a 3rd book rofl (hide spoiler)]

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RESTARTING JULY 18TH, 2022

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Genesis (view spoiler)[I'm wondering what Marcella's ability will be. (hide spoiler)]

Part 1 (view spoiler)[I'm loving it so far! Now we know that Victor didn't come back correctly, but it's interesting that he keeps dying. I wonder who June is and how she will play a role in everything. I'm sure the EON will be a large part of the book too. (hide spoiler)]

Part 2 (view spoiler)[ I feel like a lot has happened. I can't believe Eli was tortured the way he was. I mean I don't like him, but I wouldn't want him to be tortured like that. (hide spoiler)]

Part 3 (view spoiler)[ This was pretty slow for me. I still don't really trust June. I'm not sure what exactly she wants from Sydney. I feel like Still isn't actually a bad guy, but he just makes poor decisions sometimes. (hide spoiler)]

Genesis
(view spoiler)[ BOOM. Love this beginning. I'm always suspicious of new characters when they join series partway through but she is just too cool. I'm gonna like her I think :)

(hide spoiler)]

Part One (view spoiler)[
Woooow, so much has happened since book one! I like the fact that there was a time gap because then we get to skip around the timeline in the same way as the first book - it can be a bit confusing but I really like it.
Victor coming back wrong - I'm just relieved to know what it is! But poor Sydney, she feels so responsible. And now she knows about Serena. Gah. She's obviously practising so she can get Serena back without having any remains at all. But Serena is just over-powered, and what would her flaw be when she was brought back??
Interesting to see what part June continues to play.
And I was annoyed that Marcella wasn't mentioned, but then we got a chapter of her so I was happy. Her power is... melting stuff? I guess that's sort of cool, makes sense anyway. (hide spoiler)]

Ashlyn, what ExtraOrdinary power would you pick if you could choose? You don't have to answer if it's too personal :)

I think... of the powers we've seen so far, I'd probably pick June's. But if I could choose any superpower it would be...
a - (real answer) healing people, NOT bringing them back from the dead
b - (selfish answer) being able to fly!

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Ashlyn, what ExtraOrdinary power would you pick if you could choose? You don't have to answer if it's too personal :)

I think... of the powers we've seen so far, I'd probably pick June's. But if I..."

I'd have to think about this one, but I wouldn't do the flying. Too many bugs would get on my face.

Finished (view spoiler)[How did Dom die?? I'm glad that Eli is dead and Victor got away. Hopefully Sydney can find him. (hide spoiler)]

Ashlyn wrote: "Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Ashlyn, what ExtraOrdinary power would you pick if you could choose? You don't have to answer if it's too personal :)

I think... of the powers we've seen so far, I'd probably p..."

rofl - lucky I don't mind bugs!

Ashlyn wrote: "Part 2 [spoilers removed]"

Part II Revelation (view spoiler)[

You're right - a TON has happened. I was really glad to get to Marcella properly again and to see Eli; Victor and co's story was beginning to become a bit samey for me, so this was the perfect change of pace.

I've really enjoyed learning Eli's background. Can't believe he was tortured like that. Ugh. No one should ever be tortured IMO, and that was hardcore. I don't think this could be adapted for film because it's just so damn grim!

Interesting to have the torturer (Haggarty) come back in the end chapters - I wonder what role he's going to play further on?

I'm enjoying this - it's so well paced, well written, it feels sort of effortless to read (especially compared to some of my other current reads lol) (hide spoiler)]

Will start this today! :)

Part 1, chapter 9: (view spoiler)[Wow, sometimes I forget how bad Victor can be, and then he goes "Yep, we have to kill everyone we've ever met." And I remember... (hide spoiler)]

Andy wrote: "Part 1, chapter 9: [spoilers removed]"

ROFL - this statement is so apt!

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Andy wrote: "Part 1, chapter 9: [spoilers removed]"

ROFL - this statement is so apt!"

Right??? :P

End of Part 1: (view spoiler)[Poor Sydney, she's quite lonely and being taken as a child is rough. I initially thought June might be Marcella, I find the constant switch between timelines a little bit confusing. :P I wonder where this is going with June, hers is another quite dangerous skill! Though Dominic's is also great, but he retired back where he was, so... Bha! (hide spoiler)]

I've got Covid - I couldn't read for more than a few sentences yesterday without feeling like I was going to die (jk) but I'm going to try again today. Wish me luck! I'm leaving City of Brass to one side for the time being - far too much for my addled brain.

