LITTLE BOOK CLUB discussion

What are your first impressions of the book? What do you predict might happen?

*SPOILERS present below*

I was blown away from the first chapter. I don't know why, but I was under the impression this was a middle grade novel, so was kind of dragging my feet because I'm not in the mood for MG lately ughhh. But then I realized very quickly it's an adult superhero book and got just so excited. The writing is so beautiful and the characters are so wonderfully twisted and broken. It's so hard to put down.

This book is the perfect read for October – dark and creepy. I’m fascinated by these characters and all their oddities. I’m not sure yet how I feel about each chapter skipping back and forth to different years in the plot. It’s almost too jarring for me, but I think I’ll be able to adjust as I continue reading. I don’t have any definite predictions, but I am intrigued by Sydney and hope we get to see more of her history and forward development as the book continues!

Has anyone else noticed that the characters are often described as “perched” - either above someone or on something? It makes me imagine them as vultures hovering over something dead, which fits with the dark tone of the book.

Alice in zombie land!!!!!!

I love love love the way the chapters flip back and forth between the "present day" and "ten years ago." I always love it when stories follow a non-traditional timeline and I kind of feel like I'm reading a mystery novel and trying to figure out how Victor got from point A to point B.

Another thing I think is very interesting about the book is how complex Victor seems to be. I can't quite tell if he's actually apathetic and unimpressed by the world around him, or if he just presents himself that way as a kind of defense mechanism because of his clearly absentee parents. He seems to (as a student) genuinely care (although trying not to show it) what the people he cares about think of him, at least.

I'm really enjoying it thus far! :-) I am a bit confused as to what they're trying to do with the near death experiences though?

So far it is interesitng. I like how the story is building up!

What book is everyone talking about? Are the roman numerals the title?

we are talking about the book vicious by v.e schwab. the roman numbers refer to the chapters

I'm really liking this book so far. Victor is a fascinating maincharacter. Normally I'm not a big fan of skipping between different times but I think it's just perfect for this book to see and learn more about the story and characters. I hope the ExtraOrdinary-Stuff will be explained a little more in the next chapters though.

I'm really liking this book so far! It has such an eerie and creepy tone to it, and it's kept me hooked from chapter 1. I love Victor as a main character, he is odd, broken and you can't quite place him as being either good or bad. I like complex characters! The whole ExtraOrdinary idea is great, and I hope you get to know more about that. I also hope we get to know more about Sydney and Mitch.

First impression: This book is nuts! I've never read a book like this, but it's good so far. Captivating. Not too sure what to expect, but I'm guessing that Sydney's sister is in with Eli. And I guess that Victor is wanting to get after Eli in the now, because he shot him (back then)? Is that the only reason though?? And I'm also wondering if Sydney also is an EO...it says she hesitated in answering when Victor asked if she had a gift, before she answered with no. Oh and Mitch, does he have a gift too?? I'm guessing so (and can't remember at this very moment if it had been mentioned, previously, if he did or not)...

I'm really, really enjoying this so far. As other people have said, the flicking back and forth between time periods works very well, giving you glimpses of it and making you connect the dots. I really love the non-existence of good and evil and that Victor is both. Victor is definitely an intruiging character.

Loving this so far. The timeline jumps really help push the story forward, making you feel like you have to rush through a chapter to discover the next piece. The characters are interesting and the story is gripping. The superhero genre is one of my favourites in all medias so I can't wait to see where this ends up.

I liked the timeline jumps, too. At some point I thought this was going to be like Flatliners (the movie), but the jumps made it clear it was not the case.

I just got done with Part 1, And I love complex characters. I'm very confused on who's the true super villian. One would probably automatically say Victor, but Eli has super villian characteristics too.

Carolyn wrote: "I just got done with Part 1, And I love complex characters. I'm very confused on who's the true super villian. One would probably automatically say Victor, but Eli has super villian characteristics..."

Funny you say that, 'cause never once I thought about Victor as a super villain. He has this honesty and acception about him and his actions that distincted him from one in my opinion, since super villains usually tend to convince us that they're actually the good guys and/or that they're “burdened with glorious purpose” xD

Oh for sure. I understand where you're coming from. But the way I've seen it from the begginning is the jealousy from Victor towards Eli. How in my opinion it was for selfish motives, and his thirst for power almost made him "vicious". Haha. And I always saw Eli as the hero. For example I almost understand his motives for wanting to kill Sydney. Raising the dead is unnatural, but that's just me. :) haha

I have never read a superhero book before and I am hooked. I love the alternating time frames. It keeps me interested in Victor and Eli's story and what happened between them to make them go from best friends to enemies. I am also very intrigued to see how Sydney plays into the bigger picture.

I have read so little of this book, I have had almost no time to do so... I did very much enjoy the beginning though very captivating :D