(view spoiler)[ I had to remind myself what Dominic's superpower was my memory is so crap! I do feel super sorry for Sydney. She's treated like she's a child because she looks like one and she also lives in a pretty childlike set-up. June makes me nervous... (hide spoiler)]

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "I've got Covid - I couldn't read for more than a few sentences yesterday without feeling like I was going to die (jk) but I'm going to try again today. Wish me luck! I'm leaving City of Brass to on..."

Sorry you got Covid! Hope you recover soon! Sending you good vibes! ;)
When I had it, it lasted around a week and it felt like a big flu, but everyone is different...

I think we agreed to read The Guinevere Deception, too, starting like today (?), but just let me know if/when you want to start that! I am in no rush! ;)

(view spoiler)[Yes, June is a bit dodgy... (hide spoiler)]

Andy wrote: "Ellen-Arwen wrote: "I've got Covid - I couldn't read for more than a few sentences yesterday without feeling like I was going to die (jk) but I'm going to try again today. Wish me luck! I'm leaving..."

Thank you darling. The Guinevere Deception today?? I'd better get my butt in gear! I'm gonna try and finish this today at least
Whew.

I hope it doesn't last long. It's flu-y atm, but already better yesterday when I couldn't even read so definite progress! (Just worried about heart palpitations but it is one of the symptoms so I guess it's okay!)

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Andy wrote: "Ellen-Arwen wrote: "I've got Covid - I couldn't read for more than a few sentences yesterday without feeling like I was going to die (jk) but I'm going to try again today. Wish me luck..."

Glad you are better, but take things slow! I remember feeling better on day two, and then feeling worse again day three (facepalm).

Here is the thread for The Guinevere Deception (it's under series)
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I am behind in Vengeful and will probably not start another book till I finish it, so no rush from me!!!

Andy wrote: "Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Andy wrote: "Ellen-Arwen wrote: "I've got Covid - I couldn't read for more than a few sentences yesterday without feeling like I was going to die (jk) but I'm going to try again..."

Thanks lovely!
Well, I've powered through part two and have the mother of all headaches so I might have to take it easy for a bit. (I should have read your message first...) But here are my thoughts so far.

Part II (view spoiler)[

Yay, we got back to Marcella - I've been missing her because she seemed like such an epic character to ignore for the first chunk! I thought that Dominic was going behind Victor's back in working for EON and I just had this doom-laden feeling until I realised it was Victor who told him to. Holy crap. Victor is so powerful it is scary. Interesting to actually get a proper Eli PoV chapter - he is so messed up. Yes, I feel sorry for poor little Eli and his crappy upbringing but... wow, he is he an entitled bastard or what?? (hide spoiler)]

Forgot to add (view spoiler)[
Holy shit, the way they tortured Eli. And that guy is getting involved again somehow? I don't think Stell is as in charge of EON as he thinks... (hide spoiler)]

Ashlyn wrote: "Part 3 [spoilers removed]" That's interesting Ashlyn, I didn't find it slow at all! Quite the opposite...

Well, I think I'm probably going to have to sleep for six hours to make my head not explode but it was worth it.

Part III Ascension (view spoiler)[

Favourite quote so far: Some women spent years planning their wedding. Marcella had spend the last decade planning a hostile takeover.

Sorry, that just tickled me! Everything's hotting up - this is such a well-paced book.

What does June want with Sydney? Her images of them becoming a fivesome and being 'like a family' are very touching, and we really know virtually nothing about her original background, so I guess that could be true but... I'm just nervous. I like Sydney. LEAVE HER ALONE please.

I liked the focus of this section - it was pretty varied.

Interestingly, I feel like Schwab is trying to make us side with Victor more and think Eli is the most evil one - his clever machinations with luring Victor back to Merit. I feel pretty reticent to being pushed around by an author tbh, and Victor is no hero! I mean, I do prefer him, but that's only because I know him better as a character tbh. I don't know. I feel like the first book gave us more scope to judge the characters ourselves whereas now we're being pushed in a certain direction...

Victor and Marcella will NEVER work well together. So, June's little fairytale idea is a bit of a joke. (hide spoiler)]

Just a quick check in before the end (or before I fall asleep lol)

Part III Chapter 12
(view spoiler)[

I fricking love Mitch, how they always underestimate him.
That was SO anticlimactic when Sydney decided not to try and resurrect Serena. I mean, it was a good call, but I would have liked to see her try. Imagine having that many powerful EOs at once... oh god. it'd be awful. Victor and Eli and Marcella - it'd be carnage.

Why has June drugged Sydney? I think she genuinely wants to protect her but what is she doing?? Still can't work her out.

Dominic is proving pretty useless really, not sure what he's there for lol.

And Eli now having his shower removing all the tracking devices... I think the most evil person is Dr Haverty. He's the one who took pleasure in the torture. I wonder if he'll come back? Or did he die already? I can't even remember lol. (hide spoiler)]

Gah, can't decide. I want to binge until the end but I'd probably appreciate it if I felt a bit better... we'll see if I can hold out lol.

I finished :D Too tired to write anything now more, but this is one awesome book.

Part II Revelation:

(view spoiler)[The part about vivisection was horrendous - poor Eli! The insights on his childhood give us a much better picture, interesting! I didn't think he would be so messed up... (hide spoiler)]

Ellen-Arwen wrote:"

Part II Revelation

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I think that could be easily adapted, given the current violence of some shows - you can just show Eli strapped on a table, the saw starting, and the cut to a mirror or something, where you don't see things clearly. :P Not that I'd want to see that specific scene, but I think this would adapt well to screen, in a "The Boys" type show. (hide spoiler)]

Andy wrote: "Part II Revelation:

[spoilers removed]

Ellen-Arwen wrote:"

Part II Revelation

[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

True! Tbh, I avoid a lot of TV shows because they're too violent nowadays anyway. Or because they have sex in. I am officially about 90 years old rofl

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Andy wrote: "Part II Revelation:

[spoilers removed]

Ellen-Arwen wrote:"

Part II Revelation

[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

True! Tbh, I avoid a lot of TV shows because they're too vi..."

Ahah! I agree! I will admit I'm becoming put off by all the gore and violence in the things I'm watching lately... :( Usually the seasons after the first one they ramp things up, and it becomes too much, but then I want to know about the actual story, and that's why I try to keep watching...

Andy wrote: "Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Andy wrote: "Part II Revelation:

[spoilers removed]

Ellen-Arwen wrote:"

Part II Revelation

[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

True! Tbh, I avoid a lot of TV shows be..."

Totally. They could get a good 2/3 - 3/4 of the gore in most TV shows and I think that would still be enough. The story is what we want!!

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Totally. They could get a good 2/3 - 3/4 of the gore in most TV shows and I think that would still be enough. The story is what we want! ."

:) exactly!!! :)

Part 3: (view spoiler)[Marcella is starting to look a lot like the character of Barbara in "Gotham", so it feels a bit derivative to me (no idea whether the book or the show came first though) - I don't love mafia stories, so this one is taking it in a direction that's a bit bah to me... (hide spoiler)]

Andy wrote: "Part 3: [spoilers removed]"

Yeah! (view spoiler)[ I don't mind mafia books, but this one was just a little too much with Marcella. I just felt like her character was a little unnecessary and didn't add to the story. (hide spoiler)]

Ashlyn wrote: "Andy wrote: "Part 3: [spoilers removed]"

Yeah! [spoilers removed]"

Not finished the book, so I'm not sure, but yes, this seems to be taking over!

Ashlyn wrote: "Andy wrote: "Part 3: [spoilers removed]"

Yeah! [spoilers removed]"

Agree with both of you! (view spoiler)[ I haven't read many mafia books so I thought Marcella was pretty cool to start with but then she just got too powerful and it was like... yawn. (hide spoiler)]

Finished! I really like the ending, (view spoiler)[but who is June then??? Why does she want Syd?Just because she's an EO?

Sad that Victor left them, but right choice, I think... Though isn't EON going to target Sydney then? (hide spoiler)]

Andy wrote: "Finished! I really like the ending,,(view spoiler)[ but who is June then??? Why does she want Syd?Just because she's an EO?

Sad that Victor left them, but right choice, I think... Though isn't EON going to target..." (hide spoiler)]

I know! There are too many loose ends but it's really over... it feels like there should be a third book.

I'm so glad you liked it :D

Andy wrote: "Finished! I really like the ending, ..."

(view spoiler)[I think Victor left so they wound't go after Sydney. He would be EON's target because Mitch isn't even an EO. (hide spoiler)]

Ashlyn wrote: "Andy wrote: "Finished! I really like the ending, ..."

[spoilers removed]"

That's what I figured. (view spoiler)[ Messed up and a murderer, but still noble and almost gentlemanly... (hide spoiler)]

Thank you both! :) (view spoiler)[I still think EON might target Sydney eventually, if she's in the database, but certainly not being with Victor would help being low priority! ;) (hide spoiler)]